Fansided

Group of 5 power rankings, Week 12: Top five holds steady

By Nathaniel Reeves

SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 14: Brett Rypien #4 of the Boise State Broncos throws the ball against the San Diego State Aztecs in the first half at SDCCU Stadium on October 14, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 14: Brett Rypien #4 of the Boise State Broncos throws the ball against the San Diego State Aztecs in the first half at SDCCU Stadium on October 14, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Kent Horner/Getty Images) /
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Fresno State’s Da’Mari Scott, left, is pursued by UNLV’s Dalton Baker, right, in first-half action on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, Calif. (Eric Paul Zamora/Fresno Bee/TNS via Getty Images)
Fresno State’s Da’Mari Scott, left, is pursued by UNLV’s Dalton Baker, right, in first-half action on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, Calif. (Eric Paul Zamora/Fresno Bee/TNS via Getty Images) /
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Fresno State Bulldogs

Last week: Def. Hawaii 31-21
Last rank: NR

The Bulldogs re-joined the rankings with a road win over Hawaii, and are now a step closer to winning the West Division, a remarkable accomplishment for the first year of the Jeff Tedford era.

After falling behind Hawaii 7-0 in the first quarter, Fresno State scored three second quarter touchdowns and controlled the action in a 31-21 win on Saturday night in Honolulu. Quarterback Marcus McMaryion overcame two rare interceptions with a season-high four touchdown passes, while the Bulldogs surrendered just 272 yards of offense.

As awful as a home loss to UNLV on Oct. 28 was, the Bulldogs have a strong resume otherwise, with their two other losses coming against Alabama and Washington. An impressive 27-3 win at San Diego State on Oct. 21 is not only a huge resume booster, but effectively gives the Bulldogs a two-game lead in the division with two games left to play.

Considering Fresno State was a woeful 1-11 last season, Tedford has done one of the best coaching jobs in college football with the rapid turnover. Saturday’s two picks aside, McMaryion has rarely made mistakes, and the Bulldogs have improved from 83rd to 15th nationally in scoring defense since last year.

While Tedford only needs to win one more game to clinch the division, the toughest stretch of Fresno State’s schedule awaits. The Bulldogs will travel to Laramie to take on Josh Allen and Wyoming this weekend.

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