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Group of 5 power rankings, Week 5: Can anyone hang with UCF?

By Daniel Stave

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 21: UCF Knights quarterback McKenzie Milton (10) throws a pass during the football game between the visiting FAU Owls and the UCF Knights on September 21, 2018, at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 21: UCF Knights quarterback McKenzie Milton (10) throws a pass during the football game between the visiting FAU Owls and the UCF Knights on September 21, 2018, at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Jordan Cronkrite #2 of the South Florida Bulls follows his blockers during the fourth quarter of the game against the East Carolina Pirates at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr./Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL SEPTEMBER 22: Running back Jordan Cronkrite #2 of the South Florida Bulls follows his blockers during the fourth quarter of the game against the East Carolina Pirates at Raymond James Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr./Getty Images) /

This week’s Group of Five power rankings sees The UCF Knights strengthen their hold on the top spot after a convincing win over Florida Atlantic.

The field continues to get more muddled four weeks in. Performances against Power 5 opponents have to be compared to matchups with FCS opponents. Looking at game stats at box scores does not always give you the best picture of how good a team is. I am looking forward to conference play getting going so the teams start to sort this out for themselves.

This week, 15 teams were in strong consideration for spots in the top 10. Honorable mention to Buffalo, who moved to 4-0 with a decisive 42-13 victory over Rutgers. Army also deserves mention as they gave Oklahoma a score in Norman. The Sooners needed overtime to finally dispatch the Knights.

Cincinnati, Arkansas State, and Memphis also just missed inclusion, but are worthy teams who could see themselves rising if other teams falter.

Let’s get to the countdown.

Group of 5 power rankings entering Week 5

10. South Florida Bulls (American Athletic Conference) 4-0

It’s a steep drop for USF, barely staying in the rankings after coming in at four last week. The Bulls didn’t lose over the weekend, but they were outplayed in a lot of ways by East Carolina.

The Pirates had 24 first downs to only 9 by the Bulls. ECU had 412 total yards, USF had only 296.

The Bulls were saved by two long touchdown plays that accounted for almost half of their total yardage in the game. Darnell Salomon caught a 66-yard touchdown pass from Blake Barnett in the second quarter to give South Florida a 13-7 lead. Jordan Cronkite broke an 80-yard touchdown run in the fourth, that ended up being the decisive score.

Up next: Oct. 6 at Massachusetts.

9. San Diego State Aztecs (Mountain West Conference) 3-1

The Aztecs also fell in the rankings despite winning in Week 4. They eked out a 23-20 victory over Eastern Michigan in overtime.

San Diego St. played well early, taking a 17-3 lead with 9:03 left in the first half after Ryan Agnew threw his second touchdown pass of the day.

EMU pulled within seven just before halftime when quarterback Mike Glass III ran for a two-yard touchdown. They tied it at 17 with 8:15 left in the third when Glass hit Arther Jackson III with a 37-yard scoring pass.

The team exchanged field goals in the final minutes to send it to overtime 20-20.

Glass threw an interception to Darren Hall on the Eagles’ first possession in the extra period. All the Aztecs had to do was run for four yards before John Baron II won the game with a 38-yard field goal.

Up next: Oct. 6 at Boise St.

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