Fri Sep 20 13:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Group of 5 Teams See New Life in College Football Playoff Expansion
The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff is already making waves in the college football landscape, particularly for Group of 5 programs. With the top-ranked Group of 5 champion now guaranteed a spot in the CFP, coaches and players are using this new opportunity as a springboard for success.
UNLV head coach Barry Odom is one such coach who is embracing this new reality. He’s stressed to his players the importance of their tough schedule, which features three games against Power 4 opponents. He believes a strong showing against these teams could propel UNLV to a Mountain West championship and a coveted CFP berth.
The early season has shown the impact of the new playoff format. UNLV is 3-0 for the first time since 1984, with wins over Houston and Kansas. Meanwhile, other Group of 5 teams like Northern Illinois (who upset Notre Dame) and Toledo (who crushed Mississippi State) have secured impressive victories against Power 4 opponents.
Coaches are using the potential of a playoff berth as a motivating factor for their players. “You can feel it,” says Odom. “We know that every week that we win, then our opportunities grow, and the prize at the end of the year becomes a little bit bigger.”
The impact goes beyond the field, too. Wins against Power 4 teams are now more significant than ever, boosting the strength of schedule for the Group of 5 programs and their respective conferences. This new emphasis on non-conference games is creating a more competitive and unpredictable landscape in college football.
While it remains to be seen how the new playoff system will play out, the early signs are promising. The expanded format is already fostering a sense of hope and ambition among Group of 5 teams, and the potential for more upset victories is adding an exciting new layer to the sport.
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