Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Group of Five: Week 12 Access Bowl Power Rankings

By Zach Bigalke

Nov 19, 2016; Laramie, WY, USA; Wyoming Cowboys wide receiver C.J. Johnson (14) catches a touchdown pass against San Diego State Aztecs safety Trey Lomax (3) during the fourth quarter at War Memorial Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Aztecs 34-33. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Laramie, WY, USA; Wyoming Cowboys wide receiver C.J. Johnson (14) catches a touchdown pass against San Diego State Aztecs safety Trey Lomax (3) during the fourth quarter at War Memorial Stadium. The Cowboys beat the Aztecs 34-33. Mandatory Credit: Troy Babbitt-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 12
Next
Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars wide receiver Chance Allen (21) makes a reception and scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 17, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Cougars wide receiver Chance Allen (21) makes a reception and scores a touchdown during the second quarter against the Louisville Cardinals at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston has no shot at playing for the AAC championship after Navy sealed up the West division championship last weekend, but the Cougars didn’t deserve to drop from their previous position in the Access Bowl Power Rankings after they upset Louisville last Thursday. Tom Herman’s team won’t be playing in a New Year’s Six game again this season, barring some catastrophic 11th-hour scenario where they are selected for the other at-large berth in the Cotton Bowl. But that doesn’t mean this has been a failure of a season in Houston.

The Cougars have now upset frontrunners in the Big 12 and the ACC, exhibiting the sort of big-game potential that is rare among Group of Five schools. Had they fallen only to Navy, Houston would still be sitting behind the Midshipmen in the standings. The loss to SMU sealed the deal for the Cougars, though, and now they must content themselves with a trip to one of the AAC-affiliated bowl games. Whether they can retain their head coach for another season is now the biggest question for this program.

Home/College Football Rankings