Exactly 35 Group of Five teams competed in bowl games in 2023. And we project there will be about as many G5 representatives involved in bowl season this year as well.
And that’s not to mention we’ll see at least one G5 program compete in the College Football Playoff with the field expanding to 12 teams this year.
Here’s a look at HERO Sports’ 2024 bowl projections.
College Football Playoff First-Round Prediction
For my G5 College Football Playoff prediction, I project Boise State will play Tennessee with Tennessee winning.
The Broncos are stacked on offense and defense this year. Though they lost to Oregon, they have a good chance of going 11-1 during the regular season and winning the Mountain West. If they do, they’ll probably be the G5 team that makes it to the CFP.
I don’t discount Boise State from pulling off an upset in the first round of the CFP. But beating a team like Tennessee or one of that caliber would be daunting, though.
Group of Five teams likely to play in the College Football Playoff:
- Boise State
- Memphis
- UNLV
- JMU
- Liberty
Camellia Bowl Prediction
For my Camellia Bowl prediction, I project Georgia State will play East Carolina with ECU winning.
Even with Georgia State going through a coaching change, I think Dell McGee can lead the Panthers to a bowl game after they beat Vanderbilt this year. But I’m anticipating East Carolina will continue to improve after the starting the season 3-3, including a victory over UTSA.
Teams likely to play in the Camellia Bowl:
- East Carolina
- Navy
- Georgia State
- Coastal Carolina
- ULM
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Boca Raton Bowl Prediction
For my Boca Raton Bowl prediction, I project ULM will play Colorado State with ULM winning.
Colorado State, though it started 3-3 overall, is formidable with wide receiver Tory Horton and quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi on offense. However, ULM has proven it is one of the top teams in the Sun Belt with Bryant Vincent as head coach. The Warhawks have looked impressive during their 5-1 start to the season, including during their victory over James Madison.
Teams likely to play in the Boca Raton Bowl:
- ULM
- JMU
- Louisiana
- Colorado State
- San Jose State
Frisco Bowl Prediction
For my Frisco Bowl prediction, I project Texas State will play UNLV with UNLV winning.
This would be a fantastic matchup. Texas State has a high-powered offense this year. But UNLV is balanced and has stars on both sides of the ball, like wide receiver Ricky White III and linebacker Jackson Woodard. It’s now tough to pick against the Rebels after they’ve defeated two Power Four squads.
Teams likely to play in the Frisco Bowl:
- Texas State
- ULM
- UNLV
- Fresno State
- Colorado State
LA Bowl Prediction
For my LA Bowl prediction, I project Fresno State will play Oregon State with Fresno State winning.
With playmakers like Malik Sherrod, many thought Fresno State was strong enough to compete for a Mountain West Championship. But even if the Bulldogs don’t reach the league title game, I think they’ll be in a position for a good bowl game. Don’t discount Oregon State, though. The Beavers should be capable of winning seven or more games in 2024.
Teams likely to play in the LA Bowl:
- Fresno State
- UNLV
- San Jose State
- Washington State
- Oregon State
New Orleans Bowl Prediction
For my New Orleans Bowl prediction, I project Arkansas State will play FIU with Arkansas State winning.
I’m expecting FIU should be competitive in Conference USA by the end of the year. However, Arkansas State has a standout QB, 2023 Sun Belt Freshman of the Year Jaylen Raynor, who should help the Red Wolves play at a high level in the next few weeks after starting the year 3-3.
Teams likely to play in the New Orleans Bowl:
- FIU
- Western Kentucky
- Arkansas State
- JMU
- Coastal Carolina
Cure Bowl Prediction
For my Cure Bowl prediction, I project Louisiana will play North Texas with Louisiana winning.
Louisiana is expected to have a shot of winning the Sun Belt this year, so it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Ragin’ Cajuns making a bowl game. I expect North Texas will continue to be exciting to watch for the rest of the year after starting 5-1, but I think Louisiana would win this tilt.
Teams likely to play in the Cure Bowl:
- Louisiana
- Arkansas State
- JMU
- North Texas
- USF
Gasparilla Bowl Prediction
For my Gasparilla Bowl prediction, I project Army will play Virginia Tech with Army winning.
Army is one of the better teams in the AAC this year and proved it by starting the season 6-0. The Black Knights also reached the No. 23 spot in the Associated Press Top 25. I think Army would be in a better position to win if this matchup happened.
Teams likely to play in the Gasparilla Bowl:
- Army
- USF
- Navy
- Virginia Tech
- Louisville
Myrtle Beach Bowl Prediction
For my Myrtle Beach Bowl prediction, I project JMU will play Eastern Michigan with JMU winning.
