Group of 5 rankings: Can Cincinnati, Memphis hold off Boise State for New Year’s 6 bid?

The Group of 5 rankings sees a pair of teams from the American Athletic Conference trying to hold off Boise State for the New Year’s 6 bowl bid.

We’re getting to the point where very few things would surprise me in the Group of 5. However, the USF Bulls almost pulled off a huge upset last weekend that would have shaken the Group of 5 to the core. Fortunately for the Bearcats, they fell just short and Cincinnati survives to see another day. The rest of the top four stays the same, and Appalachian State slides into the top 5 after Navy was utterly demolished in South Bend.

10. FAU Owls

Welcome to the rankings, FAU! Lane Kiffin, I’m sorry Joey Freshwater, has managed to build a program that competes for the C-USA title consistently over the last three seasons. Freshman Malcolm Davis had a breakout game last week against FIU, rushing for 144 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Chris Robinson has been consistent all season, throwing for over 2,500 yards, 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions. After losing their first two games of the season, the Owls are riding a three-game win streak and have won seven of their last eight and, if Marshall slips up, could challenge for the C-USA title.

9. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns

The Ragin’ Cajuns took care of business last week against the University of South Alabama, coming away with a 37-27 win. Elijah Mitchell had 137 total yards in the victory. Quarterback Levi Lewis was steady yet again, throwing for 136 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Look for the Cajuns to keep the ball on the ground and away from Troy in their next game. Barring a shock loss in their last two games, Louisiana should finish 10-2.

8. UCF Knights

UCF had a bye last weekend, which should give them a nice edge over Tulane. However, I’m not as high on the Knights as ESPN’s FPI which gives UCF a 74 percent chance to win this upcoming matchup. While Tulane has been disappointing these last couple of weeks, UCF has been disappointing all year. I think the Knights should be on upset alert this weekend.

7. Air Force Falcons

Air Force easily beat Colorado State in Fort Collins last weekend. Quarterback Donald Hammond III ran for one touchdown and threw for a season-high three touchdowns in the win. The Falcons should easily win their last two games against New Mexico and Wyoming, coasting to a great 10-2 record.

6. Navy Midshipmen

Last week I predicted an upset for the Midshipmen against the Fighting Irish. I could not have been more wrong. Navy was utterly destroyed in a manner that I have not seen in quite some time on Saturday. The game was actually much worse than the final score indicated, as the Irish pulled Ian Book halfway through the third quarter while up 45-3. The Midshipmen couldn’t contain Chase Claypool, as the veteran wide receiver accounted for four total touchdowns. The schedule certainly doesn’t get any easier coming up, as Navy hosts SMU this weekend.

5. Appalachian State Mountaineers

If Appalachian State didn’t have a horrific loss to Georgia Southern three weeks ago, they’d be in the driver’s seat for a New Year’s Six bowl bid. Instead, they are on the outside looking in, even after a 56-27 win over Georgia State. Quarterback Zac Thomas had another great game, accounting for five total touchdowns. He’s been the key to this offense and will likely put up big numbers in their last two games against Texas State and Troy.

4. SMU Mustangs

The Mustangs had a bye last weekend, which should be extremely helpful against a Navy team coming off a crushing loss. The Fighting Irish tore up the Midshipmen, and I would not be surprised to see SMU do the same. Look for Shane Buechele to have a huge game this weekend in Annapolis.

3. Memphis Tigers

Memphis followed up a huge win against SMU by easily beating the Houston Cougars 45-27. After going down 10 points in the first quarter, Memphis regained the lead and never looked back. Quarterback Brady White had another great outing, throwing for 341 yards and five touchdowns and is playing like one of the best quarterbacks in the country you aren’t paying enough attention to. Their showdown against Cincinnati is shaping up to be the biggest game in the Group of 5 this season.

2. Boise State Broncos

Boise State is starting to run up the score on opponents, trying to prove they should earn a spot in the New Year’s Six bowls. They managed to beat New Mexico 42-9 with their third-string quarterback under center, and they did it on the back of a great defense. The first play of the game was a scoop and score and never gave the Lobos a chance, going up 28-0 in the first quarter.

1. Cincinnati Bearcats

The Bearcats survived last weekend, only beating South Florida with a last-second field goal. Cincinnati rescued their New Year’s Six bowl hopes after going down 10 points at half time. Desmond Ridder was quiet most of the game but put together a 60-yard drive to win the game. As I said before, their matchup with Memphis will be the biggest Group of 5 game this season.

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