Group of Five power rankings: UCF, Boise State vie for top honors

Group of Five power rankings: UCF, Boise State vie for top spot after Week 1

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 01: UCF Golden Knights quarterback McKenzie Milton (10) celebrates a touchdown during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl between the UCF Knights and the Auburn War Eagles on January 1, 2017 at Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – SEPTEMBER 01: Trace McSorley #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions rushes for a 12 yard touchdown in the first quarter against the Appalachian State Mountaineers on September 1, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

8. Troy Trojans (Sun Belt Conference): 0-1

The Trojans are ranked the lowest of the Sun Belt’s three teams because of their 56-20 Week 1 loss to Boise State.

Still, Neal Brown has elevated the program to a consistent contender in the Sun Belt Conference. They are a combined 21-5 the last two seasons after a 4-8 record in Brown’s first season in 2014. They earned national recognition with last year’s 24-21 upset of LSU in Baton Rouge.

The are led by a stiff defense that featured four players on the preseason Sun Belt first team: Defensive linemen Hunter Reese and Trevon Sanders, linebacker Tron Folsom, and defensive back Blace Brown.

They will be a tough challenge for Appalachian State and Arkansas State in the Sun Belt.

Up next: Saturday vs. Florida A&M.

7. Appalachian State Mountaineers (Sun Belt Conference): 0-1

Despite the loss, the most impressive performance by a team on this list might be the Mountaineers’ effort on the road last Saturday. Appalachian State gave Penn State all they could handle, scoring four touchdowns in the fourth quarter to take a 38-31 lead with 1:47 left.

Penn State tied the game with 42 seconds left when Trace McSorley hit KJ Hamler with a 15-yard touchdown pass. The Nittany Lions scored in four plays on the first possession in overtime. Appalachian State quarterback Zac Thomas then threw an interception on the Mountaineers possession to seal the loss.

Thomas had a good game besides the pick, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns.

The Mountaineers are one of the most consistent teams in the Group of 5. Head coach Scott Satterfield took over in 2013. They moved to the FBS level in 2014, and have won a bowl game all three years they’ve been eligible for postseason play.

They enter 2018 coming off back-to-back Sun Belt titles.

Up next: Saturday at Charlotte.

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