Group of Five: Week 6 Access Bowl Power Rankings

Western Michigan remains stuck in second spot in the Group of Five power rankings this week despite the loss of the only team ahead of them. In the end, Boise State sits nine spots above WMU in the AP Poll and eight spots above the Broncos in the Coaches Poll. They crossed a major hurdle this week, winning 45-30 against a Northern Illinois team that has dominated the MAC West for more than half a decade. Zach Terrell threw for 327 yards and three scores, Jarvion Franklin churned up the ground for another 169 rushing yards and a TD, and NIU was left playing catch-up all day long.

Unfortunately for P.J. Fleck’s team, neither Northwestern nor Illinois has done much since they sustained losses to Western Michigan. Schedule strength could be a major factor in keeping WMU out of a New Year’s Six bowl if it comes down to a two-Bronco race. Road games against Akron, Ball State, and Kent State aren’t going to do much for the selection committee, meaning that they are relevant to the postseason picture only if they upset WMU. The season finale against Toledo is lining up as the de facto MAC West division championship, and the Broncos have to hope that the Rockets show up in Kalamazoo with only one loss on their record.