Group of Five Power Rankings: Can Cincinnati push UCF heading into 2019?

Teams 18-25: Secondary contenders in the Group of Five race

From year to year, there are always teams that sneak up on us and make noise in the Group of Five field. Here are 15 other teams that were evaluated while compiling the preseason Group of Five power rankings and that might bust out to steal their conference crowns this year.

25. Eastern Michigan (MAC) — While Eastern Michigan needs to replace Brogan Roback at quarterback, the bigger challenge is going to be retooling a defense that lost seven starters from the 2018 roster. The Eagles have been making steady progress in the MAC West, though, and winnable contests against Kentucky and Illinois offer a pair of statement opportunities.

24. UAB (C-USA) — UAB won the Conference USA title last season, but the Blazers have to deal with a lot of attrition on both sides of the ball. They also face the weakest schedule in the entire FBS according to Phil Steele, which could seriously hurt UAB’s chances vis-à-vis other Group of Five champions in the final evaluations by the College Football Playoff selection committee.

23. Ohio (MAC) — Among MAC teams that could make serious inroads at the New Year’s Six this year, Ohio has the clearest path as the favorite in the MAC East. While the West is beating up on itself, the Bobcats need only to get past Pittsburgh in the season opener and then it all comes down to winning the MAC East without too many losses.

22. Toledo (MAC) — Toledo is one of several hopefuls in a glutted MAC West field this season. If they can get past a rebuilding Kentucky team in the season opener in Lexington, the Rockets can focus their attention on the conference schedule knowing they already have a Power Five statement on their resume.

21. Florida Atlantic (C-USA) — In 2018, Florida Atlantic backslid in a big way in Lane Kiffin’s second season at the helm. The Owls are likely to bounce right back in 2019, though they have to contend with the loss of touchdown machine Devin Singletary. The season opens with a visit to Ohio State and a home game against UCF, providing no chance to ease into the new year.

20. North Texas (C-USA) — North Texas enters 2019 as the frontrunner in C-USA West, thanks to the return of Mason Fine at quarterback and Seth Littrell as the head coach. A trip to Berkeley offers the potential to make a statement against a Power Five opponent, and showdowns against Houston and SMU could serve as intersectional Group of Five elimination games.

19. Middle Tennessee (C-USA) — Michigan, Duke and Iowa give the Blue Raiders three critical opportunities to earn a statement against a Power Five opponent. But the loss of multi-year starter Brent Stockstill and a slew of other talent in Murfreesboro will make it difficult to aim for anything bigger than bowl eligibility this year.

18. Troy (Sun Belt) — Troy is managing the loss of head coach Neal Brown, hoping to maintain the level of consistency that brought 10-win season after 10-win season back to Alabama. The Trojans have a key road test in Columbia against Missouri on the first weekend of October that could bolster their chances of earning the Group of Five’s lucrative New Year’s Six berth.