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.
With that disclaimer in mind, here’s this week’s installment, which is almost certain to spark some lively debate, especially towards the top and bottom of the poll.
* Please note that BYU is not included in these rankings since the Cougars cannot capture this bid!
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1. Houston (7-0) — The Cougars remain in the top spot this week after thrashing UCF 59-10. While Houston’s only notable “W” thus far is over Louisville, that victory looks better every week as the Cardinals continue to win games. Regardless, the Cougs belong here because they’re the most complete Group of Five team, ranking fifth nationally in total offense, fourth in scoring offense, ninth in run defense, and first in turnover margin. This excellence on both sides of the ball makes UH a very dangerous team to play, because it can win games in a variety of ways. That’s just enough to beat out Memphis and Toledo.
2. Memphis (7-0) — Make no mistake about it: the Tigers have enough firepower on offense to trade scores with anyone. Memphis’ 66-42 victory over Tulsa was the team’s fourth victory this season against an opponent that current ranks in the top 12 nationally in total offense (Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Tulsa, and Ole Miss). With two wins against Power 5 conference opponents, and another against a team that’s currently in first place in its conference, Memphis has arguably the strongest resume of any team on this list. However, since its defense ranks 110th nationally — allowing an average of 458 yards per game — I’ve got the Tigers just one slot below Houston for the second straight week. They can prove me wrong on Nov. 14 against the Cougars, in what figures to be one of the top 10 games of the season.
3. Toledo (7-0) — No, the Rockets aren’t going to fall in the poll this week as many were expecting them to. Sure, UT trailed at halftime against Massachusetts, but it left no doubt about who the better team was in the final 30 minutes, outscoring the Minutemen 41-7 during that span. The bottom line is that Toledo owns arguably the most impressive feat of any Group of Five team this year, defeating Power 5 conference opponents in back-to-back weeks. Those wins, combined with a stout defense that ranks second nationally in red zone percentage, will have the Rockets in the G5 New Year’s Six bowl conversation, provided that they win the Mid-American conference.
4. Temple (7-0) — Sadly, the Owls aren’t getting as much respect in the national media as I think they should. While placing them fourth in this poll might imply to some that I’m in the aforementioned camp, nothing could be further from the truth. As I mentioned on the Student Section Radio Show Monday night, Temple is the most resilient team on this list, finding ways to win when things don’t go right, reminiscent of the 1986-’87 Penn State team that defeated Miami for the national championship. The Owl defense has been especially impressive this year, guiding the team to two wins when it lost the turnover battle. It’ll be interesting to see how that defense fares against Notre Dame’s skill-position talent this weekend.
5. Bowling Green (6-2) — If not for archrival Toledo, everyone would be talking about the Falcons right now. After all, Bowling Green leads in the nation in passing with 434.1 yards per game and has an amazing 29-3 TD-INT ratio. It also has a 2-o record against the Big Ten and is 10th nationally in turnover margin. Despite these super stats, the Falcons face long odds of getting to a New Year’s Day bowl game, by virtue of a 44-41 loss to Memphis earlier this season. Yet, with a MAC championship and a few upsets at the end of the year, the College Football Playoff Selection Committee could choose to reward the Falcons for playing such a challenging non-conference schedule.
6. Boise State (6-2) — Just one week after a turnover-filled loss to Utah State, the Broncos are back atop the Mountain West Mountain Division with a 3-1 conference record. Yes, they’ll need a break or two in order to play for the conference championship, but I like their chances given the parity in the rest of the league. Provided that Boise wins the league title, it will definitely be in the conversation for another major bowl on Selection Sunday thanks to non-conference wins over Washington and Virginia. However, unless the teams in The American beat up on each other over the final few weeks of the season, the Broncos won’t earn the G5 automatic bid to the New Year’s Six this season.
7. Western Kentucky (6-2) — I went back on forth on this decision before selecting the Hilltoppers for the final spot in the rankings. While several squads also had a legitimate claim, I picked WKU because it was the only team in the group that had a win over a Power 5 opponent, defeating Vanderbilt to open the season. Ever since that victory, the Hilltopper offense has been virtually unstoppable, eclipsing the 500-yard barrier in every game except for LSU. Although it came up with only 428 yards against the Tigers, that was still the highest total the Bayou Bengals have allowed all season. With firepower like that at its disposal, coupled with a ‘Topper defense that’s second in the nation in turnovers produced, I like WKU’s chances to win C-USA.
Others receiving consideration: Navy, Appalachian State, Marshall, Arkansas State, San Diego State, Georgia Southern, Western Michigan, East Carolina
