Group of Five Power Rankings, Week 10: Houston, Fresno State on the rise

Week 9 result: Won 35-28 vs Troy
Week 10 game: Nov. 6 at Georgia Southern (2-6)

No. 21 Coastal Carolina was never really able to put away Troy, never having more than a 14-point lead. The Chants were trying to shake off a tough loss the previous week to Appalachian State. Now, they look ahead to Georgia Southern. The Eagles have only won two games this season, but would love to spoil the Chants’ season with an upset.

Week 9 result: Won 44-37 vs SMU
Week 10 game: Nov. 6 vs South Florida (2-6)

No. 20 Houston pulled off the upset over No. 19 SMU on an exciting 100-yard kickoff return to secure victory over their in-state conference rivals. The Cougars have one of the best defenses in all of college football, allowing just 158 points this season, second-best in the AAC. Houston will have their hands full against South Florida this week.

Week 9 result: Won 30-20 vs San Diego State
Week 10 game: Nov. 6 vs Boise State (4-4)

The No. 25 Fresno State Bulldogs got a much-needed win over SDSU last week, improving to seven wins on the season. Fresno State, led by star quarterback Jake Haener, will look to dispatch conference foe Boise State at home this week. Boise State might be just 4-4 this season, but they don’t get blown out when they lose. They’ve lost four games by a combined 21 points, a tough break for a team that traditionally only loses a few games each season. Fresno State has their work cut out for them this weekend.

Week 9 result: Bye Week
Week 10 game: Nov. 6 at UTEP (6-2)

The No. 16 UTSA Roadrunners have been busy in the past few weeks, announcing their membership to the AAC, signing head coach Jeff Traylor to a 10-year contract extension, and being snubbed from the first round of 2021 College Football Playoff Rankings. The Roadrunners have a tough test against in-state rival Texas El-Paso. It’s a game featured on ESPN2 and these two programs are ecstatic—it should be a great Group of Five college football game.

Week 9 result: Won 31-12 at Tulane
Week 10 game: Nov. 6 vs Tulsa

The No. 2 ranked Cincinnati have been successfully putting away their conference opponents with little pushback, save for a close call against Navy.

The Bearcats will be coming out with a vengeance against Tulsa this week, after being snubbed in the first rankings released by the College Football Playoff Committee in which they were ranked No. 6 overall. The Bearcats are going to need a small miracle to qualify for the Playoffs, despite a huge road win against a top-10 team in Notre Dame. The Bearcats are the poster children for the Playoff Committee’s apparent disregard for Group of Five teams.