Group of Five power rankings: UCF, Boise State vie for top spot after Week 1
By Daniel Stave
4. Florida Atlantic Owls (Conference USA): 0-1
After an 11-3 debut season in 2017, Lane Kiffin’s Owls had a far from ideal start to their 2018 season. FAU traveled to Norman and got blasted 63-14 by Oklahoma.
Running back Devin Singletary ran for 1,920 yards last year but was held to 69 on 18 carries against the Sooners.
“I’d be shocked if there’s a better team in the country than what I saw today,” Kiffin said after the game, via ESPN.
Don’t be surprised if the Owls bounce back though. Last year they started 1-3 before winning all eight of their conference games. They then went on to defeat Akron 50-3 in the Boca Raton Bowl.
Up next: Saturday vs. Air Force.
3. Memphis Tigers (American Athletic Conference): 1-0
Mike Norvell entered his third year as the Tigers’ head coach looking to replace some key pieces off last year’s 10-3 squad. Both quarterback Riley Ferguson and wide receiver Anthony Miller have moved on to the NFL.
Norvell had a competition to decide which quarterback would take over his offense. Graduate transfer Brady White earned the job over David Moore, who later transferred from the program.
White made it clear he was the better choice last week, throwing for 358 yards and five touchdowns in just the first half of the 66-14 win over Mercer.
Memphis will look to challenge UCF in the American this year. They received votes in both polls to open the season, but not enough to reach the top 25.
Up next: Saturday at Navy