Group of Five power rankings: Cincinnati flexes on SMU, Boise State returns with authority

The return of the Mountain West has added a new team to this week’s Group of Five power rankings.

Not only did the Power Five add a conference with the Big Ten playing this weekend, but the Group of Five had a conference begin to play this weekend with the Mountain West. Last season’s Moutain West champions, the Boise State Broncos, made their presence felt with a 42-13 victory over Utah State. That win instantly put the Broncos in the conversation for the New Year’s Six.

The Liberty Flames continue their undefeated season with a blowout win against the Southern Mississippi Eagles 56-35. Meanwhile, in the Sun Belt, Coastal Carolina won without starting quarterback against Georgia Southern 28-14 with backup quarterback Fred Payton.

However, everyone wanted to see the result of the heavyweight bout between the Cincinnati Bearcats and the SMU Mustangs. This one was over early, with the Bearcats cruising to a 42-13 victory on the road.

Editor’s Note: BYU, Liberty and Army are included in the Group of Five rankings even though they aren’t eligible for the New Year’s Six bowl bid. Think of this as non-Power Five rankings.

 Group of Five power rankings entering Week 9

5. Boise State Broncos (1-0, 1-0 Mountain West)

The Boise State Broncos debut could not have gone any better. On the blue field of Albertson’s Stadium, the Broncos dominated the Utah State Aggies 42-13. Sophomore quarterback Hank Bachmeier threw for 268 yards and three touchdowns while George Holani ran for 100 of its 171 rushing yards.

The defense held the Utah State offense to just 203 total yards. Aggie quarterback Jason Shelley threw for only 92 yards and an interception, getting sacked three times. The defense shut out the Aggies in the first half; by the time Utah State scored, the game was already out of hand. The Broncos play the Air Force next week before facing No. 11 BYU on November 6.

4. The Liberty Flames (6-0)

The Liberty Flames received 85 votes for the AP top 25 after their 56-35 win against the Southern Mississippi Eagles. This season’s top 25 ranking would be a fantastic capstone to what has been a great season under head coach Hugh Freeze. One thing Freeze has shown is an ability to put points on the board, and this game was no different.

The Flames, behind quarterback Malik Willis‘ 442 total yards, and seven total touchdowns, were up 35-7 at halftime, leaving the Eagles to play catch up the rest of the game. The Eagles got the game within one score; the Flames scored 21 unanswered points to put the game away. Liberty has two Power five schools on its schedule –Virginia Tech and North Carolina State– and ends the season against No. 20 Coastal Carolina. If they run the table, the Flames could argue for an at-large NY6 bid.

3. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (5-0, 3-0)

After their 28-14 victory against the Georgia Southern Eagles, the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers moved five spots in the AP top 25 polls from 25 to No. 20. The “Chants” were able to pull out the victory without starting quarterback Grayson McCall who is third in the nation in QB rating. Back up quarterback, Fred Payton performed admirably for Coastal Carolina, throwing for 252 yards and three touchdowns.

Coastal needed all of those yards as well. Georiga Southern did a good job against the Chanticleers vaunted running game, holding Coastal to a season-low in rushing yards. However, it was the defense that won the day for Coastal, shutting the Eagles out in the second half. Coastal Carolina plays Georgia State next week, possibly without McCall again.

2. BYU Cougars (6-0)

The Cougars romp once again this week against the Texas State Bobcats 52-14. Zach Wilson was his usual efficient, accurate self, completing 76 percent of his passes for 287 yards and four touchdowns. The Cougars’ running back by-committee led by Tyler Allgeier ran for 227 yards and two touchdowns.

The BYU defense, which has been dominant all season, dominated the Bobcats all game. Texas State managed book-end touchdowns (one in the 1st and one in the 4th) and was limited to 230 yards of total offense.  The Bobcats managed just 15 first downs and was 2-11 on third down. After an opening score, Texas State punted four straight times and had another drive end on downs. The Cougars play Western Kentucky next week before their matchup with No. 25 Boise State.

1. Cincinnati Bearcats (4-0, 2-0 AAC)

If there was any doubt about Cincinnati’s ability to score, that doubt was removed this weekend when the Bearcats decimated the SMU Mustangs 42-13 at Gerald Ford Stadium in Dallas, Texas. There was little doubt about Cincinnati’s defense; it was the offense that was supposed to be the Bearcats’ weakness, specifically quarterback Desmond Ritter.

For at least one game, Ritter and the offense were the story. Ritter had one of his best games –if not his best game– of his Bearcats career with 305 total yards and three total touchdowns. One of those touchdowns was a brilliant 91-yard touchdown run. The defense, however, was not to be outdone. The Bearcats limited the Mustangs’ offense to just 4.7 yards per pass, 1.9 yards per rush with one interception and five sacks. With the win, the Bearcats are in the catbird’s seat in the AAC.

Cincinnati plays Memphis on Halloween, followed by Houston on Nov. 7.

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