Group of Five: 2017 college football Week 3 power rankings

Given their recent string of misfortune, it feels odd to list Eastern Michigan among the mid-major contenders in this week’s edition of the Group of Five Power Rankings. Before going 7-5 in the regular season last year and reaching the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl, the Eagles hadn’t reached postseason play in three decades. Those seven wins in 2016 equal Eastern Michigan’s total from the previous four seasons combined.

But with Brogan Roback at quarterback, Eastern Michigan will be a legitimate threat to spoil the day in the MAC. Last week the Eagles took down Rutgers in Piscataway, admittedly not that tough a test these days but a Power Five victory nonetheless. Roback threw for 260 yards and a touchdown in a battle otherwise dominated by defense, as EMU returned home with a 16-13 win.

After a bye in Week 3, Eastern Michigan finishes its month of September with a conference test against interdivisional opponent Ohio. The Eagles should be 3-0 when they head to Lexington at the beginning of October for their only Power Five test of the year, a showdown with Kentucky that could feature two unbeaten schools.

The MAC is solidly among the top three conferences in the Group of Five. Now Eastern Michigan is among the better teams in the league. They control their own fate in 2017, with games against Toledo and Western Michigan likely to help decide the MAC West. If the Eagles reach the conference championship in Detroit, they will have a legitimate shot at a New Year’s Six bowl.