It’s Wednesday, which means it’s time to reveal the latest edition of the Group of Five Power Poll.
As always, remember that these rankings are fluid, and will change from week to week depending on what transpires on the gridiron.
Here’s this week’s installment:
* Please note that BYU is not included in these rankings since the Cougars cannot capture this bid!
—
1. Houston (4-0) — The Cougars solidified their position atop the poll by posting a decisive victory over Tulsa. Sure, some people will say, “it’s only Tulsa,” but it’s worth noting that Houston’s “D” was especially effective against the run, limiting the Golden Hurricane to just 3.02 yards per carry — significantly less than the 4.4 ypc that Oklahoma allowed just two weeks earlier. This win, plus the victory against Louisville — which upset previously unbeaten N.C. State this weekend — gives the Cougars the strongest resume of any team in the field right now. Barring something completely unexpected, this team will earn a New Year’s Day bowl bid.
2. Toledo (4-0) — While UT is known more for its explosive offenses, it’s the Rocket defense that’s propelled the team to an undefeated record. For the second straight week, the Toledo front seven dominated the line of scrimmage, and held its opponent to less than one yard per carry. With victories over Arkansas and Iowa State, the Rockets have a strong enough profile to remain in the running for the top spot. Unfortunately, the next three games against Kent State, Eastern Michigan, and UMass will likely kill UT’s strength of schedule in the eyes of the Selection Committee. That’s just enough to keep Toledo out of the top spot.
3. Boise State (4-1) — The Broncos have looked like a completely different team since the last-second loss to BYU. Since then, they’ve been one of the most explosive teams in the country, averaging 54.33 points per game and 6.58 yards per play. That trend will undoubtedly continue with Brett Rypien under center, who has thrown for 592 yards and 6 TDs in his first two starts. This newfound firepower, which brought about impressive wins over Washington and Virginia, will definitely put Boise in the conversation if it should win out. However, the Broncos will probably need some help in order to return to a New Year’s Day bowl.
4. Temple (4-0) — It’s been a series of firsts for this year’s team. Friday night’s victory over Charlotte moved the Owls to 4-0 for the first time since 1974, and marked the first time in the school’s history that the Owls have won back-to-back road games. With victories over Penn State and Cincinnati — which beat Miami last week without Gunner Kiel in the lineup — Temple has a strong resume, and would receive some consideration for the coveted New Year’s Day bowl game if the season ended today. However, with only one win over a Power 5 team — albeit an impressive one in which the Owls recorded 10 sacks and held Penn State to just 52 yards over the final three quarters — TU has to be ranked a notch below the top three contenders. Yet, that could change with a win over Notre Dame…
5. Navy (4-0) — The Midshipmen move up one spot this week after thrashing Air Force 33-11. The Falcons — who came into the game 2-1 — had absolutely no answers for the Navy front seven, which held them to just 3.64 yards per carry. While the Middies might not have a marquee victory to their credit yet, the wins over East Carolina, Connecticut, and Air Force will look much more impressive as the season progresses, giving them three better-than-average “Ws.” However, with a brutal AAC slate that includes Memphis, SMU, Tulsa, and Houston, Navy ultimately controls its own destiny in this race, even if it were to lose to Notre Dame this weekend.
6. Memphis (5-0) — Sorry, Tiger fans, but I had to move your team down one slot this week. Do realize that’s not an indictment of your team at all: It’s simply giving Navy its due for posting more quality wins at this point in the season. Memphis also deserves mad props for that matter, racing out to a 5-0 record, including a 2-0 mark in AAC play. Given that no one’s been able to stop the Tigers’ offense this season (4th nationally in scoring offense, 8th in total offense), they have an excellent chance to move way up on this list in the next few weeks. It’ll be interesting to see how Memphis fares against Ole Miss with two weeks to prepare.
7. Bowling Green (3-2) — Although I was tempted to move some other teams onto the list after some impressive performances last weekend, I kept the Falcons in the final spot. The BG passing game — led by quarterback Matt Johnson, who leads the nation in passing yards per game with 416.8 — has been virtually unstoppable this year, eclipsing the 400-yard mark in every game this year, including all three of its games against Power 5 conference opponents. That type of explosiveness, coupled with a 2-0 record against Big Ten opponents, is just enough to separate the Falcons from the teams at the bottom of this list.
Others receiving consideration: Air Force, Ohio, Western Kentucky, Georgia Southern, Tulsa, Utah State, Arkansas State
