Here we are again with ranking your top ten teams from the Group of Five. The tweaks continue, and some teams might appear that were gone last time and vice versa.
The current stipulation is that you need to have a winning record in order to be eligible for a vote, so apologies in advance to Eastern Michigan and Army, two 2-2 teams that have played well but not quite well enough for our poll.
To that end, here’s your current top ten in the Group of Five:
- UCF – Well they probably gave up a few more points to The Lane Train than they would like, but it’s not like the Owls defense was ever in danger of slowing down Mackenzie Milton, and we know he can win a shootout. Bring on Pitt!
- (T-2)North Texas– Undefeated and beating the hell out of everybody. I don’t see them being challenged by many teams in-conference, and I stick to my prediction of an outside shot at 13-0
- (T-2)South Florida – Sure, they’re undefeated, but they just snuck past ECU for crying out loud. I mean, maybe the Pirates have turned a corner all of a sudden, but a team that struggles to beat ECU doesn’t look ahead to Temple, UCF and Cinci and start licking their chops.
- Boise State – Absolutely dominated in their win over Bye Week U. Will resume next week on the road against Wyoming.
- Troy – After handling their business on the road against ULM, they’ll now head home to play Coastal Carolina in an unexpected division-title-eliminator game
- Cincinnati – Much like USF, they’re undefeated, but there’s warts all over this toad. Ohio exposed their defense pretty badly, which matters because numerous teams left on their schedule have strengths that match well with the Bearcats’ sudden weaknesses. Another good-but-flawed AAC team; shocking, right?
- Memphis – STILL MOAR AAC. The Tigers are another offensive juggernaut doing pretty much whatever they please, especially whenever Darrell Henderson, Tony Pollard, Patrick Taylor or Damonte Coxie has the ball. UCF/Memphis is going to be fun again this year.
- Buffalo – My goodness Tyree Jackson is for real. Well, he always has been, but now it’s on an every week basis, and the MAC should be on the lookout for a Bull-shaped train that might be about to plow through the conference schedule.
- Appalachian State – Finished tuning up for conference play by plastering an overwhelmed FCS opponent. Ought to perform well against a South Alabama squad that is still suspect on defense.
- Marshall – I personaly don’t really thing Marshall belongs here, but the voters have spoken. Wins over an FCS team and a mediocre MAC team, plus a decisive loss at home to NC State. But, the voters have spoken.
Others receiving votes: Coastal Carolina, La Tech, Houston, Utah State, Arkansas State, Hawaii, San Diego State, UAB, Toledo, Akron, Fresno State
I don’t know what the hell 4-1 Hawai’i is doing down here. I am aware that the teams they have beaten are not spectacular, but they’ve already won four games, which is more than any number of teams will win all season. I almost unilaterally decided to move them into Marshall’s spot, but I best not piss off my voters too early in the year.
