Group of Five Playoff

I was thinking about this concept the last few days, and since it has been WAY TOO LONG since my last rant or rave, I thought “why not put it to words”…

In what looks like a very abnormal (and I hope it doesn’t become the norm) season for college football, why not add a new wrinkle that may just become a tradition. It doesn’t look like the current CFB Playoff field will move off of four in the near future (of which I am in full agreement), and that isn’t good for Group of Five teams. And that is unfortunate because there are some very talented and skilled teams in those conferences that could give any team a scare.

So, just like the CFB Playoff, why not create a four team playoff for the most deserving and elite Group of Five teams? And I wouldn’t be against an independent team (excluding Notre Dame) being thrown into the mix - say BYU or even Army. Participation will probably come from the AAC, Mountain West, Sun Belt (Appalachian State or whoever knocks them off), and an Indie/CUSA or a surprising MAC team. Have them meet in decent bowl games two weeks before New Year’s Day, and then have the winners play on New Year’s Day. The postseason games that come to mind could be a combination of three from the Sun, Independence, Outback, Gator, and Liberty bowls. I think that those bowls would be a great fit from a geographic sense as well as attendance.

I believe that this would give more meaning to their regular seasons, more competitive bowl games, and recognition to the best Group of Five team. Facing reality, the Group of Five conferences are on a level between the Power Five and the FCS teams - so why not give them their own playoff and even championship trophy? It would give some former FCS powers the satisfaction of being champions again.