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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JONESBORO, AR – DECEMBER 02: Arkansas State (15) Justice Hansen (QB) looks to pass in the game between the Arkansas State University Red Wolves and the Troy Trojans on December 2nd, 2017 at Cetennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Ar. (Photo by John Bunch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

6. Arkansas State Red Wolves (Sun Belt Conference): 1-0

The Sun Belt has gained respect over the last few years, and they have three of the nation’s top Group of 5 contenders. Arkansas State gets the highest spot on the list as they were the only one of the three to win their opening game in 2018.

The Red Wolves won handily against Southeast Missouri last week by a score of 48-21. Returning Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Year Justice Hansen threw for six touchdowns and 423 yards. The offense should continue to light up scoreboards under head coach Blake Anderson.

Balance is the key to the offense, as 11 different players caught at least two passes in the season opener.

Up next: Saturday at Alabama.

5. Fresno State Bulldogs (Mountain West Conference): 1-0

Jeff Tedford is another second-year coach who seems to be building up a program quickly. In 2017, Fresno State went 10-4 with a win over Houston in the Hawaii Bowl. Two of the losses were to playoff teams in Washington and Alabama.

The Bulldogs opened 2018 with a dominant 79-13 win over Idaho. They did whatever they wanted against the Vandals. Senior quarterback Marcus McMaryion threw for 207 yards. The team ran for 239 yards total, with six different players rushing for at least 28. Wide receiver KeeSean Johnson, might be the team’s biggest standout. He had 118 of the team’s 247 receiving yards.

Fresno St. also got it done on special teams, with two blocked field goals. Defensive back Jaron Bryant recovered both blocked kicks–one for 74 yards and the other for 71–and returned them for touchdowns.

Up next: Saturday at Minnesota

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