With the newly expanded College Football Playoff to 12 teams and the top 5 ranked conference champions getting automatic bids, it means that the highest ranked Group of Five conference champion will be included in this year’s CFP.
With Liberty one of the favorites to contend for this spot, we will be providing a weekly CFP Watch and power rankings of the top five teams in consideration for this G5 spot for as long as the Flames are in contention.
Here are our G5 CFP Power Rankings following Week 1 as we enter Week 2:
5. Liberty (1-0, 0-0 CUSA)
Last week: W, 41-24 vs Campbell
It was a little sloppy and not quite the dominating performance the favorites in Conference USA would have preferred. Still, it’s a win and if Liberty continues to take care of business and string together wins it will be in the conversation when we get later in the season.
Next game: Saturday, September 7 at New Mexico State, 10:30 p.m., ESPN2
4. UNLV (1-0, 0-0 Mountain West)
Last week: W, 27-7 @ Houston
UNLV spoiled Willie Fritz’s debut as Houston’s head coach, picking up the road win on Saturday. Matthew Sluka threw for 71 yards and 2 touchdowns and also ran for 59 yards in the win. He was just 6 of 13 passes but had two touchdown tosses in the first half, as the Rebels led 14-0 at the break. A pick-6 in the third quarter pushed the advantage to 24-0 as UNLV got its first win over a Big 12 team since 2008. Houston avoided the shutout thanks to a touchdown with a minute left in the game.
Next game: Saturday, September 7 vs Utah Tech, 3 p.m.
3. Tulane (1-0, 0-0 American)
Last week: W, 52-0 vs SE Louisiana
Rayshawn Pleasant had a 100-yard pick-6 to preserve the shutout as Tulane rolled against Southeastern Louisiana on Thursday night. Darian Mensah threw a pair of touchdown passes. He was 10 for 12 passing for 205 yards while the Green Wave rushed for 241 yards. Big test for Tulane and their CFP hopes this weekend.
Next game: Saturday, September 7 vs #18 Kansas State, Noon, ESPN
2. Boise State (1-0, 0-0 Mountain West)
Last week: W, 56-45 @ Georgia Southern
Ashton Jeanty looked the part of one of the best running backs in the country. He toted the rock 20 times for 267 yards and 6 touchdowns. Sire Gaines also went over 100 yards rushing with 110 and a score while Maddux Madsen was sharp at quarterback, completing 22 of 31 passes for 280 yards. Allowing 45 points is some cause for concern, especially with a road date at Oregon on the docket.
Next game: Saturday, September 7 at #3 Oregon, 10 p.m.
1. Memphis (1-0, 0-0 American)
Last week: W, 40-0 vs North Alabama
Seth Henigan threw two touchdown passes, Mario Anderson Jr. ran for a pair, and Memphis cruised to an easy win over FCS North Alabama. The Tigers scored 24 points in the second quarter, as they led 31-0 at halftime and never looked back. They outgained the Lions, 372-185 and held UNA to just 3 of 15 on third down conversions while forcing three turnovers. They certainly looked the part of a top G5 contender.
Next game: Saturday, September 7 vs Troy, Noon, ESPNU
