Hey now everyone, I've been working on research toward a book on BCS Busters for quite some time. The MWC is lumped in with the MAC, C-USA, AAC, and Sun Belt as part of the "Little Five" fighting for one bid into the CFP-affiliated bowl structure. Though it has long been the strongest of the mid-major leagues, with former members Utah and TCU joining Boise State as former BCS qualifiers, there are no guarantees despite a guaranteed berth.

Does the MWC really have the best chance of claiming that bid, this year and in future years? Can Boise State, Utah State, Fresno State, or another MWC squad steal the thunder from UCF or whichever team emerges atop the AAC? Here are my thoughts on this year's contenders if anyone is interested...

Honestly, I think the C-USA is making a run at the first Group of 5 Access Bowl bid in 2014. They are staying competitive against Autonomy 5 programs and beating other Group of 5 teams. Meanwhile, Marshall has a good team and a cake schedule - they could finish undefeated. For now, Marshall is slightly outpacing Cincinnati (who hasn't played yet!) in the major polls.

The other major competitors of UCF, ECU, Boise St., Fresno St., and Utah St. all have losses, so they will be playing catchup. Any of these teams would need some stellar performances to jump undefeated Marshall.

Nevada is 2-0 and beat Washington St. from the PAC 12. They have the schedule to legitimize the Access Bowl bid, with games at Arizona and at BYU looming. But, it's just too hard to see Nevada winning both of the games and beating out Boise St. and other contenders for the MWC title.

Also, don't sleep on Northern Illinois just yet. They beat Northwestern from the Big Ten and get Arkansas from the SEC in a couple of weeks. If they run the table and win the MAC, Northern Illinois could rise as a legitimate Access Bowl candidate...ahead of the MWC and American.

Could Nevada, Boise State, or Wyoming still have a shot at the automatic qualifying bid? Here are my thoughts in this week's CFP Mid-Major Power Rankings... http://sportsunbiased.com/ncaa/college-f...-rankings/

(09-22-2014 11:09 AM)Bigalke Wrote:  Could Nevada, Boise State, or Wyoming still have a shot at the automatic qualifying bid? Here are my thoughts in this week's CFP Mid-Major Power Rankings... http://sportsunbiased.com/ncaa/college-f...-rankings/

Yes. But the MWC champ would have to run the table.

That means Wyoming needs to beat top-10 Michigan St. this weekend in East Lansing, beat Boise St. in November, and Nevada in the MWC championship.

Boise St. would need to beat top-20 BYU and both Nevada and Wyoming on the road.

Nevada would need to beat Boise St. and top-20 BYU on the road.

And then, they need to hope and pray that the American conference winner and Marshall have at least one conference loss.

No