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Group of 5 power rankings, Week 9: Cincinnati stumbles; Fresno State, Appalachian State cruise

By Daniel Stave

PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 20: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Cincinnati Bearcats throws a pass in the second quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field on October 20, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - OCTOBER 20: Desmond Ridder #9 of the Cincinnati Bearcats throws a pass in the second quarter against the Temple Owls at Lincoln Financial Field on October 20, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Group of 5
AMHERST, NY – SEPTEMBER 29: Tyree Jackson #3 of the Buffalo Bulls talks to a coach on the sideline during a game against the Army Black Knights at University at Buffalo Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Amherst, New York. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /

This week’s Group of Five power rankings sees Appalachian State take a big step toward dethroning UCF as USF and Cincinnati take a little drop after a narrow win and a loss, respectively.

Welcome to the most exclusive power rankings in college football. Many will rank the Power 5 conferences or the playoff contenders. But we like to give some attention to the schools that make up the Group of Five.

Group of 5 power rankings entering Week 9

10. Georgia Southern Eagles (6-1) Sun Belt Conference

One of the biggest surprise teams in the country makes their debut in the rankings this week. The Eagles are off to a 6-1 start– where their only loss was to Clemson–one year after going 2-10. Tyson Summers was fired as head coach after the team lost their first six games in 2017. Chad Lunsford took over and won a pair of games down the stretch. He was retained in the offseason and has Georgia Southern in the mix for the Sun Belt title.

The team uses a dynamic rushing attack that has produced NFL talents Jerick McKinnon and Matt Breida in recent years. They’ve rushed for almost four times as many yards as they’ve passed for in 2018. Sophomore Shai Werts has been in charge of running the offense. He leads the team with 491 yards passing and 542 rushing. Wesley Fields (472 rushing yards), Monteo Garrett (344) and Wesley Kennedy III (264) have also been key contributors. They have emerged as Appalachian State’s main challenger in the Sun Belt. Which sets up perfectly because the two teams face off Thursday night.

Up next: Thursday vs. Appalachian State.

9. Buffalo Bulls (7-1) Mid-American Conference

Buffalo takes a step forward this week with another win, this time a 31-17 comeback over Toledo. The Rockets used two long touchdowns to take a 17-7 lead at halftime. Buffalo couldn’t get anything to go right before intermission. Tyree Jackson threw three interceptions in the first half. The team also missed a field goal and turned the ball over on downs. But the Bulls dominated the second half, outscoring Toledo 24-0 to earn the win. Toledo finished with 295 yards of offense, 150 of which came on the two first-half scoring plays. The strangest stat of the game: Buffalo finished with 32 first downs, Toledo had only eight.

Up next: October 30 vs. Miami (OH).

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