Eastern Michigan has put together a great start to the 2024 season. The Eagles are 4-2 overall, with their only losses being at Washington and against Miami (Ohio). But I think the Dukes are one of the best G5 teams in the country, especially after they beat North Carolina in Week 4.
Teams likely to play in the Myrtle Beach Bowl:
- Eastern Michigan
- Toledo
- JMU
- ULM
- Arkansas State
Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Prediction
For my Famous Idaho Potato Bowl prediction, I project New Mexico will play Northern Illinois with NIU winning.
Though New Mexico is 2-4 overall, the Lobos’ schedule is pretty favorable for the rest of the season, so I could see them finding their way into a bowl. But the Huskies are skilled in every facet of the game and displayed how great they can be during their victory over Notre Dame.
Teams likely to play in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl:
- New Mexico
- Colorado State
- San Jose State
- Northern Illinois
- Buffalo
Hawai’i Bowl Prediction
For my Hawai’i Bowl prediction, I project San Diego State will play Western Kentucky with WKU winning.
SDSU has bounced back after starting the 2024 season 1-3 overall and is now at .500 after beating Hawaii and Wyoming in back-to-back games. But Western Kentucky looks to be well-rounded this year and might be tough to stop in a bowl game.
Teams likely to play in the Hawai’i Bowl:
- San Diego State
- Colorado State
- Western Kentucky
- Sam Houston
- Liberty
Detroit Bowl Prediction
For my Detroit Bowl prediction, I project Western Michigan will play Iowa with Iowa winning.
Western Michigan is strong up front this season, and the Broncos’ play in the trenches should lead to them being in position for a bowl game. But I think Iowa would be even stronger in this clash.
Teams likely to play in the Detroit Bowl:
- Western Michigan
- Ohio
- Toledo
- Iowa
- Wisconsin
Guaranteed Rate Bowl Prediction
For my Guaranteed Rate Bowl prediction, I project San Jose State will play Nebraska with San Jose State winning.
With Ken Niumatalolo taking over as head coach, the Spartans have looked like one of the better teams in the Mountain West after starting 4-2. Their only losses are against Washington State in double overtime and a seven-point defeat at Colorado State last week. Taking on Nebraska would be a tall order, but I think SJSU ends the year with a victory.
Teams likely to play in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl:
- San Jose State
- Colorado State
- Fresno State
- Nebraska
- Wisconsin
68 Ventures Bowl Prediction
For my 68 Ventures Bowl prediction, I project Marshall will play Ohio with Ohio winning.
With head coach Tim Albin leading the way, Ohio should manage to find itself in a bowl game by the end of the season and would win this bout in my opinion. But I also believe Marshall will put together a winning campaign in 2024, as the Thundering Herd started the season with a blowout victory over Stony Brook, competed well against Virginia Tech, and recently defeated App State.
Teams likely to play in the 68 Ventures Bowl:
- Ohio
- Buffalo
- Western Michigan
- Marshall
- Coastal Carolina
Armed Forces Bowl Prediction
For my Armed Forces Bowl prediction, I project Jacksonville State will play FAU with Jacksonville State winning.
This would be a game between two teams that needed to bounce back after starting the 2024 season 0-2. Jacksonville State made a bowl game last year in its first FBS season, and I don’t see the Gamecocks struggling much more this year. FAU, which is in its second season during head coach Tom Herman’s tenure, would give Jax State some issues in this contest, however.
Teams likely to play in the Armed Forces Bowl:
- Jacksonville State
- Western Kentucky
- Sam Houston
- FAU
- Charlotte
Birmingham Bowl Prediction
For my Birmingham Bowl prediction, I project Navy will play North Carolina with Navy winning.
Navy is 5-0 and is ranked at No. 25 in the AP Top 25 after Week 7. None of the Midshipmen’s games have even been one-possession contests, including against Memphis. So as great as they’ve played, beating a team like North Carolina, which lost to James Madison this season, would be possible. I would expect this to be a close one.
Teams likely to play in the Birmingham Bowl:
- Navy
- USF
- Charlotte
- North Carolina
- NC State
Fenway Bowl Prediction
For my Fenway Bowl prediction, I project USF will play NC State with NC State winning.
South Florida might no longer be in contention to make the College Football Playoff, but the Bulls will have plenty more opportunities to earn enough wins for bowl eligibility. NC State is also loaded with talent, so this would be an entertaining matchup.
