Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 10: Several favorites stumble

Troy boasts a critical upset of Nebraska, giving the Trojans a statement win over a Power Five opponent for the second straight season. But a pair of losses, once to a Group of Five side and a second against an independent newcomer to the FBS ranks, have Troy sitting as an unlikely candidate to actually bust into the New Year’s Six picture.

Nevertheless, Troy is the only team still undefeated in Sun Belt play this season, after they took down Louisiana 26-16 on Saturday. Sawyer Smith went 18-of-22 for 317 yards and a touchdown in the victory, while B.J. Smith racked up 103 rushing yards and a score on the ground. The Trojans defense held Louisiana quarterback Andre Nunez to only 126 yards and two interceptions on 11-of-25 passing.

There are still those two losses on the schedule, though. The first came against Boise State, in a rematch of one of the top Group of Five-versus-Group of Five non-conference games of 2017. Boise State took advantage of Troy mistakes to generate an even more lopsided Broncos victory this year. The second loss came against FBS neophyte Liberty.

Fair or not, the Sun Belt has always had a reputation as a steppingstone conference. For a Sun Belt team to break down the ceiling and get into a New Year’s Six bowl, two losses is probably at least one too many for the selection committee.