Fansided

Group of 5 power rankings: Can Cincinnati, USF pose a threat to UCF?

By Daniel Stave

CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 06: Kahlil Lewis #1 of the Cincinnati Bearcats leads team members out on the field before the game against the Tulane Green Wave at Nippert Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OH - OCTOBER 06: Kahlil Lewis #1 of the Cincinnati Bearcats leads team members out on the field before the game against the Tulane Green Wave at Nippert Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 5
Next
BOISE, ID – OCTOBER 6: Linebacker Kyahva Tezino #44 of the San Diego State Aztecs throws quarterback Brett Rypien #4 of the Boise State Broncos to the ground during second half action on October 6, 2018 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. San Diego State won the game 19-13. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images)
BOISE, ID – OCTOBER 6: Linebacker Kyahva Tezino #44 of the San Diego State Aztecs throws quarterback Brett Rypien #4 of the Boise State Broncos to the ground during second half action on October 6, 2018 at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, Idaho. San Diego State won the game 19-13. (Photo by Loren Orr/Getty Images) /

Two teams make big moves up the Group of Five power rankings entering Week 7 but no one is close to knocking off UCF for the top spot.

As we approach the midway point of the college football season, only 11 teams in the country remain undefeated. Only three of them come from Group of 5 conferences. UCF has been at the top for every week except one all season. This week, Cincinnati and South Florida continue their ascents by remaining in that club as it gets more and more exclusive.

The other shift in the rankings this week is they continue to get dominated more and more by two of the five-plus conferences. The Mountain West and American count for eight of the top ten. Only one team from the Sun Belt, MAC, or Conference-USA claims a spot, with the tenth an independent.

Honorable mention to Troy, Georgia Southern and Buffalo. All three only have one loss to quality teams and are worthy of a spot, but haven’t gotten their due credit thus far. North Texas falls out despite a close win to make room for more deserving teams.

Group of 5 power rankings

10. Boise State Broncos (Mountain West Conference) 3-2

Boise State hangs on to their spot in the rankings, barely, after suffering their second loss in their past three games. The Broncos struggled to move the ball against the Aztec defense, with only 229 yards of offense and 15 first downs.

The real problem, however, was turnovers. The Broncos committed three of them, along with a turnover-on-downs, that led to all13 of San Diego State’s first-half points. The Aztecs only drove 29 yards on those three possessions. As we’ll see later, San Diego St. is a quality team and there’s no shame in losing to them. But Boise St. needs to show something if they don’t want to fall out of the rankings next week.

Up next: Saturday at Nevada.

9. Army Knights (Independent) 3-2

The Knights had a bye in Week 6, one that was well-earned after two impressive performances. Most of their toughest tests are out of the way. Competitive contests with MAC foes Miami (OH) and Eastern Michigan remain, as well as armed services rivalries with Air Force and of course Navy in the season finale.

Up next: Saturday vs. San Jose State.

Home/College Football