New Mexico Coach Jason Eck Weighs In On Separate Group of Six Playoff
UNM head coach says he goes back and forth on the idea, while Boise State’s Spencer Danielson argues it muddies the waters.
By Ryan Davidson ·
New Mexico head coach Jason Eck described his stance on a potential separate Group of Six playoff as fluctuating. The Lobos are currently No. 22 in the AP Top 25 and hold a 7-1 record. They face Nevada, who is 3-5, on Friday night in Reno.
A victory in Reno would be New Mexico’s first in that venue. The program has a 0-4-1 all-time record there. The win would also keep the team’s chances alive to enter the College Football Playoff as a Group of Six participant.
The discussion follows reports that the College Football Playoff field will expand to 24 teams as early as next season. According to ESPN, the new format is expected to eliminate Power Four conference championship games and disrupt the current bowl system. This expansion has fueled debate over whether a standalone tournament for Group of Six leagues is necessary.
A separate championship would pit teams from the Mountain West, Pac-12, Mid-American Conference, American Conference, Sun Belt, and Conference USA against one another. On3 reported that 40 of 69 surveyed Group of Six coaches support the idea. Twenty-one coaches opposed it, and nine offered no opinion. Supporters point to the Power Four’s 75-3 record against Group of Six teams this season.
Eck told reporters on Monday that he responded to the On3 survey over the summer. He called the concept a layered question because the final format remains unclear. He noted that many coaches want the college football season to start earlier, which could create scheduling conflicts for television networks on New Year’s Day.
The 2026 College Football Playoff currently has three games scheduled for New Year’s Day: the Cotton Bowl, the Rose Bowl, and the Peach Bowl. Eck suggested that a Group of Six championship could be played on that date to resolve inventory issues. He proposed that if a Group of Six team made the 24-team field but lost, it could receive a bye in the separate tournament.
However, Eck acknowledged a logical hurdle. If two Group of Six teams qualify for the expanded playoff and lose, it is difficult to declare a different team the Group of Six champion. Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson took a firmer stance against the idea. Danielson said he was not contacted by On3 but believes the separate playoff muddies the waters. He stated that if his team performs well, he wants a chance at the College Football Playoff title.
Eck added that he hopes the bowl system continues to thrive despite the changes. He expressed curiosity about how traditional Power Four bowls like the Alamo, Gator, and Sun Bowls will adapt. He asked if those games will have a greater appetite for Group of Six teams in the future.
