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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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Nov 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Temple Owls running back Jager Gardner (27) carries the ball to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the East Carolina Pirates at Lincoln Financial Field. The Temple Owls won 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Temple Owls running back Jager Gardner (27) carries the ball to score a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the East Carolina Pirates at Lincoln Financial Field. The Temple Owls won 37-10. Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

2373. . (8-4, 6-2 MAC). Previous: . Ohio Bobcats. 6. team

. (9-3, 6-2 AAC). Previous: . Temple Owls. 5. team. 2399

Either Ohio or Temple would have a lot going for them in the Access Bowl discussion should either or both pull off the upset in their respective conference championships. In Temple’s case, the Owls would win their seventh straight to finish with 10 wins and a league title. After opening the season 1-2 with losses to Army and Penn State, Matt Rhule’s team has been among the hottest in the nation. They have held each of their past four opponents under 14 points and rank tenth nationally in scoring defense.

The Bobcats, meanwhile, backed into the MAC championship game with a field goal-kicking exhibition to beat Akron 9-3 last weekend. That allowed them and stay ahead of the Miami RedHawks in the MAC East standings and book their tickets to Detroit. Frank Solich’s team has also leaned heavily on its defense to produce results. Their only opponent to score more than four touchdowns was Texas State in a wild 56-54 season opener.

Both must win for either to be considered. Temple is the more likely candidate to get the nod should these two put their names into the hat for the Access Bowl drawing, thanks to their winning streak and the tougher conference. But Ohio would have the benefit of being able to say that they were the only team to topple WMU this season. Of course, if they pull off the upset they’ll also have to battle with the winner of the next pairing in this week’s rankings.

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