Gridiron Gazette: Power Rankings (Week 5)

On the shoulders of QB Carson Palmer, Athol A&M has found themselves #1 in the FBCS for two straight weeks. As the only remaining undefeated team in the conference, the Alchy's have quite the bullseye on their backs, especially this week against the defending champs.





Power Rankings (Week 5)
Cam Pannalist, Gridiron Gazette




Hello from sunny Bermuda!

OK, so it's been raining ever since I arrived, but nonetheless I was thrilled that my editor actually gave me my first week off in 8 years. (Editor's Note: He finally re-read his contract. Damn.)

Even though I'm hundreds of miles away, I decided to still put up this week's power rankings. Hopefully, the summaries that follow will help you understand the utterly-chaotic logic I use to decide them.

Check back next week for our mid-season awards. Until then, enjoy!

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1. Athol A&M, 4-0 (+2)
As the only remaining undefeated team in the FAC-10, there's no question as to who should be #1. But their opponents have a combined 5-7 record, so how long can it last? The Alchy's can prove they belong at the top in their next 3 matchups against Stardust (#5), Bud Heavy (#6), and Mexico (#4).


2. Gillespie State, 3-1 ( - )
Three straight 50-point games is not the resume of a #2, yet since a rough opening week, they've knocked off 3 straight wins. They finally achieved their potential last week with 78 points against DUBA, and the conference's best running game should continue to put up huge numbers for the rest of the season.


3. Fitchburg Tech, 3-1 (+1)
The league's best offense (404 points, 103 ahead of 2nd) can only carry you as far as they allow, and in Week 3 the entire team took a vacation. Only scoring 63 points when you've scored at least 100 ever other game can really hurt you, and it shows that this team can lose at any given chance.


4. Mexico, 2-2 (-3)
How can a team score 92 points and fall 3 spots in the rankings? Simple: they lost. Anheuser-Busch picked a great week to come alive, beating the Wildcats 120-92 and removing them from the top spot. U-Mex has the tools to stay competitive, and one unlucky matchup will not deter this team in the slightest.


5. Stardust, 2-2 ( - )
The defending champs also had a tough matchup last week, putting up 80 points but running into a dominant Fitchburg Tech. This team, like Mexico, will not be affected by a tough loss, and with the return of Peyton Manning this week, they'll be just fine.


6. Bud Heavy, 3-1 (+1)
#4 in the FBCS is much more important than #6 in these rankings, yet there is a reason for it. In Week 3, BHU put up just 29 points on Mexico, the lowest point total by any team this season. The King should worry a bit that, with no significant injuries, they have the 10th rated offense in the FAC-10. With games against Fitchburg Tech, Athol, and Gillespie State coming up, their FBCS ranking should be parallel to their ranking here.


7. Golden, 2-2 (-1)
The Gryphons have been one disappointment after another, and nothing was more heartbreaking than last week's game. After a stunning upset of top-ranked Fitchburg Tech in Week 4, they fell to a low-scoring Athol team in Week 5. If RB Steven Jackson and WR Andre Johnson can get healthy quick, this team will be making a serious playoff push... or at the very least, play spoiler down the stretch.


8. Anheuser-Busch, 2-2 (+3)
How does a team that scores 120 points sit at #8? Simple: they're inconsistent. In their 2 wins, AB averages 102 points. In their 2 losses, 47.5. With a team that features 2 true freshmen and 3 sophomores, the fluctuation of their offensive production is no surprise. RB Adrian Peterson is slowly making this "his" team, and if the rest of the players accept it, they'll slowly creep up the standings.


9. Rakeville, 2-2 (-1)
It's tough having a bye week and dropping in the rankings, but that's what happens when the guy below you puts up 120 points. Rakeville really isn't too worried about this season, as they have already stressed their dedication to getting youngsters like WR Calvin Johnson and QB JaMarcus Russell ready for 2008. The recent pickup of 75 year old Priest Holmes may be a bit deceiving, but he should be a great mentor to freshman RB Brandon Jackson.


10. Dublin, 1-3 ( - )
Consistency can sometimes be a bad thing, as in DUBA's case. They've been consistently bad, scoring 52 points per game over their recent 3-game losing streak. If they want any kind of respectable record this season, they'll need to do it now. Dublin has the worst schedule at the end of the year, which includes Stardust, Bud Heavy, and Mexico.


11. Arizona-Kickery, 0-4 (-2)
If Dublin has been consistently bad, Kickery has been downright abysmal. 44 points per game has been hands-down the worst in the conference, and the performance of franchise players Drew Brees, Marvin Harrison, and Frank Gore has explained it. With no players in the league's top-50 in points, there is no silver lining for the Kickers' 2007 season. Their only consolation is a Week 10 bye before finishing up the season against Dublin, which hopefully will give them some momentum going into 2008.