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MRI Football 2010 - Rankings Week 7

November 2, 2010  |  By Benjamin Miraski

The year of the little guy continues.

That is the only way to explain it as six spots in the top 25 in the MRI are filled with non-automatic qualifiers for the BCS.

Count ‘em: Three teams from the WAC, two from the Mountain West (both in the top 10) and even one from Conference USA.

Yes, you may have missed it last week when Central Florida snuck in at No. 25 in the rankings. This week, thanks to some defensive woes by other teams, a big win over fellow contender East Carolina, plus a little boost to their schedule strength, they have jumped to No. 16.

‘But how can this be?’ you cry.

This is Conference USA. This team has two losses. What is going on?

Two losses by a combined 11 points to teams have fairly good seasons.

North Carolina State barely beat them by seven. The same North Carolina State team that lost to East Carolina, who Central Florida just beat, and who just took down Florida State.

Yes, that North Carolina State team, who could still win their division in the ACC.

Granted the ACC is the worst of the BCS conferences, but they are a contender for the best team in the conference, so that is still something.

Then Kansas State beat Central Florida by four. Yes, Kansas State is a middle of the pack team in the Big XII, but then maybe Central Florida would be a middle of the pack team in the Big XII this season.

Kansas State isn’t bad. They just aren’t great. They were even looking pretty good until Nebraska walked all over them. They challenged Baylor and Oklahoma State (albeit minus Justin Blackmon).

They might even beat Texas this coming weekend.

So Central Florida is a few snaps away from being 8-0 and in the talk.

Here are some numbers for you:

• 22nd in rushing yards per game.
• 30th in scoring.
• 11th in scoring defense.
• 9th in defensive yards against.

If there were any other jersey putting up those numbers, we wouldn’t think twice if they appeared among the top teams in the country, especially at 6-2 and when their losses were by 11 points total.

The one troublesome number is Strength of Schedule. Central Florida gets no help playing in Conference USA, where most of the teams lose two of their non-conference games to begin the year (much like the Knights).

But they ring in at No. 86 according to the MRI. For comparison, TCU is at No. 70. That Florida State team comes in at No. 87.

So it hasn’t been the toughest schedule in the country, but it is on par with what a nationally ranked Seminoles team had done. And it will get better before it gets worse, with games against Houston and Southern Mississippi in the next two weeks.

Plus, the Knights are on track to face Houston to SMU in the conference title game, another potential boost.

Note that we aren’t saying they are the best. They are just among the better teams in college football. A number 16-ranking isn’t even in the top 10 percent!

So it may be unconventional, but don’t count out Central Florida just because you can’t name their starting quarterback.

Check out all the rankings in week seven of the football MRI.

Posted November 2, 2010 1:00 PM