Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 14: Last chance for contenders

The last weekend before championship games offers a final opportunity to jockey for position in the Group of Five race for the automatic Cotton Bowl bid.

Championship games are just around the corner. Group of Five hopefuls have only a few games left to turn the sentiment of the College Football Playoff selection committee in their favor.

Step one, of course, is winning a trip to the conference championship game. The best record means absolutely nothing in the New Year’s Six race without a conference title, with the stipulation that only champs are considered for a major bowl berth.

Step two, then, is winning that conference championship. Losing at the final hurdle means elimination from the quest. There is a consolation prize waiting at the end of that loss, in the form of a trip to a different bowl destination. That prize, though, is a weak substitute for a chance to take on a Power Five program in a marquee showdown.

Thus Thanksgiving weekend takes on a high level of importance. Several programs are already locked into their respective title games, while other teams are still battling to emerge atop their division.

With that in mind, let’s dive in and take a look at where the last few contenders remain in the hierarchy as we deal out the Group of Five Power Rankings ahead of Week 14 play.