4 G5 Football Games You Should Watch This Saturday

Here's what our staff is watching on November 18, 2023

© David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

The college football season has reached Week 12, which means that most teams have just two regular season games remaining. Both spots in the CUSA and MAC championship games have already been claimed, but one spot is up for grabs in the Sun Belt. The Mountain West and AAC have both spots left to be assigned as well. 

That leads us to this Saturday's G5 slate, with several games that will determine who plays in those championship games. Postseason eligibility is also on the line in many cases. Here's what we recommend watching on Saturday, November 18.

Florida Atlantic vs #24 Tulane

Noon ET - ESPN+

The G5's New Year's Six bid is Tulane's to lose, at this point. However they've struggled to create distance between themselves and opponents over the last month. Their last four games have been victories, but by a touchdown or less. Meanwhile, 4-6 FAU have had some strong moments in the first year of Tom Herman's return to being a head coach, but have struggled with inconsistency issues of their own. That includes a loss to a 2-8 East Carolina team last week.

UNLV at Air Force

3:30 PM ET - CBS Sports Network

There are a lot of championship scenarios still in play for the Mountain West crown. With two weekends left, seven teams are still alive for bids in the championship game and five teams have a chance to host. The most significant matchup this week arguable goes to 8-2 UNLV heading to Colorado Springs to face 8-2 Air Force. The Rebels could move to first place in the league with a win over a Falcons team that's suffered massive upset losses to Army and Hawaii in back-to-back weeks. 

Appalachian State at James Madison

2 PM ET - ESPN+

After having their final plea for postseason eligibility denied by the NCAA earlier this week, 10-0 JMU are going to be playing angry. Adding to the atmosphere will be the one provided by ESPN's College GameDay being live from the campus prior to the game. Aside from that, fans can look forward to a coach that's notorious for preaching defensive fundamentals in Curt Cignetti going against a coach that does the same for offensive fundamentals in Shawn Clark. 

Texas State at Arkansas State

3 PM ET - ESPN+

Something that's been an underrated storyline in the Sun Belt this year has been Arkansas State's improvement. Now in the third year of Butch Jones' time as head coach, the Redwolves went from 2-10, to 3-9, and now to 5-5. A win makes them bowl eligible for the first time since 2019. Texas State are having a storybook season of their own, at least by their standards. The 6-4 Bobcats have reached six wins for just the third time since joining the FBS. A win secures the second winning season ever for Texas State in FBS.