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

Four years after their program was shuttered, UAB is a front-runner to play for the Conference USA title this year.

UAB takes over the spot in the Group of Five Power Rankings previously occupied by the North Texas squad they knocked off in Week 8. The Blazers felled the Mean Green 29-21 at home in Birmingham, and it made UAB the last C-USA West team that remains undefeated in conference play.

Spencer Brown was the catalyst for the Blazers offense on the ground, running for 100 yards and three touchdowns to pace them to victory. UAB’s defense gave up 336 passing yards and three touchdowns to North Texas quarterback Mason Fine, but his effort was thwarted by a Garrett Marino safety and only 64 rushing yards from the backfield.

Already enjoying victories over North Texas and Louisiana Tech in division play, the Blazers control their own destiny in the C-USA West race. UAB heads west next week to face winless UTEP in El Paso. The Miners are one of just two FBS teams that have zero victories in 2018, and the Blazers will almost certainly enter November at 7-1.