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Group of Five football power rankings, Week 4: Fresno State rising

By Jacob Ellerbee

Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) runs for the locker room after the Bearcats win in the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind., on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. The Bearcats won 38-24.Cincinnati Bearcats At Indiana Hoosiers Football
Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) runs for the locker room after the Bearcats win in the fourth quarter of the NCAA football game between the Indiana Hoosiers and the Cincinnati Bearcats at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, Ind., on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021. The Bearcats won 38-24.Cincinnati Bearcats At Indiana Hoosiers Football /
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San Diego State sits near the top of the power rankings
Sep 18, 2021; Carson, California, USA; San Diego State Aztecs celebrate the 33-31 victory after the Utah Utes two point conversion attempt was ruled incomplete in overtime at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Liberty (3-0)

The Liberty Flames, led by head coach Hugh Freeze, are clicking early in the year. Much of the team’s success is due to junior quarterback Malik Willis and his seven touchdown passes and four rushing touchdowns. While the Flames have yet to face a Power Five team this season, they’ll get an opportunity in their next game when they take on Syracuse (2-1).

8. Utah State (3-0)

Utah State turned heads with a Week 1 win over Washington State of the Pac-12. They followed that up with a 24-point win over North Dakota and a five-point win over Air Force in Week 3. Utah State’s offense keeps opposing defenses on their toes with a two-quarterback system and several offensive weapons. Five different wide receivers have totaled 100 or more receiving yards on the season. Two players have more than 100 total rushing yards and two players have more than 250 passing yards. An important test against Boise State takes place in Week 4.

7. UTSA (3-0)

Texas-San Antonio burst onto the scene this season with a huge Week 1 win over Illinois of the Big 10, handing new Illinois head coach Bret Bielema his first loss with the team. The Roadrunners followed that up with a 54-0 shutout of Lamar in Week 2 and a 14-point win over Middle Tennessee State. UTSA will need its defense to continue to be dominant if wants to beat Memphis (3-0) in Week 4. The defense has only given up 13 points combined in the previous two games while Memphis has scored 86 in their previous two contests.

6. Memphis (3-0)

The Memphis Tigers beat an undefeated SEC team in Week 3, sending Mississippi State home with a massive loss. The Tigers have been unstoppable on offense, scoring 128 total points through Week 3. Senior wide receiver Calvin Austin III leads the country with six receiving touchdowns, giving freshman quarterback Seth Henigan a reliable target. Memphis hosts UTSA in a big Week 4 meeting of undefeated teams.

5. San Diego State (3-0)

The Aztecs came out of Week 1 with a solid 28-10 win over New Mexico State. They followed that up with two straight wins against Pac-12 teams Arizona and Utah. Senior running back Greg Bell has been a big reason for the team’s success — recording four rushing touchdowns and gaining 405 yards on the ground this season. He has recorded 100-plus rushing yards in each game this season. San Diego State will host Towson in Week 4.

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