Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 14: Championship week hierarchy
By Zach Bigalke
Boise State faced off against Utah State last weekend in what amounted to a play-in game for the MWC Mountain title and a spot in the Mountain West championship game. In the battle between ranked divisional foes, the Broncos got the upper hand as they prevailed 33-24 on the Smurf Turf to reach 10 wins for the third straight year and fourth time in five season under Bryan Harsin.
The Broncos got a great day from Alexander Mattison, who piled on 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 37 carries. Brett Rypien got in on the action, going 23-of-32 for 310 passing yards with a touchdown and no turnovers. And the defense did a great job of rendering the Aggies one-dimensional, allowing 363 passing yards to Jordan Love but holding the Utah State backfield to just 62 yards on the ground.
It has now been four years since Boise State earned the first automatic qualifying bid for a Group of Five team. The preeminent mid-major program of the 21st century is in great position to earn another trip into one of the big-money bowl games. If UCF loses and the Broncos win, Harsin’s squad will get the nod.