While Clemson and Alabama losing on the same day for the first time since 2013 had much of the college football world shaken up, we had a mostly straightforward week up top at the Group of 5, with our ranked teams last week going 10-3. One of the losses was far from a surprise, with James Madison falling at Louisville. Also, I’d like to take a moment to ask where in the world the defenses of Houston and SMU were this weekend. One total punt in the game and the 140 total points set a new record for a regulation FBS game. Those are two talented offenses, but that was a miserable defensive performance. Anyway, let’s get into this week’s top 15.
#1. Tulane Green Wave (Last Week: 1)
Tulane had little problem dispatching Tulsa Saturday in a 27-13 win that didn’t feel even that close. The Green Wave had multiple rushers go over 100 yards in the game, with Tyjae Spears running for 157 yards and Shaadie Clayton-Johnson adding 106. Those two helped Tulane to 482 yards of total offense while the Golden Hurricane had just 257. An interception late in the second quarter helped set up Tulsa’s only touchdown and kept the final score somewhat close. Tulane is now at eight wins in a season for the first time since 2002, and is looking to win more than six conference games for the first time since going 8-0 in SEC play in 1934. Currently 5-0 in American conference play, the Green Wave have an inside shot at winning their first conference title since 1998, when they went 12-0 (6-0 in-conference) to win the Conference USA. Next week, Tulane will play in its first ranked matchup since 1973 (vs Houston in the Bluebonnet Bowl), its first regular season ranked matchup since 1972 (at Michigan) and its first home ranked matchup since 1941 (vs Alabama). Saturday’s game against UCF will kick off at 3:30 p.m. EST.
#2. Liberty Flames (2)
Liberty got out to a 21-0 lead late in the second quarter and just barely held on in a 21-19 win at Arkansas Saturday. The Flames stopped a two-point conversion attempt with 1:11 remaining and recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt to hang on for the win. The run game struggled for Liberty, being held under 100 yards as a team, but Johnathan Bennett threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns in the win. Demario Douglas had a huge day receiving, making seven catches for 145 yards and a score. The Flames’ defense was phenomenal in the first half and forced two interceptions to help the squad get the upset victory. Liberty has an interesting matchup next week against a UConn team that’s 5-5 after winning four of its last five games and is looking to get bowl eligible for the first time since 2015. Saturday’s game in Storrs will kick off at noon EST.
#3. UCF Knights (3)
UCF fought its way to a 35-28 win on the road over Memphis Saturday to remain in control of its own destiny in the AAC. For the second year in a row, Mikey Keene has had to fill in for an injured starting quarterback and performed well to keep UCF afloat. On Saturday, he threw for 219 yards and three touchdowns to help the offense move the ball well throughout the game. RJ Hunter had a big game on the ground as well, running for 151 yards and a score. The defense forced two interceptions and made two fourth down stops to fend off Memphis in spite of allowing 433 total yards to the Tigers. The Knights have a huge matchup next week at Tulane, as the winner of that game will be in first place in the American conference and be in the best position to earn the Group of 5’s automatic bid to the Cotton Bowl. Kickoff on Saturday is set for 3:30 p.m. EST.
#4. Cincinnati Bearcats (4)
Cincinnati’s defense led it to a 20-10 victory over Navy Saturday to keep pace with UCF in a tie for second in the AAC. The Bearcats struggled to get much going in the run game, with just 55 rushing yards as a team. Ben Bryant and Tyler Scott proved to be a lethal combo, however, with Scott catching 10 passes for 139 yards (of 299 passing yards in the game by Bryant) and both Cincinnati touchdowns. A pair of field goals by Ryan Coe and two missed field goals by Navy’s Daniel Davies were also big parts of Cincy’s winning effort. The Bearcat defense was able to keep the Midshipmen under 3.5 yards per carry, a key factor in stopping an option offense. Cincy has another tough test next week hosting a 6-3 ECU squad that still has a shot at making the AAC championship thanks in part to a win over UCF earlier this season. Friday night’s game will kick off at 8 p.m. EST.
#5. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (6)
The complaints against Coastal Carolina are a weak schedule, with their best out of conference game so far being against Buffalo, with Virginia remaining, and not blowing anyone out, with just a four-point win over FCS foe Gardner-Webb and no wins by more than 17 points. But the Chants are also 8-1 after beating Appalachian State 35-28 Saturday and are a win plus a James Madison loss away from clinching a spot in the Sun Belt championship game. It looked as though Coastal might even finally get that elusive blowout win, leading by 21 early in the fourth quarter, but two late touchdowns by App State made it close and generated some nerves for the end of the game. Grayson McCall was efficient as usual in throwing 18-26 for 253 yards and two touchdowns, and Bryce Carpenter added a 31-yard touchdown pass in his only throw of the game. Next week, Coastal hosts Southern Miss, which is looking to secure bowl eligibility for the first time since 2019. Kickoff on Saturday will be at 7:30 p.m. EST.
#6. Troy Trojans (7)
#7. South Alabama Jaguars (8)
#8. UTSA Roadrunners (11)
#9. ECU Pirates (9)
#10. San José State Spartans (12)
#11. Boise State Broncos (5)
#12. Air Force Falcons (13)
#13. Toledo Rockets (15)
#14. Wyoming Cowboys (On the Bubble)
#15. Ohio Bobcats (NR)
Dropped Out
James Madison (10), Buffalo (14)
On the Bubble
James Madison, SMU, North Texas, Ball State
Murphy's Field 
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