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Group of Five: Week 11 Access Bowl Power Rankings

By Zach Bigalke

Nov 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Toledo Rockets running back Kareem Hunt (3) rushes the ball against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the first half at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Toledo Rockets running back Kareem Hunt (3) rushes the ball against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the first half at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 12, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars wide receiver Steven Dunbar (88) celebrates his touchdown against Tulane Green Wave defensive back Tre Jackson (11) in the second quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars wide receiver Steven Dunbar (88) celebrates his touchdown against Tulane Green Wave defensive back Tre Jackson (11) in the second quarter at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston is in rough shape heading into their Thursday night showdown with Louisville. Starting quarterback Greg Ward Jr. is battling through a shoulder injury, while his backup Kyle Postma hurt his left arm in relief against Tulane. The Cougars managed to knock off the Green Wave despite putting up less than 300 yards of total offense and turned the ball over twice. Though they took down another conference opponent, Houston still lacks any real control over its fate even if they keep winning.

For the Cougars to reach the AAC championship game, they need Navy to lose to both East Carolina and SMU over the next two weeks. They can take down Louisville next week and gain another statement win, and they can reach double digits in the win column by beating Memphis on Thanksgiving weekend. But unless the Midshipmen collapse, Houston will be left to wonder how far they might have gone this season if not for that three-game stretch of futility in the heart of October.

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