Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 7: Sorting the AAC Mess

9. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (4-1/Sun Belt)

• WEEK 6 RESULT: Bye week
• WEEK 7 OPPONENT: Oct. 9 at Appalachian State

Louisiana’s only loss so far came in a respectable 38-28 defeat in the season opener against Mississippi State. Falling to the Bulldogs was hardly a loss that can completely doom the Ragin’ Cajuns in the Group of Five race, though Sun Belt teams have historically had a hard time climbing too high up the chart due to the league’s lower profile.

That is all changing, however, as Louisiana has leaned on the nation’s top-ranked rushing attack to improve to 4-1 this season and set up a huge Wednesday-night showdown with Appalachian State for the pole position in the Sun Belt. The Mountaineers have to come to Lafayette for a conference battle that could serve as a prelude to a rematch later this season in the conference championship game.

With a win, Louisiana would vault their way up the polls. The oddsmakers thinks the Ragin’ Cajuns have a real shot at toppling the Mountaineers, as they are calling this game a straight-up pick your winner affair. If they do take down the defending champs, look for Louisiana to earn votes in both polls this week and set themselves up for second straight weekday game at Arkansas State to bolster their standing with the voters and the College Football Playoff selection committee.