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In a surprise move, multiple teams from last weeks list actually won games over the weekend, resulting in a modest shake-up this week. But whatever the order, rest assured that odds are your favorite Group of Five team could probably knock off any of these teams over four quarters.
Athletic Directors? Schedule accordingly.
5. Maryland Terrapins
The Terrapins, currently 3-5 (1-4) haven’t won since October 5, when they beat Rutgers, a mainstay on this list. After an optimistic start to the season, including a 79-0 shellacking of FCS Howard, and an equally towering 69-20 victory over then-ranked Syracuse, it’s been nothing but downhill since.
This team barely put up a fight against Minnesota this past week, and the worst team left on their schedule is Nebraska. It’s a bad year for the Terrapins on the gridiron, but isn’t it always?
4. Purdue Boilermakers
Neck and neck with the Terrapins, the Boilermakers actually beat Maryland earlier in the season, but are currently 2-6 (1-4) with their only other win coming against... Vanderbilt.
Jeff Brohm’s team lost to Nevada way back in week one, then got blown out by Illinois this past week, a far cry from Brohm’s WKU squads of yesteryear. They have an easier schedule ahead of them than Maryland, but no more group of five teams in sight.
3. Arkansas Razorbacks
We want to be fair and unbiased here, but seeing any SEC team here is always worth a gleeful cackle. The Razorbacks were right in this spot a week ago, and after a 48-7 loss to Alabama we see no reason to move them either up or down.
Maybe this weekend we’ll see some movement after Arkansas hosts Mississippi State, but we wouldn’t hold our breath. Boo, pig.
2. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Congratulations and shout-out to Rutgers for finally getting a win this week! Unfortunately, it was to Independent and middling FBS team Liberty, who are no Appalachian State.
A scant ten-point win, the Rutgers’ only other victory this season came over another FBS Independent, UMass. Unless the NCAA allows a last-minute rule change for this team to add New Mexico State to their schedule, we don’t see another win in the cards here.
1. Northwestern Wildcats
With Rutgers managing a win, no other team can hold this slot but Northwestern. Having already played their final game of October, their lone win remains UNLV all the way back on Sept. 14, and those guys are currently 2-6.
As Ohio State and Michigan get all the headlines in the Big Ten, remember they get two free wins from the likes of these squads, and hold your head high again this week that you’re a Group of Five fan.