Group of Five: Week 5 Access Bowl Power Rankings

Last weekend the Broncos started sluggishly at home against Utah State. Boise State held just a 7-3 lead at halftime, and it could have been closer had USU kicker Brock Warren not missed a 32-yard field goal right as time expired on the half. But Bryan Harsin’s team locked things down in the second half, forcing punts on the Aggies’ first four drives as they pulled away with the victory. Jeremy McNichols was especially dominant, rushing for 132 yards and adding another 73 receiving yards and a touchdown in the passing game.

At the beginning of the season there was skepticism about Boise State’s schedule. But the win over Washington State looks better with each passing week as the Cougars keep winning. And while Oregon State is likely to be a sub-.500 team again this year, getting two wins over Pac-12 schools provides plenty of bragging rights. Of course, the biggest obstacle for Boise State is not its record but its conference. Last year the team failed to reach the conference championship, losing out to Air Force for the rights. The MWC Mountain title could come down to those two again, with even higher stakes this season.