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Group of Five: Week 1 Power Rankings

By Zach Bigalke

Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars cornerback Brandon Wilson (26) catches a missed field goal attempt and returns it for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars cornerback Brandon Wilson (26) catches a missed field goal attempt and returns it for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mid-majors made major statements over opening weekend. Which Group of Five team set itself up to compete for a major bowl bid after Week 1?

In the College Football Playoff era, the addition of a guaranteed bowl invitation to the top Group of Five team (as determined by the CFP committee) is both a blessing and a curse. In many ways it is mere placation, merely intended to draw away the heat that was building against the BCS when Cinderella after Cinderella busted the myth of powerhouse hegemony at the FBS level.

We are now left to wonder which team will get that coveted position rather than whether a deserving team would receive its just rewards. But we also are unlikely to see those mid-major teams really considered for top-four positioning, at least not as the present landscape is structured.

In that spirit we will track the race each week, evaluating the successes and failures among the contenders in the AAC, Conference USA, the MAC, the Mountain West, and the Sun Belt. It is still guesswork with such a small sample size, but after one week the pecking order in the hunt for that Access Bowl spot has revealed a clear favorite in each league.

On the opening weekend of the 2016 college football season, four different mid-majors gained instant credibility in the battle to play in one of the New Year’s Six bowl games by upsetting Power Five opponents. Ultimately these showcase tests are the most important factors in determining which Group of Five champion earns the Access Bowl slot into one of the College Football Playoff-affiliated bowl games.

Given the semifinal schedule and Power Five partnerships, the Cotton Bowl is the likeliest spot for the Access Bowl winner to compete on New Year’s Day undercard. So with that in mind, let’s take our first shot at power ranking the field of hopefuls seeking that coveted invitation this year. This is based on the resume teams have produced to date, so don’t be surprised if you see a few unexpected teams from week to week.

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