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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; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; Troy Trojans wide receiver Emanuel Thompson (8) celebrates with teammates at the end of their game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Troy won 37-31. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; Troy Trojans wide receiver Emanuel Thompson (8) celebrates with teammates at the end of their game against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at M.M. Roberts Stadium. Troy won 37-31. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

Troy, like Western Michigan, avoided taking a second loss by simply not playing in Week 9. The way they are playing, though, they will be hard to beat the rest of the season. The Trojans have been in the top 25 in both scoring offense and scoring defense, with a balanced offense led by quarterback Brandon Silvers and tailback Jordan Chunn. They are poised to go bowling for the first time since the 2009 season, and a team whose only loss came in a near-upset at second-ranked Clemson could still be in the Access Bowl hunt as well.

The key for Troy will be winning not just a share of the Sun Belt title but winning the conference outright. They finish non-conference play against UMass to open November play, then return to the league slate with back-to-back home games against co-leaders Appalachian State and Arkansas State. If they knock off the Mountaineers and Red Wolves, Troy would have to win just one of its final two road games at Texas State and Georgia Southern to win the conference title due to tiebreakers over both co-champs. Win out, though, and an 11-1 Troy team could dream big.

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