The Campus Report Podcast
The Campus Report brings you college sports from the perspective that matters most—the teams, campuses, communities and stories that shape the game.
Produced by Campus Sports Network, each episode covers the latest news, recruiting updates, key players, schedules, major matchups and storylines from across college athletics. Beginning with in-depth coverage of the Big 12 and other Power 4 Conferences and expanding across the country, The Campus Report goes beyond the scoreboard to explore the traditions, rivalries, personalities and campus culture that make college sports unique.
Whether you are following your favorite program, keeping up with recruiting or looking for the next major story in college athletics, The Campus Report keeps you connected to what is happening on campus and around the country.
If it’s on campus, it’s on CSN.
The Campus Report Podcast
Group of Six Deep Dive
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Pat and Keeton dive into the Group of Six of college football, the teams that could contend for the lone College Football Playoff slot, and predictions for which team that will be. If it's on Campus, it's on CSN.
For years, we called this the Group of Five playoff race. In 2026, that name no longer tells us the whole story.
SPEAKER_01The Pac-12 is back with Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, and the rest of its rebuilt football league. North Dakota State is now playing FBS football. James Madison is coming off a playoff trip. Navy won 11 games last year. UNLV has been living in conference championship games. And Memphis gets two massive national tests before September is even half over.
SPEAKER_03And the playoff rule itself changed the strategy. The automatic non-autonomy spot goes to the highest ranked team from the American Conference, Conference USA, Mac, Mountain West, Pac-12, or Sunbelt.
SPEAKER_01And what that all means is this no longer is only about who wins the conference championship. It's about the total resume. Who you beat, where you beat them, how clean your record is, and what the committee thinks when six conferences are stacked against one another.
SPEAKER_03So today on the campus report, we're going to break down the teams with the best shot to claim that spot, the games that will decide that, and our preseason ranking of who is most likely to get into the college football playoff. I'm Pat alongside Keaton. And remember, if it's on campus, it's on CSN.
SPEAKER_01This is our 2026 group of five overview. Technically, a group of six race now, but nonetheless, we're going to treat it like a playoff bracket before the playoff bracket.
SPEAKER_03So we'll start with the rule change, then Boise State, UNLV, Navy, Memphis, James Madison, and the rest of the contenders. Then we'll finish with our probability board for who actually earns that automatic spot. Let's get into it. Let's do it. So what's actually guaranteed? The 2026-2027 college football playoff still remains a 12-team bracket. The ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC champions, as we know, are automatic qualifiers. And the fifth automatic qualifier is the highest ranked team from the American, Conference USA, Mac, Mountain West, Pac-12, or the Sun Belt. The next seven highest ranked teams will fill out the rest of the bracket in the at-large spots. So why this is different, the Pac-12 is now competing directly with the traditional G5 leagues for that guaranteed non-autonomy slot. The official rule wording does not require the highest ranked team from those six leagues to be its conference champion. Strength of schedule and head-to-head results become even more valuable in the G6 because the committee is going to compare teams from six different leagues. So a one-loss or even two-loss team with strong road wins can remain alive if the rest of the field lacks cleaner resumes. So the conference championship games will still matter because they provide a 13th data point and a late high-leverage win, but the race is now broader than just win your league and hope like it used to be. So Keaton, my question to you is would you rather be an 11-1 Boise State with a road loss to Oregon and no Pac-12 title, or a 12-1 champion from another non-autonomy league with fewer quality wins?
SPEAKER_01I think that question, the that question is going to depend on what that 12-1 champion, what their resume would look like. I want to see the best the best competition in the playoff bracket. And so if that is an 11-1 Boise State, then yes, I'd rather see that than let's just say a no-knock to James Madison. But let's say it's James Madison at 12-1. Right. But let's say it's them 12-1, and then they get waxed in the playoffs. To me, that's just I don't love to see that. So I'm gonna go with the 11-1. Whichever one has the strongest resume and the best loss.
SPEAKER_03I would tend to agree. I mean, Boise State is going on the road this season to play Oregon, so I mean, it's a no-brainer for me if you're if you're scheduling those harder non-conference teams, and at least you can make that competitive, and then that's your only loss on the schedule. Like, and and to me, even with that new revamped Pac-12 that Boise State's going to be playing in, it's still a little bit better of a resume overall than winning a Sunbelt title. Like, no offense to the Sunbelt fans out there, Sunbelt Fun Belt, but uh you're not the not the greatest of the G5, but hey, you're not conference USA, so you got that going for you.
SPEAKER_01Well, I think when you come when you come into the playoffs, when you're talking about the playoffs, you want to see elite football every game. And so, yeah, I mean, I I think I mean I don't think the Pac-12 is a super strong conference. No, not by any means, but I want to see the most competitive. I don't necessarily care about who won the conference championship. If they're gonna get waxed first round, then what's the point?
SPEAKER_03Honestly, out of all these G6 conferences, the most competitive conference might actually be the Mountain West. Probably so. I I don't necessarily know if they would be the quote unquote strongest now that Colorado State, Boise State, and a few others have and Utah State have actually officially moved over to the Pac-12, but I think that top to bottom that conference is gonna be a little bit more competitive than the Pac-12 is.
SPEAKER_01My next question is when are we gonna when are we gonna stop realigning conferences? Because it seems like every year there's more and more talks of teams moving and leaving. What point are we all gonna get settled in and just be happy with it?
SPEAKER_03I I don't I don't have a good answer to that question. That could change if the Protect College Sports Act actually passes Congress because they have a provision in there about like locking in conferences, so like if that bill passes like whatever conference you're in, it's that that's where you are. If if I read into that correctly. But genuinely, and I've had this conversation outside of this podcast with some people the Super League idea might be the best thing for college football. Go back to things like a little bit pre-BCS, where like your FBS teams were your power four teams, a couple of those G5 teams in Notre Dame and let it be. And I'm not saying that the G5, G6 teams, whatever we're calling it now, don't deserve to compete, but look at what they've done in the playoff over the past couple years when they've actually gotten a team in. They've gotten absolutely destroyed. It's very clear that there's a different there's a different level when it's between the G six and the G or and the Power Four leagues. And I personally would not be against splitting a like making it you know, three different levels. So you have your power four playoff, you have your G six playoff, and then you have your regular FCS playoff, and there you go, you've got three different playoff systems for all your Division I schools. And you I mean, you do the the G six playoff just like you do the FCS playoff and call it a damn day. I agree. Because there's a difference, like because like while there's also that difference between the G six and and the power four, there's a significant difference in G six to FCS. So like they should I mean they they deserve to compete at a higher level in terms of a postseason. Like I I think the days of seeing a Boise State make it to a fiesta bowl and up sub upset somebody like Oklahoma with the new NIL and all that, like that's those days are over. But and if you disagree with me, by all means tell me why.
SPEAKER_01No, I don't. I I do think that this rule change could be a step in the right direction instead of focusing on everything that the committee focused on before, now it's strength of schedule, head-to-head competition, comparative outcomes against common opponents. I I think that's gonna produce a better product in the end. I do think it's a step in the right direction. But I do think at some point, and this is no disrespect to those programs, but at some point I do think we have to well, I think we have to maybe be a little realistic and realize that there are there's how do you say it? How would you say it respectively? There's not a world where a group of six team makes a deep playoff run. Given given all the teams we've talked about in these previous episodes and how deep they are and the money they have to throw at these rosters. Right. I mean, are we doing the sport any good by throwing a G6 team in there?
SPEAKER_03So that they, I mean, the the best look that they're gonna get is okay, we're gonna see how this G6 team does in the playoff, and then the players that play exceedingly well, guess what? We're gonna get them to enter the portal and we're gonna grab them.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I mean, that's that's the best outcome for those players.
SPEAKER_03The G6 is a farm system for the power four now.
SPEAKER_01Exactly. And those programs are just gonna continue to be farmed out. That's exactly what's gonna happen. But I do think, you know, it may be a good thing to see how this this new world change plays out.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, so like, you know, if they if the committee actually gets the G6 team right and you get the most competitive one, like maybe and hopefully, they prove us wrong, unless you're playing Texas Tech, then I want you to lose. But uh but but I mean I'm all for upsets. Except everybody loves a good upset. As long as your team's not the one getting upset. Exactly, exactly. So let's talk a little bit, Keaton, about the six storylines that are gonna define the playoff race for the G6. So the first one that we're gonna dive into is Boise State. They have the brand, the quarterback, and they have the hardest resume leverage for this season. So they're entering the rebuilt Pac-12. They've got the most preseason national respect among the G6 contenders. Madow Madsen is back at quarterback. The Broncos are gonna have multiple national award candidates. They have road trips to Oregon and Western Michigan, and they play a home game against Memphis. So that's gonna give the committee some real comparison points among a couple of G6 teams, Memphis being that one that I'm referring to. So the question that I have is if Boise loses at Oregon but beats Memphis and wins the Pac-12, is anybody taking that spot away from Boise's day?
