With a 12-team playoff, one spot remains open at the end of the season for a non-power conference opponent to earn a postseason shot. The underdogs were outscored by a combined score of 123-58 in their first two games, though some late JMU scores made it seem closer than it really was.
Still, if you’re going to expand the playoff, I like that every college football team has a realistic chance to win a national title at the end of the season.
Boise State
Right now, only Boise State seems to have separated themselves as a team with playoff aspirations.
They started the year by going the distance with a 34-27 win over a solid Oregon team, then had big wins over Memphis and Western Michigan, both looking to steal a non-power conference playoff spot. Quarterback Maddux Madsen has taken a huge leap forward this year, consistently playing clean football and also handing the ball off to the nation’s leading rusher, Dylan Riley.
These two have gotten off to an interesting start for Boise State and have clearly separated themselves from the pack, but who else has a shot at this final playoff spot?
The other two teams are currently fighting for the last place.
James Madison
December 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; James Madison Dukes wide receiver Nick Degennaro (11) catches for a touchdown as Oregon Ducks defensive end Na’Eem Offord (14) defends during the fourth quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images James Madison, the most points scored by a non-conference team in the last playoff, is off to a 5-0 start, but has been less exciting than Boise State. However, they do have one of the better wins for these contenders: a road win over San Diego State. “Sun Belt Billy” Napier quickly made up for his troubles at Florida with a great start at JMU.
I really liked the recruiting this offseason because he took over one of the best programs outside of the Power Four that has a strong football culture. The Dukes aren’t as explosive as they were last season, but they continue to win comfortably and will likely dominate every game the rest of the season.
North Dakota State
September 12, 2026; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; North Dakota State Bison forward Nathan Hayes (2) after the game against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Another contender is also 5-0 and, fortunately, can play in the playoffs thanks to a major NCAA rule change. For some reason, when a team moved up from the FCS level, they weren’t allowed to play in the postseason, but that’s been fixed, and North Dakota State is trying to take advantage of that.
Anyone shocked that NDSU immediately hung with the big dogs? No team at any level of football has sustained excellence like the Bison for the better part of two decades. They’ve gotten through the easier part of their schedule, but if they can beat UNLV and New Mexico in the coming weeks, it wouldn’t be a shock to see them finish the year 13-0.
It’s still too early to give playoff spots, but these three have certainly distinguished themselves from a very crowded field.