2025 FBS Bowl Predictions: College Football Playoff and Key Matchups

The 2025 college football bowl season is shaping up to be an absolute spectacle, especially for the Group of Five (G5) teams. HERO Sports has put out its latest bowl projections, and if you’re a G5 fan, it’s hard not to get excited.

This year, 34 G5 teams are expected to land in bowl games. There’s even a real shot that a G5 team could break into the College Football Playoff (CFP).

Group of Five Teams Eyeing the College Football Playoff

The G5 teams have been making some serious noise lately, and 2025 looks no different. HERO Sports has Tulane pegged as the top G5 contender for a CFP spot.

Tulane’s strength of schedule (SOS) is a big reason they’re in the conversation. Even with two losses, wins over Northwestern and Duke have kept the Green Wave in the mix.

Tulane’s Path to the CFP

Tulane’s season hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing, but they’ve shown plenty of grit. That 23-3 win over Northwestern and the nail-biter against Duke (34-27) stand out.

On the flip side, they took a heavy loss to Ole Miss and stumbled against UTSA. Still, racking up nine wins against solid teams puts them firmly in the hunt.

Other G5 Teams in the Mix

It’s not just Tulane in the conversation. James Madison, North Texas, Navy, and San Diego State are all hanging around the CFP picture.

Each of these teams has shown flashes, making the G5 race as unpredictable as ever.

Detailed Bowl Projections for G5 Teams

HERO Sports rolled out a pretty detailed set of bowl projections. Some of the matchups look genuinely intriguing, and a few might even surprise you.

LA Bowl

San Diego State is projected to square off with Washington State. HERO Sports has San Diego State coming out on top.

Honestly, this one could go either way—both teams have their moments.

Salute To Veterans Bowl

Marshall is expected to take on Toledo, with Toledo getting the edge. Central Michigan, Troy, and Old Dominion might also make appearances.

Cure Bowl

Southern Miss is projected to play Kennesaw State. Southern Miss is favored, but James Madison, Coastal Carolina, and Central Michigan could also show up here.

68 Ventures Bowl

Western Kentucky is lined up against App State, with App State getting the nod. Troy, Buffalo, and Toledo are also in the mix.

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Louisiana is expected to take on Jacksonville State. Jacksonville State is predicted to win, but Kennesaw State, Louisiana Tech, and Marshall are possible participants too.

Gasparilla Bowl

Memphis is projected to face Missouri, with Memphis picked to win. USF, East Carolina, and Louisville could also be in the running.

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Central Michigan is set to meet Utah State, and Utah State is favored. Ohio, Fresno State, and UNLV might also be part of this bowl.

Boca Raton Bowl

FIU is expected to play Coastal Carolina, with Coastal Carolina getting the win. App State, Marshall, and Louisiana Tech are other possible teams here.

New Orleans Bowl

Troy is projected to face Louisiana Tech, and Louisiana Tech is the favorite. Western Kentucky and Coastal Carolina could also be in the mix.

Frisco Bowl

James Madison is set to compete against Arizona State. HERO Sports gives the edge to James Madison, but Old Dominion, Coastal Carolina, and Arizona are possible contenders.

Hawaii Bowl

North Texas is expected to play Hawaii, with Hawaii predicted to win. San Diego State, East Carolina, and Navy are also in the conversation.

GameAbove Sports Bowl

Ohio is projected to face Illinois, and Ohio is favored. Western Michigan, Toledo, and Northwestern could also make appearances.

Rate Bowl

Boise State is set to play Northwestern, with Boise State getting the nod. Hawaii, Fresno State, and Illinois are other possible teams here.

First Responder Bowl

Fresno State is expected to take on Old Dominion, and Old Dominion is predicted to win. Marshall, James Madison, and Hawaii are also possible participants.

Military Bowl

Navy is projected to meet Duke, with Navy picked to win. East Carolina, Tulane, and Miami are other potential teams for this bowl.

Fenway Bowl

UTSA is set to face Pitt, with Pitt favored. North Texas, Memphis, and Virginia could also be in play.

Arizona Bowl

Western Michigan is expected to play UNLV, and UNLV is the favorite. Ohio, Miami (Ohio), and Fresno State might also show up here.

New Mexico Bowl

New Mexico is projected to take on Miami (Ohio), with New Mexico getting the win. Central Michigan, Hawaii, and Boise State are other possible teams.

Birmingham Bowl

UConn is set to face Tennessee, and UConn is favored. Memphis, Tulane, and LSU could also be in the mix.

Independence Bowl

East Carolina is expected to play Houston, with East Carolina getting the nod. USF, Memphis, and Arizona State are other possible participants.

Armed Forces Bowl

South Florida is projected to meet Vanderbilt, with South Florida coming out on top. Memphis, North Texas, and Navy might also be considered for this bowl.

Conclusion

The 2025 bowl season looks like it could be a pretty big deal for G5 teams. Thirty-four teams are projected to take part, and there’s even a shot that a G5 team lands in the CFP.

Want to dig deeper? You can find more details and projections at HERO Sports’ 2025 FBS Bowl Game Predictions.