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

The UCF Knights will be playing on Thursday in primetime, which will give AAC fans some nice mid-week action to enjoy. You are likely to see one of college football’s most dynamic offenses, filled with crazy good athletes at the quarterback, running back, and receiver positions.

This Gus Malzahn-led team looks to get off to a fast start with newly named starter John Rhys Plumlee, a transfer from Ole Miss, when they take on South Carolina State of the FCS.

Anything less than a 21-plus point win will give fans pause in a season filled with sky-high expectations.

UCF will host South Carolina State on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN+.

Houston looks to take on the newest Group of Five darlings in UTSA during Week 1 of the college football season. The Roadrunners won 12 games last season and enjoyed being ranked as high as No. 15 in the 2021 AP Top 25.

Although this is just the third time these two teams have ever met, the Cougars can not take their opponent lightly. Houston quarterback Clayton Tune is going to need to be firing on all cylinders against UTSA in order to escape San Antonio with the win.

No. 24 Houston heads over to San Antonio to take on the Roadrunners at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBSSN.

The highest ranked Group of Five team in my power rankings is also the highest ranked team in the preseason AP Top 25 college football poll.

They’ve lost a lot of talent to the NFL, but they are reloaded and look to take on a very disciplined Razorback team that’s ranked No. 19 in the same poll. This will probably be the toughest test of the season for the Bearcats and it’s the very first game of the season.

No. 23 Cincinnati heads to Fayetteville to take on No. 19 Arkansas at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.