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Group of Five: Week 13 Access Bowl Power Rankings

By Zach Bigalke

Nov 25, 2016; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Western Michigan Broncos cornerback Darius Phillips (4) celebrates after an interception against the Toledo Rockets during the second half at Waldo Stadium. The Broncos won 55-35. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Western Michigan Broncos cornerback Darius Phillips (4) celebrates after an interception against the Toledo Rockets during the second half at Waldo Stadium. The Broncos won 55-35. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-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 /

2405. . (6-5, 6-1 Sun Belt). Previous: . Arkansas State Red Wolves. 11. team

2391. . (9-3, 7-1 Sun Belt). Previous: . Appalachian State Mountaineers. 9. team

The only thing that could possibly keep the Sun Belt in the running for the Access Bowl berth is the following scenario

  • Western Michigan suffers its first loss to four-loss Ohio
  • Navy loses to Temple in a 3-0 snorefest, cooling passions for the AAC
  • Four-loss Wyoming beats San Diego State again
  • Four-loss Louisiana Tech beats Western Kentucky again
  • Troy loses at Georgia Southern and Arkansas State loses at Texas State

That last line item is as critical as the ones preceding it, for the only way the Sun Belt is going to garner any Access Bowl consideration is if it can put forth an outright champion to consider.

The only team with a shot at winning a full share of the Sun Belt title is Appalachian State. Their regular season is already complete, so the Mountaineers can just sit back and see what happens for the Trojans and Red Wolves on Saturday. If Arkansas State loses and Troy does not, Troy might receive a look from the College Football Playoff committee thanks to its head-to-head win over Appalachian State earlier in November.

But even if everything plays out perfectly, the Sun Belt is still the longest shot among the Group of Five conferences to nab that Access Bowl bid.

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