Group of 5 college football power rankings, Week 1: Utah State concerned?

Utah State slides back a little bit in this week’s rankings after barely scraping by UConn at home in Week 0. I had them ranked No. 7 in my initial rankings.

The Aggies gave the Huskies a 14-0 head start and didn’t regain control of the game until just a couple of minutes before halftime. UConn kept pushing throughout the second half and got within four points of Utah State with 10 minutes left in the game, but Logan Bonner and the Aggies prevailed.

I know it’s Week 0, but has there been that much drop off in Utah State’s offense or is UConn that much more improved from a disastrous 2021? I expected a better showing from one of last season’s most exciting offenses in the Group of Five.

The Aggies take on No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa on SEC Network at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Boise State is under a lot of pressure to get back to their double-digit winning seasons. Their seven wins in 2021 was their fewest wins since 1998 when they won just six games under Dirk Koetter.

Part of the regression stems from players leaving after head coach Bryan Harsin left for Auburn. Now, Andy Avalos, in his second season hopes to be able to utilize more of his own recruits and had time to perfect his playsets.

He’ll have a tough first test out of the gate in 2022, when they take on a revitalized Oregon State program that’s coming off its winningest season since 2013.

Boise State travels to Oregon State to take on the Beavers at 10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The San Diego State football program is in crisis mode, with everyone talking about the allegations and lawsuits surrounding former punter Matt Araiza and two other players (who are no longer part of the team) accused of raping a minor last year, according to ESPN.

This is a team that needs to get its priorities in order and instead they’re having to address how poorly this team and athletic department handled the incident.

This is a talented team, but will they be able to filter out what’s happening off the field as they take on the Wildcats in Week 1?

The Aztecs host Arizona at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.