Group of Five: Week 1 Power Rankings

5. Boise State Broncos (1-0/MWC)

• LAST WEEK: won 45-10 @ Louisiana-Lafayette
• NEXT WEEK: September 10 v. Washington State

Boise State is the gold standard for college football mid-majors, having earned the first Access Bowl slot two years ago and compiled a 3-0 record in the Fiesta Bowl over the past decade. After ceding ground to Houston and the AAC last year, the Broncos look intent on reclaiming their position atop the mid-major mountain. In their road opener they held UL-Lafayette under 300 total yards of offense while piling up six touchdowns and nearly 600 yards on the Ragin’ Cajuns. Thomas Sperbeck put on a show, catching six balls for 130 yards and a touchdown and also throwing a 48-yard touchdown strike.

Over the next three weekends the Broncos will take on a Washington State team that just lost to FCS Eastern Washington and an Oregon State team on a 10-game losing streak. While they are Pac-12 tests, they will probably do only so much for Boise State’s reputation in the polls. More important will be reaching the MWC championship game. October will be the toughest stretch for the Broncos, culminating in their home game against BYU on October 20. The regular-season finale against Air Force could be another de facto division championship as well.

Next: 4. South Alabama Jaguars