SPEAKER_01I don't see how they would. No, I really don't think so. I think no, I I don't I don't think anything. I just don't think I don't think they do.
SPEAKER_03I'm kind of with you on that one. I just I mean they've got they've got the the brand nationally, Boise States respected. They take care of business like they're supposed to, and the only loss that they have is against Oregon, especially if that loss against Oregon is a close one, which let's be honest, if I'm predicting it, I don't expect it to be very close. Just because as we talked last week, that Oregon's roster is probably the deepest if and the best overall in college football this season, so you know I don't expect that to be a close game, but if it is, like, and that's the only loss on Boise State's schedule, yeah, I'm kind of with you there. I don't see how you put somebody else in there other than the Broncos.
SPEAKER_01So, I mean, how big of a threat do you think Memphis is gonna be given last year they went four and four. No, I'm sorry, they went eight and five. Four and four in conference.
SPEAKER_03Memphis is always one of those teams though that they keep games competitive. They can sneak up on you and get you, I think, and don't kill us in the comments or reviews here, Memphis fans. I don't know a ton about you. I do know that there's been a lot of significant talk over the years of Memphis being added to the Big 12, and they would be the next best like G6 to move up to a Power 4 level due to location, some other things there. But I personally would take Boise State over them just because of the branding. The viewership. But but I mean, I don't know. Mim Memphis is Memphis is they've been somewhat consistent over the past couple years. So like they if they if they beat Boise State, I could I could see a way that Memphis sneaks in there. I don't necessarily see it happening, but especially that they have to play Boise State at at Boise State on the Smurf Turf.
SPEAKER_01But uh I just think Boise State's a better overall program. Which I going back to your excuse me, your comment about uh another pickup for the Big 12, yeah. I'd rather see Boise State. It's a better program altogether. Better pedigree, I should say.
SPEAKER_03Absolutely.
SPEAKER_01But no, I going back to your question, no, I I don't think anybody catches Boise State if they beat Memphis. I I really don't. Their schedules are pretty pretty pretty favorable.
SPEAKER_03Yeah.
SPEAKER_01Their road games aren't too difficult.
SPEAKER_03No, no, they aren't. So diving into our second story here, storyline for the G6. UNLV finally has the Mountain West without Boise State in its way. So UNLV has reached the Mountain West title game three straight years, now entering year two under Dan Mullen, and they have a veteran core. The Rebels are playing Memphis at home in week zero and later get North Dakota State at home before having to go to Albuquerque and play New Mexico in November. But I guess the question about UNLV this year is their biggest challenge the roster or simply just surviving the schedule that they have that gives them just no room for an early stumble.
SPEAKER_01I would go with the latter. I mean, you got Memphis at home, then the following on September 5th, you're flying out to Hawaii. I don't think that's gonna be a super easy game at all.
SPEAKER_03No, Hawaii's supposed to be one of those one of those sleeper teams in the Mountain West, and I would not be surprised if that's the case. You do follow that.
SPEAKER_01No, then you follow up with North Texas, which they're gonna be in a rebuild mode since Morris is gone. Right. And they lost team to the case. Exactly. Yeah, I really think it's gonna it's gonna be more so just it's gonna be a tough. It's gonna be hard to not stumble up early, and then if you do stumble to recover, I'm sure Dan Mullen will find. He's like you said, he's got that veteran course, so he's gonna have continuity with those guys. They've been they've been in those Mountain West championship games three times.
SPEAKER_03Just haven't got past Boise State.
SPEAKER_01So this is your opportunity to go to go clinch one, and but you're gonna have to play good ball through and through.
SPEAKER_03And I mean, don't don't be surprised in the Mountain West, like as we previously touched on, that I think that of the G6 conferences, this is going to be the most competitive top-to-bottom. As I said, Hawaii is probably gonna be one of those sleeper teams in this conference. Don't be surprised if New Mexico starts climbing up the board a little bit there with wins with Coach Jason Eck there in Albuquerque. I think he's trying to build something good and sustainable there. And North Dakota State, like, yes, they've played in the FCS, but they've played against FBS teams before, and they've been competitive against FBS teams. I mean, shoot, two years ago they almost beat Colorado in Boulder when they had old Shadur and Travis Hunter, and we've seen what Colorado is without those two. So I mean, and they almost did that on the road. So don't be surprised if North Dakota State makes that jump to the FBS and is contending in the Mountain West year one. But I I'm gonna go with you here. I do believe the fact they have a veteran core, they've been three straight years to the Mountain West title game. If they survive the schedule without having an early stumble, I I think that that's their biggest challenge this season is just don't let one get away from you, especially early.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, I agree.
SPEAKER_01100%.
SPEAKER_03Third storyline, Navy, they have the best control, control the game profile in the American Conference. So Navy went 11-2 in 2025 and enters 2026 as one of the leading contenders in the American Conference. Braxton Woodson is replacing Blake Horvath at quarterback, but brings explosive option game athleticism. But their schedule includes Air Force, Notre Dame, and Memphis. So the I guess the question here is can Navy low uh lose to Notre Dame and still be the highest ranked G16 if it wins the American? And that would include a win over Memphis. Memphis, Tulane, and I believe Tulsa's over there now. Not that Tulsa's gonna be great, but but definitely wins over Memphis and possibly Tulane.
SPEAKER_01I'm gonna let you answer that first. I'm gonna do a little digging while you're answering.
SPEAKER_03I mean they could, but I I just I genuinely think though that if things go well for Boise State and UNLV, I think that just overall those two teams will still have a better overall resume, even if Navy is to win the American League. But I'm also not heavy on that they will do it with a new quarterback. I mean, Blake Horvath brought a lot of continuity to the midshipman over the past couple years, and he's now gone. Like, yes, this uh Woodson replaces him and brings some more athleticism to the option game and whatnot, but I mean there's no telling what's gonna happen in that Army Navy game.
SPEAKER_01It is always a fun one.
SPEAKER_03Absolutely, and Navy could 100% be the better team and still find a way to lose that one. We've seen that one happen on multiple occasions. So, I mean, I don't know. Honestly, this year in general, I find it really hard to believe that you can just say, okay, whoever wins the American League. Is automatically the highest G6 team, and that's it.
SPEAKER_01Well, I guess what makes it hard for me to to answer these questions is it depends so much on the other teams also and how good they are, how they perform, how they how they compare and compete against other teams that you you know, common opponents that you play. So it makes it really hard for me to answer these that question because it's it's such a double-sided double-edged sword, for lack of a better term.
SPEAKER_03Like how many of these contenders have like the actual ability, which they all have an ability to finish 10 and 2 or better. So it's just really gonna be a matter of how common opponents play against each other, how those schedule, those other schedules lay out. Like, this is a very hard, uh like it's just a difficult. It's a difficult read.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. And it's gonna be a difficult read come selection time. That's not gonna be easy for the committee, assuming that you know the field is strong across the board and teams are beating teams that they should or shouldn't, or however that that all's gonna play out. But I mean it's gonna be tough for them, but it makes it hard to predict these things.
SPEAKER_03Absolutely. But I'm not saying that this is gonna happen, but if Navy, if if the Naval Academy beats Notre Dame and wins the American, I think that they're in regards.
SPEAKER_01Well, I think South Bend will burn. They will crumble. Things will not be good for Marcus Freeman. No, no, no.
SPEAKER_03I don't see it happening, but it's fun to throw out there in the ether and imagine it.
SPEAKER_01I mean, I'd like to see him lose every game because they're too chicken shit to go join a conference, but that's just me. I agree. Sorry, pardon the French.
SPEAKER_03You hear us in Notre Dame fans, join a conference.
SPEAKER_01Go join the Big Ten or somebody. I don't care.
SPEAKER_03Or you're already in a scheduling agreement with the ACC, just go join them. Like, who gives a shit? Just go join a conference. I agree. Like, you know, when the athletic, like, especially like if the if the College Sports, Save College Sports Act or whatever it is, doesn't pass and any type of realignment is still on the board. This is what I would do if I were Notre Dame. You know that all the money NBC is going to throw at you. Why don't you just make them give whichever conference you decide to join the NBC Autonomous Conference deal and call it a day?
SPEAKER_01Dude, when you figure it out, you let me know. And you let everybody else know.
SPEAKER_03You don't think NBC'd be willing to throw their money at that?
SPEAKER_01Well, why would you go join a conference when you've already got an auto bid into the playoffs?
SPEAKER_03Oh, 100%. Like, I mean, every year they just keep moving the line for Notre Dame, for Notre Dame, just so that they can not win when it matters the most. Like, yes, they made it to the Natty a couple years ago and they still lost. Yeah. So that championship does elude them. Since 1988, maybe try something different there in South Bend. That's all we're saying. You would think. Anyway, next storyline here in the G6 before we get too far off the rails. So Memphis can reorder the entire board in the in two weeks. So Memphis is opening their season at UNLV. And then they travel to Boise State on September 12th. So no other G6 contender has two cleaner early opportunities to collect head-to-head wins against teams that it will be compared with on selection Sunday in December. So is Memphis the best bet to surge from outside?
