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

4. Fresno State (3-1) — No. 22 in AP Top 25

Fresno State pulled off the biggest upset of Week 3 when it took down Pac-12 foe UCLA in a 40-37 shootout. The Bulldogs’ win catapulted them into the AP Top 25. The Bulldogs blew by UConn in their opening game and smoked Cal-Poly 63-10 in Week 2. The team’s only loss was a seven-point heartbreaker to Oregon, which was ranked No. 11 at the time. Senior quarterback Jake Haener has looked like a top-tier quarterback this season, racking up 1,464 passing yards and 10 touchdowns. The Bulldogs will take on 0-3 UNLV next week.

3. Coastal Carolina (3-0); No. 17 in AP Top 25

Coastal Carolina narrowly escaped defeat this week against Buffalo, coming out on top 28-25. This was after cruising to victory in the first two weeks, outscoring their opponents 101-36. The team’s running back-by-committee approach and accurate quarterback play have shown this team can beat you either way. Two running backs have rushed for 200-plus yards this season, with a third already eclipsing the 100-yard mark. Sophomore quarterback Grayson McCall is completing 78 percent of his passes. Next up for the Chanticleers is a meeting with 0-3 Massachusetts in Week 4.

2. BYU (3-0); No. 15 in AP Top 25

BYU has played like one of the best teams in the country this season, defeating three straight Pac-12 teams — two of which were ranked in the AP Top 25. Stellar play from the Cougars’ defense is a big reason why they are tough to beat. No one has scored more than 17 points against them this season. Sophomore linebacker Keenan Pili anchors the defense for BYU with his 31 total tackles and 1.5 sacks through the first three weeks of play. It’s tempting to place BYU at the top of these power rankings, having beat two ranked teams, but they are still BYU hosts South Florida (1-2) in Week 4.

1. Cincinnati (3-0); No. 8 in AP Top 25

The Group of Five team at the top of these power rankings is also one of the best teams in all of college football. Period. The No. 8 ranked Cincinnati Bearcats went to a hostile, sold-out Memorial Stadium in Bloomington and dominated with a 38-24 victory in Week 3. The Bearcats gave Indiana quarterback Michael Penix Jr. fits all game, forcing him to throw three interceptions. Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder also struggled at times against Indiana, completing just 56 percent of his passes for 210 yards. It was his lowest completion percentage since Sept. 26, 2020 when the Bearcats defeated Army and Ridder completed just 55 percent of his throws.

Cincinnati has no game scheduled in Week 4, but will surely be using it wisely in preparation for the team’s toughest game of the season against No. 12 Notre Dame on Oct. 2.