North Texas Sellout Highlights Growing Strength of Group of 5 Football in Expanded Playoff Era
The recent sellout crowd at North Texas’ game against USF underscores a burgeoning excitement surrounding Group of 5 football, notably as the Collage Football Playoff (CFP) expands. Despite a 49-12 loss to No. 2 Miami earlier this season, USF has demonstrated its competitive edge wiht a road victory at Florida – a feat preseason No. 1 Texas couldn’t achieve. This win, alongside the overall performance of teams like USF, Memphis, and Tulane, signals a rising tide within the American Athletic Conference and the broader Group of 5 landscape.
USF Athletic director Rick Pernetti noted the impact of the expanded playoff format on recruiting, stating coaches are actively highlighting the prospect to compete for a national championship with access to the Playoff. While a USF national championship may seem distant, the Bulls, and othre Group of 5 contenders, are proving capable of challenging Power 4 opponents.
Currently ranked,USF will face undefeated Memphis (6-0,ranked No. 23) on October 25th. Tulane, boasting two wins against Power 4 teams, will then travel to Memphis on November 7th. Memphis also has a November 28th matchup against a currently undefeated Navy (5-0) on Thanksgiving night, and Navy will play at North Texas on November 1st.The conference schedule is shaping up to be highly competitive, and Pernetti believes it’s unlikely the American champion will be excluded from a CFP bid unless teams consistently defeat each other.
The success of these programs is reflected in increased investment. USF, Tulane, and Memphis are the three biggest spenders on players within their league.Tulane, despite losing quarterback Darian Mensah to Duke in the offseason, still managed to defeat the Blue Devils this season.
This growth is contributing to a broader resurgence in college football. Ratings are up, and attendance has rebounded after years of decline. Group of 5 games are attracting significant viewership on ESPN, as evidenced by the record crowd at North texas on Friday.
While discussions continue regarding further Playoff expansion – with the Big Ten and SEC currently at odds over the specifics – the initial expansion has already achieved its primary goal: creating more meaningful games for a wider range of teams. The atmosphere at North Texas, even during a second-half blowout, served as a potent reminder of the vibrancy and potential within college football when opportunities are expanded.
