Everyone knows college football's Power 5 conferences -- the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12, Pac-12 and ACC. Historically, they have produced the best teams at that level, but times are a changing. The lesser known (or, perhaps, paid attention to) Group of 5 is becoming more and more formidable every year. Today, the Houston Cougars took on Florida State, and beat them by double-digits, dominating throughout the game and answering anything the Seminoles could throw at them. All this does is further prove that the elite Group of 5 teams deserve more major bowl game invitations, including New Year's Six games (NY6).
Over the years, we've seen great teams emerge at different times such as Boise State, Cincinnati, Northern Illinois and the like. It's no secret that these schools can produce just as great players as the Power 5 conference teams.
Just look at two of the greatest players of all time: Jerry Rice and Walter Payton. One went to Mississippi Valley State, and the other Jackson State, respectively. Neither of those two schools are in the Power 5 or Group of 5. Any team Division-I school can recruit good players, especially in the modern day when everyone has access to finding out about all of these different programs, and vice versa, with these programs being able to reach out to terrific high school athletes.
This Houston team is special too. They're slowly building into a highly-respected football program, and have a top-25 ranked recruiting class heading into next year.
But they're not the only ones removing the stigma from Group of 5 schools.
Temple, Toledo, Bowling Green, Western Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Tulsa -- all of these teams and more are building and recruiting, taking away good prospects from these other schools that historically took them all.
It's about time college football started giving these programs the coverage and spotlight they deserve. It'll only grow that level of football and the sport, and there's nothing wrong with improving the competition.
Nice job, Houston. The Group of 5 is a little bit stronger in the national eye after today.
