A G5 or Independent Team Could Make the College Football Playoff

Creator: Justin Casterline | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2018 Getty Images

The college football season is well underway and there is a clear idea of who has a chance at making the playoff. The top four teams that would play in the playoff if the season ended today would be Alabama, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and Clemson. However, a couple of G5 teams are just outside of that playoff; No. 7, Cincinnati and No. 8 BYU are the two teams who have a chance. Could this be the year we see a G5 team make the college football playoff?

UCF has been the closest G5 college football program to reach the playoff since it was created in 2014. Central Florida went undefeated in 2017, but was not included in the playoff. The school; however; claimed the National Championship, despite technically not winning it.

Now in 2020, college football sees two teams that have a legitimate shot at the playoffs that are not in the power 5. The Cincinnati Bearcats are currently the 7th ranked team in the country at 7-0. The Bearcats closest game of the season came against Army, a 24-10 win. Cincinnati ran right past No. 16 SMU, 42-13. The Bearcats quarterback, Desmond Ridder, has thrown for 1,483 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. If Cincinnati makes the playoff it will be led by the stout offense. The highest ranked non-power 5 team has put up five, 35+ point wins.

BYU is led by Heisman candidate, Zach Wilson, who had been on a roll this season. Wilson, 21, has thrown for 2,512 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just two interceptions. BYU’s biggest win of the season came against Boise State, who was ranked at the time. BYU won 51-17. The Cougars came right out of the gate and dominated with a 55-3 win over Navy and a 48-7 win against Troy. Although BYU has not had the chance to play against the best talent, they might have a solid chance to climb the rankings even more, especially if a top team loses.

If a G5 team can make the college football playoff, this is the year Cincinnati and BYU are the two teams that have the highest chance of making the playoff.