SPEAKER_02Oh, having a little technical difficulties.
SPEAKER_01Sorry, hit me with that question again.
SPEAKER_03So my question, Keaton, was is Memphis with them traveling to UNLV and Boise State early, are they the best bet to surge from outside of the top two G6 contenders simply because their schedule is going to give them a resume boost if they can win those games, especially against two teams that they're more than likely going to be compared with on selection Sunday in December?
SPEAKER_01I would say so. Yeah. I mean, if you if you win those two games, one being UNLB, the other being Boise State. Yeah, I don't know why you wouldn't be.
SPEAKER_03I I agree with that too, and I think if you beat both of those teams, that kind of gives you not much, but maybe a little room for error in the American League. Like you may a loss inside your conference may not affect you as much if you are to win those two games, if you're the Memphis Tigers.
SPEAKER_01I think if you're gonna if you're gonna drop one, it's gonna be the Tulane.
SPEAKER_03Tulane or Navy.
SPEAKER_01Or Navy.
SPEAKER_03But yeah, Memphis, they could, if they win those two games, definitely look out for the Tigers to be the team that is the G6 representative in the postseason. So moving on to the fifth storyline, James Madison. They've already been to the college football playoffs, so they know what it takes to get there. Last year they went 12-2, won the Sunbelt, went to the playoff. But they are being taken over by Billy Napier, who just did things so successfully at the University of Florida, as we know. But their schedule opens with a game against Liberty, and they include a trip all the way to San Diego State. So the question for James Madison and your fans, please give us some input if you hear this and want to join in the conversation. Does the coaching change lower James Madison's floor more than their existing playoff experience raises their ceiling?
SPEAKER_01I think no. I think depending, and I'll be honest, I I don't know how much they've lost or gained in in the portal, but I think depending on how much retention and players you have, experience.
SPEAKER_03You're still gonna be the biggest to win the sunbelt.
SPEAKER_01Sure. Well, I mean, their schedule is, with all due respect, I mean, just not hard.
SPEAKER_03I think I can probably are they playing Merrimack in November?
SPEAKER_01No, but you're playing the likes of Appalachian State and Southern Mills.
SPEAKER_03Don't crap on Appalachian State. Remember, they can beat Michigan and AM on the road.
SPEAKER_01They've done well recently. Again, dude, I just I don't follow a lot of these teams because it's I mean their opponents that they play are but anyway, circling back to the question, no, I think I think if Billy Napier can kind of maybe not leave because he's gonna bring a new system, but but create a system around his players and their strengths, then I think they'll be fine. I don't see just based on their schedule, I don't see even him being there lowering their floor.
SPEAKER_03You know, I would love to agree with you, but I'm not gonna agree with you in this debt. I do not think that Billy Napier is a good coach. He had that one-off season at what was it, Louisiana Monroe or the Raging Cajuns, whichever it was, and they played really good, and then Florida just jumped on the bandwagon and hired him, and they were just absolutely terrible with more talent than most teams in college football could even dream of having on their roster, and couldn't find a way to win more than six games in a year. Like, I just I don't it's like you've always told me, you know, a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then, and I think that that's what his 11-win season at the Louisiana School was, and so I'm gonna say that Billy Napier taking over the program might actually lower the JMU's chances.
SPEAKER_01Do you feel like with that being said to the playoffs? Do you feel like with with that being said, that some coaches are just better suited for lower-tiered programs, like he did well at the Louisiana team? He stepped up to the big leagues, per se, in Florida, didn't perform well. He's taken a step back to James Madison, which is obviously not a big time program. I my question is, do you feel like some coaches, that's just their fit? They're not cut out for well, yeah, absolutely.
SPEAKER_03I I do think a lot of it is coaching fit. I mean, Scott Frost is a prime example. He always fit well at UCF. He had them in a great spot, and then went to Nebraska, and we all know how that ended. And I do think that he'll start rebuilding UCF, but I think it's gonna take him a little bit more time this go around than it did the first. But yeah, I I do agree that like some places, some coaches just do fit better with places that aren't gonna have as high of expectations, you know. But then again, James Madison, already of winning conference titles, have been to the college football playoff. Like, yes, they're a G6 school, but those expectations are still gonna be there for whoever that coach is. And as we saw, he's really not great at managing expectations.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I mean that is fair. That is a fair point. I don't know. I just wonder if maybe he'll he'll perform better more in the world.
SPEAKER_03And maybe he will but I will believe that you know if I see James win James Madison win another conference title with him at the helm and and whatnot, I'm just I'm not a believer in Billy Napier. So again, my mind can always be changed. I'm not that crazy, but yeah, just that's my answer to that. So moving on to the sixth storyline, North Dakota State is officially the chaos team for the G6. So the NCAA removed the transition era postseason barrier here in June. So that makes North Dakota State eligible to compete in the Mountain West Championship game and the postseason in its first year in the FBS. So this is a program that already has championship culture, as we know. They've won multiple FCS national titles. But their new weekly depth test is going to be unlike anything they faced at the FCS level. So the question among this story or around this storyline is can they become a real CFP threat immediately, or is an 8-4, 9-3, maybe 7-5, a more realistic first-year ceiling for the bison?
SPEAKER_01I think both. I think both scenarios have very real possibilities. Like you mentioned earlier, they've played some strong competitions and competed at a high level. So I I want to lean more towards, you know, an 8-4, 9-3 ceiling, and then getting their name out there, proving themselves, getting some better quality recruits. I don't know how a team like that shapes up in the NIL compared to others, but I also don't think that them being a threat immediately is absurd either.
SPEAKER_03No, because again, they know how to win ball games. They do, and they're moving into the Mountain West, which, as we now know, does not have Boise State in its way. So I do believe that, like, yes, UNLV should be the odds-on favorite to win that league, but who's to say they will actually do it? And so the Mountain West is actually uh they're a conference that I'm really looking forward to watching this upcoming season. So I I kind of agree with both. Like, if things fall right, they could become a threat to to get that spot, but I don't think that it would be bad for North Dakota State fans to say, you know what, in your first year in the FPS, if you go eight and four or nine and three, like, why would I be mad about that?
SPEAKER_01Oh, I don't think you would have any reason to be. Not at all. I'd be happy about it because it's stepping the right the right direction. It's growth. Just continue to build every year. Absolutely.
SPEAKER_03So let's go ahead and dive in a little bit more to the the top the top contenders. We'll start with Boise State here. So they're gonna be my favorite here, and I believe they're your favorite, so we can just say that the preseason favorite for the G6 is on the CSN board, is gonna be Boise State because they have national respect, they've got some quarterback continuity, and they have multiple resume building games. So Madon Madsen returning at quarterback. He's appearing on multiple 2026 national preseason watch list. They also got high high-end proven talent and edge rusher Jaden Virgin Morgan, defensive back Jaden Mickey, guard Roger Carrion, tight end Mac Wagner, and running back Dylan Riley. The new Pac-12 is raising the weekly profile of their schedule, but their clearest national leverage is coming early on their schedule at Oregon and then Memphis at home. So their risk, obviously, is schedule difficulty. So a second loss outside conference play could erase that margin that Boise State has built with its brand and returning roster. So a couple of key games. Obviously, September 5th at Oregon, September 12th at home against Memphis, September 26th on the road at Western Michigan, and then in conference at Fresno State on October 10th, at Washington State on the October 24th, and then a Halloween game at home on the Smurf Turf against Texas State, a first-year newcomer to the new built Pac-12 as well there. So my path here is I think 10-2 with wins over Memphis and the Pac-12's best teams definitely keeps them squarely in the race to claim that spot. 11-1 are better definitely, I think, makes this team like the definite G6. If Boise State goes 11-1 with its only loss in Oregon, like who what other team is jumping up?
SPEAKER_01Well, I don't think there is one. I think they're solely in the driver's seat here. Yeah, I think if if you're gonna if you're gonna crash and burn, it's gonna be at your own, you know, your own doing. I I I really think, you know, they're the team everyone's gonna be chasing. So it's a good spot to be in. But like you said, you can't slip up. You've gotta win that game against Memphis. I don't I mean, realistically, you're probably not beaten Oregon. I mean, yeah.
SPEAKER_03I mean You might. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01But boy, can you imagine what that would do for Oregon?
SPEAKER_03Oh, it would absolutely destroy any thought of Oregon like competing for a national title, in my opinion. And they could still win the Big Ten, but having lost to Boise State, like I don't know. If you're Oregon and you lose to Boise State in the first week of the season, like I don't know how you recover from that, even with the you have.
