In a new world of college football, where a power conference has fallen and the College Football Playoff has been expanded, the Group of Five teams are likely licking their chops as they have a chance at more national recognition and a real opportunity to have a seat at the table for a National Championship. All it really takes is one good coach and one good donor who is willing to throw some cash in the NIL pot for a Group of Five school to really compete at the top level. We saw this a few years back when Cincinnati made the College Football Playoff when it was still just four teams, and now we are guaranteed to have a G5 team every single year. Let’s break down the 2024 Group of Five top schools and we’ll explain the new changes to the CFP.
What’s Changed
Now that the College Football Playoff has expanded to 12 teams, the top ranked from the ACC, SEC, Big 12, and Big Ten will auto qualify for the playoff. After that, there will be at-large bids and the highest ranked school from the Mountain West, American Athletic Conference, Sun Belt, Mid-American Conference or Conference USA will have a seat at the table. And who knows, maybe we will see more than one of these teams sneak into playoff contention.
Three Best Group of Five Schools
- Liberty – Fresh off a New Year’s Six appearance, the Flames have established themselves as a quality college football program that can attract big name coaches and big-time players. There is a lot of money from the donors of this private school and football success is paramount to them. After a 13-1 season in 2023, I am giving them the best odds to take a run at the CFP this time around. Kaidon Salter is returning at QB and had 43 all-purpose touchdowns a season ago.
- Boise State – I love the Broncos and am ready for them to get back into the national spotlight yet again. I am a firm believer that college football is a better place when Boise State is good. The Broncos won the Mountain West last season, and they will look very familiar to that team after returning 18 starters. They are also adding USC transfer QB Malachi Nelson who is a top talent and could really take their offense to the next level.
- UTSA – The Roadrunners have been on the cusp of being a great G5 program for years now as they build successful season off successful seasons. They are handing over the gunslinging duties to Owen McCown who is the son of longtime NFL QB Josh McCown. They have one of the best backfields in all G5 and they should have no issues making it to the American Athletic Conference title game. Their biggest chance at being the top ranked G5 team is when they play Texas in Week 3. These two played a few years back and UTSA held their own for most of the contest. If there is an upset in this game, things will be interesting for the Roadrunners.