Fresno State close to bypassing UCF as top Group of Five team
By Daniel Stave
As we enter the final stretch of the season, many of our top ten teams are seeking division and conference titles. With a lot of match-ups among top team left, it will be an exciting last few weeks in the Group of 5.
Week 10 was a lighter week in the Group of 5. None of the top ten squared off against each other after there were two such games in Week 9. That didn’t mean it was an easy week for every team, as a pair of teams suffered disappointing upsets. The losses dropped them in the rankings and hurt their chances to earn a shot at their conference titles.
On the bright side, this week sees the debut of a program that has gone through more adversity than almost any other in college football in recent years.
Let’s get to the rankings.
Group of 5 Power Rankings entering Week 11
10. South Florida Bulls (American Athletic Conference) 7-2
After being one of the country’s last five undefeated teams, the Bulls suffered their second straight loss in Week 10. The Bulls were surprisingly blown out at home by Tulane, 41-15.
USF seemingly failed to show up, scoring only 3 points in the first 44 minutes of the game. They gave up 365 yards rushing to the Green Wave.
The loss drops the Bulls to 3-2 in conference play. They will have to bounce back immediately, as they face the top three teams in the AAC East–Cincinnati, Temple, and Central Florida– down the stretch.
Up next: Saturday at Cincinnati.
9. San Diego State Aztecs (Mountain West Conference) 7-2
Despite the return of two prominent starters, the Aztecs had a hard time putting away the now 3-6 New Mexico Lobos in Week 10.
Quarterback Christian Chapman did not start the game but entered the game in the second quarter. Chapman had been out since the second game of the season with knee injury but played well in his return. He completed 13 of his 19 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown.
Running back Juwan Washington had missed the previous four games after breaking his clavicle. He led the team with 95 yards rushing and two scores, including a 50-yard touchdown run.
Washington did, however, lose a fumble. It was one of three loose balls the Aztecs coughed up and New Mexico recovered. The three turnovers led to 17 Lobo points. That allowed New Mexico to take a 23-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.
The Aztec offense woke up after that, scoring on their next three possessions, including Washington’s run, to take a 31-23 lead with less than two minutes left. They would close it out from there.
Up next: Saturday vs. UNLV.