SPEAKER_01But if you're Boise State and if it comes down to selection the selection time and you're picked for the playoffs, I mean, does that really hurt Oregon as much? Given that they're the playoffs team as well.
SPEAKER_03It's not gonna hurt Oregon as much because if they win the Big Ten, they're guaranteed a spot. Like these G6 teams are the teams that like every Saturday truly matters. Right. For them. 100%. So no, like will it hurt Oregon in the overall playoff race? No, because they can still win the Big Ten. But definitely for morale purposes and some national reputation, they would they would take a hit. But let's be realistic here, Boise State fans. Like, we're gassing you up on this podcast. You're our favorite to to be the G6 representative, but sorry, you're not beating Oregon.
SPEAKER_01No. Well, I mean, okay, so so we can look at a split here. One case being Boise State's got the best blend of proven program, quarterback continuity, and resume opportunities.
SPEAKER_03Right, but Oregon, Memphis are two early games that like obviously I don't think they can beat Oregon. If they lose to Memphis, and then maybe some diff more difficult road games inside the new Pac-12, that creates more ways to take a second loss than the other contenders for the G6 face. So if Boise, like we said, if Boise State goes 11-1 and they only lose to Oregon, like I don't think anybody's gonna be able to jump them. But if they lose to Memphis or another, if they go 10-2, like, yeah, they're in the race, but I don't know if that if they're the favorite at that point. I still think that you gotta be 11-1.
SPEAKER_01Well, maybe, maybe, just maybe. We'll see a throwback to the Statue of Liberty play against the Almighty Sooners in a in a crucial situation, and somebody else can experience that utter feeling of just disbelief. Maybe Oregon fans will get taste of that this year. Yeah, classic. It wasn't for us, okay? Classic about that. And then to watch the guy.
SPEAKER_03It was classic for the rest of the country.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. And then to top it off, we get to watch the guy propose to his girlfriend. Like, okay, nobody cares. Get over it.
SPEAKER_00Move on.
SPEAKER_01Obviously, as you can tell, I'm not sour about it.
SPEAKER_03No, not at not at all, even though it's been what 15 years.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_03Maybe a little longer. When was that? 2007?
SPEAKER_01That was a while back, man. That was a long while back. That was, I believe, when Adrian Peterson was running the ball.
unknownYeah.
SPEAKER_01And Jason White, maybe? Maybe before after Jason White, I don't remember.
SPEAKER_03But anyways, let's move on here. Go to UNLV. So the Mountain Wests, this is their most obvious veteran contender. They've got, as we discussed previously, three straight Mountain West title appearances and no Boise State standing in their way. This is Dan Mullen's second year with a veteran skill group led by running back Jaden the Jet Thomas and Tayshawn Lyons at receiver. Five of the UNL Rebels were selected to the 2026 preseason All-Mountain West team, including Thomas Lyons center Austin Boyd, defensive lineman Lewis Conti, and defensive back Jake Pope. UNLV gets a direct national comparison point immediately when Memphis visits them at Allegiance Stadium in week zero. Their schedule then is going to send the Rebels to Hawaii and North Texas before hosting Cal and North Dakota State. So key games we have here for the Rebels, obviously the game against Memphis, the road trip to Hawaii, the road trip to North Texas, their non-con matchup versus Cal, their home game against North Dakota State, and then their road game to New Mexico. So from CSN's standpoint, their playoff path, beat Memphis, avoid a road loss to Hawaii, reach 11 wins. You gotta get, if you're UNLV, you gotta get 11 wins, and that profile can absolutely push them to the top above the other G6 contenders. So they might have the cleanest path to a conference title out of any of the G6 contenders, but it's it needs to beat Memphis to become a playoff resume instead of a good Mountain West season. Just a good Mountain West season, I should say. So is 2026 Keaton finally the year that UNLV turns three straight conference title appearances into a playoff trip?
SPEAKER_01Probably not, but I do think they're gonna turn three straight appearances into an actual championship, conference championship. But I agree.
SPEAKER_03They could trip up there. They could also trip up in Hawaii in week two. But so like even if they are to beat Memphis in week zero, I don't necessarily think that they're in the clear just if they beat Memphis.
SPEAKER_01But again, circling back to my initial point, I don't believe that UNLV is the strongest competition, the best program to represent the G6 in the playoffs. I I really don't.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, I I find it hard to disagree with you there. So let's move on. Nothing a lot more to say there. We're still we're really high on Boise State. And maybe that's just a generic pick, but I mean, that's just what we think.
SPEAKER_01Well, just looking at the facts, and and they're the strongest team so far. Until they get knocked off, they're the strongest team.
SPEAKER_03I I couldn't agree more. So let's move into another tier one contender, Navy, one of those teams that we previously talked about. So they're one of the Americans' leading contenders after an 11-21-2 season last year. They have obviously a system that can shorten the games and make every Saturday uncomfortable for their opponent. Their biggest and the biggest key for Navy is replacing Horvath with Braxton Woodson so they don't have the continuity at quarterback, which I think is actually could be a hindrance to a another double-digit win season for the midshipman. But he did rush for 414 yards and six touchdowns and limited action last year. So maybe he's not. Their profile obviously built on continuity, physicality, and that option scheme, and it's they're really difficult to prepare for. So every marquee result is going to be magnified by the committee. So looking at their key games this year, October 3rd at Air Force. Now, I'm not big on Air Force. I think they're actually the weakest of the military academy teams. So I don't necessarily think that Navy would lose that one. But then they go on the road to UTSA. They've been a pretty steady team there in San Antonio with Jeff Trailer at the helm. So I mean they could trip up there, they get North Texas, they gotta go play Notre Dame, which I mean, good luck, boys. They gotta play Memphis on November 21st, and then obviously the Army Navy game on December 12th. So if they do their playoff path uh for for us here at CSN is they if they win the American League title with only one regular season loss, more than likely that's gonna be Notre Dame, that's gonna put Navy clearly in the conversation to be the G6 team. But two losses, they're gonna require some help from teams that they have no control over. You know, like some of the other teams we mentioned, Boise State, UNLV, even some of these others like Memphis. So they have a championship caliber, a conference championship caliber team. The question is whether the new quarterback can keep the offense explosive enough to survive their biggest scheduling threats, that being Notre Dame, Memphis, and honestly Army. Yeah. Because of the rivalry there. So what what are your what are your quick thoughts here on on Navy?
SPEAKER_01I don't see him being a I I don't even see him being in the in the conversation, to be honest. Do you think they have more than two losses? I mean I can see it. I probably do. I I I I think I think we can all agree, Notre Dame, you can chalk that up as a loss. I think you probably lose it in Memphis. And then I think you probably lose to Army. So there's your three losses, but I'm gonna be honest here. And it's really hard. This is probably gonna be one of the harder episodes as we talked before we've started recording. It's really difficult for me to buy into any of these teams because I just don't believe that they're good enough to play in the playoffs. Any of them. So it makes it very hard for me to buy into them.
SPEAKER_03With that being said, no, I don't I don't think that I don't think Navy of the tier one contenders, Navy might be the one that we're lowest on here. Probably at CSN. And for me, as somebody that likes Navy, I've always rooted for the midshipman. My uncle served as a lieutenant commander in the Navy, so kind of born and raised rooting for him. Shout out. Shout out, Lane. Haley Flats. Uh and Haley Flats sponsor us. That's your one freebie. Yeah. But yeah, this this season with a new quarterback, that's gonna be my biggest deal. They've got a new starting quarterback. Memphis is gonna be looking to take control of that conference, especially now that Eric Morris and half of North Texas' team has departed. So I I think that the American race is gonna turn down to come down to Memphis in Tulane, and Navy will probably drop one other game here. I'm not gonna say that they're gonna beat Army, because I would never in a million years want that to happen. But Notre Dame, you will probably get beat too. There's no probably the probability of you winning that game is a.00001. So but I could see I could see a a loss here to UTSA, genuinely, especially if Jeff Traylor gets things going at a higher level there now that they're in the American Conference. But yeah, sorry, Navy. I think that you guys go 9-3, and you just miss out on being a playoff contender this year. Which nine and three is not a bad thing. No, not at not at all. But but I think you're gonna miss out on the on the playoff content. Yeah, I agree. So moving on to our last tier one of the G6 contenders, and that's Memphis. So they're the ultimate schedule leverage team. They can collect head-to-head wins over the other top tier one contenders in UNLV and Boise State before they even start conference play. So Charles Huff is leading a roster that's still sorting through a new offensive identity and some quarterback competition, and that's going to make the early schedule both an opportunity and a danger for the Tigers. They were second in the unofficial American preseason poll and received preseason coaches poll votes nationally. So a week zero win at UNLV followed by a win at Boise State would instantly make their resume better and would probably make them the G6 resume leader. But their back half does remain difficult because they have road trips to Navy and South Florida. So the key games here at CSN that we have noted is at UNLV, at Boise State, October 31st versus Army West Point at South Florida on the 12th of November and November 21st at Navy. So our playoff path for the Memphis Tigers, if they split the UNLV and Boise games and they win the American, they're still alive. If they sweep both of those and reach 11 wins, they're probably the favorite. But if they lose both, they probably don't make it at all.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. So their schedule sets them up. Their schedule sets them up to put them in a really good position early. But you've got to capitalize. I mean, worst case scenario, you've got to split. Obviously, best case, you win them both. And then you're somewhat per se in the driver's seat, but can you win them both? Can you split them even?
