Group of Five: Week 8 Access Bowl Power Rankings

Tulsa easily handled Tulane this weekend, scoring 50 points against an overmatched Green Wave defense. Dane Evans threw for 236 yards and three touchdowns, while James Flanders broke out with his third 100-yard rushing game of the season. The senior running back finished with 190 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 8.6 yards per carry. Tulsa’s defense did its job against Tulane as well, holding quarterback Glen Cuiellette to 37 yards on 19 attempts. While the Green Wave rushed for 355 yards and four touchdowns, their one-dimensional offense couldn’t keep up with the Golden Hurricane.

Tulsa has already lost once in conference play to Houston, but now that the Cougars have lost twice in league play the Golden Hurricane have a shot once again in a crowded AAC West field. Philip Montgomery’s team plays at Memphis next week in what will effectively serve as a divisional elimination game. If they get past the Tigers, Tulsa has another road trip to face Navy two weeks later that would determine which team sits atop the division. While the Ohio State loss hurt their best chance at a statement win, the Golden Hurricane would definitely have a shot at the automatic Group of Five berth if they emerge atop the chaos of the AAC.