It’s still early in the college football season, which means Group of Five teams still have plenty of time to position themselves for a berth in a bowl game.
Here’s a look at each bowl game with a G5 tie-in and predictions for those matchups, as well as the G5 team I believe has the best shot to make a New Year’s Six bowl.
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Peach Bowl Prediction
For my Peach Bowl prediction, I project Tulane will play Notre Dame with Tulane winning.
Though Tulane has one loss, I still believe the Green Wave have the best shot of making a New Year’s Six bowl among any Group of Five team. But that’s only if quarterback Michael Pratt will be healthy. If not, plenty of other teams will challenge for this spot.
Teams likely to play in the Peach Bowl:
- Tulane
- UTSA
- SMU
- Fresno State
- Boise State
Military Bowl Prediction
For my Military Bowl prediction, I project Memphis will play Wake Forest with Memphis winning.
Memphis has started the season 3-0 and 1-0 in AAC play. The Tigers have as good of shot as anyone to win their conference. However, people’s perceptions of the Tigers could change once they play Missouri, Boise State, and Tulane over the course of the next three weeks.
Teams likely to play in the Military Bowl:
- Memphis
- SMU
- UTSA
- Rice
- FAU
Arizona Bowl Prediction
For my Arizona Bowl prediction, I project Toledo will play Wyoming with Toledo winning.
Wyoming has been a pleasant surprise this season. The Cowboys began the year 2-1 win a victory over Texas Tech in overtime. However, Toledo is a more complete team and would win this matchup in my mind.
Teams likely to play in the Arizona Bowl:
- Toledo
- Ohio
- Wyoming
- Air Force
- San Diego State
Fenway Bowl Prediction
For my Fenway Bowl prediction, I project Navy will play North Carolina with UNC winning.
Navy started the 2023 season 1-2, but I don’t think that’s an accurate reflection of how talented the Midshipmen are. Look for them to bounce back after more AAC contests. But if Navy faces UNC in a bowl game, I would have North Carolina being victorious.
Teams likely to play in the Fenway Bowl:
- Navy
- Memphis
- FAU
- North Carolina
- Florida State
First Responder Bowl Prediction
For my First Responder Bowl prediction, I project Rice will play Kansas with Kansas winning.
Rice pulled off an impressive victory over Houston at home in the Owls’ second game of the season. Though things could change after a few weeks, I think quarterback J.T. Daniels can lead his team to a bowl appearance. But if the Owls play Kansas, I would anticipate Kansas to triumph.
Teams likely to play in the First Responder Bowl:
- Rice
- East Carolina
- UTSA
- North Texas
- FAU
Quick Lane Bowl Prediction
For my Quick Lane Bowl prediction, I project Miami (Ohio) will play Minnesota with Minnesota winning.
Miami (Ohio) may have began the year with a 38-3 loss to Miami, but the RedHawks responded by winning their next two games, including a victory against Cincinnati. I could see the RedHawks reaching a bowl game, but I think Minnesota would be a tough matchup if they did meet in the postseason.
Teams likely to play in the Quick Lane Bowl:
- Miami (Ohio)
- Eastern Michigan
- Ohio
- Penn State
- Michigan State
Hawai’i Bowl Prediction
For my Hawai’i Bowl prediction, I project Boise State will play FAU with Boise State winning.
Many doubted Boise State after the Broncos lost their first two games, but I think they are simply too talented not to be one of the top teams in the Mountain West. FAU also has a good roster, but things might be tough without quarterback Casey Thompson. I think Boise State would have a better shot to win this game.
Teams likely to play in the Hawai’i Bowl:
- FAU
- Memphis
- UAB
- Fresno State
- San Diego State
68 Ventures Bowl Prediction
For my 68 Ventures Bowl prediction, I project Northern Illinois will play South Alabama with South Alabama winning.
