2024 Group of Five College Football Rankings – As the College Football Playoff (CFP) system expands in 2024 to include 12 teams, the stakes have never been higher for the Group of Five (G5) conferences. Historically overlooked in favor of their Power Five counterparts, G5 teams now find themselves with a guaranteed spot in the playoff race, promising not only increased visibility but also significant financial and competitive implications. This shift brings a fresh layer of excitement to the rankings, especially following the conclusion of the spring practices. Here’s a detailed look at how teams are stacking up in the post-spring power rankings, an essential guide for fans and free NCAA football picks enthusiasts alike.
The Front Runners: Boise State and Liberty
Boise State Broncos
At the top one spot is Boise State, the recent Mountain West champions who will be led by the newly appointed head coach, Spencer Danielson. Danielson, who took the lead late in the previous season, has taken over the team by organizing a high-scoring offense under the lead of offensive coordinator Koetter and new quarterback, Malachi Nelson, a five-star player. The Broncos appear to be on track to dominate the G5 for the second time in a row, with Ashton Jeanty, the star player back in the backfield.
Liberty Flames
Hot on their tails are the Liberty Flames. This year, Flames are aspiring to fight hard for number one spot in the table, when they were perhaps likely to play as G5 representative in the previous year’s CFP. The Liberty offense is led by quarterback Kaidon Salter, the reigning C-USA MVP, and it is very dynamic as Salter threw for 2,876 yards and 32 touchdowns last season, and also had 1,089 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. With no Power Five foes on their schedule, head coach Jamey Chadwell has A+ on the scoreboard as he aims to make it a repeat of the perfect regular season they had last time.
2024 Group of Five College Football Rankings: Contenders and Challengers
Memphis Tigers
Quarterback Seth Henigan is back to lead Memphis after an outstanding junior year that helped the team to a 10-3 season finish. Henigan and his troops are one of the highest returning production teams in the C-USA, this makes them a formidable force to reckon with in the G5.
Appalachian State Mountaineers
App State, a regular winner in the Sun Belt, has a good number of athletes back from last season’s team that made a run for the conference title. With other Sun Belt teams also going through coaching changes, the Mountaineers under coach Shawn Clark could benefit from it and push for higher national recognition.
Tulane Green Wave
Despite the fact that the loss of important people such as coach Willie Fritz and quarterback Michael Pratt set back the team, Tulane continues to have high hopes for this season. New head coach Jon Sumrall and transferred quarterback from Oregon, Ty Thompson, may help the Green Wave to keep their edge in the competition.
Middle of the Pack
UTSA Roadrunners
UTSA is getting used to the life after quarterback Frank Harris, but the coach Jeff Traylor’s team has a favorable schedule and a solid foundation that could help them to stay competitive in the C-USA.
Miami (Ohio) Redhawks
Miami (Ohio) aims to continue the 11-win season and the MAC Championship win. They have a real chance of winning back-to-back MAC titles for the first time in over 10 years, with returning talent scattered all over the roster.
Toledo Rockets
Toledo has to overcome the fact that it lost many good players from the 11-3 team of the last season. Nevertheless, the Rockets’ steadiness in coaching and program culture under Jason Candle means they will be in the race for the MAC title.
Teams to Watch
South Florida Bulls
After taking a dramatic about-face from a 1-11 2022 season to a 7-6 campaign under coach Alex Golesh, South Florida seems ready for a higher level of progression. Now that most of their key offensive players are back, they might make many people stunned this campaign.
UNLV Rebels
In spite of the departure of starting quarterback Jayden Maiava, UNLV has enough returning players to dream of another Mountain West title game appearance under coach Barry Odom.
Fresno State Bulldogs
The Bulldogs, led by Quarterback Mikey Keene and top rusher Malik Sherrod, are positioned to make an impact in the conference with the addition of an experienced head coach in Jeff Tedford.
Texas State Bobcats
Head coach G. J. Kinne, who led the team to its first-ever bowl game appearance, gives the team hope for a competitive Sun Belt season.
A New Era for Group of Five Football
As the 2024 season approaches, the introduction of a guaranteed playoff spot for the highest-ranked G5 team adds a new layer of intensity and excitement to the college football landscape. Each game and every play gains additional weight, with more at stake than ever before. For fans, bettors, and followers of sports picks, this season promises unparalleled excitement and opportunities. As we look forward to the fall, keep an eye on these teams and consider exploring high-rated betting platforms to engage with what promises to be a historic season in college football.
