Consequences Of Friday’s College Football Conference Title Games

During last night, three Group of 5 conferences held their championship matches. With the introduction of the new 12-team expanded playoff system, these games carry significant weight. The top five ranked conference champions will automatically qualify for the College Football Playoff, with the four highest ranked champions getting a first-round bye. Under this format, it’s nearly guaranteed that all four Power 4 conferences will receive an invitation to the College Football Playoff, along with at least one Group of 5 champion.

Mountain West Championship: No. 10 Boise State 21, No. 20 UNLV 7

The Mountain West Championship Game was widely regarded as a “win and you’re in” scenario for both Boise State and UNLV. Boise State handled the situation with an impressive performance spearheaded by Heisman Trophy contender Ashton Jeanty, who rushed for 209 yards and a touchdown. Boise State’s defense held UNLV to just one touchdown. Presently, Boise State sits tenth in the playoff rankings, placing it ahead of three of the eight teams vying in Power 4 conference championship games, including both Arizona State and Iowa State from the Big 12 Championship Game. This victory likely ensures a first-round bye for the Broncos, representing a significant achievement for the team, the conference, and the Group of 5. With a College Football Playoff spot, Boise State stands to gain a payout of $4 million, plus another $4 million for reaching the quarterfinals due to their bye. Meanwhile, UNLV is slated to play in the LA Bowl Hosted by Gronk with an unspecified payout.

AAC Championship: No. 24 Army 35, Tulane 14

Army made history last night by clinching its first conference championship after overcoming last season’s champion, Tulane. The Black Knights began strong, putting up 7 points in the first quarter and 14 more in the second, leading 21-7 at halftime. They continued their dominance in the second half, scoring another touchdown in the third and sealing the win with another touchdown in the fourth. Despite the impressive showing and remarkable season, Army’s chances for the playoffs are limited. Army does not possess wins against top-25 teams and faced a severe loss to No. 4 Notre Dame in late November. Bowl games associated with AAC include the Wasabi Fenway Bowl, the Military Bowl, the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, the Hawaii Bowl, and others.

Conference USA Championship: Jacksonville State 52, Western Kentucky 12

Another milestone from Friday night: Jacksonville State achieved its first Conference USA championship in just its second season at the FBS level. The Gamecocks jumped to an early advantage, scoring 14 points in the initial quarter and adding another 14 in the following quarter, leading to a 28-6 halftime score. They maintained their dominance in the second half, bolstered by a standout performance from quarterback Tyler Huff, who passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another. The season’s success for Jacksonville State has sparked rumors that head coach Rich Rodriguez may be a contender for the opening at West Virginia, where he coached from 2001-2007. While neither team had a realistic shot at the College Football Playoff, both are anticipated to participate in bowl games, with CUSA bowl tie-ins comprising the Bahamas Bowl, Frisco Bowl, Hawaii Bowl, and R&L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.