Teams likely to play in the Fenway Bowl:
- USF
- Memphis
- NC State
- SMU
- Virginia Tech
New Mexico Bowl Prediction
For my New Mexico Bowl prediction, I project Liberty will play Georgia Southern with Liberty winning.
Liberty has a high-powered offense with quarterback Kaidon Salter and running back Quinton Cooley leading the way. Georgia Southern should be in the mix for a bowl bid, but I think the Flames would be better in this game.
Teams likely to play in the New Mexico Bowl:
- Liberty
- Jacksonville State
- Georgia Southern
- Marshall
- Arkansas State
Arizona Bowl Prediction
For my Arizona Bowl prediction, I project Nevada will play Toledo with Toledo winning.
Nevada is 3-4, but the Wolf Pack have shown promise during head coach Jeff Choate’s first season there. I believe they could win enough games in Mountain West play to reach a bowl game. However, I also think Toledo is one of the top teams in the G5 and would find a way to triumph here.
Teams likely to play in the Arizona Bowl:
- Toledo
- Buffalo
- Nevada
- Colorado State
- UNLV
Military Bowl Prediction
For my Military Bowl prediction, I project Memphis will play Georgia Tech with Memphis winning.
Memphis will have a great opportunity to make the College Football Playoff if the Tigers win the AAC, which they’re capable of doing. But if Boise State earns the CFP G5 spot over them, I think they would be capable of beating a Power Four team in a bowl game, just like they beat Iowa State in the Liberty Bowl last season.
Teams likely to play in the Military Bowl:
- Memphis
- USF
- Navy
- Georgia Tech
- Duke
First Responder Bowl Prediction
For my First Responder Bowl prediction, I project Tulane will play Arizona State with Tulane winning.
Tulane did go through a coaching change, but new head coach Jon Sumrall has proven he can keep the team competing at a high level. The Green Wave also have a good number of players who could be all-conference picks this season, so I believe they could defeat a Power Four squad in a bowl.
Teams likely to play in the First Responder Bowl:
- Tulane
- Navy
- Army
- Arizona State
- Cincinnati
Bahamas Bowl Prediction
For my Bahamas Bowl prediction, I project Buffalo will play Sam Houston with Buffalo winning.
Following a losing season in its first year as an FBS program, making a bowl game would be a massive success for Sam Houston in 2024, and I think the Bearkats are capable of doing that. At this point, they might even be able to secure their first bowl victory, though Buffalo would be a tough opponent as the Bulls have started this season 4-2.
Teams likely to play in the Bahamas Bowl:
- Buffalo
- Ohio
- Sam Houston
- Jacksonville State
- Western Kentucky
Group of Five FBS Bowl Schedule
| Bowl | Bowl Tie-In | Date | TV |
| Camellia Bowl | G5 vs. G5 | Dec. 14 | ESPN |
| Boca Raton Bowl | G5 vs. G5 | Dec. 17 | ESPN |
| Frisco Bowl | G5 vs. G5 | Dec. 17 | ESPN |
| LA Bowl | MWC vs. Pac-12 | Dec. 18 | ESPN |
| New Orleans Bowl | CUSA vs. SBC | Dec. 19 | ESPN2 |
| Cure Bowl | G5 vs. G5 | Dec. 20 | ESPN |
| Gasparilla Bowl | AAC vs. ACC/SEC | Dec. 20 | ESPN |
| Myrtle Beach Bowl | AAC/MAC/SBC | Dec. 23 | ESPN |
| Famous Idaho Potato Bowl | MAC vs. MWC | Dec. 23 | ESPN |
| Hawaii Bowl | CUSA vs. MWC | Dec. 24 | ESPN |
| Detroit Bowl | Big Ten vs. MAC | Dec. 26 | ESPN |
| Guaranteed Rate Bowl | MWC vs. Big Ten/Big 12 | Dec. 26 | ESPN |
| 68 Ventures Bowl | CUSA/MAC/SBC | Dec. 26 | ESPN |
| Armed Forces Bowl | AAC vs. CUSA | Dec. 27 | ESPN |
| Birmingham Bowl | AAC vs. ACC/SEC | Dec. 27 | ESPN |
| Fenway Bowl | AAC vs. ACC | Dec. 28 | ESPN |
| New Mexico Bowl | CUSA vs. MWC | Dec. 28 | ESPN |
| Arizona Bowl | MAC vs. MWC | Dec. 28 | CW |
| Military Bowl | AAC vs. ACC | Dec. 28 | ESPN |
| First Responder Bowl | AAC vs. ACC/Big 12 | Jan. 3 | ESPN |
| Bahamas Bowl | CUSA vs. MAC | Jan. 4 | ESPN2 |
