The race among Group of Six college football teams for a potential College Football Playoff (CFP) berth is beginning to take shape as several conference favorites solidify their standing. Heading into Week 6, Boise State, New Mexico, James Madison, and Memphis remain the frontrunners, each demonstrating strong performances in Week 5.
Boise State continues to lead the pack after a decisive 37-18 victory over Utah State to open Pac-12 play. Quarterback Maddux Madsen completed 17 of 21 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Dylan Riley added 93 rushing yards and two scores. The Broncos have now won four straight games by at least 14 points, firmly positioning themselves as the team to beat in the Group of Six.
New Mexico follows closely behind, maintaining its dominant form with a 61-7 win over Texas-El Paso. Despite losing its starting quarterback to injury before the season, the Lobos have been led by quarterback Toa Fa’avae, who passed for 249 yards and three touchdowns in the latest outing. Under second-year head coach Jason Eck, New Mexico’s veteran defense has been a key factor in overwhelming non-Power Four opponents, raising the team’s profile on the CFP radar.
James Madison remains unbeaten with a 45-17 win over Marshall. Guided by first-year coach Billy Napier, the Dukes have won all their games by double digits this season. Notably, two former James Madison coaches are now leading Football Bowl Subdivision programs at UCLA and Indiana, highlighting the program’s rising influence.
Memphis also showcased its strength in a 59-8 rout of Charlotte. Quarterback Marcus Stokes completed 20 of 25 passes for 318 yards and five touchdowns, helping the Tigers start 1-0 in American Athletic Conference play. Like the teams ahead of them, Memphis is considered the favorite to secure its conference title.
Oregon State, ranked fifth, has garnered attention with its potent offense featuring quarterback Braden Atkinson and freshman receiver Jesse Legree. Atkinson leads all Football Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks with 1,848 passing yards and is tied for second nationally with 17 touchdown passes. Legree ranks second in receiving yards and is tied for the national lead in receiving touchdowns. The Beavers have won three consecutive games convincingly after close calls early in the season.
North Dakota State improved to 5-0 with a 28-0 shutout of Wyoming, led by quarterback Nathan Hayes, who contributed 266 total yards and two touchdowns. The Bison’s transition to the FBS level remains impressive, with observers speculating on a potential Mountain West championship clash between North Dakota State and New Mexico that could have CFP implications.
North Texas and Liberty also made strides, entering the rankings after notable performances. North Texas edged Tulsa 45-44 in overtime behind quarterback Tayven Jackson’s 332 passing yards and four touchdowns, plus a strong rushing effort from Jahiem White. Liberty holds a 4-1 record with close wins against Gardner-Webb and solid victories over Ball State, Coastal Carolina, and Delaware, signaling a potential resurgence under fourth-year coach Jamey Chadwell.
Notably, UTSA and South Florida dropped out of the power rankings this week. As the Group of Six races intensifies, attention will remain on these leading programs as they vie for a landmark College Football Playoff spot.