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Group of 5 power rankings – Week 4: San Diego State rises to the top

By Nathaniel Reeves

SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: San Diego State Aztecs fans rush the field after the San Diego State Aztecs defeated the Stanford Cardinal 20-17 in a game at Qualcomm Stadium on September 16, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - SEPTEMBER 16: San Diego State Aztecs fans rush the field after the San Diego State Aztecs defeated the Stanford Cardinal 20-17 in a game at Qualcomm Stadium on September 16, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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RENO, NV – SEPTEMBER 09: Quarterback Logan Woodside #11 of the Toledo Rockets hands the ball off to running back Art Thompkins #33 of the Toledo Rockets to run against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second quarter at Mackay Stadium on September 9, 2017, in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images)
RENO, NV – SEPTEMBER 09: Quarterback Logan Woodside #11 of the Toledo Rockets hands the ball off to running back Art Thompkins #33 of the Toledo Rockets to run against the Nevada Wolf Pack during the second quarter at Mackay Stadium on September 9, 2017, in Reno, Nevada. (Photo by Jonathan Devich/Getty Images) /
8

Appalachian State Mountaineers

Last week: Def. Texas State 20-13
Last rank: 8

The Mountaineers will gladly take their second straight win to move to 2-1 on the season, but still, have some questions to answer before they move further up the power rankings.

Appalachian State fell 10 points behind one of the Sun Belt’s worst teams in Texas State before struggling its way to a 20-13 victory at Bobcat Stadium. Through their two games against FBS opponents, including a 31-10 loss to Georgia, the Mountaineers are averaging just 4.6 yards per play, and have been wholly ineffective through the air.

Still, there’s enough talent and upside on Appalachian State’s roster to justify the No. 8 ranking, and the Mountaineers have won at least 10 games in each of the past two years for a reason. The Mountaineers should remain stout defensively and have a good running back in Terrance Upshaw, but veteran quarterback Taylor Lamb needs to play better against the likes of Texas State.

Next week’s contest will provide another challenge for Lamb, as the Mountaineers will host a Wake Forest Demon Deacons team that is allowing just nine points per game in its 3-0 start.

7

Toledo Rockets

Last week: Def. Tulsa 54-51
Last rank: 9

Another big nonconference win behind an explosive offensive performance helped Toledo jump to No. 7 and maintain its status as the top-ranked team in the MAC.

In their toughest game of the season, the Rockets erased a three-touchdown deficit against Tulsa before winning 54-51 on a field goal by Jameson Vest as time expired. Jason Candle’s offense piled up 679 total yards and got six touchdowns from quarterback Logan Woodside, four of which were on passes of at least 49 yards.

Toledo is averaging 7.2 yards per play to rank eighth in the nation, and its offense was too much for Elon and Nevada in easy wins to open the season. Woodside has been fantastic with 11 yards per attempt and eight touchdowns to one interception through three games, while Cody Thompson ranks fourth nationally in receiving yards.

The Rockets will get their toughest test of the season on Saturday with a trip to Miami but may be able to come out fast against a Hurricanes team that hasn’t played since Sept. 7.

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