The CFP Era · 2014–present

New Mexico State

Twelve seasons in three acts · Conference USA

46–91Record
33.6%Win %
0National titles
2023Peak season
14Avg. percentile
2NFL draftees

The three-act trajectory

Within-season power percentile against the FBS cohort, season by season.

FOUNDINGTRANSITIONEXPANSION02550751001415161718192122232425Peak of the era2023 · 10–5Steepest fall2024
Source CFB Zeitgeist · power ratings
Founding2014–2020

The four-team Playoff era. The bracket is small, the margin for error none.

20–53 · avg percentile 11
Transition2021–2023

The last seasons before expansion — NIL arrives, the portal opens, the four-team format ends.

19–21 · avg percentile 29
Expansion2024–present

The twelve-team Playoff. A wider field changes what a season has to prove.

7–17 · avg percentile 2

Defining games

Coaches of the era

Doug Martin2014–2017
Doug Martin2021–2021
Jerry Kill2022–2023
Tony Sanchez2024–2025

Roster of the era

2 players drafted into the NFL across the CFP era.

117
119

Entering Year 13

The 2026 season opens the next chapter of the expansion era under Tony Sanchez. See the 2014–2025 program page →