Once again, this week’s Group of Five Power Poll is a day late because of #MACtion on Tuesday and Wednesday night. With two of teams on this list in action — and another that would have cracked the list with a “W” — it was only appropriate to delay the standings one more day.
As always, remember that these rankings are fluid, and will change from week to week depending on what transpires on the gridiron — just like it did after Week 10.
With that disclaimer in mind, here’s this week’s poll, which is a much different from the official (see: completely useless) College Football Playoff rankings.
* Please note that BYU is not included in these rankings since the Cougars cannot capture this bid!
1. Houston (9-0) — As the only undefeated Group of Five team, it only makes sense to put the Cougars at the top of the list. Sure, some people questioned this decision last week, arguing that Houston didn’t have a win over a team with a winning record. However, the Cougars now own three victories against teams over .500 (Louisville, Tulsa, and Cincinnati), and a perfect 2-0 mark against Power 5 opponents. It’s also worth noting that Houston handed Vanderbilt its worst loss of the season exactly one week before the Commodores nearly upset Florida in the Swamp. If the Selection Committee is to use records against common opponents and “game control” (which makes as much sense as using the force while driving instead of keeping your eyes open, but whatever), that’s got to count for something. Regardless, if the Cougars keep on winning, it’s tough to see them not capturing the automatic bid… unless they qualify for the College Football Playoff. Stranger things have happened.
2. Temple (8-1) — Were you expecting to see Navy at No. 2? As tempting as it was to reward the Midshipmen for their impressive “W” over Memphis, the Owls deserve the second spot. After all, Temple opened the season by throttling Penn State… and by “throttling,” I mean holding the Nittany Lions to 52 yards over the final three quarters, which is easily the most dominant single game performance against a Power 5 opponent by a “mid-major” this season. With a win over South Florida on Saturday, Temple would clinch the East division title, and capture a spot in the conference championship game. However, in order to have a chance to go to its first New Year’s Day bowl game since the 1934 season, the Owls likely need to defeat Memphis at home on Nov. 21.
3. Navy (7-1) — After narrowly missing the cut over the past few weeks, the Midshipmen jumped all the way to third after blowing out Memphis, 45-20. The Tiger defense — which always seemed to come up with a big stop when it needed it — had absolutely no answers for the Navy triple option attack. This victory adds to a much-better-than-it-looks-on-paper resume, which also includes “Ws” over Air Force, Connecticut, and South Florida. If — and it’s a big if — the Middies can get by Houston and a potential matchup with Temple in the league title game, they’ll be in contention for the automatic bid. It’ll be interesting to see if the Selection Committee gives Toledo or Boise the nod because they beat a Power 5 bowl-eligible team. I’m not saying it’d be right, but there’s always that possibility… just ask undefeated Ohio State, which sits one spot behind once-beaten Alabama.
4. Memphis (8-1) — The Tigers’ perfect season ended Saturday with a decisive defeat against Navy. However, Memphis is still very much in the mix for the Group of Five bid, if it can beat Houston and Temple over the next two weeks. While they need the Midshipmen to lose in order to win the league championship, the Tigers would be a virtual lock for the Group of Five bid if they do capture the conference title because of their impressive “W” over Ole Miss. It’s evident the aforementioned victory means an awful lot to the the Selection Committee, since Memphis remains in front of undefeated Houston despite losing to Navy last week.
5. Boise State (7-2) — Although the AAC occupies the top four slots in this week’s poll, don’t be surprised if the Broncos end up representing the Group of Five conferences again on New Year’s Day. Sure, they’re not in the rankings right now, but the initial standings are essentially meaningless since things can change from week to week. The fact of the matter is that Boise has two wins over Power 5 conference opponents (Washington and Virginia) and is now in control of its own destiny in the Mountain West after Utah State’s loss to New Mexico last week. Should it win out — which is highly likely given that the Broncos rank 9th nationally in total defense — Boise will be in the driver’s seat of its conference to capture the at-large bid.
After all, each of the teams listed above will have to play o?ne another over the next few weeks. Considering the depth of The American, it’s not a stretch to think that the teams could eliminate each other over the final month of the season. The most realistic scenario: Memphis beats Houston; Houston beats Navy to make Memphis the AAC West champion; Memphis, having beaten Temple on Nov. 21, loses to the Owls in the AAC Championship Game. Two-loss Boise State against two-loss Temple?
Stranger things have happened.
6. Toledo (8-1) — The Rockets find themselves in a tough spot. Despite beating Arkansas (now 5-4 overall and 3-2 in the SEC West), Iowa State, and current Sun Belt conference leader Arkansas State to open the season, UT is in danger of missing the MAC Championship Game unless Northern Illinois loses one of its final two games. However, the Rockets still have a chance to make an impression over the next few weeks with contests against archrival Bowling Green and co-division leader Western Michigan. If it can win both of those, Toledo has to like its chances to qualify for that elusive conference title game. After all, doesn’t fate owe the Rockets one after what happened in 2000?
7. Bowling Green (8-2) — BG wrapped up its third straight MAC East title on Wednesday night, defeating Western Michigan, 41-27. That adds another accomplishment to an already strong body of work which includes a 2-0 mark against the Big Ten and, of course, the nation’s best passing offense, which is averaging over 400 yards per game through the air. While the Falcons have to be the favorite to win the MAC championship right now — even with a loss to archrival Toledo next week — they’re not going to get the Group of Five automatic bid because they lost to Memphis, 44-41, earlier this season.
Others receiving consideration: Western Kentucky, Arkansas State, Northern Illinois, San Diego State, Western Michigan, Appalachian State, Georgia Southern
