Group of Five: Week 10 Access Bowl Power Rankings

Navy earned a win over Notre Dame down in Florida on Saturday. Normally that would be a statement win for any Group of Five team, but this season beating the Fighting Irish simply doesn’t carry the same weight as in other recent seasons. Still, the Midshipmen prevailed thanks to 223 total yards (175 rushing, 48 on 5-of-8 passing) and two rushing touchdowns from option quarterback Will Worth. Throughout the game Navy ground down the clock, allowing Notre Dame just six possessions all game.

Now Ken Niumatalolo’s team has the opportunity to seal up the AAC West next weekend when they host co-leaders Tulsa. If they win that contest, the Midshipmen would have to lose both of its last two conference games against East Carolina and SMU. Both are on the road at locations that have been the setting for several big upsets in recent years, including Houston’s fall from grace against the Mustangs earlier this year. But given it requires two upsets in a row, Navy is almost certainly in the championship game if they win next Saturday over the Golden Hurricane.