Group of Five: Week 9 Access Bowl Power Rankings

Appalachian State dominated Georgia Southern in Statesboro, holding the Eagles’ run-heavy option attack to just 65 yards on the ground in a 24-point rout. All told Georgia Southern had just 159 yards of total offense, while the Mountaineers racked up nearly 500 total yards when they had the ball. App State looks like it is rounding into top form at just the right time of year as it prepares to challenge for the Sun Belt title, but they might already be out of the mix for the Access Bowl bid itself.

The reasons are twofold. First, there is no guarantee that there will be a definitive champion in the Sun Belt this season. Second, the Mountaineers lack the signature win over a Power Five school that other Group of Five winners will likely have on their resumes. All they can control at this point, though, is whether or not they can sweep through the rest of their league slate. The key game will be a November 12 date on the road with Troy. That game won’t be definitive, though, since Appalachian State does not play Arkansas State this season and could still split the crown with the Red Wolves.