Boise and JMU still at the top of the heap but the top is thinning. Neither looked great last night either. If those two lose it would make the G6 rep race a fun watch. Still believe it will be one of those two.

Week 7 Games of the Week

5-1 Memphis @ Tulane Friday 7:30
4-1 FAU @ Army Sat Noon
Navy @ 5-1 UTSA Sat 8:00
4-1 New Mexico @ Hawaii Sat 10:30

Game of the week
4-1 Georgia St @ 6-0 JMU Sat Noon

Note that Liberty & Boise have Bye's this week.

Part of me hopes both Boise State and James Madison win out, leading to Boise State in the CFP and an undefeated James Madison left out.

My thinking there is that it would spur discussion around the need for any undefeated FBS teams to be in the CFP, or at least have that be the case when we move to 24.

(10-11-2026 07:56 AM)Yosef181 Wrote:  Part of me hopes both Boise State and James Madison win out, leading to Boise State in the CFP and an undefeated James Madison left out.

My thinking there is that it would spur discussion around the need for any undefeated FBS teams to be in the CFP, or at least have that be the case when we move to 24.

I watched that Georgia Southern game last night. I think either GSU or App State will beat them.

(10-11-2026 07:56 AM)Yosef181 Wrote:  Part of me hopes both Boise State and James Madison win out, leading to Boise State in the CFP and an undefeated James Madison left out.

My thinking there is that it would spur discussion around the need for any undefeated FBS teams to be in the CFP, or at least have that be the case when we move to 24.

That won’t happen. 1 guaranteed G6 will stay that way.

That being said, almost any undefeated G6 is likely to be ranked in the top 24 as that’s a ridiculously high number to let in the playoffs anyway. So the end result would usually be the same.

(10-11-2026 08:23 AM)Side.Show.Joe Wrote:  

(10-11-2026 07:56 AM)Yosef181 Wrote:  Part of me hopes both Boise State and James Madison win out, leading to Boise State in the CFP and an undefeated James Madison left out.

My thinking there is that it would spur discussion around the need for any undefeated FBS teams to be in the CFP, or at least have that be the case when we move to 24.

I watched that Georgia Southern game last night. I think either GSU or App State will beat them.

The App State that lost to ODU at home?

The Ga State will be exciting (crazy to say that) though, but it is back in the friendly confines of Bridgeforth. JMU had never won in Paulson till last night (0-6 entering)

(10-11-2026 08:35 AM)Just Joe Wrote:  

(10-11-2026 07:56 AM)Yosef181 Wrote:  Part of me hopes both Boise State and James Madison win out, leading to Boise State in the CFP and an undefeated James Madison left out.

My thinking there is that it would spur discussion around the need for any undefeated FBS teams to be in the CFP, or at least have that be the case when we move to 24.

That won’t happen. 1 guaranteed G6 will stay that way.

That being said, almost any undefeated G6 is likely to be ranked in the top 24 as that’s a ridiculously high number to let in the playoffs anyway. So the end result would usually be the same.

You say that… but some years the committee has (perhaps) “artificially” ranked one or more G5s in the top 25 when they realized that they had to rank at least one to fill the auto bid(s).

Just because Tulane and JMU were both top 25 last season doesn’t mean that the committee will rank them that high any given year (although to be fair last year at least IMO both teams were legit top 25s)

(10-11-2026 07:56 AM)Yosef181 Wrote:  Part of me hopes both Boise State and James Madison win out, leading to Boise State in the CFP and an undefeated James Madison left out.

My thinking there is that it would spur discussion around the need for any undefeated FBS teams to be in the CFP, or at least have that be the case when we move to 24.

Honestly I wouldn’t be overly upset at that. It’s fun being undefeated and in the conversation for the CFP again, but I feel like if this year’s JMU played last year’s Oregon they’d lose by 60+. That said, Napier’s first year is going better than Chesney’s first JMU year.

If only we weren’t stuck with the SBC bowl tie-in’s…

(10-11-2026 05:51 AM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  Boise and JMU still at the top of the heap but the top is thinning. Neither looked great last night either. If those two lose it would make the G6 rep race a fun watch. Still believe it will be one of those two.