SPEAKER_03I I don't know. I don't think you can beat Boise State. I don't necessarily think you could you can beat UNLV, especially one that you're playing them in week zero. And my biggest question with Memphis is who do you have at quarterback? Who are you going to name the starter? You've got a week and a half to go.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. Well, and another thing to uh a tally market against them or a tick against them rather.
SPEAKER_02Both of those big games are on the road. So that hurts.
SPEAKER_01But there's no other team that we're gonna talk about or have talked about that can improve its stock faster than Memphis. Right. But on the inverse of that, there's no other team that can damage their stock faster. So it's right. They're riding a really, really fine line going into week zero. I mean, you you don't have any room to to budge. And then you can't drop any games that you should win past those two. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03Well, not as they consistently if you lose to both UNLV and Boise State, like you have to go undefeated in the American Conference and win the title to even be in the conversation, in my opinion.
SPEAKER_01But like we mentioned, Hawaii's gonna be a solid opponent. New Mexico's gonna be a solid opponent. Well, they're not they're not in the American. Well, nonetheless, you don't want to lose any games. I wouldn't want to lose any games.
unknownNo.
SPEAKER_01Period.
SPEAKER_03Who wants who wants to lose games?
unknownI mean.
SPEAKER_01I just again, this new rule change is when they look at so many different factors. I mean, yeah, you gotta win these two games, but you have to win a lot of other you if you lose to, let's say, New Mexico, and then they turn out to be kind of a dud, then it doesn't really matter if you beat UNLV and Boise State. That New Mexico game's gonna be circled and all eyes are gonna fall on that.
SPEAKER_03I didn't look at their schedule before this, so I didn't know that they played New Mexico. Oh, I'm sorry.
SPEAKER_01I'm I'm saying just hypothetically. Fair enough. I'm just throwing out teams.
SPEAKER_03No, I I get you. If they just basically like if you lose to a team that you shouldn't lose to in general, like it may not, in the G6 scheme of things, it may not matter whether or not you beat UNLV or Boise State.
SPEAKER_01Right. So Memphis, the other two will be two lane. The other games I'm would be watching would be two lane in South Florida.
SPEAKER_03But yeah, anyway, our our verdict for Memphis is no team can improve its playoff stock faster than Memphis, but no contender can damage it quicker either. So, anyway, let's move on to the tier two challengers. James Madison. They're the defending Sunbelt champion, Sunbelt Fun Belt, shout out. 2025 CFP participant, but they are starting a new coaching era under Billy Napier. That's going to be their weak point, in my opinion, as I've previously talked about. But like we said, they went 12-2 in 2025. They beat, they went unbeaten in Sunbelt play, and they earned their conference's first CFP berth. They were picked first in the Sunbelt East with 11 of 14 first place votes. They have some key returning all-conference pieces, including offensive lineman Zach Greenberg, defensive lineman Amar Thomas, and running back George Petaway. Their schedule is giving them two valuable non-conference comparisons. They get Liberty at home and San Diego State on the road. So CSN's key games for James Madison. September 5th against Liberty, September 19th on the road at San Diego State. September 26th at Old Dominion, they should absolutely mop the floor with. So CSN's playoff path for James Madison. A 12-1 Sunbelt champion is definitely in the race. And if they get a road win at San Diego State, it's going to give their schedule an extra boost. Not a lot to say here.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I think our verdict is, you know, we're all aware JMU has proven it can navigate that that Sunbelt conference cleanly. But with Napier taking the helm, that's going to be where the uncertainty lies on whether that new staff can preserve that standard immediately or if we're taking steps backwards.
SPEAKER_03Yep. Not much else to say on the Dukes. The next tier two challenger that we have here for the G6 is San Diego State. So they're a Pac-12 sleeper, star running back in a schedule that's offering some direct comparison against both the Big Ten and Sunbelt. Lucky Sutton enters 2026 after a first-team All-Mountain West season, a Doke Walker semifinalist campaign. Aztec's formula is pretty straightforward. Run the ball, play defense, and force opponents into low possession games. September is decisive for the Aztecs. They have a trip to UCLA, and then a week later they get a home game against James Madison.
SPEAKER_02Technical difficulties.
SPEAKER_03Anyway, where was I? Pac-12, San Diego State. They get their home dates that are going to determine whether or not they're a real threat to Boise State. So September 12th, key games, September 12th at UCLA. Their home game against James Madison on September 19th. Home game against Texas State. Home game against Fresno State. And then they get Washington State at home on October 31st. So CSN's playoff path for the Aztecs. They need a strong September. And they're they cannot have more than one conference loss to stay in that discussion.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I'll be honest, I'm pretty unfamiliar with the Aztecs. I know they have phenomenal helmets. They're super cool jerseys, but other than that, I don't know much about them. But our verdict is they're more dangerous than the preseason national vote suggests because one JMU James Madison win changes the resume immediately.
SPEAKER_03Yep. It sure does. So, you know, San Diego State definitely can hop right into that tier one conversation with a win over the Dukes. And let's get into my personal favorite Tier 2 challenger, New Mexico. The Lobos. Shout out. I've given you a lot of NIO money via college football, the video game.
SPEAKER_01Single-handedly funding the roster.
SPEAKER_03Yes, sir. So, you know, if y'all want to shout out CSN for helping fund that Russ roster via college football, EA Sports, college football, that is, let us know. Happy to help. Anyway, they're a rising Mountain West contender. They have one of the conference's best defenses, and they have two major late season home games. So linebacker Jackson Eck is the preseason Mountain West defensive player of the year after recording 129 tackles last season. They also have wide receiver Tro Amiri, offensive lineman Malik Alanier, tight end Cade Keith, and defensive lineman Brian Booker on the preseason All-Mountain West team. They do have a dangerous national test at Oklahoma before the Mountain West conference play starts. But their two most important Mountain West comparison games, they get both at home against North Dakota State and UNLV. So key games for the Lobos September 19th at Oklahoma. I'm going to be rooting for you, Lobos. That's an L.
SPEAKER_02That's an L.
SPEAKER_03Good luck. October 24th, they will get North Dakota State at home. Another key game is going to be on the road at San Jose State on October 31st. And then they get a home game against UNLV on the 14th of November, and the Air Force Academy at home on November 27th. So CSN's playoff path for the Lobos, they could do it going 10. Two, if they win the Mountain West conference title. If they're if one of those two losses is a loss to the Sooners and they have wins over North Dakota State and UNLV. So our on-air verdict here, New Mexico, they have a great defense and they have the late season schedule to climb the board as a Mountain West contender, but it's probably got to keep that Oklahoma game competitive, and they've got to win head-to-head Mountain West games against those contenders.
SPEAKER_01I don't think that they're a bad team to keep an eye on. I I think not at all. I I think they have a pretty decent shot of hitting all those marks that you just mentioned. I mean, they've got some difficult head-to-head games, but of course. But I mean, keep it competitive against OU. Don't let them beat the brakes off of you. And you never know with OU, man. You really don't. They may come out and just lay an egg. And maybe New Mexico sneaks one by. The odds are pretty slim.
unknownRight.
SPEAKER_01But I I'm gonna keep an eye on New Mexico this year for sure because they they got a chance to do some pretty good stuff in the Albuquerque.
SPEAKER_03Guys, G6 college football fans around the world, do not be surprised in the slightest if New Mexico is playing UNLV in the Mountain West title game. That's gonna be my last. And that that's my prediction, actually. I'm gonna go ahead and go ahead and lock that in. New Mexico is gonna play UNLV for the Mountain West title.
SPEAKER_00Who do you like in that game?
SPEAKER_03I like UNLV because I think they have the better coach. Well, I do like Jason Eck as their coach. I think Dan Mullen brings a little bit better better coaching in a bigger time game setting. And, you know, like we previously mentioned about UNLV, they've got that continuity. And so even if they were to lose to New Mexico on the road in the regular season, I think that they would be able to get that revenge game in the title. And like we also previously discussed, they've been to three straight Mountain West titles. They obviously know how to get there. Boise State's not in their way. I think that like this year, UNLV gets it done, but they're gonna play New Mexico to do it.
SPEAKER_01I like that. I like that prediction. I'd like to see it.
