3 reasons so-called ‘cupcake games’ are good for college football

2. Group of Five powers deserve chance to play strong competition

When it comes time to discuss teams worthy of contending for the College Football Playoff, one of the big knocks against Group of Five contenders is that they amassed a strong record against inferior competition. Often that is not borne out by a look at computer rankings. Plenty of Group of Five and even some FCS teams, however, are often ranked ahead of the dregs of the Power Five.

But perception is perception, and Group of Five teams are automatically stigmatized for playing weaker schedules that are largely out of their control. Teams are often given the benefit of the doubt when the selection committee deliberates because of the conference schedule they get to play. But for every team, this is largely out of their hands.

For Group of Five schools, they are already dinged by the company they keep in conference. This happened last year with UCF, whose game against Georgia Tech was canceled due to Hurricane Irma. The only undefeated team standing after the 2017 regular season had no shot at a national title solely because it had not amassed enough positive marks against superior competition.

These data points are critical for Group of Five schools. Eliminating the opportunity to test one’s team with a powerhouse opponent would only serve to widen the gulf between conferences in the same subdivision.