Group of Five power rankings: UAB, Marshall, Coastal rising in Week 2
Appalachian State loses Week 1 heartbreaker to UNC despite furious comeback
Air Force defeated Northern Iowa 48-17
To the surprise of no one, the Air Force Falcons accumulated 691 total yards of offense against UNI in Week 1— of which, 582 were earned on the ground.
Should we start the Heisman campaign for Haaziq Daniels now or later? The senior quarterback recorded 109 passing yards, 107 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns. In all seriousness, Daniels is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the Mountain West. As long as he’s healthy, they will have a chance to push for a conference championship.
Scouting Report. American. 9. LW: 10. SMU Mustangs. player. 884. Pick Analysis
SMU defeated North Texas 48-10
SMU QB Tanner Mordecai picked up right where he left off in 2021. He threw for 432 yards, 4 TDs, and no interceptions in the huge Week 1 win over the North Texas Mean Green.
New Head Coach Rhett Lashlee will need to talk to his team about ball security, however. RB Tre Siggers and WR Jordan Kerley lost a fumble each. Against a stronger opponent, those two mistakes could cost them the game.
LW: 6. 8. Pick Analysis. Sun Belt. Appalachian State Mountaineers. player. 2391. Scouting Report
Appalachian State lost to North Carolina 63-61
The Mountaineers and the Tar Heels put on an absolute rollercoaster of a show and one of the wildest Week 1 games you’ll ever see. UNC had firm control of the game through the first three quarters, enjoying a 41-21 lead. However App State went on a furious, 40-point run in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough. The Mountaineers could not convert a two-point attempt after making it 63-61 with nine seconds left in the game.
124 combined points, 1,216 combined yards of offense, and just two combined turnovers provided one of the most memorable Week 1 college football games in recent memory.
Appalachian State proved they can play with the big boys and will be a very tough matchup for anyone in college football.
Pick Analysis. LW: 13. 7. player. 2367. Scouting Report. C-USA. UAB Blazers
UAB defeated Alabama A&M 59-0
The UAB Blazers jump up from 13 to No. 7 in my new power rankings after enjoying the biggest margin of victory of any top team in the Group of Five.
Any doubts about the quick turnaround from Head Coach Bill Clark to interim coach Bryant Vincent have washed away after a 59-point win over Alabama A&M in Week 1.
The Blazers look to all the tools necessary to push UTSA for a shot at the Conference USA championship in 2022.
Coastal Carolina defeated Army 38-28
Chanticleers QB Grayson McCall is back doing Grayson McCall things, scoring four total touchdowns against a stringent Army defense in Week 1.
Things were even at halftime at 14 apiece, but the Chants turned up the heat, outscoring Army 24-14 in the second half.
Coastal Carolina’s balanced attack (174 passing yards, 263 rushing yards) will make them hard to defend if everyone remains healthy.