Group of Five: Week 13 Access Bowl Power Rankings
By Zach Bigalke
The Mountain West division champions backed into the championship game against one another. San Diego State had sealed up the West weeks ago, and Wyoming knew that they had already locked up their spot in the game after Boise State’s defeat at Air Force on Black Friday. Instead of putting pressure on the frontrunners in the Access Bowl race, though, the Aztecs and Cowboys both fell flat in embarrassing losses instead.
San Diego State gave up 63 points to Colorado State at home, while Wyoming allowed 56 on the road to New Mexico. The fact that both teams lost means that each finished with identical 6-2 conference records. But because the Pokes won head-to-head a few weeks ago, the rematch for the conference title will take place once again in Laramie.
If both the MAC and the AAC finish in upsets, the Mountain West is the biggest name in position to sweep up the crumbs left by the vanquished. San Diego State would probably have an easier time convincing the committee in an evaluation against Temple, as a win would get them to 10-3 and give them an identical record as an AAC-champion Owls team. If chaos ensues earlier in Championship Weekend, though, whoever wins this showdown will definitely garner Access Bowl consideration.