Group of 5 power rankings week 13; UCF makes CFP case with dominant win in primetime
By Daniel Stave
2. Utah State Aggies (MWC) 10-1
After weeks of dominant wins, Utah State may have been caught looking ahead in Week 12. The normally high-powered Aggie offense didn’t score an offensive touchdown for the first 59 minutes of the game. They were outgained 506-310 in total yards by now 3-8 Colorado State.
Defense and special teams picked up the slack. Kicker Dominik Eberle made all three of his field goal attempts, and Aaron Wade and Jontrell Jocquemore both returned interceptions for touchdowns.
USU trailed 24-23 with 1:36 left in the 4th when they took over at their own 29-yard line. Jordan Love led the team down the field in 53 seconds, capped off with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Aaren Vaughns to go ahead 29-24.
Even after that, Colorado St. drove down the field and completed a Hail Mary as time expired. But Preston Williams, who caught the pass for the Rams, stepped out of bounds on his way down the sideline and was called for an illegal touching penalty, negating the touchdown and giving the Aggies the win.
Up next: Saturday at Boise State.
1. Central Florida Knights (AAC) 10 – 0
The Knights took care of business in a big way in the biggest moment of the season for the Group of 5. While the victory was not as decisive as the final score makes it look, UCF still proved to be a step above the rest of the Group of 5. Cincinnati has been one of the top Group of 5 teams for most of the season.
McKenzie Milton threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns despite completing only 13 of his 25 passes. Taj McGowan, Greg McCrae, and Adrian Killins Jr. led a balanced rushing attack, combining for 118 yards on only 18 carries.
Killins was also a weapon in the passing game with 82 yards on four catches and two touchdowns. Tre Nixon barely edged Killins in receiving yards, with 83 and a score on only two catches.
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The win moved the Knights up three spots in the AP poll, and two in the Coaches’ poll. What UCF is really hoping for is a boost in the College Football Playoff rankings, where they were ranked 12 last week. Some losses by the teams ahead of them would help as well.
Up next: Friday at South Florida.