• James Madison is the favourite: The Dukes are 5-1 on the backs of first-year QB Alonza Barnett III.
• Ashton Jeanty propelling Boise State: The Broncos are the lone ranked Group of 5 group and stay harmful with the Heisman frontrunner.
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Estimated studying time: 8 minutes
There have already been a number of fascinating tales pertaining to the College Football Playoff race. The race for a Group of Five playoff spot, or a number of, goes to be tight via the tip of the common season.
Here, we’ll rapidly study the highest Group of Five playoff contenders on the approximate midway level of the season.
*Playoff Percentages based mostly on PFF Power Rankings.
James Madison Dukes
Record: 5-1
Chance to make playoff: 37%
Key video games remaining: vs. Coastal Carolina; @ Appalachian State
We begin with James Madison, which had been taking part in extremely effectively till an in depth loss to Louisiana-Monroe final week. The Dukes nonetheless have an opportunity to make the playoff with a formidable win over North Carolina on their resumé and the remainder of a aggressive Sun Belt schedule in entrance of them.
The keys to the Dukes’ success have been the excellent play of first-year beginning quarterback Alonza Barnett III and an impressive protection unit that presently ranks ninth within the nation in protection grade. If they’ll win out, they can avenge their lone loss within the Sun Belt title sport.
Boise State Broncos
Record: 4-1
Chance to make playoff: 16%
Key video games remaining: @ UNLV, @ San Jose State, vs. Oregon State
Despite what the odds might say, the Broncos presently have the clearest path to the playoff. They are already the one Group of Five group ranked within the AP Top 25 Poll, and their lone loss got here on a final second discipline aim to No. 3 Oregon. Running the desk in a particularly aggressive Mountain West would almost assure their choice by the CFP committee.
Boise State is, after all, led by celebrity working again Ashton Jeanty, who continues to provide at a near-record setting tempo. If its protection can survive video games towards groups like UNLV and Oregon State, Jeanty might carry them to the promised land.
Tulane Green Wave
Record: 4-2
Chance to make playoff: 15%
Key video games remaining: @ North Texas, @ Navy, vs. Memphis
Redshirt freshman quarterback Darian Mensah has been excellent for the Green Wave as Jon Sumrall seeks a playoff berth in his first 12 months as Tulane’s head coach. They performed moderately effectively towards ranked Power Five opponents Kansas State and Oklahoma however couldn’t come away victorious on both event.
However, Tulane has a number of massive video games left on its schedule, towards groups like North Texas, Navy and Memphis, so it is going to have alternatives to achieve floor within the playoff race. Mensah and star working again Makhi Hughes have led a deadly assault that has averaged over 40 factors per sport thus far. If they proceed to say that stage of dominance the remainder of the best way, they stand a combating probability to make the playoff.
Texas State Bobcats
Record: 3-2
Chance to make playoff: 12%
Key video games remaining: vs. Louisiana, @ Louisiana-Monroe
Having two losses on their resumé is hard, however the Bobcats have a excessive flying offense led by ex-James Madison quarterback Jordan McClous. Both of these losses had been by three factors or fewer, and one among them was to a resurgent Arizona State group that presently sits at 4-1.
Texas State must run the desk, however video games towards Louisiana and Louisiana-Monroe stand out as redemption alternatives. The Bobcats might additionally see an excellent group resembling Coastal Carolina or James Madison within the Sun Belt title sport.
Liberty Flames
Record: 5-0
Chance to make playoff: 7%
Key video games remaining: vs. Western Kentucky, @ Sam Houston State
Given a comparatively weak Conference USA schedule, Liberty often is the most certainly group to go undefeated this season. Quarterback Kaidon Salter and working again Quinton Cooley kind probably the most dynamic duo within the convention.
The situation for the Flames is a very simple schedule during which the perfect group they could play is Sam Houston State. They additionally misplaced a chance to play a non-conference sport towards Appalachian State that was canceled as a consequence of Hurricane Helene. Liberty will possible need assistance elsewhere to make the playoff, even when it finishes the season undefeated.
