The preconceived notion is the Power Five is better than the Group of Five, and the best Power Five conference is the SEC. So, No. 7 Auburn should handle No. 12 Central Florida easily... right? In the words of College GameDay host Lee Corso, “Not so fast!”

The inaugural bowl game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium pits one of the best offenses in the country against one of the best defenses. Don't count out the Group of Five, they have surprised a lot of people in the last couple years. Plus, UCF is no stranger to winning as double-digit underdogs. Here are five reasons why this New Year's Day matchup will be closer than experts think.

> Also: 5 reasons to watch Peach Bowl

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In his first season as USF men's basketball coach, Amir Abdur-Rahim led the Bulls to a 25-8 record and the American Athletic Conference regular-season title. (Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times 2024)

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University of Georgia students are seen entering and leaving the main Library on the Athens campus on Monday, Sept. 8, 2025. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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