Tulane and South Florida lead Group of Five playoff chase
- South Florida faced a 49-12 loss against Miami on September 13, 2025, hindering their playoff aspirations after earlier victories over Florida and Boise State.
- Tulane has maintained a strong performance, winning against two Power Four teams, and currently leads in the American Athletic Conference.
- With the Group of Five playoff race wide open, Tulane and South Florida are now the leading candidates for a College Football Playoff berth.
In the 2025 college football season, South Florida experienced a significant setback with a loss to Miami on September 13, 2025. This defeat followed a promising start where South Florida had upset Florida and won against Boise State in earlier weeks. Despite the loss, South Florida and Tulane emerged as the frontrunners among Group of Five teams aiming for a coveted spot in the College Football Playoff. Tulane has been noted for its strong performance in the American Athletic Conference, highlighted by victories over noteworthy opponents. Analysts emphasize that both teams must continue to perform well to secure their playoff aspirations, especially with competitors like UNLV and Boise State also vying for the Group of Five's automatic berth. The ongoing evaluations by AP Poll and SP+ systems illustrate disparities, impacting team standings and perceptions in national rankings. Consistent performance and a challenging schedule will dictate the future trajectories of these contenders, reaffirming the notion that every game counts in the race for a playoff spot.