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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 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls running back Marlon Mack (5) scores a touchdown against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; South Florida Bulls running back Marlon Mack (5) scores a touchdown against the East Carolina Pirates during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Most of the attention the AAC has received has revolved around the race in the West, and rightly so. But it would be foolish to sleep on South Florida, which is starting to run away with the East Division and is a legitimate threat to win a Group of Five league. The Bulls beat East Carolina on Saturday thanks to over 550 balanced yards of offense. Quinton Flowers threw for 250 yards, rushed for 115 more, and tossed three touchdowns on the day. Marlon Mack added 152 yards and two scores on the ground.

Now that Cincinnati is 0-3, East Carolina is 0-2, UConn is 1-2, and Temple is 1-1 in conference play, the only team that has kept pace with the Bulls is UCF. When the two teams meet in Tampa on November 26, it could end up being a conference championship play-in game. Their toughest remaining stretch, though, are consecutive games at home against Navy followed by a road trip to face Memphis. If they win both, South Florida will eclipse the pile of contenders in the opposite division and take over as the favorite from the AAC.

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