Lately, a lot of the focus in College Football has been on Power-5 teams or ranked teams. The mass media fails to cover Group 5 teams who are on the rise besides just the top ones. In this segment, we will dive into some top-tier Group 5 teams so far this year. The focus will be how they got here and who takes mass credit for their success this season.

#3 Cincinnati Bearcats ( AAC, Overall 5-0, Conf. 1-0)

What got them here?

Cincinnati has been covered very well around here. After their great success last year going undefeated, winning a conference championship, and making a New Years 6 appearance, the Bearcats found themselves in the preseason top 10. After big wins on the road against Indiana and a #9 Notre Dame along with taking care of business with their lesser opponents, the Bearcats pushed themselves to be the highest-ranked Group of 5 team ever( in the CFP era). They have a chance to continue to make history as they head into their second half of the season.

Who's the source of their success?

Primarily it's their Quarterback Desmond Ridder. He has 1304 passing yards, 12 touchdowns, and a 73.7 QBR. He's a front-runner as of right now for the Davey O'Brien trophy. He's been the leader the Bearcats have needed to make the leap they have in the past 3 seasons. Another contributor is their defense led by CB Coby Bryant. Their ability to create turnovers and giving the offense momentum by their dominance has been the secret success of this Cincinnati squad. In whole, they are a fun team to watch. If they take care of business down the stretch, you could be seeing the first-ever Group 5 team make it to the playoff.

#15 Coastal Carolina ( SBC,Overall 6-0, Conf. 2-0)

What got them here?

Like Cincinnati, this squad went undefeated in their regular season and were crowned conference champs for the Sun Belt. They retained a ranking through most of last season which earned them a spot in the preseason top 25. They stand undefeated with a somewhat notable win over Kansas from the Big 12. This team can probably finish the year strong and repeat as conference champs but don't expect anything more such as a New Years 6 bid. The committee will not be content with their resume based on their standards. 

Who's the source of their success?

Their returning starting quarterback in Grayson McCall has been a spectcle this year. He has 1,478 passing yards, 14 touchdowns along with a 93.7 QBR which is one of the highest in the nation. If they want to continue their success, it's all in the hands of Allen. Their cap is a conference title though, nothing more.

#24 San Diego State ( MWC, Overall 5-0, Conf. 1-0)

What got them here?

 The Aztecs have been an interesting squad to watch this season. Last season, they were average and nothing special. 2021 is different though, they are definitely in the makings to be very good this year and definitely in the future. They are unbeaten and are leading their conference as of now. The Aztecs had a huge win over the Utah Utes and have looked great ever since. A Mountian West title is definitely on the front of their mind before anything else big. They just need to keep doing what they are doing.

Who's the source of their success?

The quarterback situation has been a little hectic for the Aztecs, however, running back Greg Bell with his 520 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns has put San Diego in the space they are now. He has been incredible this year and will look to carry his team the distance.  

#23 SMU ( AAC, Overall 6-0, Conf. 2-0)

What got them here?

SMU has been "ponying up" as they say in Dallas. They are currently undefeated across the board with 2 huge wins over Louisiana Tech and TCU on the road. They find themselves in the top 25 after their strong start to the first half of the season. They have a tough road ahead(including #3 Cincinnati on the road0, but the Mustangs are capable under the right conditions. 

Who's the source of their success?

The Mustang offense has been one of the best in the nation. Quarterback Tanner Mordecai has passed for 1,893 yards with a whopping 26 touchdown passes in which he leads the nation. His receiving core is a factor to his success Danny Gray and company. As is, the Mustangs look to continue their dominant ways to send shockwaves to the American which has been a powerhouse for the Group of 5.

UTSA ( C-USA, Overall 6-0, Conf. 2-0)

What got them here?

The Roadrunners are probably the most surprising team on this list. They had an underrated team last year that kept up with Zach Wilson and the BYU Cougars and other teams that were great. This year, they have put up wins over Memphis and Illinois which has been getting them some clout. They are not in the rankings yet, but if they continue their winning ways, there's no reason why they should not.

Who's the source of their success?

With an incredible quarterback and running back duo in Frank Harris and Sincere McCormick. The Roadrunners have been able to outrun their opponents through running and passing. Harris and McCormick have combined for over 2,000 yards total. If UTSA continue to carry this offense, a C-USA title is most definitely on the horizon.