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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 /
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Nov 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Toledo Rockets running back Kareem Hunt (3) reacts after a touchdown against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the second half at Guaranteed Rate Field. Toledo defeats Northern Illinois 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 9, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Toledo Rockets running back Kareem Hunt (3) reacts after a touchdown against the Northern Illinois Huskies during the second half at Guaranteed Rate Field. Toledo defeats Northern Illinois 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

Toledo beat Ball State last week to keep itself in the running for the MAC West. After years of remaining subordinate to Northern Illinois and Central Michigan in the division, the Rockets now control their own fate. Logan Woodside has averaged over 300 passing yards per game, while Kareem Hunt is averaging over 100 rushing yards per outing. All they have to do now is knock off undefeated Western Michigan on the road and they will earn their first trip to the MAC championship game since 2004.

Should they manage that tall task, and then go on to win the MAC title over the East champ, a Rockets team that finishes 11-2 would certainly be in the conversation for the Access Bowl bid. They would probably rate behind two-loss champions from the American Athletic Conference and Mountain West, but if upsets occurred in their title games it would open the door for the Rockets to finally bust onto the national scene in the same year where they had to replace a successful head coach.

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