Group of 5 power rankings: Boise State opens door for SMU to reach New Year’s Six bowl

The new Group of 5 power rankings has a new No. 1 with Boise State going down, but will it be undefeated SMU who takes the top spot?

Boise State had the clearest path to a New Year’s Six bowl of any Group of 5 team this season. If they won out they very likely would have gone, unfortunately, they slipped up to BYU on the road. Now that they have lost, the American Athletic Conference champion has the best claim.

However, since the American is one of the most competitive conferences in college football, it would be a surprise if these teams didn’t cannibalize each other (think Pac-12 lite). The Group of 5’s hopes for a major bowl berth likely went down with the Broncos in Utah this Saturday.

Group of 5 power rankings entering Week 9

10. Temple Owls

Temple’s 45-21 loss to SMU this weekend could have been entirely different had defensive back Christian Braswell’s scoop and score not been overturned. This would have put the Owls down by three entering the second half. Instead, SMU kept the ball and took a 24-7 lead seconds later. The Owls can whine all they want about bad luck, but their usual stingy defense gave up 45 points to a high-powered SMU offense (I bet no one’s typed that sentence since Dickerson was in the Mustangs’ backfield). Temple has a huge test next week as they take on UCF.

9. Utah State Aggies

The Aggies got back on track with a total annihilation of Nevada this weekend. With snow falling, running back Gerold Bright put on a show, rushing for 126 yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries. Utah State is one of the more intriguing teams in the country. They have just two losses, both to Power 5 schools, and one of the most coveted quarterback prospects in Jordan Love. We will have a much better grasp of what type of team the Aggies are as they take on Air Force this weekend.

8. Tulane Green Wave

I had such high hopes for Tulane this season. I talked them up as a dark horse New Year’s Six contender, and then Memphis made me look like a total fool. The Green Wave had no answer for the Tigers offense, surrendering 47 points and over 450 yards of offense. Their schedule doesn’t allow them a rest this week either as they take on Navy’s triple-option offense and strong defense.

7. UCF Knights

UCF came out of their bye week and beat ECU 41-28. While a win is a win, they really should have blown the Pirates out of the water. The Knights travel to Philly and take on Temple this weekend, who will be looking to erase an embarrassing loss to Memphis. UCF still has a chance to win the American Conference, but they will likely have to run the table to do so.

6. Navy Midshipmen

Navy has one of the hardest remaining schedules for a Group of 5 school. They take on Tulane, Notre Dame, SMU and of course Army in their last six games. They’re in the same boat as UCF, they just easily dispatched an inferior opponent, but now are facing a team coming off an embarrassing loss in Tulane. With only one loss in conference play, the Midshipmen remain in the American Athletic Conference title race.

5. Memphis Tigers

The Tigers showed exactly why they’re one of the most dangerous teams in the country last weekend against Tulane. Brady White threw for five touchdowns and Kenneth Gainwell became the first player in Memphis history to have 200 yards receiving and 100 yards rushing. Now Memphis has a tune-up game vs Tulsa and a bye before taking on SMU on November 16th.

4. Boise State Broncos

And down goes the Group of 5’s best hope for a New Year’s Six bid. The Broncos lost to BYU (and a third-string quarterback) this weekend after pulling within three points late in the fourth quarter. For Boise State to even be considered for a major bowl, they would have to absolutely blow out every remaining opponent this season. It’s possible but unlikely.

3. Appalachian State Mountaineers

The Mountaineers absolutely dominated Louisiana Monroe last Saturday, winning by 45 points. Their next two games, at South Alabama and at home vs Georgia Southern, should be viewed as tune-up games before a huge showdown vs South Carolina. A win against the Gamecocks would put Appalachian State in the conversation for a New Year’s Six bowl bid.

2. SMU Mustangs

SMU has improved every week this season. Following a triple-overtime win that showed grit, they come out and blow out a good Temple team at home. Next up for them is a depleted Houston Cougars squad, followed by a trip to Memphis for a highly anticipated matchup with Houston. An undefeated SMU and an undefeated Appalachian State would be an interesting debate for the selection committee. Personally, I would give the nod to the Mustangs because the American is much tougher than the Sun Belt.

1. Cincinnati

Cincinnati handled Tulsa at home this weekend, and are carrying a five-game win streak into their bye week. Their 42-0 loss to Ohio State is looking (and I know this sounds insane) better and better each week. They should coast through their next four weeks until a matchup with Temple.

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