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

Troy stood at No. 10 in the Group of Five Power Rankings entering the weekend, and they remain in that spot after a perfectly normal conference win over Louisiana-Monroe on the road. The Trojans went west and took down the Warhawks 35-27 on Saturday to claim their first Sun Belt win of the season.

Kaleb Barker was a ridiculously efficient 23-of-28 for 273 yards and two touchdowns. His understudy, Sawyer Smith, completed all four of his attempts after coming into the game and added another 56 yards and a touchdown through the air. The backfield chipped in 140 yards and a pair of rushing touchdowns on 35 carries.

Troy’s defense actually gave up more yards to the Warhawks than their offense was able to compile, but they held firm where it counted most. ULM quarterback Caleb Evans threw for 290 yards, ran for 101 more, and threw for two touchdowns in the defeat.

Now that they are into conference play, there is a ceiling as to how high Troy can climb — especially with Boise State still sitting on only one loss as well and holding the head-to-head victory. If the Trojans keep winning, they will probably need the Broncos to lose not just once but twice more to really get into the hunt for the Group of Five’s bid into the New Year’s Six.