ON TODAY'S SCORECARD
Gimme Five

Just a few weeks remain until the 2025 College Football Playoff first-round games kick off. Yet at least one spot in the bracket still appears fully up for grabs.

In 2024, the Group of 5 automatic bid was a fairly easy call. Boise State cruised to the playoff behind star running back Ashton Jeanty.

But in 2025, the spot reserved for the highest-ranked Group of 5 conference champion has been far murkier. In each of the committee's first three rankings, they projected three different squads — Tulane, South Florida and Memphis — to be the No. 12 seed representing the Group of 5. Tulane held onto that spot in the most recent rankings.

Entering Week 14, plenty of teams can still consider themselves alive in the race for the G5 playoff spot. Conference championships will ultimately help decide which teams have a chance, but multiple schools have a path to contention, from James Madison in the Sun Belt to North Texas, and Tulane in the American. Let’s take a look...

James Madison (10-1, 7-0 in Sun Belt)

ESPN playoff predictor chances: 57% It's close, but James Madison is currently viewed as the slight favorite to represent the Group of 5 in the 2025 playoff bracket, claiming the No. 12 seed. Still, the Dukes have work to do. James Madison is locked into the Sun Belt title game regardless of Week 14 result, but a loss to Coastal Carolina would still virtually end its CFP chances. The Dukes' lone loss came to a Power 4 team, Louisville, in a 28-14 Week 2 defeat.

North Texas (10-1, 6-1 in AAC)

ESPN playoff predictor chances: 54%
North Texas is seeking its first conference title since 2004, currently with a stronger chance to make the CFP. While head coach Eric Morris is set to leave North Texas for Oklahoma State when the 2025 season ends, the Mean Green may still have some bigger noise to make. The simplest playoff path for North Texas is to beat Temple, make and win its conference championship opponent, and for James Madison to lose a game.

Tulane (9-2, 6-1 in AAC)

ESPN playoff predictor chances: 28%
The other two teams listed face slightly tougher paths to the playoff, simply because they've already lost two games this season. In other words, they will likely need help from James Madison and/or North Texas losing a game, one way or another. Tulane is still in the running for the playoff though, especially given the fact that the committee has shown the squad recent favor. In the most recent CFP rankings, Tulane was ranked 24th as the projected No. 12 seed.

Navy (9-2, 7-1 in American Conference)

ESPN playoff predictor chances: <1% The only other team viewed as a somewhat real threat to claim the CFP's No. 12 seed is Navy, which sits at 9-2 overall after a win over Memphis on Friday. Navy will make the American Conference championship with a loss from North Texas or Tulane.

From Playbook MIDWEEK ALERT Newsletter

Arizona (+) over Tampa Bay – Sometimes it’s all about saving face. Both teams are on three-game losing streaks, with the Buccaneers holding a fragile lead in the NFC South, just half a game ahead of the rejuvenated Panthers. Meanwhile, the Cardinals, stuck in fourth place in the NFC West, are hungry for a spark as they try to stay in the playoff race. Arizona has scored more than 21 points in its last seven games, going 5-2 ITS during that stretch and winning the stats by an average of +40 net YPG. Tampa is injured and struggling, losing seven straight games ITS, making them a clear Exxon Valdez “leaking oil” favorite. The redbirds are dressed up as a BOD (Better Offense and Better Defensive) dog. In this league, it’s all about the edges, and Zona holds them in this contest.

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David K. from Henderson, NV wanted to say - After twelve games, one team sits alone atop the NFC North... the mighty Chicago Bears and their fingernail-painted QB. Who would've thunk it?

Marc Says: Not me, for sure. Despite an Over/Under season win total of 8.5, a number that was based largely on the anticipated rebound under new head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears were picked to finished in last place in the rugged NFC North, behind Detroit, Green Bay and Minnesota. It must be karma from the nail salon he uses.