Group of 5 power rankings: Memphis in line for New Year’s 6 berth, but Boise State looms large

It’s Championship Weekend folks, and there are several Group of 5 teams fighting for a New Year’s Six Bowl Bid. Who will come out on top and take the coveted bid?

This weekend is wildly important for the Group of 5 as three teams realistically have a shot to get in: Boise State, Cincinnati and Memphis. The Committee would have a tough time picking between these three teams, especially if the Bearcats take revenge on the Tigers. Now that the season is almost over, these rankings are close to being final, but we’ve still got some football to play.

10. FAU Owls

After losing their first two games of the season to Ohio State and UCF, the Owls have won nine of their last ten matchups. The lone loss? A five-point defeat against Marshall. Last weekend the Owls trounced Southern Miss at home, setting up a matchup against UAB in the C-USA championship game. The Owls should be able to easily dispatch the Blazers and secure a solid bowl game.

9. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns

The Ragin’ Cajuns have certainly closed out their season on a high note, ripping off six straight wins. Not all of them came easily, the margins of victory varied from one point to fifty points. Last week was the nail biter, as Lafayette squeaked out a one-point victory against Louisiana Monroe. Quarterback Levi Lewis was solid yet again, going 15 of 23 for 270 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Still, the Cajuns needed a missed field goal from the Warhawks to get the victory. (Side note, has anyone had worse luck with end of game field goals than Louisiana Monroe? First the miss against Florida State and then this. Absolutely gross.)

8. UCF Knights

The Knights beat up on in-state rival South Florida last weekend, beating the Bulls 34-7 and ensuring that Charlie Strong will be seeking employment this offseason. The tale of the game was total domination for UCF, as UCF had 495 yards to the Bull’s 181 by the time the fourth quarter started. It’s incredible that a 9-3 season is now considered a down year for the Knights, but that is what this season was. However, all three of their losses came by a combined seven points. Now its time to see what bowl game they’ll be playing in.

7. Air Force Falcons

Air Force wrapped up their season with easy victories against New Mexico and Wyoming. In fact, the Falcons won seven in a row to close out their season. The Falcons are one of the most complete teams in the Group of Five, as they ranked 22nd in overall efficiency according to ESPN’s FPI. After two straight losing seasons, a 10-2 record is a great achievement for Air Force. They should get to play in a solid bowl game.

6. SMU Mustangs

After starting the season with eight straight wins, the Mustangs lost two of their last four to finish 10-2. They beat a solid Tulane team 37-20 in the season finale. Despite a disappointing end to the season after dropping to Navy and Memphis, this has been SMU’s most successful season since 1984. Head Coach Sonny Dykes should be commended for breathing life into a program that has been reeling from the death penalty since the mid-80s.

5. Navy Midshipmen

After getting absolutely manhandled by Notre Dame, The Midshipmen bounced back with a huge win over SMU two weekends ago. They then managed to beat Houston to set up a big matchup against Army in the best football game to watch each year. Jamale Carothers once again had a huge game, rushing for 188 yards and five touchdowns. In fact, he finished one rushing touchdown short of tying the American Conference Record. This Navy team has been incredibly fun to watch all year and should find themselves in a great bowl game.

4. Appalachian State Mountaineers

If Appalachian State didn’t lose to Georgia Southern, they would probably be a lock for a New Year’s Six bid (pending a conference championship win). As it is right now, they are on the outside looking in. However, they have had a great season, including two victories over Power 5 programs North Carolina and South Carolina, meaning outside of Clemson the Mountaineers might be the best team in the Carolinas.

3. Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati lost by ten to Memphis last week after barely winning against South Florida and Temple. The good news is they get a rematch this weekend in the American Athletic Conference Championship. However, quarterback Desmond Ridder was out for the last two games and their loss to Memphis.

2. Boise State Broncos

Boise State cruised to an 11-1 record, with their only slip upcoming against the BYU Cougars. It’s even more impressive when you consider they’ve been without true freshman starting quarterback Hank Bachmeier. Luckily for the Broncos, Bachmeier is reportedly available for its conference championship game against Hawaii. These two teams matched up earlier in the season, with Boise State coming out on top easily.

1 Memphis Tigers

The Tigers claimed their spot as the top team in the Group of 5 with a decisive victory over Cincinnati. Memphis won their 11th game of the season, making this team the first to win eleven games in Memphis history, and its 500th game all time. Needless to say, it was a big weekend for the Tigers. They’ve got an even bigger one coming up, as they are likely in a New Year’s Six bowl game with a win.

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