In years past, the Group of Five conference championship games were an after-thought unless you were a fan of a competing school. All of that has changed in the P2P Universe, as now the nation takes interest in a few of these smaller universities on championship weekend. These small teams are now playing for more than a trophy. On the line is a chance at promotion to the Power Five, and with it, the prestige and recruiting power that may very well follow. The rule is simple; be ranked in the Top 25 and win your conference. With that, let's see what they got...
We're going to start off in the Conference USA Championship. This game sees the Marshall Thundering Herd(8-4) facing off against the UT-San Antonio Roadrunners(8-4.) Now I know what you're thinking, 'The Herd's not even ranked.' No, the Herd is not ranked Top 25, but they are sitting just outside at #31. Marshall faced a brutal final 3 games of their regular season, picking up a win at Alabama before losses to #7 Houston and #3 Virginia. I think that tough stretch has more than prepared the Herd for this game against the Roadrunners. On top of that, I think that it is very likely for Marshall to crack that Top 25 with a win and get the promotion to the SEC. SR QB Rodney McMaster(2926 Pass YDS 51% 20 TD 8 INT) will need to be on top of his game for that to happen. If the Thundering Herd manages to get moved up, then of course, someone from the SEC will move down. After the prestige tie-breaker, that relegation will send Middle Tennessee(3-9) back to Conference USA. The Blue Raiders, one of the first promoted teams, has found that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Next up is the American Athletic Conference. This matchup sees #7 Houston Cougars(11-1) take on the Cincinnati Bearcats(7-5.) Now, I can't say that Cincinnati doesn't have a chance to win here. With SO QB Mark White(3859 Pass YDS 32 TD 12 INT) and JR WR David Cullen(1331 REC YDS 12 TD) the Bearcats could pull off the upset. I don't think that will happen, though. Cincinnati has one of the worst defenses in the nation(128th PPGA, 128th P-DEF.) Houston has reeled off 9 straight wins since their only loss at Tennessee. JR QB Sherwood McIntyre(3293 Pass YDS 65% 29 TD 10 INT) spreads the ball around and is accompanied by a good rush attack. Cougar RBs Robert Boswell and James Mayers have combined for over 1500 YDS and 18 TD on the ground. I don't think that Houston is going to lose this game. I believe the Cougars get the win and the promotion to the ACC. If(when) that happens, then we know what follows...relegation. The Pittsburgh Panthers(2-10) have the bottom spot in the ACC and are in line for relegation.
Last, but definitely not least, we go to the Mountain West Conference. The #18 Denver Pioneers(10-2) look to wrap up a Cinderella-like season with a win over the Boise State Broncos(9-3.) What makes this all the more intriguing is the fact that the Broncos are sitting at #30 right now and are very likely to get into the Top 25 with a win. So, in all likelihood, no matter who wins this game there will be a promotion to the PAC-12. Boise State rides the arm of JR QB Nathan Peek(4266 Pass YDS 67% 44 TD 15 INT.) It's not going to be easy for the Pioneers to stop him because he has 3 very good targets. SR WRs Jeremiah Fairbanks and Jerome Robbins, along with SO WR Dexter Nutter each have over 800 REC YDS and account for 30 of Peek's 44 TD. Denver will look to get pressure on that passing game, notably from SO DE Douglas Bowlin(8 SKS.) FR QB Josiah Cockrell(1713 Pass YDS 71% 21 TD 5 INT) should get most of the snaps for the Pioneers this week. I think it will come down to Denver's run game in the end. I don't think Boise has the rush defense(96th) to contain Pioneer JR RB Thomas Eckert(1078 YDS 5.2 YPC 12 TD.) If Cockrell continues his high percentage passing play, freeing up space for Eckert, then I think the Pioneers have a good shot at promotion with a win. The bottom of the PAC-12 belongs to the Bad News Beavers of Oregon State(1-11) and they will very likely be relegated to the Mountain West.
Well, that's my 2 cents, P2P. Now it's all up to these handful of teams vying for not only a conference championship, but also a chance to run with the big dogs of college football. Just remember, before you eat with the big dogs you have got to continue to...Show Me What You Got!!!