AAC

This conference looks a bit weaker than years past after shifts and changes this season. There are still games left so anything can happen. Memphis and Tulane play each other in two weeks to see who controls their own destiny. USF, where the hell did you come from??? They’re alongside with Memphis and Tulane for now. SMU and Tulsa hope to keep up, but it’s too early to say. I’m unclear with Rice, North Texas, and FAU until they play enough AAC football this month. UTSA hasn’t looked great this season. However, they play their first ever AAC competition this month so let’s assume the Roadrunners will in the thick of the race for an AAC title game. The rest doesn’t look so optimistic, but no team’s more disappointing than UAB with their past consistent winning tradition. I’m not used to seeing them start 1-4 since 2013 (two years before going into hiatus).

C-USA

The conference is smaller, but new teams like Liberty and Jacksonville State are at the top to start things off. Louisiana Tech isn’t far behind surprisingly. Western Kentucky may not be there yet, but they will catch up to Jacksonville State and Liberty soon enough. FIU was off to a 3-1 start, but they might hit reality as they continue through their C-USA schedule. I doubt Sam Houston State and UTEP will get anything going, but can Mid Tenn and New Mexico State eventually wake up???

FBS INDEPENDENT

Notre Dame’s back in it after a stunning comeback and dramatic ending against Duke. The road to the playoffs only gets tougher from there. UConn’s not off to a great start after losing three of five games by 10 points or less, including their extra point attempt for a tie getting blocked by Utah State. After a slight upset over New Mexico State, UMass hasn’t fielded a win ever since. They had two opportunities against Eastern Michigan and New Mexico, but unfortunately lost those games by three points or less. Army is so-so, but they gave Syracuse a game for a bit. There’s plenty of winnable games out there for the Black Knights.

MAC

EAST

Miami (OH) and Ohio will be at each other’s throats soon enough. For right now, both are playing great football. Miami (OH) ended their 16-year drought against rival Cincinnati while Ohio pulled off an upset in a defensive struggle against the betting Iowa State Cyclones. Bowling Green, Buffalo, and Akron either upset Power 5 opponents or were close to.

WEST

Toledo’s aiming for 10 wins this season after a strong start to September. They were so close to upsetting Illinois. Central Michigan and Western Michigan will do their best to compete for a bowl at least, but Toledo’s on their list to go after. Eastern Michigan’s off to a slow start and must bounce back if they want to compete with Toledo for the West division title. Northern Illinois upset Boston College but is nowhere to be found ever since. Can October change the whole thing for them?

MOUNTAIN WEST

The Mountain West currently has four teams in the Top 4. One of them is Fresno State, but the others aren’t Boise State (5th), San Jose State (10th), and San Diego State (last). The other three are Air Force (understandably), UNLV, and Wyoming. I don’t think Boise will go quietly, but can I say the same for San Jose State and San Diego State? Colorado State enters Mountain West play this month. Their game against Colorado will definitely put them on the spotlight to see if they’re capable of a Mountain West title opportunity. New Mexico, Utah State, and Hawai’i are competing, but I must know what their ceiling is compared to their floor. I won’t explain about my school, UNR. We’re not going anywhere, but I would like to see quarterback AJ Bianco play. Go Pack!

SUN BELT

EAST

The Fun Belt has yet to lose its mantra. James Madison and Marshall are undefeated. Georgia Southern and Georgia State are off to a 4-1 start. Appalachian State is in the mix because of their brand as a strong Group of 5 program. Old Dominion could play for a postseason bowl game. I’m unsure about Coastal Carolina. Be aware that quarterback Grayson McCall originally wanted to transfer after Jamey Chadwell left for Liberty. Unfortunately, McCall couldn’t because of his poor academic standing. We’re not sure if he’s not into it this season because of it, but their current record reflects a lot after Coastal’s past success since 2020.

WEST

Texas State’s 4-1 in GJ Kinne’s first season as head coach at the FBS level. This is also the Bobcat’s first type of start since 2013, which they finished 6-6. They also matched their four wins after finishing with 4 wins twice in the past two seasons. Keep it going, team! Arkansas State’s surprisingly in the mix with a 3-2 record while Troy’s sitting below them with the same record. Louisiana’s trying to find their way back after a poor last season. While Louisiana-Monroe’s sitting pretty at 2-2, South Alabama’s struggling when they had high hopes for a great season. There are still games to go. Southern Miss needs an answer on defense. Frank Gore Jr. can do so much, but they need answers.

OVERALL

I might consider putting Notre Dame in the Power 5 next month. It’s kind of irrelevant involving them in the Group of 5 with how strong their program is. This team’s playing some of their best football and will still compete for the playoffs.

As for THE Group of 5, the Sun Belt and the Mountain West are strong standouts with the MAC and C-USA coming up the rear with around three to four teams each. Unfortunately, the AAC’s surprisingly the weaker conference with only Memphis and Tulane showing up against tough competition. USF is up there, but let’s hope they alongside SMU, Tulsa, and UTSA to stay in the running and help the AAC regain their place as a good Group of 5 conference.