Which G5 Teams Have the Best Shot at a 2026 Playoff Berth?
As summer ends and fall approaches, college football fans have a lot to get excited about. One thing that often gets overlooked is the group of mid-major schools in the FBS, known as the G5. These teams usually don’t get as much attention in NCAA athletics because they don’t bring in as much money as the Big Ten or SEC. Still, they have proven they can compete, with several teams moving up from mid-major to Power Four in the past decade. With so little attention on these schools, it’s worth wondering if any of them could pull off a big surprise this season.
With the new playoff format in college football, G5 teams actually have a better shot. Last year, two G5 teams made the tournament, though both lost by large margins. This doesn’t mean mid-majors can’t compete, and the gap is closing, especially since the SEC hasn’t won a title in almost five years. Looking ahead to 2026, teams like Boise State, Tulane, JMU, and Memphis are likely to be in the mix for one or maybe two playoff spots. The Mountain West is tougher now with North Dakota State joining from the FCS and Northern Illinois coming over from the MAC. Still, some mid-major teams often go unnoticed and could make a playoff run.
North Texas has a real chance to make a deep playoff run. They came close last year, but a loss to Tulane in the American Conference Championship kept them out. They lost their coach and star quarterback and early Heisman candidate, Drew Mestemaker to Oklahoma State, but bounced back by hiring former West Virginia coach Neal Brown and bringing in former UCF quarterback Tayven Jackson. The American Conference offers tough competition that helps prepare players for big games. Another G5 team to watch is UNLV, led by coach Dan Mullen. In his first season, he led the Runnin’ Rebels to 10 wins and a spot in the Mountain West Championship, though they lost to Boise State. Mullen also brought in former Auburn quarterbackJackson Arnold, who hopes to reach his potential after a tough time in the SEC. Like the American, the Mountain West is full of strong teams and regular games against Power Four opponents. While a true Cinderella story is unlikely, there’s always a chance.
