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Group of Five: Week 9 Access Bowl Power Rankings

By Zach Bigalke

Dec 22, 2015; Boca Raton, FL, USA;Toledo Rockets tight end Michael Roberts (80) is brought down by Temple Owls defenders in the 2015 Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2015; Boca Raton, FL, USA;Toledo Rockets tight end Michael Roberts (80) is brought down by Temple Owls defenders in the 2015 Boca Raton Bowl at FAU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Duyos-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 17, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; The Western Michigan Broncos defense celebrates after the interception by Western Michigan Broncos linebacker Robert Spillane (10) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Western Michigan beat Illinois 34 to 10. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Champaign, IL, USA; The Western Michigan Broncos defense celebrates after the interception by Western Michigan Broncos linebacker Robert Spillane (10) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium. Western Michigan beat Illinois 34 to 10. Mandatory Credit: Mike Granse-USA TODAY Sports /

Despite sitting on the sidelines in Week 9, Western Michigan moved up a spot this week thanks to Wyoming’s upset of Boise State. After placing 23rd in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, the Broncos got an early start on Week 10 with a Tuesday-night game against Ball State, winning 52-20 to move to 9-0. The win solidifies WMU’s position as the current favorite to earn the Access Bowl bid to the New Year’s Six. If they earn the bid this year, P.J. Fleck’s crew would be headed to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex to play at AT&T Stadium in the Cotton Bowl.

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First the Broncos need to take care of business the rest of the way. Toledo will still be a tough out, but after the Rockets lost to Ohio last weekend it is even more likely that WMU will be favored heavily in every remaining game. They play another Tuesday night game next week at Kent State, then get an extended rest before taking on Buffalo at home on November 19. After the game against the Bulls, Western Michigan has a quick turnaround and plays its regular-season finale at home on Black Friday in a game against Toledo that could still have divisional implications.

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