College football bowl season is not only a showcase of the best teams in the country—it's also an opportunity for the "Group of Five" programs to make a statement on a national stage.
Group of Five conferences have grown savvier about finding ways to draw attention, whether it's scheduling games during the middle of the week, carving out a social media foothold or another innovative approach.
Still, casual fans may not be all that excited about watching Western Michigan play Kent State on a Tuesday night.
A bowl game isn't necessarily a magic wand a Group of Five team can wave to remedy the problem, but it can provide a school with a nice boost in prestige and recognition.