Obviously, the Mountain West champ is most likely with Boise State making a statement by their defeat of Arizona last season. Yet, CUSA made the second strongest statement of the G5's in the bowl season. Marshall obliterated the MAC champ and the rest CUSA teams outperformed their counterparts from the AAC and the MWC.
I realize the bid goes to the highest ranked conference champion. But I think it will boil down to the MWC vs. CUSA. Depending on how Memphis and/or East Carolina perform, the AAC might be in the mix as well. I have the preseason access bowl possibilities as:
Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State
Marshall, Rice, LaTech
Memphis, East Carolina
I know UTSA hosts Colorado State but I'm not sure about any other interesting G5 regular season match-ups.
I realize the bid goes to the highest ranked conference champion. But I think it will boil down to the MWC vs. CUSA. Depending on how Memphis and/or East Carolina perform, the AAC might be in the mix as well. I have the preseason access bowl possibilities as:
Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State
Marshall, Rice, LaTech
Memphis, East Carolina
I know UTSA hosts Colorado State but I'm not sure about any other interesting G5 regular season match-ups.