Dominant wins from Coastal Carolina Thursday and Cincinnati preceded a thrilling Saturday that saw a few updates to alter our rankings from what we had last week. BYU’s chances of making a New Year’s Six bowl game took a big hit with a loss to Boise State, which was in desperate need of momentum after a 2-3 start. Here is how the top of the Group of 5 is shaping up after six weeks of play.
#1. Cincinnati Bearcats (Last week: 1)
Cincinnati, as mentioned in the opener, was in control against Temple from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. The Bearcats actually got out to a bit of a slow start offensively with a field goal and a punt on its first two drives, but a fumble on the punt return set up a touchdown for the Bearcats to start the 52-3 rout. Cincy would punt just three times in the game, and Temple fumbled two of the punt returns. Desmond Ridder completed 22 of 30 passes for 259 yards and three touchdowns, while Jerome Ford led the charge on the ground with 149 yards on 15 carries with two scores. The Bearcat defense was dominant as usual, forcing three turnovers and picking up six sacks in the contest while keeping the Owls out of the end zone. Cincinnati hosts UCF Saturday at noon for its second AAC game.
#2. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (2)
The Chants offense was in peak form Thursday night against Arkansas State, scoring no less than 10 points in any quarter on its way to a 52-20 victory. The defense also shut out the Red Wolves in the first half. Grayson McCall was efficient and explosive, throwing for 365 yards on 18-23 passing with four touchdowns. Isaiah Likely was unstoppable at receiver, making eight catches for 232 yards and all four touchdown receptions, including a 99-yarder on Coastal’s second offensive play of the game. CJ Brewer had a sack and an interception to lead the defense, which allowed just three first downs in the first half before surrendering points after CCU was up 31-0. Coastal has some extra time off before a game next Wednesday at Appalachian State at 7:30 p.m. in what looks like the toughest regular-season contest for the Chanticleers this year.
#3. BYU Cougars (3)
BYU suffered its first loss this season, a 26-17 defeat to Boise State, Saturday to drop out of the AP top 10 and be fighting for third place among the Group of 5 instead of being neck-and-neck with Coastal for the second spot. Quarterback Jaren Hall being back after missing the last two games due to injury was supposed to be a boost to help BYU get by the Broncos, but he could not get his offense moving consistently enough. Hall threw for 302 yards and a touchdown, but also had an interception to go along with three fumbles from the running backs that Boise was able to capitalize on. The Cougar defense could not force any takeaways, and the 4-0 turnover margin was too much to overcome. BYU has another big game lurking with a trip to future conference foe Baylor Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
#4. SMU Mustangs (4)
SMU squeaked out a 31-24 win over Navy Saturday to stay undefeated and ranked in the AP Poll. The game featured back-to-back plays with a non-offensive touchdown as the Mustangs recovered from allowing a fumble return touchdown to the Midshipmen by returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. SMU would outgain Navy by over 150 yards, but two turnovers, one returned for a touchdown and the other erasing a goal-to-go scenario for the Mustangs, helped keep the game close. The SMU defense kept Navy to under 3.5 yards per rush attempt and less than 33 minutes in time of possession, both major keys to stopping an option offense. SMU has the week off before a Thursday contest against Tulane next week. That matchup will kick off at 7:30 p.m.
#5. San Diego State Aztecs (5)
San Diego State also remained undefeated this week with a 31-7 win over New Mexico Saturday. The Aztec defense was in control throughout the game, surrendering less than 200 total yards to New Mexico and forcing a pair of turnovers. Jordan Brookshire completed just 11 of his 24 passes in the game, but stayed turnover-free and added two rushing touchdowns. Greg Bell ran for 111 yards and a score on 21 carries, though he did lose a fumble. The win got SDSU out to a 1-0 start in Mountain West play, and it will look to make it 2-0 with a tough contest at rival and reigning Mountain West Champion San José State Thursday at 10:30 p.m.
#6. UTSA Roadrunners (6)
#7. Nevada Wolfpack (8)
#8. Liberty Flames (9)
#9. Houston Cougars (13)
#10. Fresno State Bulldogs (10)
#11. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (11)
#12. Appalachian State Mountaineers (12)
#13. Utah State Aggies (14)
#14. Air Force Falcons (On the Bubble)
#15. Western Michigan Broncos (7)
Dropped Out
Wyoming (15)
On the Bubble
UCF, UTEP, Northern Illinois, Wyoming, UAB
Murphy's Field 
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