Group of Five: Week 13 Access Bowl Power Rankings

Conference USA has done itself no favors this season in the public relations department, falling largely off the radar as the season progressed. These two teams met once already this season, with Louisiana Tech knocking off the Hilltoppers 55-52 in Ruston back in October. But after the Bulldogs lost last weekend to Southern Miss, the C-USA championship game rematch will be hosted by WKU this time around.

Ryan Higgins has been a star at quarterback for Louisiana Tech, leading a top-five passing attack that features two 1000-yard receivers in Trent Taylor and Carlos Henderson. The Bulldogs are scoring nearly two touchdowns more per game than their opponents even after falling flat in Hattiesburg last week, and they still benefit from great field position thanks to a top-five kick return unit and top-30 punt return unit.

Western Kentucky has rebounded from that close loss to Louisiana Tech to win six straight. The HIlltoppers score just as many points per game as the Bulldogs, thanks to an offense that features Mike White at quarterback and 1000-yard rusher Anthony Wales to provide balance. The WKU defense also allows eight fewer points per game than their championship game opponents, and get to play at home thanks to the Bulldogs’ last loss. That could be enough to hand WKU their second straight C-USA title, though vanquishing their only league loss probably won’t be enough to get the Hilltoppers the Access Bowl slot.