6 Group of Five contenders for New Year’s Six Bowls
By Andrew Tineo
Looking ahead to the college football season, here are the most likely contenders from the Group of Five to play in a New Years Six Bowl.
In a normal college football season, there were three or four teams, that could make an argument for a New Year’s Six bowl bid. This past year’s group of five, was among the best in terms of depth within the college football landscape over the past decade.
An undefeated regular-season conference champion was left out of a New Year Six game, instead replaced by 4-2 Oregon, which lost to Iowa State in the Fiesta Bowl.
Two other teams were one possession away from being undefeated and making the same case as the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers did.
The field of elite teams from the group of five is reloaded, as many of it’s top contenders bring double digit starters return. We look at the six most likely New Year Six contenders from the group of five and rank the likelihood of making it to January.
6. Nevada Wolfpack
Even if the Wolfpack are the biggest wildcard of the bunch, the hype heading into the season is real. It starts with quarterback Carson Strong, who is building an immense amount of NFL Draft hype. There is reason for that, with how much expectation is surrounding the Wolfpack program for 2021.
The Wolfpack returns 10 starters on offense, with all of its playmakers returning, headlined by Romeo Doubs. Doubs finished with 1,002 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago.
They bring back nine more on defense, led by tackle leader Lawson Hall and All-MWC safety Tyson Williams. The Wolfpack’s clear weakness last year was defending the pass, ranking 73rd in the country. With that many players returning, it’s a good sign for steps in the right direction in that area.
Nevada will be tested early, with two road games against Power 5 schools, leading its season off against California. In week three, Nevada travels to Manhattan, Kansas to play Kansas State. The frontload of the schedule takes it’s toll, with a road game to begin conference play against highly-touted Boise State.
The front half of the schedule is tough, but the backend should be relatively light and college football fans will know early, whether the Wolfpackare for real and can break out to be a New Year’s Six contender. Or if the slate is too much and Nevada finishes near 8-9 wins.