The Sun Belt (#FunBelt) dominated headlines Saturday with three of its teams beating power 5 opponents including Marshall and Appalachian State earning the conference’s first two wins over top-10 teams. Elsewhere in the Group of 5, things weren’t as fun, especially with multiple MAC and Mountain West teams losing to FCS opponents. Here is where the top teams in the Group of 5 now stand.
#1. BYU Cougars (Last Week: 1)
BYU survived a very college kicker situation of missing field goals that would have won them the game at the end of regulation and the first overtime period to earn a 26-20 double-OT win at home over Baylor Saturday. The Courgars’ defense came up huge, holding Baylor under 300 total yards, under three yards per rush attempt and keeping the Bears off the board in both overtime possessions. Jaren Hall made just enough plays, going 23-39 for 261 yards and a touchdown in addition to catching a 22-yard touchdown pass on a trick play to lead BYU to the win. Next week will be another tough test for the cougars playing at Oregon Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
#2. Appalachian State Mountaineers (12)
App State won a methodical game over Texas A&M to earn the program’s second-ever victory over a top 10 team and continue to prove that the Mountaineers are a winning program regardless of level or head coach. Appalachian State had the ball for 41:29 in the 17-14 win and held A&M to under 200 yards of total offense. A kick return touchdown for the Aggies helped keep the game close, and while a Texas A&M missed field goal sealed the win for the Mountaineers, App State had missed a field goal attempt of their own earlier in the game that could have made a difference as well. Shawn Clark’s squad kicks off Sun Belt play next week hosting Troy, along with a first-time visit from ESPN’s College Gameday, Saturday at 3:30 p.m. Eastern.
#3. Cincinnati Bearcats (3)
Cincinnati beat Kennesaw State 63-10, dominating in the way that you expect great teams to handle FCS competition. Nine different Bearcats found the end zone in the win including Jabari Taylor and Ja’von Hicks scoring defensive touchdowns for the Cincy defense to outscore Kennesaw State’s offense. Ben Bryant had as many touchdowns as incompletions (three each) in the dominant win as the offense also averaged over seven yards per carry. Cincinnati squares off with rival Miami (OH) next week, looking to extend a current 15-game win streak in the Battle for the Victory Bell and take the lead in the all-time series, currently tied 59-59-7. Kickoff for Saturday’s game in Oxford, Ohio is set for noon Eastern.
#4. Air Force Falcons (10)
In-state foe Colorado came to Air Force Saturday, and the Falcons greeted them with a touchdown in the opening minute and ended up blowing out the Buffaloes, 41-10. Brad Roberts ran the ball 24 times for 174 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Air Force offense to 435 yards on the ground in spite of three lost fumbles. Any time a triple-option offense is scoring 40+ points, something is going very well, and the Falcons have now done it in both of their first two games this season. Air Force will kick off conference play and head on the road for the first time this season with a visit to Wyoming Friday night. That game will kick off at 8 p.m. Eastern as the Falcons look to snap a three-game losing streak in Laramie.
#5. Marshall Thundering Herd (NR)
Marshall rolled into Notre Dame as 20.5-point underdogs and came out with a 26-21 win over the Fighting Irish Saturday. Khalan Laborn was a workhorse for the Thundering Herd in the upset, rushing 31 times for 163 yards and a touchdown. Three interceptions greatly boosted Marshall’s chances in the game, especially a pick-six by Steven Gilmore with 4:35 to play that made it a two-score game and provided the cushion needed to hold off the Fighting Irish comeback attempt. Marshall could be surprise contenders in its first year in the Sun Belt, especially with a schedule that features home matchups against usual contenders Louisiana, Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina. Next Week, Marshall plays at Bowling Green Saturday at 5 p.m. Eastern.
#6. Houston Cougars (2)
#7. Fresno State Bulldogs (4)
#8. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (7)
#9. Toledo Rockets (8)
#10. Liberty Flames (11)
#11. Georgia Southern Panthers (NR)
#12. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (9)
#13. SMU Mustangs (13)
#14. UTSA Roadrunners (14)
#15. ECU Pirates (NR)
Dropped Out:
UCF (5), UAB (6), Old Dominion (15)
On the Bubble:
UAB, Tulane, UCF, Boise State, South Alabama, James Madison
Murphy's Field 
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