Group of Five: Week 6 Access Bowl Power Rankings

Troy’s 4-1 record feels a little like a mirage, given that their four wins have come against FCS Austin Peay, Southern Miss, New Mexico State, and Idaho. These four opponents have an average Sagarin position of 157th, and only one is ranked within the top 100 in that computer ranking. But they are at the top of the Sun Belt standings, and as Clemson continues to surge forward at the head of the ACC it only reflects positively on Troy. As of now, they stayed as close to the top-five Tigers as Auburn and Louisville when they nearly upset the defending ACC champs in Week 2.

After their bye week, Troy hosts Georgia State next Saturday before turning around quickly and playing South Alabama on a Thursday night. The Trojans have the benefit of playing both Appalachian State and Arkansas State at home this year, though they do have to travel to Statesboro to play Georgia Southern in the regular season finale. We are now six years removed from Troy’s string of five straight Sun Belt championships from 2006 through 2010, but they could finally be returning to their place atop the conference. As the best placed team in the Sun Belt, they in turn have the best shot at competing among other Group of Five champions for the New Year’s Six berth. Of course, that would require winning the league outright.