Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 10: Appalachian State dominates

4. Boise State Broncos (6-1/MWC)

• LAST WEEK’S RANK: 5th
• WEEK 9 RESULT: idle in Week 9
• WEEK 10 MATCHUP: Nov. 2 at San Jose State

Boise State was idle on the final weekend of October, but they moved above Memphis largely because of the way the Tigers played and because the Group of Five race will definitely have the Mountain West champion in the picture. While the Broncos lost to BYU 28-25 in Provo in Week 8 before taking their bye, they remain the team to beat in the MWC Mountain race.

That loss can be forgiven, especially since teams like current Pac-12 South leader USC also lost in Provo to the Cougars. To forgive it, however, requires Boise State to win out through the month of November and then win the Mountain West title on the first Saturday of December. Another loss effectively eliminates them from the race, especially in context to the teams currently ranked above them.

It all begins with a trip to the Bay Area to face off against San Jose State in Week 10. Wyoming and New Mexico come to Albertsons Stadium the next two weeks before the Broncos travel again to Logan to face Utah State on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Six days later, Boise State closes out the regular season with a Black Friday battle against Colorado State in Fort Collins. Win all those and the reward will likely be a ranked San Diego State team at home on the Smurf Turf for the title.