Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 10: Appalachian State dominates
By Zach Bigalke
3. Cincinnati Bearcats (6-1/AAC)
- LAST WEEK’S RANK: 3rd
- WEEK 9 RESULT: idle in Week 9
- WEEK 10 MATCHUP: Nov. 2 at East Carolina
Cincinnati took a break in Week 9, and they pushed up one spot in the AP Top 25 despite the idleness thanks to the rest of the chaos of the weekend. If every Group of Five champion happens to finish the season with at least one loss, the Bearcats are positioned as the team with the most forgivable loss among the bunch.
That, of course, is their 42-0 defeat at Ohio State in September that pushed the Bearcats from the ranks of the undefeated before they could really get started. With the Buckeyes winning all along the way and the favorite to win the Big Ten this year, Cincinnati has the type of quality win that would leave the Cotton Bowl with the best possible battle-tested opponent who can also boast a Power Five win over UCLA and the regular-season streak killer over a ranked UCF team.
Cincinnati is the only unbeaten team in conference play left in the AAC East, and if they win out they are guaranteed to play the AAC West champion in the conference title game. Road trips to East Carolina, South Carolina, and Memphis are sandwiched in a triple-decker around home dates against UConn and Temple. If the Bearcats slip up twice, it opens the door for UCF to steal its way back into the conference championship for a third straight year.