Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 7: Cincinnati unbeatable?
894. . 5-1. Previous: 12th. Falcons . 10. team
AP Top 25 Ranking: Receiving Votes (2)
USA Today Coaches Poll Ranking: Receiving Votes (9)
Week 6 result: Won 24-14 vs. Wyoming
Air Force has one of the best defenses in the Mountain West Conference this season. They have not allowed more than 14 points in a game (except for one outlier against Utah State when they gave up 49 points). The Falcons will face their toughest opponent yet in a road game against Boise State — a team fresh off upsetting BYU.
897. . 4-2. Previous: 9th. Bulldogs . 9. team
AP Top 25 Ranking: N/A
USA Today Coaches Poll Ranking: Receiving Votes (2)
Week 6 result: Bye Week
Fresno State has lost two games this season, but they come with an asterisk. The first loss was at Oregon in a one-possession heartbreaker. The other came on the road at Hawaii when quarterback Jake Haener threw an interception with nine seconds left while they were in the red zone. The Bulldogs were off Week 6 and are preparing to take on the Wyoming Cowboys.
team. 2384. . 5-1. Previous: 10th. Flames . 8
AP Top 25 Ranking: N/A
USA Today Coaches Poll Ranking: Receiving Votes (8)
Week 6 result: Won 41-13 vs. Middle Tennessee State
Liberty has faced a little resistance this season, except at Syracuse when I lost by three points. The Flames travel to Louisiana Monroe to play a struggling Warhawks team. Liberty quarterback Malik Willis is playing excellent football and improving his draft stock. The junior from Atlanta has thrown 13 touchdowns and rushed for seven more.
team. 2393. . 4-1. Previous: 7th. Mountaineers . 7
AP Top 25 Ranking: Receiving Votes (2)
USA Today Coaches Poll Ranking: Receiving Votes (18)
Week 6 result: Bye Week
Appalachian State did not play during Week 6 of college football, but they surely used the time off to prepare for a very good Louisiana football team. The Mountaineers will square off against the Ragin’ Cajuns on Oct.12 on ESPN2 in the game and will likely determine the second-best team in the Sun Belt this season.
5-1. Previous: 2nd. Cougars . 6. team. 861.
AP Top 25 Ranking: 19
USA Today Coaches Poll Ranking: 20
Week 6 result: Lost 17-26 vs. Boise State
The Associated Press and the Coaches Poll were much more kind to BYU than I have been in these rankings. While the Cougars won three straight games against Pac-12 schools at the start of the season, they struggled against South Florida and ultimately were upset by Boise State. BYU travels to Waco, Texas to face a 5-1 Baylor team that will likely be one of their toughest remaining games of the season.