Group of Five conferences

Group of Five conferences
Name	Group of Five
Established	2013
Association	National Collegiate Athletic Association
Division	Division I FBS
Members	5 conferences
Region	United States

Group of Five conferences. In the hierarchy of NCAA Division I FBS college football, the Group of Five is the collective designation for five athletic conferences whose members receive a lower distribution of revenue and automatic access to major bowl games compared to the Power Five. The term was formally adopted in 2013 following the dissolution of the Bowl Championship Series and the creation of the College Football Playoff. These conferences are often characterized by significant membership changes and compete for a guaranteed spot in one of the New Year's Six bowl games.

Definition and membership

The Group of Five is defined by its membership of five specific FBS conferences, which are contractually recognized within the College Football Playoff structure. The permanent members are the American Athletic Conference, the Conference USA, the Mid-American Conference, the Mountain West Conference, and the Sun Belt Conference. This classification is distinct from the Power Five, which includes the Atlantic Coast Conference, Big Ten Conference, Big 12 Conference, Pac-12 Conference, and Southeastern Conference. The distinction carries significant implications for postseason access, television revenue from contracts with ESPN and Fox, and overall institutional resources.

History and formation

The explicit categorization emerged from the 2013 restructuring of the postseason system, replacing the Bowl Championship Series. The BCS National Championship Game and associated bowls were succeeded by the College Football Playoff, a four-team tournament managed by the College Football Playoff selection committee. This new framework, established through negotiations among conference commissioners and university presidents, formally created the "Group of Five" designation to guarantee one of its champion's inclusion in a premier bowl, initially the Peach Bowl or Fiesta Bowl. This period followed an era of major realignment, including the collapse of the original Big East Conference and the formation of the American Athletic Conference.

Conference realignment and stability

Realignment has been a constant feature, driven by television markets and football prestige. The American Athletic Conference was formed from the remnants of the Big East Conference after the departure of schools like the University of Louisville and Rutgers University to the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten Conference, respectively. Further shifts saw University of Cincinnati, University of Houston, and University of Central Florida leave for the Big 12 Conference, while the Sun Belt Conference added members from Conference USA, such as University of Southern Mississippi and Marshall University. These moves, often triggered by media rights deals from ESPN, continually reshape the competitive and geographic landscape.

Athletic performance and access

The highest-performing champion, as ranked by the College Football Playoff selection committee, earns an automatic berth to a New Year's Six bowl. This has led to notable appearances by programs like the University of Cincinnati in the 2021 Cotton Bowl Classic, the University of Central Florida in the 2018 Peach Bowl, and Boise State University in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl. Teams such as the TCU Horned Frogs have used success as a springboard to Power Five membership. While no Group of Five team has yet qualified for the four-team College Football Playoff, undefeated seasons from schools like the 2017 UCF Knights football team have sparked national debate about access and parity.

Financial considerations

A substantial financial gap exists compared to the Power Five, evident in distributions from the College Football Playoff and media contracts. Revenue from the ESPN-televised playoff and New Year's Six bowls is distributed unevenly, with the Power Five receiving a larger share. Television deals for leagues like the American Athletic Conference with ESPN are valued significantly lower than those for the Southeastern Conference or Big Ten Conference. This impacts athletic department budgets, coaching salaries at institutions like the University of Memphis, and facilities investment, creating a persistent competitive disadvantage.

Relationship with Power Five

The relationship is structurally cooperative within the NCAA and College Football Playoff but marked by competitive and financial stratification. Group of Five schools schedule games against Power Five opponents, often for guaranteed payouts that help fund their athletic programs, such as when the University of Alabama plays the University of South Florida. Occasional on-field victories, like Appalachian State University's historic win over the University of Michigan, challenge perceptions. However, the gap is reinforced by the autonomous governance power of the Power Five and the ongoing cycle of realignment, where top Group of Five programs are frequently recruited by leagues like the Big 12 Conference.

Category:NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision conferences Category:College football conferences in the United States