SPEAKER_03So, anyway, moving on to the wild card tier two challenger, North Dakota State. So this is the most fascinating wild card in the field to us here on CSN. They're a very first-year FBS program, but they've built a dynasty-level championship culture there, and they have immediate postseason eligibility. So, as we know, the NCAA eliminated the transition era postseason penalty, which clears the way for them to pursue the Mountain West title in a playoff berth immediately. They have placed offensive lineman Griffin Empey, defensive lineman, Keenan Wilson, and defensive back Darius Gibbons on the preseason All-Mountain West team. Jackson Williams was named the league's preseason special teams player of the year after an all-American FCS season as a return man for the Bison. But their first FBS season is going to test their depth more than the top-end talent, and their schedule is including road games at UNLV in New Mexico, as previously discussed. Key games for the Bison that we have here is week zero game against Jacksonville State, uh, September 12th at the Air Force Academy, October 10th at UNLV, and October 24th at New Mexico. So a playoff path for the bison that we have noted here is a 10-2 Mountain West championship campaign. That would absolutely force the committee to put them in the conversation. But and if they do anything beyond that, say they go 11-1 or somehow undefeated, this is one of the stories of the college football season as a whole. So this team can absolutely win big games immediately, but their question is whether the move up to the FBS can this roster survive 12 weeks of an FBS schedule without the depth advantage that they've had over the years in the FCS disappearing on them. Yeah, I think that's here on North Dakota State.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I think that's gonna be their biggest obstacle to overcome is 12 weeks of a higher level of football. But if you can keep that roster in shape and you can keep your guys healthy, I I think they're gonna they're gonna win some games and they're gonna they're gonna win some games they maybe shouldn't, or people think they should they won't. Uh oh.
SPEAKER_02Can you hear me? Can you hear me? How about now? Can you hear me? We gotcha. All right. Welcome back.
SPEAKER_01Thanks. Sorry, guys. Yeah, the internet's it is really not liking us tonight. No, it doesn't like us and it doesn't like the G16s. But yeah, I think North State's biggest, biggest disadvantage potentially is gonna be their death and just surviving that schedule. But if they do, I think they're gonna they're gonna make a name for themselves tonight. It's gonna be pretty fun to watch. I've I've felt for a long time that they should have been moved up from the S FCS to the FBS. So now that they finally are, it's gonna be pretty neat.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, I'm I'm excited to see how they do. But anyway, that's that's about what we got for the tier one and tier two contenders. Uh let's talk about some of the other threats for the G6. Little give a little respect to the Maction. Western Michigan is the Mac favorite. They're the defending champion, and they're the coach's preseason pick to repeat in that conference. Their schedule gives the Broncos a massive measuring stick. They've got to play Boise State. They get them at home on September 26th. So if the Broncos somehow beat Boise State and win the Mac, they can become more than just the conference spoiler, and they can become a head-to-head COFP candidate. See off. I meant CFP. Sorry, guys. So our our on-air verdict here with the Broncos of Western Michigan is they have the single best. One game can change everything, opportunity outside of that top tier. Be Boise State at home.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, that's and that's going to be a really tough task. It's all order. But but if you do, yeah, you've got a chance.
SPEAKER_03You want to go ahead and give us the next the max and pressure teams here?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, so our little max and action pressure teams. We've got Miami of Ohio and Toledo. So Miami was picked second in the Mac poll and has reached three straight conference championship games. Toledo was picked third and remains one of the league's most stable talent development programs. Either needs a near perfect record because neither enters with the preseason national visibility. Boise, UNLV, or Memphis has.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, these two teams, I'm kind of you gotta win the machine, and you gotta do it flawlessly if you want to be in that playoff conversation.
SPEAKER_01Well, and that's how I feel about the G6 as a whole. Like, yeah, you're gonna have to win damn near every game and and look really strong doing it. Doing it to get the respect of the committee. They they face it, it's an uphill battle. They face an uphill battle week after week. Whereas some of these bigger Power 5 conferences have a little bit of room.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. These guys don't. But that's what makes that's kind of what makes the G6 a little bit more interesting. I agree, that's a good take. Like one loss can shift this entire race.
SPEAKER_01It almost puts it almost makes it more intriguing.
SPEAKER_03Because let's be real. So like I mean there's room for error. Like, yes, they obviously play tougher teams. We're not saying that that they don't, but that's we're saying that the G6, because there's one slot for what, 50 plus teams here, it makes the G6 race really fun. Yeah.
SPEAKER_01To watch. Let's move over to our Mountain West offensive wild card, and that is the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.
SPEAKER_03Yes, sir.
SPEAKER_01So QB Micah Alejado, I'm sure I'm butchering that. Forgive me.
SPEAKER_03That's right. Alejado.
SPEAKER_01Okay. Well, he is gonna be the preseason Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year after throwing 24 TD passes last year for 3,106 yards, all while doing that as a freshman, which is pretty impressive. Hawaii went 9-4 last year, but they do host UNLB early, giving the Rainbow Warriors an immediate way to enter that discussion for the playoffs if they can top the rebels. One of the things about Hawaii, though, is their travel and road consistency is gonna remain one of the main central questions around them, you know, being in Hawaii, you have to travel. Yeah, that's such a vast bar.
SPEAKER_03Even though you're really only playing West Coast and mountain teams, you know, like a road game for you, the furthest you're gonna have to go is probably Albuquerque. But that is like you you guys gotta understand, like, from us in the central time zone, there's a seven-hour time difference between us and Hawaii. Five. So even on the five hours? Five hours. I thought it was seven hours from the central zone, five hours from five hours.
SPEAKER_01Uh when it was five hours when I went back in the day, I'm like somehow.
SPEAKER_03Maybe it is maybe maybe maybe it's seven hours from the east coast, and I I got I got it, or six hours from the east coast. I I got it all. Either way, it's a large time jump just going from Hawaii to play a game in California.
SPEAKER_01Absolutely. Absolutely. It it's tough. That that's got to be taxed, you know, tasking on the players, the coaches, everybody involved. It's it's a lot.
SPEAKER_03But on the flip side, that does give them a pretty good home home field advantage when people gotta go there. Absolutely. Absolutely, it does. Hopefully they get their new stadium built so that they don't have to play on the track field for much longer.
SPEAKER_01You know, I don't know when that stadium is set to be completed. I don't either.
SPEAKER_03Hopefully sooner rather than later. I'm excited to see it. But yeah, Hawaii is definitely a wild card for the Mountain West. Don't be surprised, though, if they are fighting for a spot in that in that uh Mountain West title game at some point, especially if they can find a way to beat UNLV. I don't necessarily think that I would pick that. I think UNLV is just better in general. But we'll see. Let's move on a little bit to Conference USA.
SPEAKER_01Well, real quick, we will not be watching the Rainbow Warriors play in that news stadium until 2029.
SPEAKER_03So they are taking their time.
SPEAKER_01Well, think about how long it takes to get material over there.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, good point. Anyway. But anyway, Conference USA, in my opinion, this is the weakest of the G6 conferences. So their top teams are going to be Liberty, Jacksonville State, and Western Kentucky, in our opinion. They don't have a clear national favorite receiving any of the same preseason attention as Boise State or UNLV. Now they do still own the highest recent, Liberty, that is, owns the highest recent CFP era brand ceiling in their league, and they open at James Madison, a direct Sunbelt comparison matchup. Western Kentucky is bringing back 2025 Freshman of the Year quarterback Rodney Tisdale Jr., and they have the offensive profile to win this league. Jacksonville State is opening their season at North Dakota State, so this is a national comparison game for immediate G6 implications. For Conference USA's champion 11-1, 12-0, as they're going to be their best option because their schedule strength is just not there when compared against the Pac-12 American and Mountain West conferences.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I'd be shocked if you see an 11-1 and 12-0 team come out of that conference. You might, but I'd be shocked.
SPEAKER_03So just a little bit of a little bit here, just on the conference by conference contender board. In the Pac-12, the CSN, our pick, our favorite is Boise State. The next in line would be San Diego State, Fresno State, and Texas State. And this league matters, they have the highest weekly brand and multiple comparison games. The American League, our CSN favorite is I'm going to say Tulane. I'm not going to pick Navy, although they may have the they may have the most repeatable talent that quarterback though still gives me questions. You may differ different from me. My favorite in the American is Tulane. You like the midshipmen. So anyway, they're in a mix with Memphis, UTSA, and USF, South Florida. Janinkalich Borgoon, shout-out. This might be one of the deeper league races. They've got the a marquee showdown between Navy and Memphis. And that's going to be a big deal for this league. The Mountain West, obviously, I've personally talked about it. This is my favorite of the leagues. It's the most crazy of the league races. Our pick, obviously, is going to be UNLV, but the other top contenders are going to be North Dakota State, New Mexico, and Hawaii. It's the craziest race, and there's strong head-to-head G6 implications late in the season for this league. Now for the Sunbelt, James Madison shouldn't be, shouldn't really be up for debate. They have a proven CFP path and a manageable leagues league. For Maction, Western Michigan is going to be the favorite, with Miami of Ohio and Toledo being in the mix. And as previously discussed, this league matters because if Western Michigan can beat Boise State, that's an automatic resume booster that's going to turn some heads nationally when it comes to the Broncos. And Conference USA, Liberty, Western Kentucky, kind of going to still be the top of this conference. Jacksonville State and Kennesaw State might be some contenders, but whoever wins this league is going to have to do it pretty much perfect. They're going to have to go perfect in lead and have in the league and have some useful non-conference lead. Non-conference wins. So Keaton, our my question to you is which of these conferences is most likely to produce the automatic bid? The Pac-12 with Boise State at the top, or the field with more paths to 11 and 12 win teams. And I don't want where the strength of schedule is going to come into play in discussion for the committee.
