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

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

PROVO, UT - OCTOBER 05: Utah State Aggies quarterback Jordan Love (10) during a college football game between the Utah State Aggies and the BYU Cougars on October 5, 2018, at Lavell Edwards Stadium in Provo, Utah. (Photo by Boyd Ivey/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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BIRMINGHAM, AL – NOVEMBER 10: UAB Blazers running back Spencer Brown (28) runs for the game winning touchdown in overtime of the game between the UAB Blazers and the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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

The Bulls have nearly completed an undefeated run through the MAC in 2018. Their biggest challenge is a trip to Athens to battle the Ohio Bobcats Wednesday. The Bobcats are tied for second in the MAC East and are the only other team who could steal the division title from Buffalo.

Up next: Wednesday at Ohio.

5. Alabama-Birmingham Blazers (Conference USA) 9-1

UAB did not have an easy time at home last week against Southern Miss. Blazers’ starting quarterback A.J. Erdely missed his game due to injury. While backup Tyler Johnston III was effective in moving the offense in the 52-3 win over UTSA in Week 10, the Blazers failed to find the same success in Johnston’s second start. He barely completed 50 percent of his passes and threw three interceptions on the day. USM was up 13-0 until Johnston had a one-yard touchdown run in the final minute of the first half.

The Blazers owned the third quarter with 13 unanswered points of their own to take a 20-13 lead. Southern Miss. tied the game with a touchdown with 7:09 remaining in the 4th quarter. Both teams had chances to win the game in regulation, but each threw interceptions in the final minute.

USM connected on a field goal on the first possession of overtime to give the Eagles a three-point lead. But then UAB Running back Spencer Brown, who was held in check for most of the game, finally took over on the Blazers’ overtime possession. Brown broke a 17-yard run to the end zone to lock up the victory.

The win gets UAB into the top 25 of the Coaches Poll.

Up next: Saturday at Texas A&M.

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