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Group of Five New Year’s Six Watch: Week 5 is a big one for the watch

By Dante Pryor

Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass in the first half of the NCAA football game between Cincinnati Bearcats and Murray State Racers on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.Murray State Racers At Cincinnati Bearcats
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) throws a pass in the first half of the NCAA football game between Cincinnati Bearcats and Murray State Racers on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati.Murray State Racers At Cincinnati Bearcats /
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Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) runs through a hole in the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind., on Saturday, Sept 18, 2021. The Bearcats won 38-24.Cincinnati Bearcats At Indiana Hoosiers Football
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) runs through a hole in the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind., on Saturday, Sept 18, 2021. The Bearcats won 38-24.Cincinnati Bearcats At Indiana Hoosiers Football /

2. Cincinnati Bearcats (3-0)

There is no game on the schedule in the Group of Five more critical than the Bearcats going to South Bend to play Notre Dame. Any Group of Five team likely has to go undefeated to make the New Year’s Six (we’ve not had a one-loss Group of Five team do it yet).

However, if the Bearcats defeat the Irish, they might be able to take a loss. If SMU is playing well and upsets the Bearcats, but Cincy finds a way to win the conference, they could still make the New Year’s Six if no undefeated team is in the Group of Five.

1. BYU Cougars (4-0)

For the Cougars, they’ve established quite the resume so far this season with not only two Power Five wins, but two top 25 wins against No. 19 Arizona State and No. 21 Utah. Their influence on the Pac-12 will be felt the rest of the regular season.

However, suppose the committee looks at BYU as a football independent (neither a Power Five nor a Group of Five). In that case, the Cougars could have a playoff argument if they can run the table, including four more Power Five wins, including a win against No. 21 Baylor.

If BYU runs the table, they will go 5-0 against the Pac-12 and 3-0 against ranked teams; that makes for a heck of a resume. With some chaos, the Cougars could party like it’s 1984.

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