SPEAKER_01I'm sorry, say that again. I didn't catch that.
SPEAKER_03Sorry, I said, but that is where the strength of schedule is going to come in to major questions with the committee. Because like I'm sorry, if you're comparing a 10-2 Boise State, let's just say that. If you're comparing a 10-2 Pac-12 champion, Boise State, with losses to Oregon and UNLV or Memphis. Sorry, they don't play UNLV. Memphis. But they win the Pac-12. Are you going to take them or are you going to take an 11-1, 12-0 liberty with winning the conference USA and next to no one in the non-conference?
SPEAKER_01Well, I mean, and that's fair. Again, I think that goes back to what we talked about. This new rule change is going to make it so difficult that it's hard to. I mean, it's it's hard to even take an educated guess, in my opinion.
SPEAKER_03It really is.
SPEAKER_01Because everything has to go right for in so many different avenues.
SPEAKER_03Right. But look looking at this, I think still Boise State is the most likely to get this nod. Probably so. But I could also see, and I'm gonna go, I'm gonna come maybe a little bit out of left field here. You know, where you like to live. I honestly like the Mountain West contenders a little bit more than I like the American contenders this year.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I mean, we've talked about that. New Mexico, Hawaii, UNLV. I I think I don't think you're coming out of left field there really at all.
SPEAKER_03Like, I I just like I think that like obviously Navy, Memphis, Tulane, they're gonna be teams to watch in the in the American, but like I I would take multiple of these Mountain West teams over most of those teams in the American, genuinely.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. What you ain't pulling for the University of South Florida?
SPEAKER_03No. No, I'm not with their coach and half their offense that made them successful going to the University of Florida. So, but yeah, I'm gonna I'm gonna go ahead and say that the Pac-12 is still the most likely to produce that automatic qualifier, but don't be shocked if it is a Mountain West, the Mountain West winner, we should say.
SPEAKER_01Well, we got a we got a list of games here. We won't pick them all. And for the the listeners, sorry, you can't see the list that we have, but uh let's list off, let's pick five games that we think are gonna matter the most on selection day out of this list of games that we have. And I'd like you to go first.
SPEAKER_03Okay. My five games that are gonna pick that I'm gonna pick. That are gonna matter the most on selection uh on the selection Sunday. Memphis at UNLV August 29th. UNLV at Hawaii September 5th. Memphis at Boise State September 12th. Boise State at Western Michigan September 26th. UNLV at New Mexico November 14th. And one of those in there, I'm I'm having trouble picking my fifth one. I want to say UNLV at Hawaii, but I'm also really looking at North Dakota State at UNLV on October 10th. Okay. Yeah, I'll have to if I'm gonna have to pick, given what I've already stated about the mountain west, I'm gonna have to pick my UNLV at Hawaii.
SPEAKER_02Okay. Okay, I like that.
SPEAKER_01So my picks are I'm gonna start with I'm gonna start with I like Memphis at UNLB. I think again that's early. I I think if Boise State can stay competitive in that, they can maybe that can be used to their advantage some selection time. And then obviously, if you somehow pull a win out, yeah. I mean you're firmly ahead. Absolutely. I think kind of the same principle for New Mexico versus Oklahoma. I think if New Mexico can keep it somewhat close and be competitive, then that strengthens New Mexico's conversation comes selection time, depending on how the rest of their season plays out. I also like North Dakota State at UNLV.
SPEAKER_02And then my fifth. I think I'm gonna go with Memphis at Navy.
SPEAKER_01I again I think I think a lot of this depends on how the rest of the field shapes up. Again, everybody's right. It's all gonna shape up the right way, and I I'd like to see Navy stay competitive against Notre Dame, but I don't know that it will.
SPEAKER_03Wouldn't we all? I mean, just stay competitive. I'm not saying win. Yeah, but yeah, no, but don't get blown out by 60. Right. But let's just for fun's sake, we like to have fun here on the campus report. Out of the five games that you've picked, and out of the five games that I've picked, which one of those do you think overall is the most important?
SPEAKER_02Ooh. I've got mine.
SPEAKER_01Probably Memphis at Ellis at UNLV.
SPEAKER_03Memphis at UNLV. I mean I think so. That that that's a good one. That's probably my second most important one. My most important one is UNLV at New Mexico. It's a potential conference championship game matchup, as we already previously talked about. And this could actually be a late season, depending on how these two teams' schedules are going, their seasons are going at that point. This could be an actual item and yeah, no, you're right. That is gonna be a really important game. So that that's mine, that's my top, top game that'll shape the G6 playoff bid. Like, like we said, I mean, Memphis at UNOV is extremely important, as is Memphis and Boise State, because obviously those are non-con games, so this is going to be those are gonna be direct comparisons in the non-con deal, but I like conference matchups. I s I really like late season conference matchups that can decide title races, and on top of that being a potential elimination game for having this bid, I think UNLV going to Albuquerque is the most important G6 game this season.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I like that take.
SPEAKER_03I like that take a lot. So for the fans out there, how to judge the G6 race this season, we got a checklist for you. Number one, loss quality. Was the loss to an elite opponent, like you know, Boise State's playing Oregon, New Mexico's playing Oklahoma, Navy's playing Notre Dame, or did you lose to a bad conference team? So if you're New Mexico, don't lose to Air Force. You know, if you're Boise State, do not lose to Oregon State. You know, things like that. Or was it a competitive on-the-road game or decisive at home? That's your loss quality resume checklist. Head-to-head, did the team beat another contender directly? That would be a Memphis UNLV game, Memphis Boise State, James Madison, San Diego State, North Dakota State versus UNLB and New Mexico. These are especially important during this checklist. Now the best win. Does the team have a win that the committee is going to be able to point to nationally? So a power four road win is going to carry significantly more weight than stacking conference wins among G6 imponents. Obviously, the best case scenarios for that was, as previously mentioned, Boise State in Oregon, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Navy, Notre Dame. Conference control. Is this team still going to be on track to reach their conference title game? So if they win a conference championship, that's going to add late, a late high-quality data point, even though the G6 automatic qualifier is not required to be a conference champion, that definitely helps the resume. And then our fifth point here is committee visibility. So is the team already inside or near the CFP top 25 by early November? So their starting position matters because the teams need comparable opponents and meaningful wins to them climb up the rankings. So we'll keep an eye on that. Probably mid-season, we'll do a little breakdown of how this race is shaping up, if you like that idea. Willie Keaton?
SPEAKER_04Are you waiting for me?
SPEAKER_03Can you hear me? I hear you now. Are we still having technical difficulties over there in Norman?
SPEAKER_01We did, just for a slight moment. But before we move on, I'd like your opinion or your take on something. Do you think the committee, just looking at these five different points, that they have to consider for how many, however many teams? What, 50 teams? However many is in the G you think they've overcomplicated and muddied the water to the point where I mean, how do you get the committee to all agree to every single one of these points?
SPEAKER_03I mean, are you I I really don't think that you do. Like I don't think that you can do that. Get every single member member to agree on every one of these points, but I mean, this also might be the committee's way of trying to like phase out the G5, G6, whatever we're calling it, like completely without giving the G6 its own postseason.
unknownYou know?
SPEAKER_01Yeah. I mean, I think it's a step in the right direction, like I mentioned earlier. I just when you when you really look at it and all the criteria and all the different angles, it's gonna be, I mean, I wouldn't want to be on the committee to make that decision because I mean Well, no, because at the end of the season, you're gonna have probably I want to say probably five or six viable options out of the G6 teams, and one team's gonna be and fan base is gonna be really happy, and four or five more are gonna be really upset. Absolutely. Absolutely, but that's that's what the reds are basically there. That's what the college playoffs have been the last however long they've been going on. Yeah. Somebody's always mad.
