The 2024 season may have just begun, but it's not too early to think about the postseason for Boise State and Tulane.
In Week 2, both programs, two of the likeliest Group of Five representatives in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, can make huge statements.
Per CFP rules, the top five conference champions automatically qualify for the playoffs. The ACC, Big Ten, Big 12 and SEC are expected to receive bids, limiting the G5 (American, Conference USA, Mid-American, Mountain West and Sun Belt) to one spot.
Although, in the funniest possible outcome to the season, Florida State (0-2, 0-2 in ACC) rebounds to win its conference but finishes as the sixth-ranked conference champion and misses the CFP.
Boise State and Tulane might be the biggest Noles fans for the remainder of the season, but chances are the two teams are fighting for one playoff spot.
That's why this Saturday could be massive.
Boise State travels to Associated Press No. 7 Oregon (10 p.m. EST, Peacock), while Tulane hosts No. 17 Kansas State (noon EST, ESPN).
Despite a win, the Ducks were among the most disappointing teams in Week 1. Oregon edged FCS Idaho 24-14 in a game it entered as a 44.5-point favorite.
The preseason No. 3 team in the country is still a sizable 19-point favorite against Boise State. Transfer quarterback Dillon Gabriel was sharp in the underwhelming victory over Idaho, finishing 41-of-49 for 380 yards and two touchdowns.
Broncos running back Ashton Jeanty was one of Week 1's top performers, finishing a 56-45 win over Georgia Southern with 20 carries, 267 yards and a single-game school-record six touchdowns.
#HEI2MAN x @AshtonJeanty2
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) August 31, 2024
ESPNU#BleedBlue | #BuiltDifferent pic.twitter.com/IfgJCmTqku
ASHTON JEANTY HAS SIX TOUCHDOWNS TODAY!!! pic.twitter.com/oK1XWaK0oX
— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) August 31, 2024
Tulane defeated FCS Southeast Louisiana 52-0 in head coach Jon Sumrall's program debut. He spent the previous two seasons at Troy, where the 2022 Sun Belt Coach of the Year went 23-4.
Green Wave quarterback Darian Mensah was remarkably efficient in his first career start. He finished 10-of-12 for 205 yards and two touchdowns, averaging an impressive 17.1 yards per attempt.
Cornerback Rayshawn Pleasant, the AAC Defensive Player of the Week, showed elite speed on a 100-yard game-changing interception return for a touchdown in a 14-0 game.
100-YARD PICK SIX @GreenWaveFB pic.twitter.com/OcsnItv6aJ
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) August 30, 2024
According to ESPN Bet, Tulane is a 10-point underdog against Kansas State, which quickly dispatched FCS UT-Martin in Week 1.
The Wildcats gained 283 rushing yards on 31 carries, an average of 9.1 yards per attempt, in their 41-6 win.
Per ESPN's Football Power Index, Boise State (22.9 percent) and Tulane (20.1 percent) rank first and third in odds of making the CFP among G5 conference members, respectively, while James Madison (21.6 percent) ranks second.
Of the three, Tulane, which plays No. 15 Oklahoma in Week 3, has the most challenging remaining strength of schedule (78th), followed by Boise State (86th) and James Madison (118th). (h/t ESPN FPI)
If the three teams finish with the same record, Boise State's and Tulane's performances against the ranked Power Four competition could decide which team makes the playoffs.
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