Group of Five college football power rankings, Week 9: Cincy stays on top after scare

Received 10 votes in the Coaches Poll

Week 8 Status: Won 34-32 vs Nevada

Fresno State survived a 16-point fourth-quarter comeback from Nevada to squeak out a win at home. QB Jake Haener bounced back nicely after having his worst game of 2021 against Wyoming but the Bulldogs relied on 223 total rushing yards to Nevada’s 52 total rushing yards to wear down the Wolfpack defense. The quality win earned Fresno State some votes in the most recent coaches poll. The Bulldogs will look to knock off SDSU this week in a tough road game at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Ranked No. 21 in AP Top 25
Ranked No. 20 in the Coaches Poll

Week 8 Status: Won 20-14 vs Air Force

San Diego State joins UTSA, SMU, and Cincinnati as the only remaining undefeated teams in the Group of Five. They got a quality win against a very tough Air Force team. San Diego State held off a feverish second-half comeback from the Falcons to earn the win. Fresno State is up next for the Aztecs and will be one of their toughest tests to date.

Ranked No. 23 in AP Top 25
Ranked No. 22 in the Coaches Poll

Week 8 Status: Won 45-16 vs Louisiana Tech

UTSA has entered a new phase during its Cinderella season, winning its eighth game of the year. However, with such great success comes outside distractions. UTSA is officially back on the map with its announced move to the AAC in a couple of years. Additionally, UTSA Head Coach Jeff Traylor is rumored to be at or near the top of Texas Tech’s wish list to be their next head coach. Interesting times ahead for the UTSA Roadrunners.

Ranked No. 19 in AP Top 25
Ranked No. 16 in the Coaches Poll

Week 8 Status: Won 55-26 vs Tulane

Coastal Carolina’s loss is SMU’s gain. The Mustangs move up to the second spot in this week’s rankings. SMU quarterback Tanner Mordecai continues his dazzling 2021 season, this time throwing for a career-best 427 passing yards and launching three touchdown passes in the routing of Tulane. Mordecai is tied for first in the country for most touchdown passes this season (29). SMU can’t wait until its clash with Cincinnati later this season.

Ranked No. 2 in AP Top 25
Ranked No. 2 in the Coaches Poll

Week 8 Status: Won 27-20 vs Navy

Cincinnati faced its toughest test and biggest scare of the season against Navy. The Midshipmen came out of the gate ready to roll in front of a home crowd in Annapolis, leading or holding a tie with the Bearcats for the entirety of the first half — save for the final play of the half when Cincinnati pulled ahead 13-10. The Bearcats pitched a shutout in the 3rd quarter and staved off a feverish late-game comeback from Navy to remain one of just a handful of undefeated college football teams in 2021.