In 2024, 33 Group of Five teams competed in bowl games. And I project there will be about as many G5 representatives involved in bowl season this year as well.
And that’s not to mention we’ll see at least one G5 program compete in the College Football Playoff with the field at 12 teams again this season.
Here’s a look at HERO Sports’ G5 2025 bowl projections before Week 11. Remember: Bowls could always change, especially when factoring in the number of eligible teams from each conference.
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College Football Playoff First-Round Prediction
For my G5 College Football Playoff prediction, I project Memphis will play Oregon with Oregon winning.
Memphis wasn’t a favorite for many people to win the American. But the Tigers are one of few teams in the G5 that has just one loss and a Power Four win on their resume.
The Tigers are 8-1 and 4-1 in American Conference play and beat Arkansas earlier this year. They also have a ranked win after defeating USF. They did lose to UAB, so it’ll be interesting to see how that impacts Memphis later on.
The Tigers do have to play Tulane, East Carolina, and Navy yet – and none of those games will be easy – but two of those contests are at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis.
But beating a team like Oregon or one of that caliber in the CFP would be daunting, though.
Group of Five teams likely to play in the College Football Playoff:
- Memphis
- James Madison
- USF
- North Texas
- San Diego State
LA Bowl Prediction
For my LA Bowl prediction, I project Boise State will play Washington State with Boise State winning.
Teams likely to play in the LA Bowl:
- Boise State
- UNLV
- Hawaii
- Washington State
- Fresno State
Salute To Veterans Bowl Prediction
For my Salute To Veterans Bowl prediction, I project Jacksonville State will play Troy with Troy winning.
Teams likely to play in the Salute To Veterans Bowl:
- Jacksonville State
- Temple
- Army
- Troy
- Old Dominion
Cure Bowl Prediction
For my Cure Bowl prediction, I project James Madison will play Central Michigan with JMU winning.
Teams likely to play in the Cure Bowl:
- Southern Miss
- JMU
- Arkansas State
- Central Michigan
- Ohio
68 Ventures Bowl Prediction
For my 68 Ventures Bowl prediction, I project Western Michigan will play App State with App State winning.
Teams likely to play in the 68 Ventures Bowl:
- Troy
- App State
- Western Michigan
- Buffalo
- Toledo
Myrtle Beach Bowl Prediction
For my Myrtle Beach Bowl prediction, I project Temple will play Southern Miss with Southern Miss winning.
Teams likely to play in the Myrtle Beach Bowl:
- Temple
- North Texas
- Tulane
- Southern Miss
- Marshall
Gasparilla Bowl Prediction
For my Gasparilla Bowl prediction, I project USF will play Duke with USF winning.
Teams likely to play in the Gasparilla Bowl:
- USF
- East Carolina
- Memphis
- Duke
- Louisville
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Prediction
For my Famous Idaho Potato Bowl prediction, I project Miami (Ohio) will play Utah State with Utah State winning.
Teams likely to play in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl:
- Miami (Ohio)
- Ohio
- Utah State
- Fresno State
- UNLV
Boca Raton Bowl Prediction
For my Boca Raton Bowl prediction, I project UNLV will play Toledo with Toledo winning.
Teams likely to play in the Boca Raton Bowl:
- UNLV
- Hawaii
- Fresno State
- Toledo
- Ohio
New Orleans Bowl Prediction
For my New Orleans Bowl prediction, I project Coastal Carolina will play Louisiana Tech with Louisiana Tech winning.
Teams likely to play in the New Orleans Bowl:
- Louisiana Tech
- Western Kentucky
- Coastal Carolina
- Troy
- Arkansas State
Frisco Bowl Prediction
For my Frisco Bowl prediction, I project Old Dominion will play Western Kentucky with WKU winning.
Teams likely to play in the Frisco Bowl:
- Old Dominion
- Coastal Carolina
- JMU
- Western Kentucky
- Jacksonville State
Hawaii Bowl Prediction
For my Hawaii Bowl prediction, I project Kennesaw State will play Hawaii with Hawaii winning.
Teams likely to play in the Hawaii Bowl:
- Hawaii
- San Diego State
- East Carolina
- Kennesaw State
- Temple
GameAbove Sports Bowl Prediction
For my GameAbove Sports Bowl prediction, I project Nebraska will play Ohio with Ohio winning.
