Northern Illinois pulled off the stunner last weekend in South Bend, Indiana, knocking off then-No. 5 Notre Dame. Coach Thomas Hammock's squad did precisely what needed to be done to do the impossible. I wonder if he followed my tutorial on the anatomy of an upset? Even though my tutorial focused on what makes for an FCS-over-FBS upset, the same rules apply here.
Those types of performances and outcomes can help Group of Five teams rise in the College Football Playoff Rankings, but they also strengthen the profile of the conference they represent. For example: look at how Sun Belt teams have performed this season. One of its best teams, Texas State, already made a statement against UTSA and rose in this week's Group of Five Power Rankings as a result.
Oh, and the Bobcats host Arizona State on Thursday night. That will be an even bigger opportunity to state their case as one of the top non-major programs in college football.
That kind of success is why these Group of Five rankings remain important. Though these conferences get a significantly lower financial guarantee from the new 12-team CFP, they are on a more equitable field when it comes to the competition: The four highest ranked conference champions get byes, and the five highest ranked champs get auto-bids, but nothing is to say that the supposed "Power Four" are guaranteed those four byes or four of those five spots; if a Group of Five team were to outrank, hypothetically, the Big 12 champion, it would get a bye and home game. And with those spots comes financial windfalls based on success in the tournament.
| 1 | |
| The Runnin' Rebels did what they were supposed to do against Utah Tech. While the Go-Go Offense does its thing, the Rebels defense has continued to be the talk of the town. In two games, they've sacked the QB seven times and have picked off three passes. Some good ball is being played out there in the desert. (Last week: 1) | |
| 2 | |
| An emphatic statement was made last weekend in San Marcos as the Bobcats thumped UTSA 49-10. It was a great statement victory for both the Bobcats and the Sun Belt; they once again flexed their muscles as a top-tier Group of Five team and conference. They have a chance this Thursday to make an even bigger statement vs. Arizona State. (LW: 3) | |
| 3 | |
| Thomas Hammock's Huskies pulled off the upset of the season so far with their 16-14 victory over Notre Dame. What makes them a real contender for the postseason is how they are built. This is a team that plays great point-of-attack ball. They are well-coached fundamentally and don't beat themselves. (LW: 10) | |
| 4 | |
| The Flames can't keep playing with their food. Their last two games have been closer than expected. They have to be much better on third downs on both sides of the ball. When you can't stay on the field or get off of it defensively, you find yourself playing catch up. That has been the case in both of their victories. (LW: 4) | |
| 5 | |
| RB Ashton Jeanty continues to impress, and the Broncos nearly pulled off the upset against Oregon. Once again, though, the defense will have to circle the wagons and find a solution. This bye week and a Week 4 matchup vs. Portland State is a prefect time to do so. (LW: 5) | |
| 6 | |
| Heading to Florida State to take on their former coach Mike Norvell is a perfect opportunity for the Tigers to introduce themselves nationally. The defense was a punchline during the offseason, but that side of the ball has really stepped up and balled out so far this year. (LW: 7) | |
| 7 | |
| America's Cajuns took care of business against Kennesaw State and went into their bye week undefeated. Now, they have two weeks to prepare for a big showdown at home vs. Tulane on September 21. (LW: 8) | |
| 8 | |
| Don't look now, but the Black Knights of the Hudson are playing some excellent football. It has been a great combination of Army-like offense and a fundamentally sound, stifling defensive effort. Not to get too far out in front, but their schedule doesn't include Memphis and they get their crack at Notre Dame on November 23. (LW: NR) | |
| 9 | |
| Tough break for the Green Wave against Kansas State. They had a great opportunity to get the win, but they can't sit and sulk about what could've happened against the Wildcats. They have to quickly regroup and refocus for a big matchup against Oklahoma. (LW: 2) | |
| 10 | |
| What a job new Spartans coach Ken Niumatalolo has done so far with the program. The defensive output and effort was impressive in a win over Air Force. Kennesaw State awaits and then Washington State. It'll be interesting to see how they handle the next two opponents before hitting their bye. (LW: NR) | |
No longer ranked: UTSA, Appalachian State