What if the Group of Five had a playoff in 2014? Part 2: Round of 16

In the ultimate what if scenario, let's look at the Group of Five in 2014 and how a 16-team playoff to determine the best of the best. In the second part of this five part series, we will look at the first round matchups.

Zambrasky Regional: 

• #3 Louisiana at #2 Toledo: The opening game of the Zambrasky regional is played at the Glass Bowl in Toledo. Both teams are very good at rushing the football but Toledo is a much more balanced team with the 60th rated passing game in the nation compared to the 100th ranked passing game of the Ragin' Cajuns. This is a game that comes down to the cold of a late fall/early winter in Ohio versus a team from Louisiana that does not play in the extreme cold very often. Both teams score a lot of points in a very offensive game but the ability of Toledo to run and pass the ball at high rates allow the Rockets to hold on the fourth quarter for a 35-31 win. Toledo 35, Louisiana 31. 
• #4 Western Kentucky at #1 Boise State: This is a matchup between two of the highest scoring offenses in the nation and should see a lot of points scored. The Hilltoppers put up 44.4 points per game and average over 530 yards of total offense per game. The Broncos only put up 494 yards per game but score 39.7 points per game. The first half should be a shootout with a score in the vicinity of 35-28 in favor of Boise State with the second half calming down and the Broncos pulling away from the Hilltoppers despite an attempted rally in the fourth quarter. Boise State 52, Western Kentucky 38.

Game #3: Toledo at Boise State

Bironas Regional:

• #3 Louisiana Tech at #2 Colorado State: In one of the more evenly matched games of the first round, the Rams high scoring offense takes on the very balanced Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Behind the Grayson to Higgins combination, the Rams just out early to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Louisiana Tech finally gets in gear in the second period with several big rushed from the underrated Kenneth Dixon and takes a 14-10 lead into halftime. Both teams trade scores and head into the final five minutes of the game tied at 24 and the Rams holding possession. Louisiana Tech gets a late stop on defense and Cody Sokol leads the Bulldogs down for a last second 37-yard field goal as time expires to win 27-24. Louisiana Tech 27, Colorado State 24.  
• #4 Western Michigan at #1 Georgia Southern: The Eagles, one of the biggest surprises during the regular season have a time controlling offense that can put up points in bunches along with a defense that gave up a FBS 30th best 23.4 points per game. Western Michigan is a more balanced offense with 267.3 in the air and 170.8 on the ground per game with the ability to score at a very high level. The Broncos come out early and get a couple of quick scores with the Terrell to Davis and Braverman combination to take a 14-7 lead heading into the second quarter. The Eagles fall behind 17-7 before scoring the last ten points of the second half to go into halftime tied at 17. The overpowering rushing attack of Georgia Southern takes control in the second half with the Eagles pulling out a 34-24 win. Georgia Southern 34, Western Michigan 24.

Game #3: Louisiana Tech at Georgia Southern

Leftwich Regional:

• #3 BYU at #2 Memphis: In a matchup that turned out to be one of the best bowl games in the 2014 season, Memphis controls the game much better at home than on that day in Miami. THe Tigers, Co-AAC Champs, roll out quickly for a 17-0 lead over BYU before everyone can get settled in the stadium. BYU slowly starts to make up the margin but still trail 24-13 heading into the half. Memphis adds another touchdown to start the second half and lead 31-13 but BYU storms back with 17 straight points to trail 31-30 with under five minutes left in the game. The Tigers score a touchdown with 1:30 left in the game to lead 38-30 and hold off one final  rally from the Cougars to pull out the 38-30 win. Memphis 38, BYU 30. 
• #4 Utah State at #1 Marshall: In a matchup that brings one of the best defenses in the nation versus one of the best overall teams ends up closer than expected. Marshall, with a top 20 rushing and passing offense, gets an early score but struggles to move the ball versus a skilled and motivated Utah State defense. At halftime, the Thundering Herd lead 10-3. Utah State starts the second half with a great kickoff return and get an early field goal to pull within 10-6. That was as close as the Aggies get with Marshall adding a third quarter touchdown and a fourth quarter field goal to lead 20-6 late in the game. Utah State adds a touchdown late in the game but cannot recover the onside kick and Marshall holds on 20-13. Marshall 20, Utah State 13.

Game #3: Memphis at Marshall

Lynch Regional:

• #3 Air Force at #2 Cincinnati: In a matchup between a top 13 passing game and a top 10 rushing game, the offenses have their way. Cincinnati's vaulted passing game shreds the Falcons early and often to the tune of 24 first half points. Not to be overlooked, Air Force's option attack does just the same to the Bearcat defense and the Falcons lead the game 28-24 at the half. both teams trade touchdowns twice in the third and early fourth quarters to make the score 42-38 in favor of Air Force with minutes left in the game. Cincinnati quarterback Gunner Kiel leads the Bearcats on an 8-play, 77-yard drive that ends with a touchdown pass with :45 left in the game to take a 45-42 lead. The Falcons see some success with the passing game in a desperate drive but fall just short of field goal range and miss on a desperation heave at the end zone as time expires. Cincinnati 45, Air Force 42. 
• #4 Central Florida at #1 Northern Illinois: In the final #1 versus #4 matchup, the Huskies get a tough matchup with a talented but underachieving Central Florida squad. Behind the rushing and passing of quarterback Drew Hare, the Huskies take a early 7-0 lead late in the first quarter. UCF strikes back at the 10 minute mark of the second quarter with a field goal to pull within 7-3. Northern Illinois responds with a great kickoff return that sets up a short field followed by a fake field goal that puts the MAC Champs ahead 14-3 late in the first half. UCF salvages a field goal before the halftime buzzer to cut the lead to 14-6. Both teams trade field goals in the third quarter to make the score 17-9 with UCF driving in the final period. Northern Illinois' defense comes up with a fourth down stop inside their own 20 and proceed to drive downfield and kick a 34-yard field goal to take a 20-9 lead with two minutes left. UCF goes four and out, falling to NIU. Northern Illinois 20, Central Florida 9. 

Game #3 Cincinnati at Northern Illinois