Title: Group of Five Teams Face Challenges in College Football Rankings Amid Power Four Dominance
In a landscape dominated by the realignment and consolidation of Power Four conferences in college football, Group of Five teams are finding themselves with limited room in the national rankings. Recent moves by Cincinnati, Houston, UCF, and SMU to Power Four conferences have further emphasized the divide.
The latest CBS Sports post-spring top 25 rankings reflect this trend, with only one independent team, Notre Dame, making the cut. The remaining spots are occupied by teams from the Power Four conferences, showcasing the uphill battle faced by Group of Five teams in gaining national recognition.
Despite this, the highest-ranked Group of Five champion is guaranteed a spot in the newly expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, offering a glimmer of hope for these teams. While no Group of Five teams are included in the top 25 rankings, teams from conferences like MAC, Mountain West, Conference USA, AAC, and Sun Belt are mentioned as ones to watch.
At the top of the rankings, Georgia holds the top spot, followed by Ohio State and Oregon. Traditional powerhouses like Texas, Alabama, and Ole Miss also feature in the top 10. Teams like Miami, Clemson, and LSU have seen a rise in the rankings, with notable programs like Notre Dame, LSU, and Oklahoma also making the list.
Among the Group of Five teams highlighted to watch are Boise State, Liberty, Tulane, Memphis, and Appalachian State. Despite the challenges they face in a landscape dominated by the Power Four, these teams will look to make their mark in the upcoming college football season. Stay tuned to Guam News Factor for all the latest updates on college football rankings and news.
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