Group of Five: 2017 college football Week 2 power rankings

Back in the BCS era, Conference USA was always fighting uphill battles against WAC and Mountain West champions. Even the MAC was able to produce a BCS Buster. Now, in the era when Group of Five champions have a shot at an automatic berth, C-USA still seems to be behind other leagues in terms of perception.

The Hilltoppers have been consistently among the best Conference USA teams over the past six years under Willie Taggart, Bobby Petrino and Jeff Brohm. Now, as they enter the Mike Sanford era, Western Kentucky has a shot at taking the next leap forward for the program. A comfortable 31-17 win over FCS Eastern Kentucky isn’t going to tell us much about the Hilltoppers

The defense held Eastern Kentucky to 25 rushing yards on 22 carries. But Tim Kevin Boyle was able to complete 29 of his 46 attempts for 320 yards and two touchdowns, rendering some questions about the secondary in Bowling Green. Defense is another big reason why the Hilltoppers stand pat instead of climbing the Group of Five Power Rankings.

In Week 2, though, a huge early test looms for the Hilltoppers. The trip to Champaign to face Illinois is one of two Power Five games on Western Kentucky’s schedule. But the Vanderbilt trip in early November will mean nothing unless the Hilltoppers keep winning at this point of the season. Given the struggles the Illini had against Ball State in Week 1, WKU will be expected to annihilate the hosts.