Even before the 12-team College Football Playoff format, the Group of Five (now Group of Six) programs had their shot at competing with the top teams in the nation. However, none of them have been successful in the postseason. In 2021, the Cincinnati Bearcats were the first and only Group of Five team to make the four-team Playoff format. Then the format expanded to 12 teams in 2024. Boise State was awarded a No. 3 ranking in the inaugural expansion Playoff year, while Tulane and James Madison had their turn in the Playoff in 2025. From Cincinnati’s chance in 2021, to JMU and Tulane’s opportun...