After falling to No. 22 after last week’s loss, it didn’t take UCF long to start moving up again. The Knights moved into the No. 18 spot in this week’s AP Poll, coming off a blowout 56-21 win over lowly UConn.
UCF is still not the highest-ranked Group of Five team, but competition for that spot is growing. Boise State had a 6-spot lead on the Knights last week, but the No. 16 Broncos are now just a couple rankings ahead with several tough October games on the schedule.
UCF is also no longer the sole representative from the AAC. After a blowout win against South Florida, SMU is in the Top 25 for the first time in decades. The Mustangs, who are 5-0, checked in at No. 24. Memphis and Tulane are also currently receiving votes.
The competition for best team in the state of Florida is still not very close, however. UCF may have moved up four spots, but UF is far ahead despite dropping to No. 10 this week after an unimpressive win over FCS Towson.
UCF will faces one of its biggest conference tests of the year on Friday, when the team travels to Ohio to take on Cincinnati. The Bearcats are 3-1 and are coming off a pair of blowout wins against lower-level Group of Five teams.