By Way of Comparison: The Rest of the G5 Field
Tulane (8-1): SP+ rank: 44 | FEI rank: 49 | Sagarin rank: 51 | Strength-of-schedule rank (per Sagarin/Sports Reference): 92/100
Liberty (9-0): SP+ rank: 43 | FEI rank: 42 | Sagarin rank: 59 | Strength-of-schedule rank (per Sagarin/Sports Reference): 132/120
Toledo (8-1): SP+ rank: 48 | FEI rank: 71 | Sagarin rank: 62 | Strength-of-schedule rank (per Sagarin/Sports Reference): 125/130
SMU (7-2): SP+ rank: 34 | FEI rank: 38 | Sagarin rank: 31 | Strength-of-schedule rank (per Sagarin/Sports Reference): 123/117
Troy (7-2): SP+ rank: 41 | FEI rank: 28 | Sagarin rank: 43 | Strength-of-schedule rank (per Sagarin/Sports Reference): 83/57
James Madison (9-0): SP+ rank: 30 | FEI rank: 35 | Sagarin rank: 42 | Strength-of-schedule rank (per Sagarin/Sports Reference): 89/95
What are the big takeaways here?
You may notice that, at least by the advanced metrics, there isn’t a ton of separation from top to bottom here. The advanced metrics are most lukewarm on Toledo for the moment and James Madison is still ineligible, but the rest of this group, plus Air Force and Fresno State, are separated by just 12 spots according to SP+ and 21 spots by FEI.
Because there isn’t a ton of separation, it seems unlikely that the Group of 5 will have a huge contingent in the top 25 anytime soon, especially since the Green Wave and Falcons began at #24 and #25, respectively, in the initial rankings last Tuesday.
It also doesn’t help matters that Tulane also struggled mightily with one-win East Carolina on the road, the third straight week that the Green Wave have squeezed out a one-score victory over an opponent with a current record under .500. That isn’t altogether different from Fresno State’s own good fortune since the Bulldogs are now 5-1 in one-score games, but it could work against them collectively in favor of two- and three-loss Power 5 teams.
Know Thy Enemy: Week 10 Schedule For G5 Competitors
Eastern Michigan (4-5, 2-3 MAC) vs. Toledo – Wednesday, 11/8, 4:30 PM PT/5:30 PM MT, ESPN2
North Texas (3-6, 1-3 AAC) vs. SMU – Friday, 11/10, 6:00 PM PT/7:00 PM MT, ESPN2
Tulsa (3-6, 1-3 AAC) vs. Tulane – Saturday, 11/11, 9:00 AM PT/10:00 AM MT, ESPN2
Old Dominion (4-5, 3-3 Sun Belt) vs. Liberty – Saturday, 11/11, 10:00 AM PT/11:00 AM MT, ESPN+
Troy at Louisiana-Monroe (2-7, 0-6 Sun Belt) – Saturday, 11/11, 11:00 AM PT/12:00 PM MT, ESPN+
UConn (1-8) vs. James Madison – Saturday, 11/11, 11:00 AM PT/12:00 PM MT, ESPN+
So what do I think the second top 25 will look like? Read on.