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 6:
5. UNLV (4-1, 1-0 Mountain West)
Last week: L, 44-41 vs Syracuse (OT)
The Rebels lost a heartbreaker in overtime on their home field to Syracuse last Friday night. Even with the loss, UNLV can remain firmly in the mix as their resume already features two wins over P4 opponents and another marquee matchup on the slate against Boise State in a couple of weeks.
Next game: Friday, October 11 @ Utah State, 9 p.m., CBS Sports Network
4. Liberty (5-0, 3-0 CUSA)
Last week: W, 34-27 (OT) vs FIU
Yes, Liberty had a game cancelled against Appalachian State. Yes, the Flames will have maybe the worst strength of schedule in the country. Yet, if the Flames continue to win and finish with another unbeaten season and a CUSA champion, they will have a case to be included in the CFP discussion. Sure, the Flames will need some help with several other teams losing like Boise State, Army, Navy, etc., but there is one key distinction that must be made among these teams – you have to win your conference championship. If Liberty takes care of business, they will be right there in the mix at the end and need a little bit of help to get over the hump.
Next game: Wednesday, October 23 @ Kennesaw State, 7 p.m., CBS Sports Network
3. Navy (5-0, 3-0 American)
Last week: W, 34-7 @ Air Force
The Midshipmen continue rolling along and make an interesting case in the American. They could be headed for a showdown with new conference mate Army in the AAC championship game which would be played one week ahead of the annual Army-Navy game. Should be a fun race between those two over the next several weeks.
Next game: Saturday, October 19 vs Charlotte, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
2. Army (5-0, 4-0 American)
Last week: W, 49-7 @ Tulsa
Bryson Daily threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more while Kanye Udoh ran for 137 yards and two touchdowns to carry Army to its ninth win in a row. Their schedule is favorable throughout the rest of the regular season with a matchup against Notre Dame hanging in the balance, but the Black Knights look like they will be a serious contender for a CFP spot as long as they keep winning.
Next game: Saturday, October 12 vs UAB, 12 noon, CBS Sports Network
1. Boise State (4-1, 1-0 Mountain West)
Last week: W, 62-30 vs Utah State
Ashton Jeanty is now the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy as we enter the middle part of the college football season. He ran for 186 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Broncos rolled over Utah State. Boise State looks like the class of the G5. If they win out, the Broncos should be a lock for that CFP spot.
Next game: Saturday, October 12 @ Hawaii, 11 p.m., CBS Sports Network
