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Group of Five: Week 8 Access Bowl Power Rankings

By Zach Bigalke

Oct 20, 2016; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos wide receiver Cedrick Wilson (1) catches a touchdown pass Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Micah Hannemann (7) tries to defend during first half action at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2016; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos wide receiver Cedrick Wilson (1) catches a touchdown pass Brigham Young Cougars defensive back Micah Hannemann (7) tries to defend during first half action at Albertsons Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 22, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Memphis Tigers wide receiver Anthony Miller (3) can’t not bring in the pass in the endzone as Navy Midshipmen cornerback Elijah Merchant (14) defends during the second quarter at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Annapolis, MD, USA; Memphis Tigers wide receiver Anthony Miller (3) can’t not bring in the pass in the endzone as Navy Midshipmen cornerback Elijah Merchant (14) defends during the second quarter at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

The Tigers need help of their own in the AAC West after losing by two touchdowns to Navy on Saturday. Riley Ferguson did his part, completing 25 of his 40 attempts for 333 yards and two scores. But Doroland Dorceus and the running game never did get heated up against the Midshipmen, finishing the day with fewer than 100 yards. Navy’s triple option went wild on the Memphis defense, as quarterback Will Worth rushed for over 200 yards and finished with five total touchdowns in the Navy win.

Memphis doesn’t need quite as much help as Houston, but it is close. They now need Navy to lose twice to have any chance of playing in the AAC championship game. Their three biggest games are all at home — Tulsa next week, South Florida on November 12, and Houston on Thanksgiving weekend. But Mike Norvell’s team also has tricky road games at SMU and Cincinnati, and even one more slip in the back half of the schedule will spell doom for the Tigers. An 11-2 Memphis team whose only losses came to Ole Miss and Navy would have a case to make if no other Group of Five champions finish undefeated.

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