College Football: Group of 5 Week 4 power rankings

Navy had a bye week in Week 3. Unlike some other schools, this was actually planned into the schedule rather than the result of inclement weather. The Midshipmen traditionally take off one of the first few weeks of the season, since they play Army in their traditional season-ending rivalry game in Philadelphia a week after conference championships wrap up.

Last year, when Navy hosted the American Athletic Conference championship game, the College Football Playoff selection committee said that they would withhold final judgment on which Group of Five champion made the New Year’s Six cut until after the Army-Navy Game. Ken Niumatalolo‘s team fell short of forcing the committee’s hand, though, as they lost at home to Temple in the title game and then to the Black Knights.

Despite a loaded division this season, the Midshipmen will once again be contenders in the AAC West. Navy begins its conference schedule this weekend when the Cincinnati Bearcats come to Annapolis. Their only shot this year to take down a Power Five programs comes on November 18 when the Midshipmen visit South Bend in their annual contest against Notre Dame. More important will be taking care of business in AAC play.