South Alabama was viewed as a dark horse pick to make a New Year’s Six bowl, but the Jaguars lost to Tulane early on. The Jaguars responded by going on to win their next two games, including a 33-7 victory over Oklahoma State. Northern Illinois has its own Power Five win over Boston College, but I think South Alabama’s offense would be tough for NIU to stop in this matchup.
Teams likely to play in the 68 Ventures Bowl:
- NIU
- Miami (Ohio)
- Central Michigan
- South Alabama
- Texas State
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Prediction
For my Famous Idaho Potato Bowl prediction, I project Ohio will play San Jose State with SJSU winning.
This would be an extremely entertaining matchup. Ohio quarterback Kurtis Rourke and San Jose State quarterback Chevan Cordeiro are two of the best players at their position in the Group of Five. I think SJSU’s depth might be just a little better, though.
Teams likely to play in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl:
- San Diego State
- Fresno State
- San Jose State
- Ohio
- Miami (Ohio)
Armed Forces Bowl Prediction
For my Armed Forces Bowl prediction, I project UAB will play UCF with UCF winning.
After three weeks, UAB has yet to earn an FBS victory. However, I think the Blazers are just talented enough to bounce back and make a bowl game. But if they face UCF, UAB would have a difficult time winning.
Teams likely to play in the Armed Forces Bowl:
- UAB
- FAU
- Navy
- UCF
- Oklahoma
Camellia Bowl Prediction
For my Camellia Bowl prediction, I project Central Michigan will play Troy with Troy winning.
Troy started the season 1-2 with a loss to JMU last week. But the Trojans still have plenty of time to get back on track after winning the Sun Belt last year. I think Central Michigan is talented enough to reach a bowl game, but I would pick Troy to win here.
Teams likely to play in the Camellia Bowl:
- Central Michigan
- Northern Illinois
- Toledo
- Troy
- Coastal Carolina
Birmingham Bowl Prediction
For my Birmingham Bowl prediction, I project Mississippi State will play Syracuse with Syracuse winning.
There’s a chance an AAC team makes this bowl. However, I have the AAC teams which I believe will be bowl-eligible making other games.
Teams likely to play in the Birmingham Bowl:
- Mississippi State
- Syracuse
- Tulane
- SMU
- Memphis
Gasparilla Bowl Prediction
For my Gasparilla Bowl prediction, I project Florida will play N.C. State with Florida winning.
Teams from the AAC like UTSA and Memphis could end up playing in this game. However, I have them going to other bowls right now.
Teams likely to play in the Gasparilla Bowl:
- Florida
- N.C. State
- UTSA
- Memphis
- Rice
Boca Raton Bowl Prediction
For my Boca Raton Bowl prediction, I project San Diego State will play Georgia State with SDSU winning.
This would be a great matchup. The Aztecs began the year 2-2 with losses to UCLA and Oregon State, while Georgia State started out 3-0. I think SDSU’s defense might be the deciding factor in this matchup.
Teams likely to play in the Boca Raton Bowl:
- San Diego State
- Georgia State
- Utah State
- Marshall
- Georgia Southern
Frisco Bowl Prediction
For my Frisco Bowl prediction, I project UTSA will play Texas State with UTSA winning.
This projection mostly depends on the health of UTSA quarterback Frank Harris. If he’s not healthy, the Roadrunners might not win this game or make a bowl game at all. As for Texas State, the Bobcats proved after beating Baylor that they’ll be skilled enough to make the postseason.
Teams likely to play in the Frisco Bowl:
- UTSA
- FAU
- Memphis
- Texas State
- App State
Myrtle Beach Bowl Prediction
For my Myrtle Beach Bowl prediction, I project Utah State will play Coastal Carolina with Coastal Carolina winning.
I believe Utah State has a well-rounded team and could reach a bowl game. However, Coastal Carolina’s high-powered offense would be able to help the Chanticleers win this tilt.
Teams likely to play in the Myrtle Beach Bowl:
- Utah State
- Air Force
- San Jose State
- Troy
- Georgia State
LA Bowl Prediction
For my LA Bowl prediction, I project Air Force will play Washington State with Air Force winning.
