While the weekend was not great for the Irish, we did see some shakeup in the Mid Major conferences worth taking a look into. Let’s dive into it.
Also Considered: Marshall, Ohio, Georgia Southern, Georgia St, Jacksonville St
Three And Out Takeaways
First Down: Laramie Strikes Again
As the title and this header note, Wyoming showed out yet again on their home turf. The Cowboys raced out to a 24-7 halftime lead primarily through the aerial attack. Wyoming QB Andrew Peasley tied his career high with 3 TD passes on 183 passing yards. The problem for the Wyoming offense is that it sputtered. Wyoming only got close to scoring once in the second half, attempting a 47 yard field goal to try and put their shrinking lead back up to 8.
But PJ, I can hear you say, it was 24-7 at halftime! Why yes, you would be correct. However, after a couple of long field goal drives Fresno State found the end zone again. Now, this was not with their starting QB Mikey Keene. The UCF transfer was injured on the second FG drive after a sack that directly led to the field goal attempt. Logan Fife led the Bulldogs offense down the field on a touchdown drive (after a successful onside kick) to bring the game within five (after a failed two point conversion). However, the Bulldogs magic ran out after the missed field goal and Wyoming now sits in the driver’s seat in the Mountain West.
Second Down: The MAC Will Be Decided By Handful of Games
There were comments made last week about the placement of the top three teams in the MAC teams that I think were valid. The ordering of Toledo, Ohio, and Miami (OH) highly depends on your feelings on their biggest opponents and their losses. However, all three teams more or less cruised to victories on Saturday and these showdowns loom even larger as we see those teams continue to distance themselves from the rest of the conference.
The lone “struggle” was Toledo’s defense having trouble early at UMass, but the offense more than made up for them and the defense clamped down. Miami and Ohio both cruised against lower tier MAC teams. Ohio dismantled Kent State 42-17 and Miami took down Bowling Green (and therefore a transitive win over Miami FL) 27-0. Toledo and Miami meet in two weeks in Oxford, before Miami has its divisional showdown at Ohio the week after. We will know the order of these teams more or less by Halloween.
Third Down: Weekday Football Delivered
After Halloween the MAC will be heading into their annual MACtion slate, but CUSA has all of the month of October to themselves to show off their new brand of football. It delivered as there were a couple of close games by its top teams and one looming in the near distance. Jacksonville State and Liberty both won nailbiters this week. Jax State first needing 38 second half points to get out of Murfreesboro with a 45-30 win over Middle Tennessee. Liberty struggled with the pesky Sam Houston squad, winning 21-16 with strong defensive possessions down the stretch.
Also looming is Western Kentucky. The Hilltoppers have been quiet since their consecutive losses to Ohio St and Troy, but they still have an unbeaten conference record, and a week off to get ready for a potential conference contender in Jax State. The Gamecocks have a big one on their schedule before worrying about Western Kentucky though.
Week 7 Preview
Liberty @ Jacksonville St: The top of the CUSA heap is here. Liberty isn’t too surprising under new HC Jamey Chadwell, but Jax State making the jump and contending is fun and interesting. Then you remember they can’t make any postseason games and it gets a little frustrating. However, Jax State can make a logjam at the top of the standings with a win at home here!
Tulane @ Memphis: The showdown of the top two teams in the American. Barring an SMU charge late in the season, this game should decide the team that gets to stay home for the American Conference Championship Game. Both teams are coming off of a bye and this is the primetime Friday game. It should be an excellent contest and really show both of these teams’ merit going forward.
Georgia Southern @ James Madison: Georgia Southern under Clay Helton has slowly and quietly made themselves back into a conference contender. Outside of a quarter against Wisconsin, the Eagles have looked really good this season. With James Madison unable to make the Sun Belt Championship, this is a big opportunity for GaSo to make a statement and take control of the East.
Wyoming @ Air Force: The ride does not stop for the Cowboys as they now need to rebound and refocus against a completely different style of play. While Air Force hasn’t used the traditional wishbone option offense, they still have a lethal running attack along with chunk plays through the air. Having this game in Colorado Springs as well will be beneficial for Air Force. The winner of this game should get ranked (but they both should be if we’re being honest).
Marshall @ Georgia St: If James Madison does in fact knock off Georgia Southern, the door opens for Marshall. The Herd have been quiet in their games this season, not having a splashy upset in South Bend to hang their hat on, but still steady as ever. The Herd played NC State close before ultimately falling, which looked to be more of a testament to NC State than Marshall. This is a chance to distance themselves in the Sun Belt East.
That’s all I have for you this week! We have a very good Mid Major slate that spans the entirety of the week so it should show some shakeups in next week’s rankings!
Finally Tuesday night football from the mid majors! Liberty vs Jacksonville State for first place in CUSA, and then a race to 40 between Coastal Carolina and App St, where I like the over on the total of 63. [I’m not a bettor, so take it for what it is, I’m expecting a lot of points in that one.]
From Week 2 rankings on, have the Top 10 teams in the G5 games ever followed chalk this late into the season? Marshall has been the big mover with Air Force who verged on the top 10 asserting itself. Those five above should be good games.
Interestingly, the Mountain West teams for games at home in altitude seem to be dominating in conference games. Was Fresno gassed by the fourth quarter v Wyoming? Fresno State travels to Utah St in Logan at 4500 ft altitude.
Media money is always the determining factor, but is the possibility of playing five or so games a year at mile high altitude a consideration in Corvallis and Pullman?
The Wyoming – Fresno game was great fun to be at. (Especially with the miscues of our favorite team). The offensive explosion by the Cowboys in the first half was amazing and I certainly didn’t see that coming. The defense lived up to my expectations, holding Fresno under 20 points is an accomplishment. I just wasn’t sure that Wyoming would be able to score more than Fresno. If you had asked me, it would be a 7-3 type game going into half. Wyoming had its most complete game in the first half, if they can put that type of performance together for two halves for the remainder of their games, then they will easily win the mountain west. The game with Air Force on Saturday is looming large. Right now, Harrison Waylee, the Wyoming RB is questionable for the game. HC Craig Bohl certainly has his work cut out for him.
Right now, the NY6 bowl, I have projected to the Mountain West Champion.
Pretty safe assumption, but if it cannibalizes itself, along with the American, I would be interested in seeing a one loss MAC Champ or maybe a one loss Sun Belt team make it. I just like the idea of this being a year that isn’t so chalk despite the consistency at the top of these rankings.