Group of 6 power rankings: Western Michigan vaults onto list after controversial loss
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Boise State gave No. 2 Oregon quite the scare on the road in its season opener and looked like the front runner for a College Football Playoff bid from outside the Power Four this season.
Veteran quarterback Maddux Madsen tossed three touchdowns in the loss, and the Broncos were tied with the Ducks late in the fourth quarter after holding a narrow 17-14 lead at halftime. Boise State’s defense collapsed in the second half, allowing 378 passing yards from Dante Moore on the afternoon.
Elsewhere, Western Michigan looked like another top team among the top of Group of Six. The fellow Broncos won 10 games last season and won the MAC, and nearly defeated Michigan in Week 1 — if it wasn’t for a last-second Hail Mary touchdown by the Wolverines after one second was controversially added to the game clock.
Each week, USA TODAY Sports will rank the top non-Power Four programs in college football. Here’s a look at the updated power rankings among Group of Six teams:
Previous week's ranking in parentheses
1. Boise State (1)
- Last week: 34-27 loss to Oregon
- This week: vs. Memphis
Boise State is a year-in, year-out contender in the 12-team era. It looked like it again in its narrow defeat against Oregon in Week 1.
Oregon, one of the most talented teams on paper this season, had too much offensive firepower for the Broncos to keep up with, especially in a hostile Autzen Stadium. Still, Madsen showed his poise and experience against the Ducks.
Up next is Memphis, another top non-Power Four contender. This one has huge postseason implications.
2. Memphis (2)
- Last week: 42-24 win over Arkansas State
- This week: at Boise State
Memphis took care of business vs. Arkansas State, rushing for 335 yards with four touchdowns and averaging seven yards a carry. Its defensive line also created more havoc, with Elijah Kinsler and J’Mond Tapp raising their sacks totals to 3.5 and 2.5, respectively.
Quarterback Marcus Stokes was 12-of-15 passing for 188 yards with two touchdowns, although he threw two interceptions. If the Tigers want a chance at Boise State, he’ll need to clean up the turnovers.
Memphis’ front seven looks like one of the best in the non-Power Four, and it’ll be tested in Week 2.
3. Navy (3)
- Last week: 42-15 win over Towson
- This week: at Florida Atlantic
No Blake Horvath, no problem thus far for Navy. New quarterback Braxton Woodson rushed 23 times for 200 yards with three touchdowns in the win over Towson. The team rushed for 506 yards and six scores on 6.9 yards per carry.
4. Western Michigan (N/A)
Western Michigan dominated No. 16 Michigan at times in their season opener. While the Broncos didn’t score a touchdown, their defense was the story of the game, holding Michigan to a single touchdown for nearly three full quarters until the Wolverines' last-second Hail Mary.
The Broncos are the favorites to win the MAC again, and running the table — ahem — is on the table this season. Coach Lance Taylor handled the Hail Mary situation as well as a coach could, showing the staff's leadership won't be remotely a problem this season.
5. New Mexico (4)
- Last week: 38-7 win over Central Michigan
- This week: vs. Mercyhurst
The loss of quarterback Jack Layne to a season-ending injury may lower New Mexico’s ceiling, but the Lobos still look like one of the best Group of Six contenders. UNM held Central Michigan to only 149 yards of offense, and new quarterback Luke Moga was efficient, completing 13-of-17 passes for 116 yards and a score.
Second-year coach Jason Eck will be one of the hottest names of the coaching carousel, especially if he keeps this up without his starting quarterback.
6. UTSA (last week: 5)
- Last week: 45-16 win over UT Rio Grande
- This week: at Texas State
Experienced quarterback Owen McCown picked up where he left off last season, passing for 275 yards with three touchdowns on 22-of-27 passing in the win over UT Rio Grande.
The Roadrunners weren’t tested in Week 1, but an upcoming trip to Texas State in the I-35 Rivalry will show what they’re made of.
7. North Dakota State (7)
- Last week: 38-0 win over Fordham
- This week: at Air Force
North Dakota State hasn’t been tested yet, but has done nothing but dominate its first two games against Jacksonville State and Fordham since moving up from FCS. The Bison were an FCS dynasty, so it’s no surprise to see them beating up on their nonconference opponents. Can they make the jump to the CFP already?
The Bison will start facing some tougher opponents here soon, and we’ll find out quite how high their ceiling is.
8. Tulsa (N/A)
- Last week: 24-10 win over Oklahoma State
- This week: at Sam Houston
Sure, Oklahoma State has an FBS-leading 21-game active losing streak, but Tulsa dominated its in-state opponent, who was expected to be much improved under first-year coach Eric Morris.
The Golden Hurricane held Drew Mestemaker and Co. to only 10 points, despite the Cowboys’ offense featuring an influx of North Texas transfers. North Texas led the American— Tulsa’s conference — in scoring last year.
Returning quarterback Baylor Hayes had 245 total yards with a touchdown to an interception in the 24-10 win, and now has a 2-0 record against OSU. Tulsa’s win might have been a fluke, but it has one of the best wins in Group of Six so far this season.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Group of 6 power rankings: Western Michigan vaults onto list after controversial loss
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