Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 7: AAC and MWC lead race
By Zach Bigalke
As the only AAC West team left with a perfect record in conference play, Houston is the favorite to play whichever currently-undefeated team emerges out of the AAC East for the league title at the end of the regular season. The Cougars moved to 5-1 on the year in Week 7 with a 42-20 takedown of East Carolina on the road.
Houston’s vaunted defense gave up 374 combined yards to East Carolina’s passers, but they needed 63 attempts to compile that quantity. The Cougars snatched three interceptions and also forced a Reid Herring fumble. Meanwhile, D’Eriq King was great when the Cougars had the ball. The Houston quarterback went 13-of-23 for 209 yards and two touchdowns through the air, while adding another score on the ground.
With Texas Tech still a contender in the Big 12 race, Houston’s only loss through the first half of the season doesn’t look too terrible. They have one Power Five statement win over Arizona, and the Cougars will get a chance to play currently-ranked USF during the regular season. First, though, they go to Annapolis next week to face Navy.