In case you missed it, the CFB has updated playoff automatic
bids for this year. Power 4 conference champs + highest ranked G6 team, and
potentially the new “Notre Dame” contingency. This was done as a direct
response to the two G6 champs being ranked higher than the ACC champion. What a
world! TWO nonpower school playoff teams. This will be a series highlighting
big G6 teams and games throughout the season. Yes, I said G6. The newly revived
Pac 12 is a G6 conference no matter how much we want Pac 12 after dark to
feature power schools. First on deck is a surprisingly exciting week 0 matchup
between Memphis and UNLV.
I do have a tie to Memphis being that I grew up there. That
being said, I am a born and raised Tennessee fan and alumni, so I do not have a
whole lot of bias for this team. I am also stoked to see Dan Mullen at UNLV.
With a year under his belt and a handpicked QB in his system. I think the
running Rebels could be a sneaky G6 playoff representative.
Let’s talk about the Tigers. I remember growing up when Memphis
had multiple 2-win seasons in a row. They were bad. BAD bad. The DeAngelo Williams
year I think they were 6-6. So, to see the meteoric rise of a program that has
largely been a doormat throughout their history has been stunning. Fuente really
got the ball rolling, and Norvel peaked that program in 2019 with a Cotton Bowl
appearance. Silverfield maintained but ultimately underwhelmed, and now Huff
has taken the mantle. I am high on Huff. I love his track record. I think he
will get Memphis to a greater elevation than Silverfield. However, it is year
one. Not only is it year one, but the biggest donor in school history, FedEx founder
Fred Smith, passed away this past year. While FedEx is still a big corporate
sponsor, as evidenced by the recent jersey patch announcement, it is hard to
replicate the impact that Smith had on the Tigers athletic department and the
city as a whole. Smith personally guaranteed the money needed for the Liberty
Bowl renovations when there was no other funding to pull. While the long-term
outlook may be murky, the immediate roster talent is evident. If I had to pick
one G6 team to be the favorite for the playoff bid, I would say it is the
winner of UNLV and Memphis. Memphis has been picked by the talking heads for
two or three years now. Silverfield fell short, but Huff could get them over
the hump. I think they will be a well-coached team, even in year one, and
should be the best team in the American conference.
UNLV is intriguing to me. I loved that Dan Mullen landed
back among the coaching ranks of college football. Even better he has a chip on
his shoulder following the unsavory end of his Florida tenure. In year 2 Dan
now has his QB in Jackson Arnold after flaming out at both Oklahoma and Auburn.
Mullen has a history of making no name QBs serviceable. Nick Fitzgerald owes
his career to Mullen and Mississippi State owes the highest high in program
history to Mullen and his QB Dak Prescott. Arnold was a highly recruited
prospect coming out of college and is now paired with a bonafide QB whisperer. If
anybody can resurrect Arnold’s Career it would be Dan Mullen.
For a week 0 game this will be extremely watchable. We spend
all offseason craving it and for the true sickos this is a delectable appetizer
ahead of a long season. I will not pretend to have any roster insight or game
leaning, but I do think the winner will be in the early driver’s seat for the
G6 playoff spot.