Teams likely to play in the GameAbove Sports Bowl:
- Western Michigan
- Ohio
- Toledo
- Nebraska
- Northwestern
Rate Bowl Prediction
For my Rate Bowl prediction, I project San Diego State will play Iowa State with San Diego State winning.
Teams likely to play in the Rate Bowl:
- San Diego State
- Hawaii
- Fresno State
- Iowa State
- TCU
First Responder Bowl Prediction
For my First Responder Bowl prediction, I project UConn will play Marshall with UConn winning.
Teams likely to play in the First Responder Bowl:
- Marshall
- JMU
- Arkansas State
- UConn
- Duke
Military Bowl Prediction
For my Military Bowl prediction, I project Navy will play Miami with Miami winning.
Teams likely to play in the Military Bowl:
- Navy
- East Carolina
- Tulane
- Miami
- Duke
Fenway Bowl Prediction
For my Fenway Bowl prediction, I project Tulane will play Pitt with Pitt winning.
Teams likely to play in the Fenway Bowl:
- Tulane
- North Texas
- Memphis
- Pitt
- Virginia
Arizona Bowl Prediction
For my Arizona Bowl prediction, I project Buffalo will play Fresno State with Fresno State winning.
Teams likely to play in the Arizona Bowl:
- Buffalo
- Ohio
- Miami (Ohio)
- New Mexico
- Fresno State
New Mexico Bowl Prediction
For my New Mexico Bowl prediction, I project New Mexico will play Arkansas State with Arkansas State winning.
Teams likely to play in the New Mexico Bowl:
- Kennesaw State
- Western Kentucky
- New Mexico
- Marshall
- Arkansas State
Birmingham Bowl Prediction
For my Birmingham Bowl prediction, I project North Texas will play Missouri with North Texas winning.
Teams likely to play in the Birmingham Bowl:
- North Texas
- Memphis
- Tulane
- Missouri
- LSU
Independence Bowl Prediction
For my Independence Bowl prediction, I project East Carolina will play Houston with ECU winning.
Teams likely to play in the Independence Bowl:
- East Carolina
- USF
- Army
- Houston
- Arizona State
Armed Forces Bowl Prediction
For my Armed Forces Bowl prediction, I project Army will play Liberty with Army winning.
Teams likely to play in the Armed Forces Bowl:
- Army
- North Texas
- Navy
- Liberty
- Western Kentucky
FBS Bowl Schedule For The G5
| Bowl | Bowl Tie-In | Date | TV |
| LA Bowl | MWC/Pac-12 | 12/13/25 | ESPN |
| Salute To Veterans Bowl | CUSA/MAC/SBC/AC | 12/16/25 | ESPN |
| Cure Bowl | G5 vs. G5 | 12/17/25 | ESPN |
| 68 Ventures Bowl | CUSA/MAC/SBC | 12/17/25 | ESPN |
| Myrtle Beach Bowl | CUSA/AC/MAC/SBC | 12/19/25 | ESPN |
| Gasparilla Bowl | CUSA/ACC/AC/SEC | 12/19/25 | ESPN |
| Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | MAC/MWC | 12/22/25 | ESPN |
| Boca Raton Bowl | G5 vs. G5 | 12/23/25 | ESPN |
| New Orleans Bowl | CUSA/SBC | 12/23/25 | ESPN |
| Frisco Bowl | G5 vs. G5 | 12/23/25 | ESPN |
| Hawaii Bowl | AC/CUSA/MWC | 12/24/25 | ESPN |
| GameAbove Sports Bowl | Big Ten/MAC | 12/26/25 | ESPN |
| Rate Bowl | MWC/Big Ten/Big 12 | 12/26/25 | ESPN |
| First Responder Bowl | AC/CUSA/MWC/ACC/Big 12 | 12/26/25 | ESPN |
| Military Bowl | AC/ACC | 12/27/25 | ESPN |
| Fenway Bowl | AC/CUSA/ACC | 12/27/25 | ESPN |
| Arizona Bowl | MAC/MWC | 12/27/25 | CW |
| New Mexico Bowl | G5 vs. G5 | 12/27/25 | ESPN |
| Birmingham Bowl | AC/CUSA/SEC | 12/29/25 | ESPN |
| Independence Bowl | AC/CUSA/Big 12 | 12/30/25 | ESPN |
| Armed Forces Bowl | AC/CUSA | 1/2/26 | ESPN |
