Group of Five: Week 8 Access Bowl Power Rankings
By Zach Bigalke
Boise State nearly slipped up against BYU on Thursday night, despite a dominating performance on both offense and defense. The defense held Taysom Hill under 200 passing yards and a 50 percent completion rate, while keeping BYU as a team to 322 total yards of offense. Brett Rypien outgained the Cougars by himself, throwing for 442 yards and three touchdowns. But he also tossed two picks that allowed the game to stay closer than necessary. Jeremy McNichols was another offensive catalyst, finishing with over 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving and scoring a touchdown both ways.
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If they win out, Boise State’s national recognition and 2-0 record against Pac-12 competition will almost certainly tip the Group of Five debate in their favor. But the Broncos still need to win out, beginning with a tough trip to Laramie next weekend against MWC Mountain co-leader Wyoming. As long as they knock off the Cowboys on the road, Boise State should have little trouble through the rest of their schedule. Road trips to Hawaii and Air Force could provide trap possibilities, but it is more likely that the Broncos will stampede the rest of their competition for the school’s fourth major bowl bid and third undefeated regular season in the past decade.