Group of 5 power rankings, Week 8: UCF, USF avoid upsets

MEMPHIS, TN - OCTOBER 13: Joey Connors #91 of the Central Florida Knights celebrates at the end of the game against the Memphis Tigers on October 13, 2018 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Central Florida defeated Memphis 31-30. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /

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MEMPHIS, TN – OCTOBER 13: McKenzie Milton #10 of the Central Florida Knights looks to pass as Cole Schneider #65 blocks for him against the Memphis Tigers on October 13, 2018 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Central Florida defeated Memphis 31-30. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) /

2. Appalachian State Mountaineers (Sun Belt Conference) 4-1

What was supposed to be a tough conference test turned in to a statement win for the Mountaineers. That statement is there isn’t much competition for them in the Sun Belt Conference. Arkansas State was selected as the favorites for their division in the preseason Sun Belt projections. Appalachian State went to Jonesboro and beat the Red Wolves 35-9.

The news wasn’t all good for the Mountaineers, unfortunately. Starting running back Jalin Moore broke his ankle on a 27-yard touchdown run and will be forced to miss the rest of the season. Darrynton Evans stepped in for Moore. Evans led the team with 115 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown of his own. While the road ahead looks promising, Georgia Southern and Troy could challenge the Mountaineers down the stretch.

Up next: Saturday vs. Louisiana-Lafayette.

1. Central Florida Knights (AAC) 6-0

After winning each of their first five games by at least 20 points, UCF was tested Saturday like they hadn’t been all season. Memphis’ offense, featuring the nation’s leading rusher in Darrell Henderson, scored on all six of their first half possessions. The Knights found themselves trailing 30-17 at the half after giving up 354 yards of offense to Memphis.

The second half was a different story. The defense showed up, holding the Tigers scoreless after the intermission. Taj McGowan ran for a 71-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-1 in the third quarter. Two possessions later, quarterback McKenzie Milton led the offense on an eight-play, 74-yard drive to take a 31-30 lead. The win keeps the Knights in the top 10 nationally in both AP and Coaches’ polls.

Up next: Saturday at East Carolina.

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