Louisiana became the first Group of 5 team in 2021 to clinch a spot in its conference championship game with its win over Georgia State this week. The Ragin’ Cajuns joined Georgia as teams to secure a spot in a championship game early, with more to come in the next few weeks. Houston will have a prime chance to clinch a spot in the AAC title game this week with a win at Temple. This week, we will be adding a conference championship race update at the end of our rankings, showing the top two teams in each division (or top four teams in the American). In the case of a tie for second place, we’ll show the team that ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the best chance to. After last week featured more upsets across college football, here are this week’s rankings:
#1. Cincinnati Bearcats (Last week: 1)
Cincinnati saw its CFP hopes take a hit being listed at No. 6 in the initial Playoff rankings with no other American Conference team ranked in the committee’s top 25. The Bearcats didn’t do themselves any favors with an eight-point victory over Tulsa Saturday in which a fumbled snap while attempting to kneel out the clock forced Cincy to have to make a goal-line stand to secure the win. Desmond Ridder threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 43 more and an additional score. His two turnovers, an interception and the fumble that gave Tulsa new life at the end of the game, took away from an otherwise solid performance. Christian Lowery missed his only field goal attempt, continuing Cincy’s kicking woes after Cole Smith was taken out of the role being 3-8 on field goal attempts early this season. Cincinnati travels to South Florida Friday looking to keep its undefeated season going. Kickoff time is 6 p.m. Eastern.
#2. BYU Cougars (2)
BYU hammered Idaho State 59-14 Saturday, leading 42-7 at halftime and cruising to victory the way a good team should when facing an FCS opponent. BYU is already 5-1 against Power 5 opponents including Utah and Arizona State, which were ranked when the Cougars faced them, and Baylor, now ranked No. 18 in the AP Poll. Against the Bengals, Jaren Hall needed just one half of play to go 20-25 passing for 298 yards and four touchdowns, adding a rushing touchdown to his efforts as well. Puka Nacua made six catches for 120 yards and a touchdown to lead the receiving corps. The Cougars’ defense allowed less than 250 yards to Idaho State, forcing two turnovers and blocking a punt to score a touchdown as Keanu Hill both blocked and recovered the punt for a touchdown in addition to a receiving touchdown earlier in the game. BYU now heads on a bye week before trips to Georgia Southern and USC to end the season.
#3. UTSA Roadrunners (3)
UTSA ran by UTEP 44-23 in the Sun Bowl Saturday to move to 9-0 on the season and draw closer to a Conference USA West division championship. Frank Harris led the potent offensive attack with 286 passing yards and two touchdowns going along with 76 yards and two scores rushing. Sincere McCormick led the running game with 169 yards and a touchdown while Zakhari Franklin served as the Roadrunners’ leading receiver with 114 yards and two touchdowns on 10 catches. Now with three straight wins by at least three scores, UTSA heads home for a matchup with Southern Miss where another blowout will be expected. UTSA’s rush defense will have a chance to continue its dominance against a Golden Eagles squad that averages just 89.6 yards per game on the ground. Saturday’s game in San Antonio will kick off at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
#4. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (4)
Coastal was without star quarterback Grayson McCall against Georgia Southern Saturday and the offense struggled as a result. Senior Bryce Carpenter threw for just 85 yards on 20 attempts, though he also had 44 rush yards and a score on the ground to go with a passing touchdown. Fortunately for the Chanticleers, the defense was dominant, allowing less than 250 yards, forcing four turnovers, and not allowing Georgia Southern to score until the fourth quarter. A blocked punt returned for a touchdown at the end of the first half helped Coastal Carolina build a 28-0 lead before the Eagles’ late touchdown. Josaiah Stewart lived in Georgia Southern’s backfield in the game, racking up five tackles for loss including four sacks to lead the defensive effort. It is unknown right now if McCall will be back for this week’s game against Georgia State, set for Saturday at 2 p.m. Eastern.
#5. Houston Cougars (5)
Houston outgained South Florida by nearly 250 yards and held a plus-two turnover differential and only won by 12 points Saturday. USF was able to keep the game close thanks in large part to a pair of kick return touchdowns by Brian Battle but couldn’t overcome Houston’s offensive outburst. The Cougars produced 646 yards and 54 points led by Clayton Tune throwing for 385 yards and three touchdowns on 21-26 passing. Ta’Zhawn Henry ran for 130 yards on just 10 carries with a 97-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Alton McCaskill carried the load on the ground, running 22 times for 125 yards and three scores. Houston heads to Temple Saturday at noon Eastern with a chance to punch a ticket to the AAC Championship game.
#6. San Diego State Aztecs (6)
#7. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (8)
#8. Appalachian State Mountaineers (12)
#9. Nevada Wolfpack (10)
#10. Utah State Aggies (11)
#11. SMU Mustangs (7)
#12. Fresno State Bulldogs (9)
#13. UCF Knights (On the Bubble)
#14. Marshall Thundering Herd (OTB)
#15. Liberty Flames (15)
Dropped Out
Northern Illinois (13), Air Force (14)
On the Bubble
UAB, Northern Illinois, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Boise State
Conference Championship Watch
American Athletic Conference
Houston (6-0) – FPI odds to win conference: 26.6%
Cincinnati (5-0) – 72.0%
UCF (4-2) – 0.1%
SMU (3-2) – 1.2%
Conference USA
East:
Marshall (4-1) – FPI odds to win division: 58.8%
Western Kentucky (4-1) – 34.9%
West:
UTSA (5-0) – 90.6%
UAB (4-1) – 9.3%
Mid-American Conference
East:
Kent State (4-1) – 64.5%
Miami (3-2) – 34.9%
West:
Northern Illinois (4-1) – 52.1%
Ball State (3-2) – 22.1%
Mountain West Conference
Mountain:
Utah State (4-1) – 49.3%
Boise State (3-2) – 40.6%
West:
San Diego State (4-1) – 28.2%
Nevada (4-1) – 25.1%
Fresno State (4-2) – 46.8%
Sun Belt Conference
East:
Appalachian State (4-1) – 75.5%
Coastal Carolina (4-1) – 24.0%
West:
Louisiana (6-0) – 100% (clinched)
Murphy's Field 