Group of 5 power rankings: Who is the biggest winner of Week 1?

Which teams is the class of the Group of 5? Can they make it to the New Year’s Six?

Despite missing two conferences from the Group of 5, the other conference races are going to be competitive. Western Kentucky and UAB are the class of the conference, but the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will make some noise this season. Also, keep your eye on the Charlotte 49ers.

In the Sun Belt, head coach Billy Napier and his Louisiana Ragin Cajuns seek to unseat the Appalachian State Mountaineers. Georgia State, led by quarterback Shai Werts, aims to make a case in the Sun Belt as well. Keep an eye on Coastal Carolina. Head coach Jamey Chadwell has the Chanticleers trending in the right direction.

The American was fun last season and the excitement will continue again this season. Navy will take a step back, but Memphis, UCF, Cincinnati and Southern Methodist are all going to be in the thick of the AAC conference race this season. Look for East Carolina and Houston with second-year head coaches Mike Houston and Dana Holgersen, respectively, to take a step forward this season.

Editor’s Note: Army, Navy and BYU will be included in the Group of Five power rankings this year, although they are not eligible to claim the Group of Five New Year’s Six bowl berth.

5. Army Black Knights

The Army Black Knights started their season with a dominant 42-0 victory over the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders. They looked good offensively with new quarterback Christian Anderson and fullback Sandon McCoy. The Black Knights are going to be a tough out all season because of what they do offensively. Army stands to rebound from last season’s disappointing 5-8 finish and they’re off to a fantastic start.

4. Louisiana Ragin Cajuns

When this season is over, the administration in Lafayette, Louisiana, might bid farewell to head coach Billy Napier given the right situation. As for this season, Napier and the Ragin Cajuns look to unseat the Appalachian State Mountaineers.

This season could be the year for Louisiana. The Mountaineers have changed coaches for the third time in as many seasons. This season the Cajuns have the opportunity to unseat the Mountaineers. Louisiana has a veteran defense led by senior quarterback Levi Lewis and senior running back Elijah Mitchell. They’d have to run the table, but Louisiana will be in the New Year’s Six conversation all season long.

3. Brigham-Young Cougars

The Cougars make the list after dominating the Navy Midshipmen 55-3 on the road in Annapolis. BYU could be on this list most of the season. Led by veteran nose tackle Khyiris Tonga, this is the deepest, most experienced team head coach Kalani Sitake has had since he’s been the head coach in Provo.

Offensively, the Cougars have one of the more accurate, efficient quarterbacks in the country. Junior Zach Wilson looks to continue his growth and development in his third year as the starting quarterback. Where the Cougars are most fortified is along both the offensive and defensive lines. Both lines are full of juniors and seniors. The Cougars are going to be a tough out all season.

2. Cincinnati Bearcats

It should come as no surprise that the Bearcats and Golden Knights are the prohibitive favorites to win the AAC and the AAC winner represent the Group of 5 in the New Year’s Six. Much like last season, the American Eastern division will come down to the games between the Golden Knights and the Bearcats.

Cincinnati returns an experienced veteran group on both offense and defense. Quarterback Desmond Ridder returns to lead a physical offense. Running backs Gerrid Doaks and Alabama transfer Jerome Ford lead a 1-2 punch in the running game. The experienced defense is led by redshirt senior defensive end Elijah Ponder.  The only question for the Bearcats is if they can score enough points when needed.

1. UCF Knights

Despite not playing in a New Year’s Six Bowl game, the UCF Knights won 10 games last season. They look to return to their place as American Athletic Conference champions. Sophomore quarterback Dylan Gabriel seeks to improve on a freshman season that saw him throw for over 3600 yards and 29 touchdown passes.

The offense looks to be potent as usual, but it is the defense that will see some improvement. Oregon State transfer Kenny Turnier adds beef along with the front seven, and JUCO transfer Tay Gowan gives them size and versatility in the defensive backfield. If the defense takes strides, UCF will regain its place among the Group of Five’s best.

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