I removed the FBS Independent from this list because Notre Dame is more fitting at the Power 5 spot while Army, UConn, and UMass are under .500 and lower. No disrespect, but it’s not worth writing anything home unless Army can muster up a run to the end especially past Navy in the season finale.

AAC

The conference is likely a 5-team race between Tulane, SMU, UTSA, Memphis, and FAU. However, UTSA’s on a surge after starting conference play. Every one of them have one game against either one while Tulane plays FAU and fellow AAC newcomer UTSA at the end of the season. Outside of the five, Rice plays three of them and could shake up the standings before December. Wild times for the new look AAC.

C-USA

Well, Liberty likely earns one of the conference title spots with continued dominance. FBS newcomer Jacksonville State is already making noise in the FBS while New Mexico State’s on a run to what could be their best season in decades with quarterback Diego Pavia. Western Kentucky has ground to make up with needed help if they want a say for the second spot. Jacksonville State could have a great season despite not likely playing in the C-USA title game due to probation for two seasons as FBS newcomers. Beware of Louisiana Tech because they’re out to spoil their opportunity while New Mexico State needs wins over both J-Ville and Western Kentucky to nab the second spot.

MAC

While the West is likely sealed by Toledo, the East is currently in a four-way battle. There’s still four weeks left, and it’s anyone’s East division. The MAC has the weekday games, which makes for a very exciting ending to the month of November.

WEST

It’s likely Toledo’s division to win unless someone on the remaining schedule stops that Rocket from launching to Detroit in December. Northern Illinois lost to them and needs plenty of help from someone to ruin their day. Meanwhile, Central Michigan plays Northern Illinois this weekend and Toledo at the end of the season. This could swing in the Rockets favor with a win or the Huskies favor with the Chips defeating Toledo so the Huskies steal the title.

EAST

When I figured the East division title comes down to a three-way race, Bowling Green raised their hand and yelled, “what about us!!!???” While the Falcons played those three already, they do have a win over Buffalo. Meanwhile, Ohio has a win over Bowling Green but lost to Miami (OH) last weekend. They need a win over Buffalo to stay alive. Buffalo lost to Bowling Green but still has the best opportunity in back-to-back games against Ohio and at Miami (OH). Miami (OH) owns them all with only Buffalo to play. A win likely seals the division unless they run into an obstacle in their last two of three games. No one’s safe in that division yet.

MOUNTAIN WEST

Honestly, Air Force likely plays in the conference championship unless someone shoots down quarterback Zac Larrier for the rest of the season. Fresno State, UNLV (you got to be kidding me), and Boise State battle for the second spot in the Mountain West championship. San Jose State, Wyoming, and even…Nevada (Seriously??? My Alma Mater!!!???) are long shots for the second spot. Air Force runs into UNLV and Boise in the last two weeks. Fresno State has the toughest finish with Boise, San Jose, and even rival San Diego State. UNLV does too with Wyoming, Air Force, and San Jose. Boise has Fresno this weekend and Air Force in the last week. San Jose State runs into a buzzsaw against Fresno, San Diego, and UNLV. Wyoming faces Colorado State, UNLV, and UNR in three of the last four weeks. Finally, the Wolfpack faces Utah State and Colorado State on the road and Wyoming in the last three weeks.

SUN BELT

Can we give James Madison some love and let them play in the Sun Belt title game if they win the division again? Can they play in the postseason? This NCAA rule to ban newcomers from bowl appearances and stuff makes no sense since they’re playing at that level of competition. Otherwise, it’s a five-way race in the East without JMU and a five-way race in the West. Let the dramatic end to the Fun Belt…BEGIN!!!!!

EAST

Outside of James Madison, the state of Georgia (Southern and State), Coastal Carolina, Old Dominion, and Appalachian State are fighting for the division title. Can Marshall make up ground and snatch it away? Southern runs down the rest of their schedule against Marshall, ODU, and App State. State faces JMU, App State, and ODU if they still have their whole self after LSU. Coastal Carolina faces ODU this weekend and JMU at the end of the season. Old Dominion faces Coastal and the state of Georgia in three of the last four weeks. App State faces Marshall, the state of Georgia, and JMU.

WEST

The men of Troy might be in line for another conference title appearance. They face a South Alabama team that’s looking less impressive than expected. Unless Louisiana gives Troy a test, Troy should win the division if they win this weekend. Louisiana must avoid slip ups against Arkansas State this weekend if they want that opportunity against Troy. Coach GJ Kinne’s Texas State played their best football since joining the FBS years ago. They play some remaining East teams in Georgia Southern and Coastal Carolina, but they also have tough tasks against Arkansas State and South Alabama. Pulling this off will net Kinne a bigger job elsewhere in his short-lived coaching tenure. Arkansas State’s resilient this season, but they must overcome the likes of Louisiana, South Alabama, and Texas State. Even if they do, they can’t sleep on Marshall in the last week. South Alabama has a tough finish to their season after an ebb-and-flow beginning. They must take down Troy for the opportunity, and win against Arkansas State, Marshall, and Texas State for the division title.

OVERALL

The battle for the New Year’s Six Bowl likely comes down to Liberty and Air Force. I wish James Madison was there, but it’ll take a lot for the NCAA to not only make them eligible for the postseason, but also make last minute changes on the bowl setups to include them if they finish the season undefeated. Otherwise, I think Air Force is a tad better with probably their best quarterback in Air Force history and possibly in service academy history.