2021 Group of Five season preview: Predictions, playoff threats, best players

Andy Avalos’ return could have Boise State Broncos pushing for New Year’s Six

Boise State was the mid-major darling during the BCS era of college football. While the Broncos did earn the first New Year’s Six berth out of the Group of Five in the current postseason format, they have faded a bit into the background. With one of their own back at the helm in former Oregon defensive coordinator Andy Avalos, expect for the Broncos to return to their majestic form.

Hugh Freeze has his Liberty Flames humming with star QB Malik Willis

While it remains to be seen how long he will stay at Liberty, the Flames have a fantastic head coach in Hugh Freeze. He has made this national independent one of the most intriguing teams outside of the Power Five landscape. With a potential first-round quarterback under center in Malik Willis, Liberty has the potential to finish the season inside of the top 25 with a great year.

Billy Napier has built a phenomenal program with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns

It is amazing what a great up-and-coming coach can do. Former Nick Saban disciple Billy Napier has transformed the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns from a Group of Five afterthought into an elite mid-major program that has an outside shot of joining the Big 12. Louisiana may not be quite good enough to reach the New Year’s Six, but the Ragin’ Cajuns will be a handful over in the Sun Belt.

The Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are the Sun Belt’s toughest barnyard animals

What will make the Sun Belt such a fun conference to watch is we have two teams who could be mainstays inside of the top 25 throughout: Louisiana and the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. With most of Jamey Chadwell’s roster returning, the Chanticleers have the slight edge to beat Louisiana to win the Sun Belt. Coastal Carolina is on the shortlist of teams who could win the Group of Five.

Luke Fickell could make his Cincinnati Bearcats College Football Playoff bound

With a top-10 ranking to start the year, the Cincinnati Bearcats are the crown jewel of the Group of Five. Given that Luke Fickell’s team begins the season at No. 8, they have a decent shot of actually making the College Football Playoff if they run the table. That would include a non-conference win over fellow top-10 team Notre Dame. It is Cincinnati and everybody else this year.

Now that we know the best teams in the Group of Five, who will be the best player playing in it?