Group of 5 rankings: We’re in the endgame now – Can Cincinnati hang on?

As the season winds down, we know where each Group of 5 teams stand. The question is, who will get a New Year’s Six Bowl Bid?

The Group of 5 has been outstanding this season, with a ton of entertaining games. The American is still my favorite conference to watch in the country, given the volatility of each game. If you’re not watching, you need to start. The other conferences haven’t been too shabby either. Just ask the Sun Belt, whose Appalachian State upset South Carolina. Now the question is, who will secure the New Year’s Six Bowl bid?

10. Tulane Green Wave

Tulane bounced back from a tough loss to a good Navy team with a win over Tulsa two weeks ago. Justin McMillan continues to show why he is one of the most electric dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation with a four-touchdown performance, one through the air and one on the ground. Despite falling out of contention for a New Year’s six bid and the American title, Tulane has had a solid season. Their next three games are the toughest part of their schedule, as they play Temple, UCF, and SMU. Getting one or two wins from those games would be great for the program.

9. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns

Welcome to the rankings, Louisiana. I’ve probably underrated the Ragin’ Cajuns (best name in college football by the way) so far this season. With their only losses coming to Power 5 Mississippi State and Appalachian State, this squad has been solid on year. In their most recent game against Coastal Carolina, quarterback Levi Lewis shone, amassing four total touchdowns. Lewis has been solid all season, throwing for 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions but the run game has been the star of the show. The Ragin’ Cajuns control the ball on the ground, rushing for the fifth-most yards per game in the country. Louisiana should sleepwalk through the rest of their schedule to a great 10-2 record on the year.

8. UCF Knights

Sadly, this just isn’t the same UCF team we have grown accustomed to. They lost to Tulsa on Friday, handing the Golden Hurricanes their first win in conference play this year. Dillon Gabriel was sacked six times and threw two interceptions, including a crucial one in the fourth quarter to set up Tulsa’s game-winning field goal. The Knights have struggled with turnovers all season, and it showed up in a big way. UCF outgained Tulsa in passing and rushing yards, but the Golden Hurricanes scored ten points off turnovers. Thankfully, they have a bye week to attempt to finish the season on a high note.

7. Air Force Falcons

Air Force has taken care of business ever since their loss to Navy, winning their next four games. They had a bye last week and should be refreshed for a matchup in Fort Collins with Colorado State this Saturday. The Falcons should easily win that game, along with their final two remaining games against New Mexico and Wyoming. Unsurprisingly Air Force boasts the second-best rushing attack in the country (behind only another team on this list). They should be able to coast behind that and a solid defense.

6. Appalachian State Mountaineers

If you’ve been reading this column weekly, you know that I’ve highlighted No. 25 Appalachian State’s matchup with South Carolina as an upset alert. It paid off in a big way on Saturday, with the Mountaineers taking down the Gamecocks in Columbia. Unfortunately, their loss to Georgia Southern will likely keep them from a New Year’s Six bowl. The silver lining? They should win out fairly easily, with games against Georgia State, Texas State and Troy coming up.

5. Navy Midshipmen

A big week for No. 23 Navy coming up, as they travel to South Bend to take on the Fighting Irish. I like the Midshipmen in this matchup. Notre Dame is playing for essentially nothing after losing to Michigan and Navy should run the ball down their throats with their number one ranked rushing attack. It’s that time of year where it gets cold and snowy in Indiana, which should heavily favor Navy’s rushing attack. They’ve got a huge matchup with SMU this weekend and it should be a fun one to watch.

4. SMU Mustangs

The Mustangs lost one of the shootouts of the year to Memphis two weeks ago and followed it up with a high-scoring win against East Carolina. However, they only won by eight to a team they should have run out of the stadium. They play Navy this weekend and we’ll see a true clash of styles as Navy will run the ball where SMU will air it out. It should be a great matchup.

3. Memphis Tigers

No. 18 Memphis got a huge win on national TV over SMU two weeks ago and had a bye this week. Next week they’ll take on Houston in what should be an easy win. The Tigers once again rode a great offense to national prominence and should they win out, that’ll include a win over Cincinnati, so that should be enough to be the highest-ranked team by the playoff committee and get the Cotton Bowl berth.

2. Boise State Broncos

The No. 22 Boise State Broncos needed overtime to survive another scare against Wyoming. The good news is their final games shouldn’t be as scary. Boise State is heavily favored in every matchup for the rest of their season and they should get quarterback Hank Bachmeier back soon. His return will be crucial for a Broncos team behind the AAC teams when it comes to the New Year’s Six Bowl bid.

1. Cincinnati Bearcats

The No. 17 Cincinnati Bearcats took care of business this weekend, steamrolling a hapless Connecticut team 48-3. The Bearcats have continually shown they are the most complete Group of 5 team this season and are my pick to secure a New Year’s Six Bowl bid. Their loss to Ohio State wouldn’t shame most Big Ten teams. They have two games before a season finale against the Memphis Tigers, in what would be the most anticipated Group of 5 regular-season finales in recent memory.

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