Group of 5 Power Rankings: Can Anyone Top James Madison in Week 12?

The James Madison Dukes find themselves No. 1 in our Group of 5 power rankings yet again as we head into Week 12. However, there has been some significant movement for the rest of the top-10. So who made the cut and which games should you be keeping an eye on this week? Let’s take a look.

*Disclaimer: These are power rankings with a lot of different factors involved, including strength of schedule, head-to-head, metrics, overall resume, and who would win on a neutral field.*

Group of 5 Power Rankings: Week 12

1.) James Madison Dukes (8-1)

• Last Week: 35-23 W at Marshall
• This Week: Saturday, Nov. 15 App State (4-5)

For the third week in a row, the James Madison Dukes find themselves at the No. 1 spot. The Dukes got into a little bit of a dogfight this past week against Marshall. However, they were able to pull away late on a 49-yard touchdown pass by Alonza Barnett. The Dukes are extremely well-balanced, can beat you in multiple different ways, and have arguably the best G5 coach in Bob Chesney.

The Dukes just keep on winning and have another chance to do so at home this Saturday against an underachieving App State team. If the Dukes find themselves in another close game this weekend, there may be some shakeup at the No. 1 spot heading into Week 13. Yet for now, with no bad losses on their resume, they hold steady at the No. 1 position.

2.) USF Bulls (7-2)

• Last Week: 55-23 W vs. UTSA
• This Week: Saturday, Nov. 15 at Navy (7-2)

The top two teams remain the same, with the USF Bulls coming in at No. 2. They dominated a good UTSA team this past week, a program that Tulane just lost to. They also have arguably the biggest difference maker on their side in quarterback Byrum Brown. USF has speed and talent for days, but the losses to Miami and Memphis hurt them a bit, and their defense is susceptible at times. If their defense can play above average, they can compete and play with anyone.

The Bulls’ rush defense will be in for a huge test this week as they face the No. 1 rushing attack in the country in the Navy Midshipmen. If USF can control the game from start to finish and win in a dominating fashion, they could find themselves ahead of JMU in next week’s rankings.

3.) North Texas Mean Green (8-1)

• Last Week: Bye
• This Week: Saturday, Nov. 15 at UAB (3-6)

North Texas finds itself at the No. 3 spot in this week’s Group of 5 power rankings. They have quietly been flying under the radar the past few weeks and slowly keep creeping up the rankings.

The Mean Green have one of the best gunslinging quarterbacks in Drew Mestemaker, and have a great offensive-minded coach in Eric Morris. Their defense can struggle and may end up being their downfall. However, besides their loss to USF, they have dominated against all their other opponents. If the Mean Green can win out, they very well may get a rematch against the Bulls in the American championship game. However, they can’t look ahead as they travel to Birmingham this week to take on UAB, which beat Memphis just a couple of weeks ago.

4.) Tulane Green Wave (7-2)

• Last Week: 38-32 W at Memphis
• This Week: Saturday, Nov. 15 FAU (4-5)

After a huge win against Memphis last week, Tulane jumps up to No. 4. Tulane’s resume has some of the highest of highs, but also has some of the lowest of lows. They sport great wins against Northwestern, Duke, East Carolina, and Memphis. However, the blowout losses to Ole Miss and UTSA are brutal. They are coming off a great win against Memphis, a game where they dominated the Tigers for three quarters. When Jake Retzlaff plays well, Tulane is almost unbeatable. Yet, when he struggles, the team struggles.

The Green Wave are one of the many teams still in the hunt for the American Conference championship game and have a superb coach in Jon Sumrall. This week, they welcome Florida Atlantic to New Orleans in front of a sold-out crowd.

5.) Memphis Tigers (8-2)

• Last Week: 38-32 L vs. Tulane
• This Week: Saturday, Nov. 15 at East Carolina (6-3)

After their 38-32 loss to Tulane in Week 11, the Memphis Tigers fall back to No. 5. The Tigers have arguably the best G5 win this season against USF Week 9, and beat a P4 opponent in Arkansas early this season. As for most teams, the health of their quarterback is crucial. In their two losses, Brendon Lewis had to leave the game with injuries; however, when he is on the field, he’s a difference maker.

Lewis’ availability and health this week are crucial as the Tigers travel to East Carolina for a huge game against the Pirates. If the Tigers want any chance of making the conference championship game, they need to find a way to pull off a victory on Saturday as 2.5-point underdogs.

Honorable Mentions

6.) East Carolina (6-3)

• Last Week: 48-22 W vs. Charlotte
• This Week: Saturday, Nov. 15 Memphis (8-2)

7.) UConn (7-3)

• Last Week: 37-34 W vs. Duke
• This Week: Saturday, Nov. 15 Air Force (3-6)

8.) Southern Miss (7-2)

• Last Week: 27-21 W at Arkansas State
• This Week: Saturday, Nov. 15 Texas State (3-6)

9.) San Diego State (7-2)

• Last Week: 38-6 L at Hawaii
• This Week: Saturday, Nov. 15 Boise State (6-3)

10.) Boise State (6-3)

• Last Week: Bye
• This Week: Saturday, Nov. 15 at San Diego State (7-2)

Three G5 Games to Watch Week 12

Memphis at East Carolina: Saturday, Nov. 15

The game of the week in the G5 is happening on Saturday in Greenville, North Carolina. We mentioned last week that Memphis was playing in a playoff elimination game against Tulane. They ended up on the wrong side in that matchup. Yet even after that loss, they still have an outside shot at the playoffs.

Memphis’s opponent, East Carolina, is quietly having a great year and is right in the middle of the American Conference championship race. A matchup of No. 5 vs. No. 6, in a game that almost certainly will deliver. The key to this game is the health of Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis and whether or not East Carolina can score enough points to win this game.

Boise State at San Diego State: Saturday, Nov. 15

A potential preview of the Mountain West Championship will be on display Saturday night in San Diego. With the two top teams in the conference facing off, the key is how well both teams bounce back after bad losses. Boise State and San Diego State both got blown out in their last matchups, so how well each team bounces back is the real question. Whichever team can put those losses behind them will find success.

Another thing to keep an eye on is the quarterback play for Boise State against a great Aztec defense. Two weeks ago in Boise State’s loss to Fresno State, starting quarterback Maddux Madsen suffered a lower-body injury, which will keep him out for Saturday’s game. Former walk-on Max Cutforth should get the start, and how he handles a big-time game is a key factor.

Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State: Saturday, Nov. 15

The game of the year in the C-USA is a game every football fan should be keeping an eye on this Saturday. The top two teams in C-USA in Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State, will square off in a matchup not many people are talking about.

In just their second season in the FBS, Kennesaw State, behind head coach Jerry Mack, finds themselves with a 7-2 record with the potential to win the C-USA. On the other side, it feels like every single Jacksonville State game comes down to the wire and is a one-score affair. This game should not disappoint, and it should be a game you have your eye on if you’re a football junkie.

Conference USA hasn’t gotten much love this year, and Kennesaw State and Jacksonville State have the opportunity to deliver a great back-and-forth matchup. The key to this game is which offense can establish a rhythm and score enough points to win, as both teams can struggle offensively.