6 Group of Five contenders for New Year’s Six Bowls

Cincinnati Beacats

The most likely team to make the College Football Playoff from the group of five is Cincinnati. The one hiccup that limits group of five schools is conference and non-conference scheduling. Fortunately for Cincinnati, it will be tested.

The American has developed depth, as six teams have had a 10 win season over the past five years (Houston, Cincinnati, SMU, UCF, Memphis and USF).  Although the conference did not do well during bowl season, the AAC had the toughest matchups out of any group of five.

Cincinnati has the schedule to fit the bill, with back to back road games against Indiana and Notre Dame. That alone is the best non-conference schedule a legit threat from the group of five has been able to offer.

Outside of those two, the Bearcats get a reasonable schedule, with their road games being significantly easier opponents than their home contests.

Cincinnati had one of the best defenses in the country last year, finishing first in three categories in the conference on defense. They return their leading tackler in linebacker Darrian Beavers and best corners in Ahmad Gardner and Coby Bryant.

Desmond Ridder returns, which will significantly boost an offense, that will have some replacing to do. Jerome Ford steps in as the full-time running back and the Bearcats have just one senior along the offensive line.

It’s easy to pick the Bearcats, considering they were a touchdown away from upsetting the Georgia Bulldogs last year in the Peach Bowl.