Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 10: Several favorites stumble
By Zach Bigalke
After several weeks out of the Group of Five Power Rankings, San Diego State made a push back into the top 10 this week. In Week 10, the Aztecs took down New Mexico 31-23 in Albuquerque to move to 7-2 on the season. With the win, Rocky Long’s team kept pace with Fresno State in the MWC West race and set up a winner-takes-all showdown against the Bulldogs on November 17.
The big news out of the win over New Mexico was the return of quarterback Christian Chapman, who sat out six games with a knee sprain. Chapman replaced Ryan Agnew in the second quarter and stayed in the rest of the game, going 13-of-19 for 182 yards and a touchdown. Juwan Washington was also back for the Aztecs, and he rushed for 95 yards and two scores to pace the victory.
With all their biggest weapons getting back on the field at the right time, San Diego State has a legitimate chance to still make noise in the Group of Five race for the New Year’s Six invitation. Next weekend, the Aztecs face a cellar-dwelling UNLV team at home before they take on Fresno State. After the showcase against the Bulldogs, San Diego State will still have a home date against Hawaii to close out the year. Win all three, and the Aztecs will play for the Mountain West crown.