Fansided

College Football Group of 5 Conferences preview 2017

By Nicholas Ian Allen

SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 17: Quinton Flowers (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 17: Quinton Flowers (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 8
Next
PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 27: Boise State Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien (4) (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – DECEMBER 27: Boise State Broncos quarterback Brett Rypien (4) (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

G5 Game of the Year

Boise State at Colorado State, Nov. 11

Boise State is always a threat to run the table and play for a spot in a New Year’s Six bowl game, and 2017 should be no different. However, the Broncos have a brutal schedule, including a non-conference slate that includes Troy, Washington State in Pullman, Virginia and a Thursday night kickoff against BYU in Provo. Also, Boise must replace two of the best playmakers in the Mountain West in running back Jeremy McNichols and receiver Thomas Sperbeck, as well as seven starters on defense.

The Broncos must also travel to West Division favorite San Diego State Oct. 14 (the week after playing the Cougars on the road), and host Wyoming (who beat the Broncos 30-28 last season) the following week.

By the time Boise State travels to Ft. Collins for what could be the de facto Mountain Division title game, the Broncos could be a Top 10 team, staring down a .500 record, or something in between.

The Rams also have a tough schedule, but it’s more favorable. Colorado State hosts Oregon State Aug. 26, then plays rebuilding rival Colorado in Denver. Mike Bobo’s squad must make a tough trek to Tuscaloosa to play preseason No. 1 Alabama, where the potential to get beaten up is high, but draws Hawaii, Nevada and San Jose State from the Western Division. If the Rams survive a Nov. 4 Border War at Wyoming, the matchup with Boise State the following week could be a Top 25 clash.

It’s also worth mentioning some of the other big matchups for Group of 5 conference teams. Several G5 teams throughout the country are scheduled to travel to blueblood programs, and there are sure to be upsets.

While Georgia Southern isn’t likely to beat Auburn, Utah State probably won’t test Wisconsin and ULM will likely be torched by Florida State, there are a few winnable games against big-name opponents on the schedules of smaller conference schools. Plus, there are quite a few mega matchups between two G5 schools, and in many cases, conference titles – and potentially a Cotton Bowl berth – will be on the line.

Selected G5 Game of the Year Candidates:

  • Oregon State at Colorado State, Aug. 26
  • Colorado State vs. Colorado, Sept. 1 (in Denver)
  • Appalachian State at Georgia, Sept. 2
  • BYU vs. LSU, Sept. 2 (in Houston)
  • Arkansas State at Nebraska, Sept. 2
  • Temple at Notre Dame, Sept. 2
  • Troy at Boise State, Sept. 2
  • Tulsa at Oklahoma State, Sept. 2
  • Wyoming at Iowa, Sept. 2
  • Boise State at Washington State, Sept. 9
  • Miami vs. Arkansas State, Sept. 9
  • Idaho at Western Michigan, Sept. 16
  • Louisiana Tech at WKU, Sept. 16
  • Tulsa at Toledo, Sept. 16
  • Boise State at BYU, Oct. 6
  • Boise State at San Diego State, Oct. 14
  • Memphis at Houston, Oct. 19
  • Miami (OH) at Ohio, Oct. 31
  • Houston at South Florida, Nov. 4
  • Toledo at Ohio, Nov. 8
  • Western Michigan at Toledo, Nov. 24
  • Troy at Arkansas State, Dec. 2
  • Army vs. Navy, Dec. 9 (in Philadelphia)