Three Non-Power College Football Playoff Contenders

Drew Thirion|published: Wed 7th October, 10:00 2026

Sep 5, 2026; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Boise State Broncos quarterback Maddux Madsen (4) warms up before a game against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

With the 12-team playoffs, one spot at the end of the season remains open for a non-power-conference opponent to earn a postseason shot. Non-power teams have struggled in their first two appearances, with an aggregate score of 123-58, though some late JMU scores make it look closer than it has been.

Still, if you’re going to expand the playoffs, I like that every college football team has a real chance to win a national title at the end of the season.

Boise State

Right now, only Boise State seems to have separated themselves as a team with playoff aspirations.

They started the year by taking a solid Oregon team the distance in a 34-27 win, then followed up with big wins over Memphis and Western Michigan, both of which were looking to steal the non-power-conference playoff spot. Quarterback Maddux Madsen has taken a massive leap forward this year, plays consistently clean football, and also gets to hand the ball off to the nation's leading rusher, Dylan Riley.

Those two have powered an exciting start for Boise State and have clearly separated themselves from the pack, but who else has a shot at that final playoff spot?

Two other teams are currently fighting for that last spot.

James Madison

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; James Madison Dukes wide receiver Nick Degennaro (11) makes a catch for a touchdown as Oregon Ducks defensive back Na'Eem Offord (14) defends during the fourth quarter at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Craig Strobeck-Imagn Images

James Madison, who scored the most points from a non-power-conference team in the last playoffs, is off to a 5-0 start, but less exciting than Boise State. Yet they have one of the better wins for these contenders: a road win over San Diego State. “Sun Belt Billy” Napier has quickly fixed the issues he had at Florida with a great start at JMU.

I loved that hire this offseason, as he got to take over one of the best run programs outside the Power Four, with a strong football culture already in place. The Dukes aren’t as explosive as last season, but they keep winning comfortably and will likely be favored in every game for the rest of the season.

North Dakota State

Sep 12, 2026; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; North Dakota State Bison quarterback Nathan Hayes (2) after the game against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The other contender is also 5-0 and, fortunately, can play in the playoffs thanks to a major NCAA rule change. For some reason, when a team moved up from the FCS level, they weren’t allowed to play in the postseason, but that has been fixed, and North Dakota State is looking to take advantage of it.

Is anyone shocked that NDSU is immediately hanging with the big dogs? No team at any level of football has sustained excellence like the Bison for the better part of two decades. They’ve gotten through the easier part of their schedule, but if they can beat UNLV and New Mexico in the coming weeks, it won’t be shocking to see them finish the year 13-0.

It’s still way too early to hand out playoff spots, but these three have certainly separated themselves from a very crowded field.

Latest