It's a huge week for Group of Six representation, with ESPN's "College GameDay" visiting Boise, Idaho, for the first time since 2010.
No. 18 Boise State
hosts Oregon State in a matchup with huge conference championship game implications in the Pac-12. The Broncos are leading the College Football Playoff race among non-Power Four teams, while the Beavers' backs are against the wall following back-to-back losses to Fresno State and Texas State.It's not the only big-time game in Group of Six in Week 11. North Texas travels to face UTSA in a matchup between two of the top American teams.
North Texas (7-2, 5-0) is in the driver's seat in the conference championship race, and a win
over the Roadrunners puts the Mean Green in quite the spot to compete for an American title under first-year coach Neal Brown.
Each week, USA TODAY Sports ranks the top teams in Group of Six. Here's how the CFP race is shaping up before Week 11:
1. Boise State ↔️ (1)
- This week: vs. Oregon State
Boise State was without starting quarterback Maddux Madsen in Week 10, but it didn't matter, with the Broncos taking down Colorado State 64-38 on the road.
Boise State, winners of eight straight games, torched one of the worst defenses in college football for 669 total yards, with backup quarterback Max Cutforth completing 16-of-19 passes for 317 yards with four touchdowns and running back Dylan Riley garnering 280 total yards with three touchdowns in the win.
It's hard to imagine the Broncos not reaching the CFP if they win out and take the Pac-12 crown.
2. New Mexico ↔️ (2)
- This week: vs. UNLV
New Mexico continues to be on Boise State's tail, with an 8-1 record and its only loss to Oklahoma on the road. It's make-or-break for the Lobos, though, with a tough remaining schedule against UNLV, Wyoming and Air Force, all teams capable of issuing an upset.
Second-year coach Jason Eck and his defense continues to stifle their opponents. The only question for the Lobos is if their offense can keep up.
3. North Texas ⬆️ (4)
- This week: at UTSA
North Texas faces its toughest task of conference play when it travels to face UTSA, which is coming off a disappointing 31-point loss to Florida Atlantic in Week 10. The Roadrunners hardly ever lose at home and are looking to bounce back from a loss, which poses a threat to the Mean Green.
North Texas is firing on all cylinders offensively right now, with at least 45 points in its last six games, all of which are wins. Running back Jahiem White and quarterback Tayven Jackson have been one of the best backfield duos in college football, with both players ranking top-five nationally in rushing and passing, respectively.
4. Memphis ⬆️ (5)
- This week: at South Florida
Memphis is playing better football after its upset loss to Tulane a few weeks ago. The Tigers are tied-for second in the American standings with UTSA after back-to-back wins over East Carolina and Army, which they dominated 49-22 in Week 9 before their bye week.
Memphis is in a solid spot in the standings. If it wins out and UTSA drops at least one game, the Tigers will be competing for a conference championship. Memphis can still earn a bid to the title game, too, depending on how tiebreakers shake out.
Memphis closes the season with USF, Navy and Temple.
5. Liberty ⬆️ (7)
- This week: vs. Middle Tennessee State
Liberty has won eight consecutive games in dominant fashion since falling to James Madison in Week 1. The Flames haven't quite faced the level of competition that the teams ahead of them in the power rankings have, but they've won each of their last six games by at least 16 points.
Liberty is also the highest-ranked team in ESPN's SP+ metric at No. 22, one spot ahead of New Mexico and five spots ahead of Boise State.
6. UTSA ⬇️ (3)
- This week: vs. North Texas
UTSA was thrashed for 60 points and 563 total yards in a 60-29 loss to FAU in Week 10. Now, its season hangs in the balance against North Texas.
The Roadrunners face a must-win scenario if they want to control their own destiny in the American race down the stretch. We'll see what UTSA and coach Jeff Traylor bring in Week 11 against another high-powered offense.
7. James Madison ⬆️ (8)
- This week: at UConn
JMU bounced back from its consecutive losses to Appalachian State and Troy with a huge 54-23 win over Southern Mississippi in Week 11. JC Evans returned at quarterback for the Dukes after suffering an injury in the season opener, scoring four total touchdowns in the win.
JMU's CFP hopes are over, but it can still win a conference championship under first-year coach Billy Napier.
8. North Dakota State ⬆️ (NR)
- This week: at Hawai'i
North Dakota State has a pair of one-score losses to UNLV and New Mexico this season but is still a threat in the Mountain West. The Bison have proved to be a formidable Group of Six team in their first season as an FBS program, and it wouldn't be a surprise for them to emerge as a future power after dominating FCS for so long.
Should New Mexico beat Wyoming as expected in Week 11, North Dakota State would move into second place in the conference standings with a win, positioning itself for a conference title game berth.
- Fell off list: Oregon State (6)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Group of Six power rankings: Mountain West, American races heating up
