Group of Six teams vie for College Football Playoff spot in 2026
CBS Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 28, 2026, 3:36 PM
Last updated Aug 28, 2026
As the 2026 College Football season unfolds, Group of Six teams aim for a playoff bid with new rules limiting their chances. One guaranteed spot remains for these teams after last year's appearances by Tulane and James Madison. Experts' picks for contenders include Boise State, UNLV, and North Dakota State, each bolstered by new coaching changes and roster adjustments. The Mountain West and American conferences are highlighted as potential battlegrounds for these programs. The race is expected to include a key showdown for Boise State against Oregon early in the season.
- •Last year featured two Group of Six teams in playoffs.
- •Boise State is a favored contender for the Pac-12 title.
- •UNLV aims to capitalize on a weakened Mountain West conference.
- •North Dakota State seeks success in its first FBS season.
- •Coaching changes across Group of Six programs add to uncertainty.
- 3:36 PMCBS Sports — Group of Six expert picks 2026: Which non-Power Four team will crash the College Football Playoff party
"We know at least one Group of Six team will make the CFP, but who has the inside track?
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