Fansided

Group of 5 power rankings week 13; UCF makes CFP case with dominant win in primetime

By Daniel Stave

ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Adrian Killins Jr. #9 of the UCF Knights runs in a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats on November 17, 2018 at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Adrian Killins Jr. #9 of the UCF Knights runs in a touchdown during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats on November 17, 2018 at Spectrum Stadium in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 17: Anthony Russo #15 of the Temple Owls looks to pass the ball in the second quarter against the South Florida Bulls at Lincoln Financial Field on November 17, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – NOVEMBER 17: Anthony Russo #15 of the Temple Owls looks to pass the ball in the second quarter against the South Florida Bulls at Lincoln Financial Field on November 17, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

8. Temple Owls (American Athletic Conference) 7-4

The Owls make their debut in the top 10 after beating Houston and South Florida in consecutive weeks. The team is now 6-1 in AAC play, with their only conference loss to Central Florida.

The team has come a long way since the first few weeks of the season. The Owls lost their first two games to Villanova and Buffalo, and senior quarterback Frank Nutile suffered an undisclosed injury.

Sophomore Anthony Russo stepped in and led the team to a 35-14 win over Maryland the next week. While he has been somewhat up and down, the team stuck with him even after Nutile was healthy. Russo threw for a career-high 444 yards in a loss to UCF Nov. 1.

The cornerstone of the offense has been senior running back Ryquell Armstead. Armstead has 1042 yards rushing on the season, including 210 and six touchdowns in the 59-49 win over Houston in Week 11.

Up next: Saturday at UConn.

7. Alabama-Birmingham Blazers (Conference USA) 9-2

UAB’s dream season hit a small setback last week, as the Blazers suffered a 41-20 loss on the road at Texas A&M. While they fell out of the Top 25, the team has already set a school record with nine wins.

The team will have three chances to add to that total with this weekend’s regular season finale, the Conference USA championship, and a bowl game. Plenty is still at stake in the matchup this weekend. A UAB win means the Blazers will host the conference championship game, while their opponent Middle Tennessee has to win to have a chance to win the CUSA East.

If Middle Tennessee wins and Florida International loses (who MT is tied with), UAB would travel back to Middle Tennessee for the conference title game.

Up next: Saturday at Middle Tennessee.

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