Boise State looked good last night. I didn't watch the JMU game, but statistically that game was even against a 2-4 GSU team. I did watch the Boise State game. Boise State statistically dominated a 4-2 Fresno State team in front of a record 43,086 fans in Fresno. Here are the stats from that game:

Total Yards: Boise State 512, Fresno State 346
Rushing Yards: Boise State 274, Fresno State 69
Time of Possession: Boise State 38:56. Fresno State 21:04

Boise State gashed them on the ground and controlled the clock, which is exactly what you want to do on the road against a good team. There were no turnovers by either team in the game. Boise State was penalized 9 times for 83 yards, Fresno State 2 times for 16 yards. The refs were not doing any favors for Boise State.

(10-11-2026 09:29 AM)SoCalBobcat78 Wrote:  

(10-11-2026 05:51 AM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  Boise and JMU still at the top of the heap but the top is thinning. Neither looked great last night either. If those two lose it would make the G6 rep race a fun watch. Still believe it will be one of those two.

Boise State looked good last night. I didn't watch the JMU game, but statistically that game was even against a 2-4 GSU team. I did watch the Boise State game. Boise State statistically dominated a 4-2 Fresno State team in front of a record 43,086 fans in Fresno. Here are the stats from that game:

Total Yards: Boise State 512, Fresno State 346
Rushing Yards: Boise State 274, Fresno State 69
Time of Possession: Boise State 38:56. Fresno State 21:04

Boise State gashed them on the ground and controlled the clock, which is exactly what you want to do on the road against a good team. There were no turnovers by either team in the game. Boise State was penalized 9 times for 83 yards, Fresno State 2 times for 16 yards. The refs were not doing any favors for Boise State.

The JMU/GS game was one of those that you just want to get out of it with a win and move on. The game was delayed because of the hurricane and there was off and on rain throughout. I felt going into it that it was going to be like this and it was. JMU better hope their pass defense does better next week against Georgia State, though.

If Boise wins out (a big "if") and James Madison goes undefeated, the Broncos are clearly in the playoffs.

Boise will have played a tougher schedule (and perhaps considerably so) than JMU. And that will be the difference.

To be fair, I haven't seen James Madison play this year. Seems as if the Dukes are tough again.

Every team has their bad moments. Last night was no different for many teams.

Sagarin's updated for week of 9/26.

#38 Boise St. (#55 Oregon State)
#52 New Mexico (#72 North Dakota St.)
#54 *James Madison (#85 Georgia St.)
#55 Oregon State (@ #38 Boise St)
#63 *Memphis (#76 Army)
#70 UTSA (#76 North Texas)

-Boise State is still #1 and they have the toughest remaining opponent on the schedule.

-New Mexico's and the MWC's chances have dipped with that NDSU loss to UNLV.

-James Madison could be left out if undefeated and again maybe not if the the best records in the PAC, MWC, AC finish out with two losses.

-American while having a lot of good G6 teams doesn't seem to have the opportunity to leap frog the PAC/MWC/SBC.

Boise looks like a better team than JMU and has a played a tougher schedule, so if both win out I see Boise getting the nod. New Mexico has also impressed. That said, I think Georgia Southern is being a bit underrated. They're 2-4, yes, but two of those losses came in relatively competitive games against Clemson and Houston. Last night's game was also played in abysmal conditions with a few key JMU players out due to injury.

Boise did not look impressive against FCS South Dakota. I could see them having an off game between now and the end of the season. Their biggest remaining challenge might be Oregon State, who has been on a tear since starting 0-2 against Houston (13 point loss) and Texas Tech (11 point loss).

