Which teams outside of the rankings are serious P5 title contenders?
I know what you meant, but since you asked about the P5 instead of the P4...
I guess you could include Wash St and Ore St from the remaining Pac-2 conference. Although the Pac champion is no longer considered for the CFP, since the Pac does not qualify as an official FBS conference in 2024 and 2025.
Wiith the future expansion/rebith of the Pac coming in 2026, there is some debate where the new Pac-7/8 falls in the Power category. Most people assume we will just start using the terms P4 and G6 starting in 2026, since the new Pac will no longer be considered one of the power conferences.
There is also some debate if the P4 itself should be split into 2 different categories, P2 and M2.
This is reflected in the CFP payout starting in 2026, which was agreed to before the Pac was brought back to life
P2 (Big Ten, SEC). - each member gets around $21M to $23M each from the CFP starting in 2026
M2 (Big 12, ACC, Notre Dame). - each member gets around $11M to $13M each
Pac-2 (Wash St, Ore St) - each member gets $3.6M each
G5 (AAC, MWC, SBC, MAC, CUSA) - each member gets $1.8M each
UConn - $360k
Notre Dame and UConn will be the only independents left in the FBS starting in 2026.
I also assume that the new Pac will get its automatic spot back for its conference champion in 2026. At least in the sense that the Pac champion will be one of champions considered when the CFP selects the 5 best conference champions that automatically qualify for the CFP.
It is not clear to me what payout the New Pac will get from the CFP, I assume that will have to be renegotiated during the look-in period after 2026-2028. Until then I will assume all the new Pac members will still get $1.8M each.
