Group of Five: 2017 college football Week 3 power rankings

South Florida missed out on its chance to move to 3-0 this weekend, as the approach of Hurricane Irma led to the cancellation of all but one football game featuring Florida schools in Week 2. The Bulls prepared for the storm instead of heading to Connecticut, and it appears that the conference showdown against the Huskies will not be rescheduled.

Thus the Bulls miss out on one data point compared to other Group of Five programs. Quinton Flowers also lost a chance to bolster his Heisman credentials. And the questions that arose after two less-than-exemplary efforts in their opening two games still remain for USF.

Now they turn around to face an Illinois team that has improved greatly in its second season under head coach Lovie Smith. Though the Illini offered to swap the order of their home-and-home series, it appears the game will still be played in Tampa. The Friday night contest will provide the first college football action in Florida since Irma made landfall.

Next: Can a 1-loss teams be a Playoff contender?

If they hope to remain atop the list of Group of Five contenders, South Florida will need to emerge from its doldrums and make a statement against their Big Ten opponent. With teams like San Diego State charging hard up the rankings, USF’s grip on the top of the Group of Five Power Rankings is not as strong as it was before other teams made statements last weekend.