Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 8: Another unbeaten falls

Yes, Cincinnati suffered their first loss of the season. Three things are working in their favor to remain in the Group of Five Power Rankings this week despite the defeat.

First, the Bearcats fell in overtime. As Les Miles said back in 2007 about LSU, they are still “undefeated in regulation”. Luke Fickell‘s team was up 17-10 heading into the fourth quarter, but a late touchdown by the Owls forced overtime. Then their defense held firm, and the dream of a perfect season was dead for Cincinnati.

Second, the Bearcats are still among the top teams in the country in plenty of statistical categories. Cincinnati remains in the top 35 in scoring offense and eighth overall in the FBS in scoring defense despite the Week 8 disappointment. The Bearcats defense is a top-10 unit against both the run and the pass.

Third, Cincinnati still gets to play both South Florida and UCF. If they can take down the last two unbeaten teams in the Group of Five, they will vault right back into the New Year’s Six discussion. Next week they try to rebound and get back to winning ways with a trip to Dallas to face SMU.