1.JMU 6-0
2.Boise State 5-1
3.NDSU 5-1 drop
4.New Mexico 4-1
5.Memphis 5-1
6.Air Force 4-1
7.UTSA 5-1
8.Georgia State 4-1
9.Liberty 5-1
10.FAU 5-1

11.Oregon State 4-2
12.UNLV 4-2
13.North Texas 4-2
14.Jacksonville State 4-2
15.Army 3-2
16.Ohio U. 4-2
17.U. Mass. 4-2 drop
18.Fresno State 4-2 drop
19.La. Tech 3-2
20.USF 4-2 drop
21.Western Michigan 4-2
22.Toledo 4-2 drop
23.Troy 3-2
24.Tarleton State 6-0
25.La.-Lafayette 4-2 drop

26.SFASU 6-0
27.Montana State 5-1
28.South Alabama 4-2
29.South Dakota 5-1
30.Lamar 5-1
31.ECU 3-2
32.UC-Davis 4-2
33.Idaho State 4-2 drop
34.Stony Brook 4-2
35.App. State 3-2 drop
36.Youngstown State 5-2
37.Illinois State 4-2 drop
38.Austin Peay 5-2
39.Northern Arizona 5-2
40.Montana 5-2
41.Northern Iowa 3-2
42.Jackson State 5-1
43.East Tennessee State 5-2
44.Dayton 4-1
45.West Florida 3-2
46.North Dakota 5-2
47.Eastern Michigan 4-3
48.Chattanooga 4-3
49.North Alabama 4-2
50.Minn. State-Mankato 7-0

Buffalo 3-3
Miami, Ohio 3-3
Wyoming 3-3
Grand Valley State 5-1
CSU-Peublo 6-0
Weber State 4-3
Cal Poly 4-3
UTPB 5-1
Central Missouri 4-2
SE Missouri 3-3
UTRGV 3-3
SE LA. 3-3
Central Oklahoma 3-3
UNR 2-3

I added FCS and D2 as reference as possible FBS teams in the future. I added Idaho State in it as they beat Utah State. Illinois State because they beat UNLV.

Due to strength of schedule being much more important this year I think:

TIER 1:
Boise, Oregon State, UTSA, Memphis, FAU, Fresno

TIER 2:
JMU, GAST

(10-11-2026 11:09 AM)Utgrizfan Wrote:  Due to strength of schedule being much more important this year I think:

TIER 1:
Boise, Oregon State, UTSA, Memphis, FAU, Fresno

TIER 2:
JMU, GAST

I think the entire point of "conference strength of schedule" was to help out an Indiana type situation where they play in the B1G but do not play a lot of the top teams because of TV arrangements. To give them credit over an ACC program because of overall strength.

I'm not sure that translates down at all to the G6 level.

(10-11-2026 11:19 AM)Kittonhead Wrote:  

(10-11-2026 11:09 AM)Utgrizfan Wrote:  Due to strength of schedule being much more important this year I think:

TIER 1:
Boise, Oregon State, UTSA, Memphis, FAU, Fresno

TIER 2:
JMU, GAST

I think the entire point of "conference strength of schedule" was to help out an Indiana type situation where they play in the B1G but do not play a lot of the top teams because of TV arrangements. To give them credit over an ACC program because of overall strength.

I'm not sure that translates down at all to the G6 level.

I think it does because they specifically said you no longer have to be the top ranked G6 Conference Champion, just the top ranked G6 team.

(10-11-2026 11:09 AM)Utgrizfan Wrote:  Due to strength of schedule being much more important this year I think:

TIER 1:
Boise, Oregon State, UTSA, Memphis, FAU, Fresno

TIER 2:
JMU, GAST

This is just overrating SOS differences. Yeah, JMU’s schedule has been weak but Boise State’s isn’t much better honestly. Liberty appears to run away with the CUSA and better than WMU. Memphis is better than UConn or San Diego St. But Boise State still has a loss to now a 2 loss Oregon. Winning has to matter

(10-11-2026 11:09 AM)Utgrizfan Wrote:  Due to strength of schedule being much more important this year I think:

TIER 1:
Boise, Oregon State, UTSA, Memphis, FAU, Fresno

TIER 2:
JMU, GAST

Your logic is a bit skewed isn't it? FAU barely beat a bad FIU team. UTSA barely beat a horrible Rice team. Boise St was tied with an FCS team into the 4th quarter. Fresno St couldn't even score against a USC team that gave up 35 pts to Rutgers. See how easy it is to penalize certain teams but overlook it for others?

Could this be more about Montana's FCS losses to JMU?