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Group of Five: Week 6 Access Bowl Power Rankings

By Zach Bigalke

Oct 8, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Navy Midshipmen cornerback Jarid Ryan (9) breaks up a pass intended for Houston Cougars wide receiver Linell Bonner (15) on the second to last play of the game at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy defeated Houston 46-40. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Navy Midshipmen cornerback Jarid Ryan (9) breaks up a pass intended for Houston Cougars wide receiver Linell Bonner (15) on the second to last play of the game at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Navy defeated Houston 46-40. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 7, 2016; Tulsa, OK, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane quarterback Dane Evans (9) scores the winning touchdown in over time from 14 yards out in a 43-40 win over Southern Methodist Mustangs at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joey Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 7, 2016; Tulsa, OK, USA; Tulsa Golden Hurricane quarterback Dane Evans (9) scores the winning touchdown in over time from 14 yards out in a 43-40 win over Southern Methodist Mustangs at Skelly Field at H.A. Chapman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joey Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

We open this week’s Group of Five power rankings with Tulsa, one of four teams bottlenecked at the top of the AAC West standings. The Golden Hurricane barely won at home against SMU on Friday night, as quarterback Dane Evans ran in the ball from 14 yards out in overtime to secure the victory. Tulsa racked up 562 yards of offense in the win — 150 more yards than their opponent — yet nearly took a loss in the division standings thanks to an undisciplined game. In addition to Evans throwing an interception that was converted into a touchdown by SMU, the Golden Hurricane racked up a ridiculous 17 penalties totaling 149 yards.

If they want to have any shot of upsetting the contenders ahead of them and playing for the AAC title in December, Philip Montgomery’s team will have to cut down on the costly mistakes. The level of difficulty rises next week when they travel to serve as the rebound game for Houston. If they beat the Cougars, Tulsa will suddenly be taken a lot more seriously. They have three more tough road games in conference against Memphis, Navy, and UCF. If they somehow make it to the other side of the season with just a single loss on their record, Tulsa will garner serious consideration when the CFP selection committee deliberates about the Group of Five.

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