spot this year. Every third year based on how the NY6 bowls rotate, there is only 1 at large spot. This is due to the fact that there are 3 of the NY6 bowls that are obligated by contract to use teams from specific conferences. The other 3 don't have conference tie ins. This year, 2 of the 3 non-contracted bowls are hosting the semi-final games of the 4 team playoff. That eliminates 4 of the at-large spots. The last non-contracted bowl has to take the highest ranked G5 conference champion, leaving one slot for an at-large team. If you run scenarios and slot teams into the bowls based on conference tie-ins, it look like you'd need to be ranked at least #8 this year.

In other years there can be up to 5 at large spots. Hypothetically, you can be ranked as low as 12 to make a NY6 bowl in those years.