Boise State, Tulane gain momentum in new Group of 5 power rankings

Cincinnati football is still in pole position despite Appalachian State theatrics

UAB defeated Georgia Southern 35-21

At No. 5, I have the UAB Blazers. Georgia Southern, like Marshall before them, was still flying a little too close to the sun after their spectacular upset over Nebraska in Week 2. The Blazers rattled Eagles QB Kyle Vantrease into three interceptions and got off to a huge 21-0 start.

DeWayne McBride, running back for UAB was basically unstoppable. He had one of the best Week 3 performances in all of college football vs Georgia Southern: 28 carries, 223 yards, and 4 touchdowns.

Coastal Carolina defeated Buffalo 38-26

Bumping up to No. 4, is the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers. Another late-game clutch performance for Grayson McCall, who has recorded four total touchdowns in the fourth quarter through Week 3.

Even though they’re 3-0 right now, I’m not yet convinced Coastal is a top-tier G5 team. They’re allowing their opponents to hang around the entire game instead of pulling away. That’s not going to fly once they get into the meat of their conference schedule against Old Dominion, Marshall, and App State. But, for now, they get rewarded for being one of the few G5 college football teams to be undefeated entering Week 4.

UCF defeated FAU 40-14

Mr. Do Everything himself, John Rhys Plumlee continues to dazzle on offense for UCF, propelling the Knights to No. 3 this week. The Ole Miss transfer recorded a combined for 460 yards of offense and 3 touchdowns in the blowout win over FAU.

As long as Plumlee stays healthy and the defense does its job, this team can hang with anyone in college football.

App State defeated Troy 32-28

App State holds firm at No. 2 despite coming dangerously close to following in the G5 upset hangover. It took a last-second, 53-yard, hail-mary pass from Chase Brice (that bounced off a Troy defender and into the hands of WR Christian Horn) to enable the Mountaineers to win the game as time expired. Appalachian State has turned into must-watch football this season after an exciting Week 1 game, and their spectacular Week 2 upset over Texas A&M.

Cincinnati defeated Miami (OH) 38-17

Things got off to a slow start for Cincinnati against rival Miami (OH) at Paycor Stadium, after they spotted the RedHawks a 10-0 lead through much of the first quarter. But, the Bearcats rattled off 17 points in the final 10 minutes of the second quarter to take the lead and run away with the rest of the game. In fact, Luke Fickell’s team pitched a second-half shutout, ending the game on a 31-0 run.

The Bearcats get one final power five opponent to reaffirm that they’re the best Group of 5 teams in college football this season when they take on Indiana in Week 4.