SPEAKER_03So yeah, somebody always deserved to be in, even though they lost to you know five and or four and eight Florida, Texas. Any chance to throw shade at those assholes in Austin, I'm gonna take it. Again, you'll never hear any remote from me. I'm gonna I'm gonna reiterate this point. Texas fans, you did not get left out of the playoff because you chose to play Ohio State and lost by seven. You got left out of the playoff in 2025 because you lost to Florida. Say it with me. We lost to Florida, and that's why we were left out. On top of the fact that you also went to overtime matchups against two teams and fan bases that were prepping for basketball season in October. And that would be Kentucky and Mississippi State. But there's my soapbox for the day regarding those assholes in Austin. Let's get into our probability board here. Our number one team, obviously, to probably get this spot, Boise State. They have the best blend of roster, QB, continuity, reputation, and comparison games. Our second slot is going to be UNLV, veteran team, they're a Mountain West favorite, and they have Memphis and North Dakota State on their schedule at home. Our third possible team is Navy. They're the American League favorite, although they're not my personal favorite. I picked Tulane, as previously stated. But they have an 11-win foundation from last year with a quarterback transition, but they have Notre Dame on the schedule. Memphis is our fourth pick, our fourth place team here. They have the highest early upside because UNLV and Boise State are on their schedule. Then James Madison. They're the defending Sunbelt champ and CFP participant. But as I've previously stated, Billy Napier brings you down. Sixth place, we got New Mexico. They're an elite defense in the Mountain West, and they have a favorable late home slate. I'll say it again, the Lobos and UNLV will play for the Mountain West title this December. Seventh, we got North Dakota State. They've got they have immediate postseason eligibility and a championship culture. Their test, their depth is going to be their biggest test. Eighth place, San Diego State. They get a head-to-head with James Madison, so that's going to give them an early boost and a direct path to relevance in this conversation. Ninth place, we got Western Michigan. They're the defending maxion champion. And they can bolster that resume if they were to beat Boise State early on. And in our tenth place, we got Hawaii. They got a dynamic quarterback, they got home field leverage. They just got to be consistent on the road. Conference USA and the other field or other out of the field. They've got to have chaos from the above-listed teams. And they basically got to be perfect. So good luck. My pick to earn the G6 spot is going to be Boise State. And that is because they have they're going to have the strongest strength of schedule. They have a game against Memphis to get an early boost to that resume. And I do think they'll win that one. And they if they keep that game against Oregon competitive, like don't lose by 30 or more, I don't see a team that can catch them. Regardless of how good I personally think the Mountain West is going to be as a conference this year and a fun race to watch, it's going to be very hard for whoever wins that league to jump Boise State from a resume standpoint.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, my pick's the same for literally the exact same reasons. So collectively, we agree there.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, Boise State. But they've got a little bit less separation than their name recognition is suggesting. Obviously, UNLV and Navy have cleaner paths to 11, 10, and 11, possibly 12 wins, but and Memphis has the best chance to create a head-to-head resume in this race early on in the season. But my sleeper team, obviously, if it's not obvious, I don't know if you've been listening to this. New Mexico. They're my sleeper team.
SPEAKER_01Okay. Well, you ready for my left field appearance?
SPEAKER_03I obviously, if you're not coming out of left field, Willie is not on this podcast.
SPEAKER_01That's right. North Dakota State. All right. He likes the bison. I do. Early jump. I'd like to see them come out and just whoop ass.
SPEAKER_03I like it. But but really looking at all the points that we've made, is that really like a super left field take?
SPEAKER_00Not really. I feel like if I would have said It's very hard to live in left field, though, with this. It's a shallow left field.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. Just shallow left right behind the shortstop.
SPEAKER_01I mean, I could have said something like Western Michigan or Western Kentucky, but I wanted to be in the ballpark.
SPEAKER_03I don't necessarily know if you were out of the ballpark with Western Michigan, but you were definitely climbing the wall on the warning track with them.
SPEAKER_01I like DeBison, man. I like North Dakota State. I'm hoping that they will, you know, be competitive.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. I mean, I would like to see that too, but my I'm still going to stick with New Mexico as my sleeper. They've got some great opportunities in their conference. And if they are to, like I said, get to that conference title, and if they beat UNLV, I mean, they can definitely, if things go right with things that are out of New Mexico's direct control, they could find themselves sneaking into that, sneaking into that spot, into that spot. Excuse me. Yep.
SPEAKER_02Who's your team the most likely to disappoint?
SPEAKER_03You know, I'm very split. I'm split between Navy and Memphis. Obviously, we talked Memphis has that high early upside because of their non-con games with Boise State and UNLV. But I mean, I think both teams are better than Memphis. So we haven't really gone into this the situation with Memphis. Like, what if they're to lose both of those?
SPEAKER_01Well, that's why I've got them displayed it as my team to disappoint.
SPEAKER_03Do if they lose both of those, does an American conference title still get them in the discussion? If they lose those. But but Navy, like, but like I said, this one's hard between Navy and Memphis for me because they're in the same conference. And Navy has a better opportunity in terms of a non-conference showing. Like, if they don't get their absolute teeth bashed in by Notre Dame, even if they are to lose, if Memphis loses to both UNLV and Boise State, a closer loss to Notre Dame still might look better in terms of the resume for Navy. But Navy's also, like I pointed out, they're got a brand new quarterback. Yeah, he was a little bit productive last season, but now he's expected to take the reins over completely. You had already picked the army to to beat them in that game. So it for me, this is a this is a toss-up and the most likely to disappoint. But I guess if I have to pick one, it's gonna be Memphis because I genuinely think they'll lose both of those games against UNLV and Boise State.
SPEAKER_02Yeah, that's where that's what I've got.
SPEAKER_01That's why I picked Memphis. If you lose both of those, then in my opinion, your season's just Well, you're not necessarily your whole season.
SPEAKER_03You can still win a conference title, but your Chester playoff is is over.
SPEAKER_01And at that point, what I mean, aren't we all playing for the playoffs? Especially given the new rule change, you've got to you've got more avenues to get in.
SPEAKER_03Right. So But yeah, you lose those two games, everything about for for Memphis getting to the playoffs is completely out of your control. Yep. So, yeah, Memphis is most likely to disappoint. I like. I like that. We the best our best G6 non-conference win. Are we doing hypotheticals or which one we think will actually happen?
SPEAKER_01I would say actually.
SPEAKER_03Because if we're talking hypotheticals, the best non-conference win would be Boise State beating Oregon or Navy somehow beating Notre Dame. Or who is the second one? Or Navy beating Notre Dame. Or New Mexico beating Oklahoma. Right, but no, but let's let's be real, and I'm not trying to be disrespectful to your sooners here, but Notre Dame and Oregon both have higher profiles than Oklahoma this season.
SPEAKER_01Yes, probably. That's pure disrespect. Watch your mouth.
SPEAKER_03That's fine. It might be disrespectful, but it's the truth.
SPEAKER_01It is. Sometimes it hurts. I know it. I don't like to hear it though.
SPEAKER_03I love how we said that if this goes two hours, like we're crazy. But hey, we're having fun out here on the campus report.
SPEAKER_01That's right. That's what we're all about here. It's campus reports. Having fun. Bringing the left field opinions to the listeners.
SPEAKER_03We really want to get more into these campus cultures. So if you guys are listening from anywhere, follow us on social media, DM us, let you let us know about some of these traditions and campus culture things that we don't know about. We'd love to know about it. We'd love to talk about it. So that's what we're here for. But looking at the schedule, I guess the best non-conference win that's a possibility is probably going to be Boise State over Memphis. I guess if we're talking about the best G6 non-con win.
SPEAKER_01I put I put UNLV over Memphis. It's funny that Memphis is on the shorter side of that stick on both.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. Because they're it because it's both, they're important. Like, and Memphis just happens to be playing against the two top G6 contenders this year, and that was just the luck of the draw. But anyway, let's go ahead and close this thing up here for the G6 deep dive. So the biggest takeaway from the G6 race is that there's no longer a safe path anymore. Six conferences are competing for one guaranteed spot, and the committee does not have to reduce the conversation to conference champion winners.
SPEAKER_01And as we talked, Boise State has the preseason edge. UNLV has that Veteran Mountain West roster. Navy has the system in the 11-win foundation, and Memphis has the head-to-head opportunities early in the season. James Madison already has has already made this playoff, and North Dakota State is entering FBS football with nothing resembling a normal first-year profile.
SPEAKER_03But the good news is, we're going to know a lot about this G6 race fairly early in the season. Memphis and UNLV are playing in week zero. Boise's going to Oregon and then hosts Memphis. James Madison travels to San Diego State, and Western Michigan gets Boise at home. And so by the end of September, the board here may look completely different depending on what goes down in those games.
SPEAKER_01Right. And that's what's going to make this one of the best races in college football. Because for these programs, every Saturday is not just about a conference title, it's about winning one national spot.
SPEAKER_03And that is our 2026 group of five or group of six playoff overview on the campus report. Remember to follow Campus Sports Network on all the social medias at CSN Media underscore on Twitter and on Instagram and on TikTok as well. And follow us for college sports, campus stories, and everything surrounding the game. And always remember that if it's on campus it's on CSN.