Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 4: I-4 rivals hold position at top

In their return to the field after the canceled North Carolina game, UCF came out and dominated defending Conference USA champion Florida Atlantic on its home field on Friday night. The Knights knocked off the Owls 56-36, claiming a statement win in the Group of Five elimination game and extending the nation’s longest winning streak to 16 straight games.

McKenzie Milton stepped up in a big way in the victory over the Owls, throwing for 306 yards and three touchdowns on 21-of-32 passing. Milton added 81 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 13 carries. After a slower-than-expected start to the 2018 season, Milton showed on Friday why he entered the new campaign as a preseason Heisman dark-horse to watch.

The UCF defense allowed 131 rushing yards and three touchdowns to FAU running back Devin Singletary, and the Owls 320 yards and four touchdowns on the ground as a team. But the Knights were able to render their guests virtually one-dimensional, as Owls quarterback Chris Robison finished 13-of-26 for 124 passing yards, with one touchdown against three interceptions.

Coupled with a weekend of chaos, UCF moved up to No. 13 in the AP Top 25 this week. Josh Heupel’s team remains at home next weekend to take on Pittsburgh in what ended up being their only statement opportunity against a Power Five opponent this season. After that, the Knights turn their attention to defending their American Athletic Conference title.