5 Non-Power 5 teams that could make the College Football Playoff

The two-time defending Mountain West champions have flown under the wire entering the 2017 season. Despite the loss of NCAA career rushing record holder Donnel Pumphrey, though, the Aztecs still have one of the most dangerous offenses in the country. Rocky Long’s squad will once again contend for the Mountain West title, and could also be in the hunt for a College Football Playoff berth if they play their cards right.

The Aztecs started the season with an easy win over FCS UC-Davis, taking down the Aggies 38-17 in the home opener. SDSU faces Arizona State this weekend on the road in Tempe. Both teams are fighting to reach the AP Top 25 after each received votes in this week’s poll.

With a dynamic offense featuring Rashaad Penny as Pumphrey’s successor and Christian Chapman back as the starter at quarterback, the Aztecs have plenty of skill players on offense. A young offensive line could be costly, with only 14 career starts among the unit prior to the start of the season. But they held up fine against the Aggies, and will know by the end of Week 2 whether they are contenders.

If they take down Arizona State, San Diego State follows with another Pac-12 showdown against Stanford at home. Even if the Aztecs lose against the Cardinal, they would still have a shot at the College Football Playoff as a 12-1 Mountain West champion if their only defeat came against an undefeated Pac-12 champ.