Fresno State close to bypassing UCF as top Group of Five team
By Daniel Stave
6. UAB Blazers (Conference USA) 8-1
The Blazers move into the rankings this week after a 52-3 win over Texas-San Antonio. A Week 2 loss to Coastal Carolina kept them out of the rankings until this point, but they have now won seven in a row and are one of only six teams in the Group of 5 with less than two losses.
The win makes it two consecutive years in which UAB has won eight games. That is especially impressive considering the football program was cancelled for the 2015 and 2016 seasons. Head Coach Bill Clark was hired in 2014 and stayed with the program through its two cancelled seasons.
Senior Quarterback A.J. Erdely is a perfect example of the journey UAB has experienced in recent years. Erdely started his college career at Middle Tennessee where he redshirted as a freshman in 2013 and played sparingly in 2014 before transferred to Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College for the 2015 season. After sitting out the 2016 season, he came to UAB as the starter for the 2017 season.
In Birmingham, he’s thrown for 3,780 yards and has ran for 631 yards in 21 starts. The Blazers didn’t need Erdely in their big victory against UTSA. They are rolling this year, with only the one slip up. They are 6-0 in Conference USA play, and would clinch a spot in the Conference USA championship game with one more win.
Up next: Saturday vs. Southern Mississippi.
5. Cincinnati Bearcats (AAC) 8-1
Cincinnati moves up a few spots after a dominant 42-0 shutout of Navy. The Bearcats jumped back into the national polls with the win, placing at 25 in the AP poll and 23 in the Coaches’.
Cincinnati out-gained Navy 451-171 in total yards. The Bearcats used a balanced running game to do most of their damage. Charles McClelland (85 yards), Michael Warren II (68), Desmond Ridder (66), and Tavion Thomas (46) all got in on the act.
Interesting stat of the week: Navy quarterback Zack Abey had 28 rushes for 37 yards in the game.
Up next: Saturday vs. South Florida.