Toledo Rockets
Record: 4-1
Chance to make playoff: 7%
Key video games remaining: @ Northern Illinois, @ Eastern Michigan
Toledo is a wierd case in that it dominated an SEC opponent in Mississippi State, then misplaced the next week to Western Kentucky. When the Rockets have struggled, it’s been due to a cross safety unit that presently ranks because the fourth-worst within the nation.
The MAC provides the chance to select up some good wins towards groups like Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan, however Toledo would possible need to dominate the remainder of the best way with the intention to be severely thought of for one of many 12 playoff spots.
Army Black Knights
Record: 5-0
Chance to make playoff: 4%
Key video games remaining: @ North Texas, vs. Notre Dame
The Black Knights have steamrolled their competitors thus far with their triple possibility assault. They’ve outscored their opponents 194-49, and quarterback Bryson Daily is the third-highest-graded beginning quarterback within the FBS.
Several problems come up when projecting Army’s playoff probabilities. First, the group faces Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium in late November. A win might catapult the Black Knights into prime playoff competition. Second, they don’t play Navy, which can also be presently undefeated, till after the choice committee makes its selections. However, it’s potential that Army might see its bitter rival within the American Athletic Conference title sport. The academy colleges might be fascinating to observe shifting ahead.
Navy Midshipmen
Record: 5-0
Chance to make playoff: 4%
Key video games remaining: vs. Notre Dame, vs. Tulane
Navy’s scenario is strikingly just like Army’s. The Midshipmen are presently undefeated. They have dominated their opposition. Their quarterback, Blake Horvath, is presently the highest-graded beginning quarterback within the FBS. The Midshipmen additionally boast the fifth-highest graded protection within the FBS, so it’s been a balanced effort.
Similar to Army, their playoff probabilities can be enormously boosted by an upset victory over Notre Dame, whom they play in just a few weeks at MetLife Stadium. Even if Navy doesn’t pull that off, a late-season victory over Tulane and an American title sport victory might put the Midshipmen in critical consideration for a playoff spot.
North Texas Mean Green
Record: 4-1
Chance to make playoff: 4%
Key video games remaining: @ Memphis, vs. Tulane, vs. Army
The Mean Green gained’t have the benefit of a Power Five win, as they had been dominated in September by Texas Tech. However, they gained their first convention sport and have alternatives to make up floor towards good opponents like Tulane, Memphis and Army.
Per traditional, North Texas has a high-powered passing assault. This season, the group is led by former TCU starter Chandler Morris, who presently owns the seventh-best passing grade within the FBS. If the Mean Green can enhance their trench play via the harder a part of their American schedule, they nonetheless have an opportunity to show themselves worthy of a playoff spot.
Memphis Tigers
Record: 4-1
Chance to make playoff: 4%
Key video games remaining: vs. North Texas, @ Tulane
The Tigers had been one of many preseason favorites to make the playoff. They boosted their case with a win at Florida State, however a subsequent loss to Navy muddles their probabilities a bit. Memphis has an opportunity to get well, however it is going to want wins over fellow contenders North Texas and Tulane.
The Tigers will want extra manufacturing from quarterback Seth Henigan, who owns only a 65.8 passing grade since Week 2. Memphis is a balanced group, although, and may proceed to get well from that earlier defeat.
UNLV Rebels
Record: 4-1
Chance to make playoff: 3%
Key video games remaining: @ Oregon State, vs. Boise State, @ San Jose State
Between its victories over two Big 12 opponents, a slim loss to Syracuse and the departure of beginning quarterback Matthew Sluka, UNLV has been some of the fascinating tales of the season. If the Rebels can overcome a troublesome Mountain West schedule, together with a matchup with Boise State, they might find yourself because the most certainly group of this group to make the playoff.
Working of their favor is that quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams has performed very effectively after Sluka’s departure. Star vast receiver Ricky White can also be beginning to discover his rhythm after a sluggish begin. We will know every thing we have to know in regards to the Rebels after their October matchups with Oregon State and Boise State.