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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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Sep 10, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders quarterback Brent Stockstill (12) rushes against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders quarterback Brent Stockstill (12) rushes against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first half at Vanderbilt Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. 10. team. 2370. . (4-1/CUSA). Previous:

Middle Tennessee took a break in Week 6 after opening their season 4-1, and they are now the last team remaining in Conference USA with only one loss. The Blue Raiders are probably the league’s last hope to compete at all against other Group of Five champs for the Access Bowl, but they missed a huge opportunity for a statement win back in Week 2 when they lost to SEC doormat Vanderbilt. But that wasn’t the last chance for Rick Stockstill’s team to make waves this season, and while C-USA East looks like the tougher division this year the Blue Raiders still have the inside track to host the championship game.

After hosting Western Kentucky next week, Middle Tennessee heads to Missouri on October 22 for a second chance to take down an SEC foe. The Tigers are not much better than Vanderbilt this year, at least by the numbers, and the upset potential is very real. If the Blue Raiders win that contest and get their statement win, it should be smooth sailing from there. They will have to play road games at FIU, Marshall, and Charlotte, none of which look capable of threatening Middle Tennessee this season. A home game against rising UTSA could be tricky, but at the very least 10 wins is well within reach for this program in 2016.

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