UCF, Cincinnati Face Major Tests for College Football Playoff Consideration

It seems like every year there is a team outside the Power 5 conferences looking to squeeze into the College Football Playoff. Unfortunately for the viewing audience, it never occurs. 

“Thanks for playing ‘Group of Five’ school. You were quite a story. See you next year.”

The UCF Knights and Cincinnati Bearcats are two of these teams that have found themselves in this situation over the last few years. 

From 2017 to 2019, UCF had a three-year record of 35-4, being ranked as high as 6th in the A.P. Poll. Their head coaches from those years, Josh Heupel (Tennessee) and Scott Frost (Nebraska), have moved on to coach at bigger programs. But are Tennessee and Nebraska really bigger programs than UCF? Maybe in a historical sense, but not lately.

UCF pulled Gus Malzahn in after his eight-year run as head coach at Auburn. That doesn’t sound like the activity of a smaller program. 

Cincinnati has had success over the last decade or more. Going back to the Brian Kelly era (2007-2009), the Bearcats had a record of 33-6, ranked as high as number four in the AP Poll, and even played in the 2009 Sugar Bowl against No. 5 Florida. 

Since the beginning of 2018, Cincinnati has posted a record of 33-6 once again, and are currently ranked 7th in the AP Poll.

According to WynnBET Sportsbook, Cincinnati is the favorite to be the highest ranked Group of Five school to receive a New Year's Six bowl game bid at -150, UCF is second at +600.

Both UCF and Cincinnati have big matchups for Week 3 that could play a large factor in their playoff consideration. UCF is a 7-point road favorite against Louisville on Friday. The Knights’ solid rushing defense will look to keep Malik Cunningham and the Cardinals in check.

The Bearcats have a matchup with an upset-minded Indiana Hoosiers team that is looking to rebuild their stock; the formerly No. 17 Indiana got dumped out of the Top-25 after getting thrashed by Iowa in Week 1. Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder is responsible for seven touchdowns in the first two games, and will look to keep it going Saturday. The Bearcats are just -3.5-point favorites over the Hoosiers and will need to buzz past Indiana easily to boost their playoff consideration.

UCF and Cincinnati are always strong contenders in the Group of Five schools. By sharing the same conference though, the American Athletic Conference, the biggest obstacle for both of these teams for playoff consideration may be each other; an important matchup on October 16th in Cincinnati. The Bearcats and Knights have intentions of being in the same conference for a long time too, after the Big 12 voted to accept bringing UCF, Cincinnati, Houston, and BYU to the conference, joining no later than July 1st, 2024.

Being in a Power 5 conference will certainly help UCF and Cincinnati receive more playoff consideration, but that just wouldn’t be the same. The people just want to see a Group of Five school make the College Football Playoff.

You’re on deck, Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.

Which Group of Five School are you backing? Make your pick at WynnBET.