Will Boise State claim a guaranteed spot in the expanded College Football Playoff?

Boise State football coach Spencer Danielson knows his team has a chance to make the kind of splash on the national stage this year that helped put the Broncos on the map when they beat Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl in 2007.

The College Football Playoff expands to 12 teams this year, ensuring spots to the five highest-ranked conference champions. The seven highest-ranked teams outside of that group will earn at-large bids.

“We know what we’re playing for,” Danielson said. “The goal is always to win a Mountain West championship, but this year, our players know they have a shot at a national championship.”

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The Broncos were picked to repeat as Mountain West champions at media days in July. Boise State is on the short list of Group of Five teams that have a chance to claim one of the five guaranteed playoff berths.

The Broncos added two former five-star recruits to the roster this year in quarterback Malachi Nelson and wide reeiver Chris Marshall. Several other transfers look as if they’ll fill positions of need, including cornerback Jeremiah Earby, wide receiver Cam Camper and defensive end Tavion Woodard.

Running back Ashton Jeanty has a chance to be the team’s first Heisman Trophy contender since former quarterback Kellen Moore finished No. 4 in the voting in 2010. The Broncos return four starters on the offensive line, and the defense is stocked with returning starters, including preseason Co-Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year Ahmed Hassanein, who posted 12.5 sacks last season.

The Broncos also have one of the top offensive minds in the game calling plays. Former Boise State and Arizona State head coach Dirk Koetter rejoined the staff as offensive coordinator in February. He spent time as offensive coordinator in the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons, and had a stint as the Buccaneers’ head coach.

The schedule could be the biggest hurdle for the Broncos in trying to claim that fifth automatic spot. They don’t play Mountain West rivals Fresno State or Air Force, but they will have to clash with last season’s conference runner-up UNLV. They also face what is sure to be an improved team from San Diego State and play at Wyoming in late November.

Boise State travels to Eugene to play Oregon in the second week of the season. The Ducks’ roster is full of returning starters and likely NFL Draft picks, and they’ll probably open the season ranked in the top five in the AP Poll. The Broncos also face Washington State and Oregon State, neither of which is likely to be as good as they were last year. Still, both rosters include enough Power Five talent that they won’t be pushovers.

Any more than two losses will all but eliminate the Broncos from playoff contention. Here’s a look at some more Group of Five teams poised to compete for one of the CFP’s guaranteed spots.

Liberty

Last season: 13-1, 8-0 Conference USA

Players to watch: QB Kaidon Salter rushed for 1,089 yards and threw 32 touchdown passes last season. RB Quinton Cooley posted 1,401 yards and 16 touchdowns on the ground. All-American safety Brylan Green intercepted five passes.

Summary: The Flames led the FBS last season with 293.3 rushing yards a game, and they’re the favorites to repeat as Conference USA champions. They should benefit from a cupcake of a schedule. Liberty’s toughest opponents are Appalachian State, UTEP and Jacksonville State. The Flames have a chance to finish the regular season undefeated again, which makes them one of the favorites to earn a playoff spot.

Memphis

Last season: 10-3, 6-2 American Athletic Conference

Players to watch: QB Seth Henigan ranked No. 4 in the FBS last year with 3,883 passing yards. WR Roc Taylor posted 1,083 receiving yards. WR Demer Blankumsee added 901 yards and a team-high seven receiving touchdowns.

Summary: The Tigers are the favorite to win the AAC title after returning seven starters on an offense that averaged 39.4 points a game last season. They will have to overcome a tough schedule that includes games at Florida State, USF, UTSA and Tulane.

Appalachian State

Last season: 9-5, 6-2 Sun Belt Conference

Players to watch: QB Joey Aguilar set program records last season with 3,757 yards and 33 touchdowns through the air. RB Kanye Roberts led the team with seven rushing touchdowns and ranked No. 2 for the Mountaineers with 696 rushing yards.

Summary: The Mountaineers return one of the most productive quarterbacks in the country and a trio of running backs who totaled almost 1,300 rushing yards last season. They fell to Troy in the Sun Belt title game and they’re a favorite to make it back to the championship game. They will have to overcome a schedule that includes a game at Clemson and home games against Liberty and James Madison.

Other G5 teams to watch: UNLV, UTSA, Tulane, Texas State.