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What a season of G5 football in 2017. Comeback teams, a national championship, and so much more.
But the season is now over, so it’s time to look towards 2018. Let’s start with a way too early top 10 poll!
Way Too Early Top 10
| Rank | School | Record | Points | Conference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | School | Record | Points | Conference |
| 1 | Boise State | 11-3 | 56 (3) | Mountain West |
| 2 | UCF | 13-0 | 53 (2) | American |
| 3 | Florida Atlantic | 11-3 | 50 (1) | Conference USA |
| 4 | Houston | 7-5 | 38 | American |
| 5 | Fresno State | 10-4 | 34 | Mountain West |
| 6 | Navy | 7-6 | 26 | American |
| 7 | Arkansas State | 7-5 | 13 | Sun Belt |
| 8T | Northern Illinois | 8-5 | 12 | MAC |
| 8T | USF | 10-2 | 12 | American |
| 10 | Toledo | 11-3 | 11 | MAC |
Although they are the reigning national champions, the UCF Knights come in at no. 2 behind Boise State. It will be interesting to see how UCF fares post-Scott Frost, but for now our voters are just slightly more comfortable with the ol’ reliable Broncos.
Another Florida team comes in third with the Florida Atlantic Owls being the only other team with a first place vote. Lane Kiffin took a team that had been a laughing stock and made them C-USA champs in one year. How high can he take them in year two?
Despite losing to the Bulldogs in the Hawaii Bowl, the Houston Cougars come in one spot ahead of Fresno State. FSU had a breakout year in 2017 under Jeff Tedford, while UH was down a bit in Major Applewhite’s debut season. Can UH return to the top of the AAC in 2018? Can Fresno State finish what they started and capture a Mountain West crown?
The voters expect the Navy Midshipmen and Arkansas State Red Wolves to return to form in 2018 after solid 2017 seasons. They also call for Northern Illinois to return to prominence and Toledo to remain strong.
Finally, the voters drop the USF Bulls into a tie for 8th with Quinton Flowers out the door, among others. Can they stay near the top in 2018? Only time will tell.
Special Thanks to Our Voters
Cyrus Smith
Jared Kalmus
Joey Broback
Joe Serpico
Clayton Trutor (Down the Drive)
Jeremy Mauss (MW Wire)