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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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ANNAPOLIS, MD – SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Ken Niumatalolo of the Navy Midshipmen looks on against the Tulane Green Wave at Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
ANNAPOLIS, MD – SEPTEMBER 09: Head coach Ken Niumatalolo of the Navy Midshipmen looks on against the Tulane Green Wave at Navy-Marine Corp Memorial Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Annapolis, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Navy Midshipmen

Last week: Def. SMU 43-40
Last rank: NR

Even in a relative down year, the Midshipmen are one of the best teams in the Group of Five and earned their best victory of the season over the weekend.

Navy built a 34-11 lead over SMU at the half on Saturday in Annapolis, only to see the Mustangs reel off 29 points in the second half to tie things at 40 late. Little-used junior Anthony Gargiulo then broke off two long runs in the final moments to lead Navy down to the goal line, and J.R. Osborn drilled an 18-yard field goal as time expired to cap one of the wildest games of the season.

Now at 6-3 with a pair of good wins over Florida Atlantic and SMU, Navy is headed to a bowl game for the ninth time in 10 years under Ken Niumatalolo. The Midshipmen played the G5’s two best teams in Memphis and UCF tougher than anybody this season, leaving a 34-26 loss at Temple two weeks ago as the only real head-scratcher on their resume.

Niumatalolo’s decision to move Malcolm Perry from slot back to quarterback in place of the injured Zach Abey paid off, as the sophomore went off for 282 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries to key the win over the Mustangs. While Navy’s defense is struggling mightily for the second straight year, the Midshipmen have made up for it by averaging 5.9 yards per rush, and might have yet another option with Gargiulo emerging.

Navy’s fate during a difficult stretch run will be determined by the health of Abey and Perry, both of whom are questionable for Saturday’s showdown with Notre Dame. While the Midshipmen are out of the New Year’s Six race, they would love nothing more than to end the Fighting Irish’s major bowl hopes this weekend in South Bend.

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