New Mexico coach Jason Eck weighs in on separate Group of Six playoff

New Mexico fans will see their team play a ranked opponent for the first time this season on Friday night. The Lobos, currently No. 22, travel to Reno to face Nevada. A victory would be a historic milestone for the program. New Mexico has never won a game in Reno, holding a record of zero wins, four losses, and one tie at the venue. A loss would end the Lobos' chances of becoming the Group of Six representative in the 12-team College Football Playoff. A win keeps that specific goal alive for the season.

The discussion around the postseason has intensified as the College Football Playoff prepares to expand. The field is expected to grow from 12 to 24 teams as early as next season. This expansion is projected to eliminate many Power Four conference championship games. It will also disrupt the current bowl system. ESPN reports that the new tournament structure has not yet been finalized, but the shift is already driving conversations about fairness and format across the sport.

A separate national championship for the Group of Six has emerged as a popular proposal. This hypothetical tournament would feature teams from the Mountain West, Pac-12, Mid-American Conference, American Conference, Sun Belt, and Conference USA. The goal is to crown a champion outside the Power Four leagues. Data from On3 suggests strong support for this idea among coaches in these conferences. Of 69 Group of Six head coaches surveyed, 40 supported a separate playoff. Twenty-one opposed it, and nine offered no opinion.

Jason Eck, the second-year head coach at New Mexico, described his position as mixed. Speaking on Monday, Eck said he goes back and forth on the concept. He noted that the issue is a layered question because the specific format remains unknown. Eck said he responded to the On3 survey over the summer. He mentioned that many coaches want the season to start earlier, which creates scheduling challenges for television networks on New Year’s Day. Three playoff games are currently scheduled for that date in the 2026 cycle.

Eck proposed a potential solution to the scheduling conflict. He suggested that the Group of Six championship game could be played on New Year’s Day. He explained that if a Group of Six team qualifies for the expanded 24-team playoff and is eliminated early, it could serve as a bye in the separate tournament. Eck acknowledged a logical tension in the current proposal. He asked how a Group of Six team could be considered the champion if two of its conference peers make the national playoff. Eck stated that it is difficult to explain that outcome to fans.

The coach also addressed the future of bowl games. Eck said he likes the bowl system and hopes it continues to thrive despite the upcoming changes. He specifically mentioned traditional bowls like the Alamo Bowl, Gator Bowl, and Sun Bowl. He wondered if these events would be more willing to host Group of Six teams in the new landscape. Meanwhile, other coaches have taken firmer stances against the separate playoff. Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson was not contacted by On3 for the survey. Danielson believes the separate playoff muddies the waters. He said that if Boise State plays its part, it wants a shot at the national title in the College Football Playoff.

The Lobos face a critical test in Reno this week. New Mexico enters the game with a 7-1 record. Nevada has a 3-5 record. The outcome will determine the Lobos' standing in the College Football Playoff rankings. It will also influence the broader narrative surrounding the Group of Six in college football. The expansion to 24 teams guarantees a spot for the highest-ranked Group of Six participant. No Group of Six program has won a game in the College Football Playoff since it shifted to a 12-team format in 2024. The new structure aims to address that disparity.

Coaches in the Group of Six cite a resource gap as a primary reason for the proposal. Power Four teams have a 75-3 record against Group of Six opponents this season. An anonymous Group of Six coach told On3 that there is no realistic ability to win the national title in the current system. The separate playoff would provide a distinct championship for these conferences. The final format of the 24-team tournament is still pending. The decision will affect how the 2027 season is structured and which bowls remain viable. New Mexico's performance in Reno will be one data point in this ongoing debate.