Returning lettermen isn’t the only factor that leads to a winning season... but it sure doesn’t hurt.
College football data clearinghouse Phil Steele has released a post detailing the percentage of returning lettermen for all 128 FBS teams. Mid-majors lead the way, claiming the top five spots, and also three of the four bottom spots.
Two of the top five are successful teams that lose their starting quarterbacks but retain almost everyone else: Colorado State and Marshall. So when you’re making your over/under bets, keep those clubs in mind.
Also, feel free to use this list as justification for ranking Cal as your top sleeper team in a Power Five conference.
Below is the top 25 FBS teams in terms of returning lettermen:
1. Charlotte - 87.5%
2. Massachusetts - 84.6%
3. Colorado State - 83.3%
4. Marshall - 81.7%
5. Connecticut - 80.0%
6. Arizona State - 79.1%
7. Nebraska - 78.9%
8. California - 78.4%
9. Temple - 78.3%
Toledo - 78.3%
11. Western Michigan - 78.2%
12. Georgia State - 78.1%
13. Bowling Green - 78.0%
14. Boise State - 77.8%
15. UCLA - 77.3%
16. East Carolina - 77.2%
17. Tulsa - 77.0%
18. TCU - 76.5%
Michigan State - 76.5%
Michigan - 76.5%
21. Baylor - 75.7%
22. Northwestern - 75.6%
23. Appalachian State - 75.4%
24. Virginia Tech - 75.3%
25. Notre Dame - 75.0%
Miami (Ohio) - 75.0%