The top Group of Six contenders for a College Football Playoff berth are starting to break away from the rest of the field.
Boise State, New Mexico, James Madison and Memphis — all favorites to win their
respective conferences — won their Week 5 games in dominant fashion, making for what's shaping up to be a competitive race for a CFP spot down the stretch.
The Broncos look like the front runners right now, but New Mexico's veteran defense, Memphis' stingy pass rush and James Madison's experience could all push them for the CFP bid.
Here's a look at USA TODAY's weekly Group of Six power rankings before Week 6:
Group of Six power rankings after Week 6
Previous week's ranking in parentheses
1. Boise State ↔️ (1)
Boise State took down Utah State 37-18 in Week 5 and was in full control of the game from start to finish to open Pac-12 play. Maddux Madsen completed 17-of-21 passes for 244 yards with two touchdowns in the game, while breakout running back Dylan Riley rushed 18 times for 93 yards with two scores.
The Broncos have now won four consecutive games by 14 or more points and completely control their CFP hopes.
2. New Mexico ↔️ (2)
Boise State's biggest competitor for a CFP spot right now is New Mexico, another team destroying every non-Power Four team it faces this season. The Lobos defeated UTEP 61-7 in Week 5 behind quarterback Toa Fa'avae's 249 passing yards with three touchdowns.
Second-year coach Jason Eck is becoming one of the hottest names of the upcoming coaching carousel with what he has accomplished at New Mexico, especially after losing its starting quarterback due to injury before the season. Its veteran defense will be a problem for non-Power Four programs.
3. James Madison ↔️ (3)
Three of the 15 FBS teams still undefeated this year are either James Madison or are led by former Dukes coaches (Bob Chesney at UCLA and Curt Cignetti at Indiana). JMU has won every game this year by double digits under first-year coach Billy Napier, the most recent a 45-17 win over Marshall in Week 5.
4. Memphis ↔️ (4)
Memphis had no struggles against Charlotte in Week 5, walking away with an easy 59-8 win. Quarterback Marcus Stokes was in full control, completing 20-of-25 passes for 318 yards with five touchdowns in the win. The Tigers are 1-0 in the American, and are the favorites in their conference — just like the three teams ahead of them in the power rankings.
5. Oregon State ⬆️ (7)
Quarterback Braden Atkinson and true freshman receiver Jesse Legree are becoming one of the best quarterback-receiver duos in college football. Atkinson now leads FBS with 1,848 passing yards this season, while ranking tied-for second nationally with 17 passing touchdowns.
Legree, meanwhile, has 28 receptions for 741 yards with nine touchdowns, ranking second in receiving yards and tied-for first in receiving touchdowns with Ohio State's Jeremiah Smith. The Beavers have come out of nowhere this season, and have won three straight games in dominant fashion after scaring Houston and Texas Tech in Weeks 1 and 2.
6. North Dakota State ⬇️ (5)
North Dakota State continues to make the jump to FBS look easy. The Bison improved to 5-0 after defeating Wyoming 28-0, led by quarterback Nathan Hayes' 266 total yards and two touchdowns.
It feels like New Mexico and North Dakota State are on a collision course for a matchup in the Mountain West championship game this season. Could it decide a CFP spot?
7. North Texas ⬆️ (NR)
North Texas defeated Tulsa in an absolute thriller in Week 5, winning 45-44 on the road in overtime on Thursday, Oct. 1.
Quarterback Tayven Jackson threw for 332 yards with four touchdowns to two interceptions in the win while running back Jahiem White trashed Tulsa for 219 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Tulsa opted to try a 2-point conversion rather than tying the game with a point-after touchdown attempt, which North Texas stopped by mere inches.
The Mean Green are 3-2 with losses to Indiana and Texas State, but they're among the more competitive teams the Group of Six.
8. Liberty ⬆️ (NR)
Liberty has gone a bit under-the-radar this season, but the Flames are quietly 4-1 this season with their lone loss coming 20-13 against James Madison in Week 1.
Liberty needed a game-winning scoring drive to beat Gardner-Webb 24-23 in Week 2, but has since defeated Ball State, Coastal Carolina and Delaware in consecutive games by double digits. Fourth-year coach Jamey Chadwell led Liberty to a 13-1 season in 2023 with a loss to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl, and is hoping to put the Flames back in CFP contention after winning eight games in 2024 and four games in 2025.
Schools dropped out: UTSA (6), South Florida (8)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Group of Six power rankings: Race is tightening for College Football Playoff bid