Air Force is going to be difficult for any Mountain West foe to defeat. I believe the Falcons would be well-equipped to take down a Power Five opponent like Washington State.
Teams likely to play in the LA Bowl:
- Air Force
- Fresno State
- Boise State
- Washington State
- Oregon State
New Mexico Bowl Prediction
For my New Mexico Bowl prediction, I project Western Kentucky will play Fresno State with Fresno State winning.
Fresno State has two Power Five wins through three weeks of the season. Meanwhile, Western Kentucky should be able to make a bowl game because of the Hilltoppers’ high-flying offense, but the Bulldogs would be too strong on both sides of the ball for WKU to win here in my opinion.
Teams likely to play in the New Mexico Bowl:
- Western Kentucky
- Liberty
- Louisiana Tech
- Fresno State
- Boise State
Cure Bowl Prediction
For my Cure Bowl prediction, I project Marshall will play SMU with SMU winning.
SMU is arguably the best G5 team in the country. Marshall will certainly present some problems, but the Mustangs’ offense led by quarterback Preston Stone would help SMU ultimately win in my mind.
Teams likely to play in the Cure Bowl:
- Marshall
- Georgia Southern
- App State
- SMU
- UAB
New Orleans Bowl Prediction
For my New Orleans Bowl prediction, I project Louisiana Tech will play Georgia Southern with Georgia Southern winning.
This would be a great turnaround as a program if Louisiana Tech reached a bowl game. But I believe Georgia Southern has enough talent on both sides of the ball to win in this matchup.
Teams likely to play in the New Orleans Bowl:
- Louisiana Tech
- Western Kentucky
- Liberty
- Georgia Southern
- South Alabama
Bahamas Bowl Prediction
For my Bahamas Bowl prediction, I project Liberty will play Eastern Michigan with Liberty winning.
Eastern Michigan has shown some promise by starting the year 2-1. However, Liberty is playing at a high level with Kaidon Salter at quarterback. I would predict the Flames would be too strong on offense to lose here.
Teams likely to play in the Bahamas Bowl:
- Liberty
- Louisiana Tech
- Western Kentucky
- Ohio
- Eastern Michigan
Group of Five FBS Bowl Schedule
| Bowl | Date | Tie-Ins |
| LA Bowl | Dec. 16 | Pac-12 vs. Mountain West |
| New Mexico Bowl | Dec. 16 | Mountain West vs. CUSA |
| Cure Bowl | Dec. 16 | Sun Belt vs. ACC |
| New Orleans Bowl | Dec. 16 | Sun Belt vs. CUSA |
| Bahamas Bowl | Dec. 16 | MAC vs. CUSA |
| Myrtle Beach Bowl | Dec. 18 | MAC, CUSA, Sun Belt |
| Frisco Bowl | Dec. 19 | AAC vs. At-large |
| Boca Raton Bowl | Dec. 21 | AAC, MAC, CUSA, Sun Belt, Mountain West |
| Gasparilla Bowl | Dec. 22 | AAC, ACC, SEC |
| Hawai’i Bowl | Dec. 23 | AAC vs. Mountain West |
| 68 Ventures Bowl | Dec. 23 | MAC vs. Sun Belt |
| Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | Dec. 23 | MAC vs. Mountain West |
| Armed Forces Bowl | Dec. 23 | AAC vs. CUSA |
| Camellia Bowl | Dec. 23 | MAC vs. Sun Belt |
| Birmingham Bowl | Dec. 23 | AAC, ACC, SEC |
| First Responder Bowl | Dec. 26 | AAC, ACC, Big 12, CUSA |
| Quick Lane Bowl | Dec. 26 | MAC vs. Big Ten |
| Military Bowl | Dec. 27 | AAC vs. ACC |
| Fenway Bowl | Dec. 28 | AAC vs. ACC |
| Peach Bowl | Dec. 30 | At-large vs. At-large |
| Arizona Bowl | Dec. 30 | MAC vs. Mountain West |
