NCAAF · 1 year ago

Group of Five College Football Teams Who Could Make the CFP

Grant White

Host · Writer

Appalachian State Mountaineers
Odds to Make the 2024-25 CFP: +1400

Without question, the Appalachian State Mountaineers represent the best value to make this year's CFP bracket. Entering the season with the sixth-shortest odds to make the final 12, the Mountaineers could surprise everyone en route to their third Sun Belt Championship in school history.

With a rebuilt offensive line featuring an imposing crew of Power Five transfers, Appalachian State has insulated Joey Aguilar so he can build off last year's successes. Aguilar was called into action partway through the season-opening contest, going on to set school records in passing yards and touchdowns. Kanye Roberts can take the next step in his development, particularly with Nate Noel departing for the Missouri Tigers.

With the receiving corps still intact, if not improved, the Mountaineers can climb the Sun Belt heap again in 2024-25. In doing, they would put themselves in position to compete for the National Championship in January.
Liberty Flames
Odds to Make the 2024-25 CFP: +470

Fresh off a Fiesta Bowl appearance versus the eighth-ranked Oregon Ducks, the Liberty Flames enter the 2024-25 college football campaign with sky-high expectations. Liberty has the shortest odds of any Group of Five schools, currently priced at +470, to make the 12-team College Football Playoff field come January.

The Flames are returning all of their best players. Dual-threat Kaidon Salter is back for his junior season under center, armed with his top weapons on offense. Senior running back Quinton Cooley will be looking to improve on last year's 1,401-yard effort; while top pass catcher CJ Daniels transferred to the LSU Tigers, his production can be replaced by incoming Julian Gray.

The only knock on the Flames is their underwhelming schedule that doesn't feature any Power Five schools. Still, they mowed down the competition in 2023, are coming off a New Year's Day bowl appearance, and have their best players returning for another campaign. As such, the bar is set even higher this season.
Memphis Tigers
Odds to Make the 2024-25 CFP: +550

Four-year starter Seth Henigan will look to punctuate his college football career by leading his Memphis Tigers to a CFP appearance in 2024-25. Although experience won't be an issue on offense, the defense underwent a facelift this offseason. Nevertheless, sportsbooks have given Memphis the third-best odds among Group of Five schools of making this year's playoffs.

The net effect of the changes on defense should amount to a more competitive program in Memphis. The team returns all its top performers from last year, luring Elijah Herring from the Tennessee Volunteers, DJ Allen from the Purdue Boilermakers, and Kobee Minor from the Indiana Hoosiers via the transfer portal.

The departure of running back Blake Watson is offset by Mario Anderson, and the Tigers return their top pass catchers from last season, ensuring the offense continues to operate efficiently. However, two road games versus the Florida State Seminoles and Tulane Green Wave could be the difference between this team making and missing the playoff. If you're backing Memphis to make the playoffs, ensure you're hedging in those matchups.
Boise State Broncos
Odds to Make the 2024-25 CFP: +490

Over the past two decades, the Boise State Broncos have established themselves as one of the top-performing Group of Five schools, except when there are expectations for the Broncos to win. So, as long as Boise State can stay out of its own way, it will have a shot at representing the Group of Five in the CFP.

The Broncos featured an underclassmen-laden roster in 2023-24 but still managed a respectable 8-6 record and bowl game versus the UCLA Bruins. Although Boise State lost quarterback Taylen Green to the Arkansas Razorbacks, they poached former four-star recruit Malachi Nelson from the USC Trojans. Moreover, Maddux Madsen was called into duty for a five-game stretch and will have ample opportunity to win the starting gig.

The Mountain West Conference is no joke, and the Broncos have a few marquee matchups against the Oregon Ducks, Washington State Cougars, and Oregon State Beavers. But as long as no one expects it, the Broncos could buck their way into the playoff picture.
Tulane Green Wave
Odds to Make the 2024-25 CFP: +1100

There's no world where the Tulane Green Wave and Memphis Tigers both make it into the CFP. The AAC contenders face each other at the end of the season, with a possible rematch in the AAC Championship Game in December. Even though the Tigers are priced as favorites, there's an argument to be made that Tulane is the superior squad.

Granted, the Green Wave has to replace the lost production of starting quarterback Michael Pratt, but there are a handful of quality candidates to take up the mantle. More importantly, running back Makhi Hughes returns following a standout freshman campaign in which he ran for 1,378 yards and will be the workhorse on offense. Tulane could make another big wave in 2024-25, complemented by a sturdy defensive unit.

Tulane may have bitten off more than it can chew with its schedule, needing to get past the Kansas State Wildcats and Oklahoma Sooners this season. But if they can split the Power Five matchups and get past Memphis twice, this could be the Group of Five team to beat.
Appalachian State Mountaineers
Odds to Make the 2024-25 CFP: +1400

Without question, the Appalachian State Mountaineers represent the best value to make this year's CFP bracket. Entering the season with the sixth-shortest odds to make the final 12, the Mountaineers could surprise everyone en route to their third Sun Belt Championship in school history.

With a rebuilt offensive line featuring an imposing crew of Power Five transfers, Appalachian State has insulated Joey Aguilar so he can build off last year's successes. Aguilar was called into action partway through the season-opening contest, going on to set school records in passing yards and touchdowns. Kanye Roberts can take the next step in his development, particularly with Nate Noel departing for the Missouri Tigers.

With the receiving corps still intact, if not improved, the Mountaineers can climb the Sun Belt heap again in 2024-25. In doing, they would put themselves in position to compete for the National Championship in January.
Liberty Flames
Odds to Make the 2024-25 CFP: +470

Fresh off a Fiesta Bowl appearance versus the eighth-ranked Oregon Ducks, the Liberty Flames enter the 2024-25 college football campaign with sky-high expectations. Liberty has the shortest odds of any Group of Five schools, currently priced at +470, to make the 12-team College Football Playoff field come January.

The Flames are returning all of their best players. Dual-threat Kaidon Salter is back for his junior season under center, armed with his top weapons on offense. Senior running back Quinton Cooley will be looking to improve on last year's 1,401-yard effort; while top pass catcher CJ Daniels transferred to the LSU Tigers, his production can be replaced by incoming Julian Gray.

The only knock on the Flames is their underwhelming schedule that doesn't feature any Power Five schools. Still, they mowed down the competition in 2023, are coming off a New Year's Day bowl appearance, and have their best players returning for another campaign. As such, the bar is set even higher this season.