Group of Six power rankings: Boise State taking control of CFP race
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Boise State is in the driver's seat for a College Football Playoff bid after destroying Western Michigan in Week 4 of the college football season.
In a battle between Broncos, Boise State waltzed into Kalamazoo and handed the reigning MAC champion with ease in the 32-7 win. Boise State blanked Western Michigan's offense until the Broncos scored a last-minute touchdown to avoid a dreaded shutout.
Other College Football Playoff contenders from the so-called "Group of Six" took care of business as well, such as New Mexico and James Madison downing New Mexico State 42-18 and Old Dominion 46-20, respectively. Other potential contenders in Memphis and North Dakota State were on a bye week.
There's a newcomer and a former team jumping back into USA TODAY's weekly Group of Six power rankings for Week 5. Here's the list:
Group of Six power rankings after Week 4
Previous week's ranking in parentheses
1. Boise State ↔️ (1)
There isn't much more to say about Boise State, which is clearly a tier above the rest of the non-Power Four teams so far this season. The Broncos have faced a tough schedule to start the year, with a narrow road loss to Oregon and wins over Memphis and Western Michigan.
The Ducks bounced back from their loss to Oklahoma State with a 41-27 road win over Southern California, despite being without starting quarterback Dante Moore for most of the game. Boise State is easily the front runner right now for a CFP spot among non-Power Four teams.
2. New Mexico ↔️ (2)
Second-year coach Jason Eck has done a tremendous job at New Mexico, and he's proving it even more with what he's doing at quarterback for the Lobos. After losing starter Jack Layne in the preseason, Eck has deployed both Toa Fa'avae and Luke Moga, although it appears Fa'avae has won the job for now.
Fa'avae, who's more of a scrambler compared to Moga's pocket passing style, was named the Lobos' sole starter before their 42-18 win over New Mexico State, and he completed 10-of-17 passes for 174 yards while rushing for 57 yards on 11 carries.
New Mexico is 3-1 on the year with its lone loss on the road to Oklahoma. It's the front runner in the Mountain West right now.
3. James Madison ↔️ (3)
Old Dominion isn't the same team it was last season with Colton Joseph at quarterback, but James Madison's 46-20 win was impressive, nonetheless.
The Dukes seem plenty capable of returning to the CFP with first-year coach Billy Napier at the helm. James Madison has a pair of running backs in George Pettaway and Nick Herman who both have over 210 rushing yards this season, and quarterback Camden Coleman, who sat behind starter Alonza Barnett III last season, has eight total touchdowns to one interception.
4. Memphis ↔️ (4)
Memphis was on bye in Week 4 but has looked good this season under first-year coach Charles Huff. Division II transfer quarterback Marcus Stokes has been solid, and running back Jaylin Carter has been prolific, averaging 7.9 yards per carry.
The Tigers are the frontrunners in the American.
5. North Dakota State ⬆️ (6)
North Dakota State certainly welcomed an off week after playing four consecutive games, including in Week 0, to open the season. The Bison, formerly the powerhouses of FCS, are aiming to keep their domination despite moving up a level — which they have so far. The schedule is set to pick up, though, with upcoming games against Wyoming and UNLV on the road.
6. UTSA ⬆️ (N/A)
UTSA trailed Colorado State 14-0 in Week 4, but rattled off 35 unanswered points in its 59-45 win to improve to 3-1.
Quarterback Owen McCown remains one of the most experienced starters in college football, and he threw for 303 yards with three touchdowns in the win. The Roadrunners also ran for 239 yards with four scores. UTSA and coach Jeff Traylor are a bit of a wildcard, but experience is on their side.
7. Oregon State ⬆️ (8)
Quarterback Braden Atkinson kept up his strong start to the season with 301 passing yards and three touchdowns in Oregon State's 33-7 win over UTEP in Week 4. True freshman Jesse Legree caught six passes for 109 yards with two touchdowns in the game, and now ranks second nationally with 585 receiving yards, although he only has four college games under his belt.
Atkinson and Legree's connection alone give Oregon State an edge in most games.
8. South Florida ⬆️ (N/A)
South Florida doesn't have an impressive win, but it's worth mentioning the Bulls are 4-0 under first-year coach Brian Hartline, the former receivers coach and offensive coordinator at Ohio State.
USF is coming off an ugly 14-6 win over Bowling Green, in which the Bulls scored 14 unanswered in the fourth quarter to win. But, a win is a win, as they say.
South Florida has a talented roster for the non-Power Four level but needs to keep improving. Running back D.J. Crowther has been a bright spot, with 325 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the season after transferring from Dartmouth.
Schools dropped out: Western Michigan (5), Tulsa (7).
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Group of Six power rankings: Boise State taking control of CFP race
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