College Football World Had a Lot to Say As Tulane, James Madison Got Demolished in CFP

Former coaches and players weighed in on the big Group of 5 debate.

James Madison coach Bob Chesney led his team to a 12–2 record and a College Football Playoff berth in 2025. / Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

The 2025 College Football Playoff was not kind to the two participating Group of 5 programs.

No. 12 seed James Madison, the Sun Belt champion, and No. 11 seed Tulane out of the American Athletic Conference both were humbled early and often in their first-round matchups Saturday.

Playing against No. 6 seed Ole Miss, Tulane trailed 17–3 at halftime but lost steam in the second half and was outscored by 17 points the rest of the way in a 41–10 blowout. James Madison fought hard against No. 5 seed Oregon but had no answers for the Ducks’ high-flying offense in a 51–34 loss.

RELATED: Life After Lane Kiffin Begins With CFP Statement for Ole Miss, Pete Golding

Both programs entered the College Football Playoff with automatic bids as two of the five highest-ranked conference champions. James Madison grabbed the final spot after five-loss Duke beat Virginia in the ACC championship game to knock the Cavaliers out of CFP contention, and Tulane got in by defeating North Texas 34–21 in the American title game.

But after a lackluster showing on the opening weekend of the College Football Playoff, questions began to arise if Group of 5 programs should be included in the 12-team bracket. These teams did put together fantastic seasons, but Notre Dame—the highest-ranked team to be left out of the CFP—and 12th-ranked BYU probably would’ve made for better first-round matchups.

Tulane coach Jon Sumrall, who will be joining the SEC at Florida next season, stuck up for the Group of 5 programs after the Green Wave’s loss on Saturday.

"There should be access for at least one G-5 team moving forward," Sumrall said. "I do understand the gripe. By how we played tonight, we maybe didn't help the critics of that. I do think there should be at least one G-5 representative."

Plenty of other figures around college football, from current coaches and analysts to former players, weighed in during the action Saturday.

Former Ole Miss coach and current LSU boss Lane Kiffin had one word to say during the first half of Oregon’s rout over James Madison.

Riveting ……. @CFBPlayoff

— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) December 21, 2025

Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt called for college football to fix its playoff format.

I genuinely feel bad for these JMU players…they are a good football team who should be competing for a national championship on the appropriate level…now, most will only remember them for tonight…not their fault that CFB can’t figure out a proper post-season structure

— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) December 21, 2025

Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer didn’t say anything himself, but he did repost this take from ex-Buckeyes star running back Beanie Wells.

The biggest stage in College Football can’t look like this. As a fan I’m disappointed the powers at be let this happen.

— Beanie Wells (@BeanieWells26) December 21, 2025

Robert Griffin III, the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner, defended Group of 5 programs from criticism.

So it’s okay if a Power 4 team gets BTA in the playoffs but it’s not acceptable for a Group of 5 team to get BTA because of Strength of schedule? I thought everyone was eligible to get BTA.

Blowouts in the College Football Playoff have always been common place. No matter what… https://t.co/qdI9nLqaut pic.twitter.com/1424pdwypt

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 21, 2025

College football insider Brett McMurphy had seen enough in the first half of the JMU game.

Dear God. Stop the fight. Oregon 27-3 after only 21 minutes. Ducks averaging 16.8 yards per play

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 21, 2025

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer doesn’t expect to see a March Madness-like Cinderella run from any Group of 5 team in the CFP.

Ole Miss 41, Tulane 10.

Oregon 34, James Madison 6 ... at the half.

Main thing: Football isn't basketball. There's no need for this. You can give mid-majors access without doing this. Require a conference champion be Top 15 to get an auto-bid. What we're getting is just dumb.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 21, 2025

Former NFL quarterback and Auburn star Jason Campbell wanted to see Notre Dame or an SEC program face Ole Miss and Oregon.

JMU and Tulane should have played each other for the Group of 5 championship. That would have been a great game to watch. Either Notre Dame, Texas or Vandy should have faced Ole Miss and Oregon. Missed opportunity to watch great matchups!

— Jason Campbell (@JCam_17) December 21, 2025

Although it hasn’t happened yet in the two years of the 12-team bracket, shocking upsets do indeed happen all across college football. Just last year, the eventual national runner-up Notre Dame lost to a Northern Illinois team that ended the 2024 season with five losses.

There’s no perfect answer to the debate. But the 12-team bracket is likely expanding in the coming years anyway, leaving plenty of room for all programs who deserve a shot at the national title.

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