Group of 5 rankings: Could Utah State steal UCF’s New Year’s Six bowl?

8. Boise State Broncos (Mountain West Conference) 8-2

Boise State moves back into the top ten, as well as the national rankings, by knocking off Fresno State on the blue turf last Friday. The Broncos earned rankings of 23 in the AP poll and 24 in the Coaches’.

It initially looked like Fresno State was in control, as they held a 17-3 lead in the third quarter. But the Broncos got their offense going from there, driving for touchdowns on each of their next three drives. Alexander Mattison finished off the first two with touchdown runs. Mattison finished with 30 rushes for 144 yards in the game.

The last drive was punctuated with a big play. Khalil Shakir blew past his defender and Brett Rypien hit him for a 49-yard score to give Boise State a lead they would hang on to.

Up next: Friday at New Mexico.

7. Fresno State Bulldogs (MWC) 8-2

Fresno State was up against a tall task last Friday at Boise, facing a Broncos team that needed a win to keep up in the Mountain West race. The Bulldogs seemed to be in control when they took a 17-3 lead early in the third quarter. It appeared they would win their eighth-straight game and remain unbeaten in Mountain West play.

Unfortunately, their defense–which had allowed only 53 points in the previous six games–let them down. Boise State’s offense scored touchdowns on their next three possessions to take a 24-17 lead. Fresno State had two chances to respond and was able to move the ball into the plus side of the field both times. But the Broncos blocked Asa Fuller’s 50-yard field goal attempt on the first possession and were stopped on downs on their last drive..

Up next: Saturday vs. San Diego State.