Group of 5 Top 4 After Week 7
RELATED ARTICLES: W7 RECAP, CFP TEAMS, GOPHERS UPDATE, W8 PREVIEW
We have a new leader at the top of the Group of 5, and it is an honor that is well deserved. UCF has fired out of the gate at a blistering pace, and Scott Frost has the Knights looking eerily similar to his previous employer, Oregon. The Knights run an uptempo, spread attack that puts up points in a hurry and they like to switch their uniforms a lot. Sound familiar?
USF continues to be ranked above UCF in the AP and Coaches Poll, which tells us that no one is really watching these games and using reputation to guide them. USF might be the better team in the end, but they aren't right now. That fact keeps getting lost for some reason. Their quarterback Quinton Flowers is flying under the radar in the conference due to USF's slow starts, but that might be extremely beneficial for him and the team going into the second half of the season.
Toledo didn't let a bye week slow them down, and they went to Central Michigan and won 30-10. The passing game took a step back in their first game without receiver Cody Thompson, who is out for the rest of the season with a leg injury. Logan Woodside passed for just 89 yards, but the rushing game took over. Terry Swanson and Shakif Seymour combined for 264 yards and three touchdowns, and the defense limited the Chippewas offense to just 244 yards.
San Diego State endured their first loss of the year, but don't count them out yet. Star back Rashaad Penny was limited to just 53 yards, but that came against a good Boise State team. This loss wasn't enough to knock the Aztecs out of the top four teams, and losing to Boise State isn't a bad loss.
Memphis defeated its second 25th ranked team this season in their 30-27 win over Navy. The Tigers forced five Zach Abey turnovers and were too much for the Midshipmen to handle. Their defense clearly stepped up in a big way, and the youth that struggled to begin the season may be growing up before our eyes.
Marshall had a rough 2016 campaign, but it appears that they've put those struggles behind them. The Chase Litton and Tyre Brady connection has been stellar for the Thundering Herd, and their one loss came against NC State (which was closer than the score indicated). Doc Holliday was rumored to be on the hot seat going into this year, but those rumors have been squashed with their early success.
