8. Toledo Rockets

The Football Writers Association of America’s National Team of the Week storms onto the Group of 5/Independent Top 10.

Toledo’s 16-12 defeat of Arkansas was the program’s first road win against a ranked opponent. It also marked the MAC’s first defeat of an SEC team since Northern Illinois beat Alabama in 2003.

“Today’s game, in my opinion, was about a couple things: No. 1 was the belief in our football program vs. the odds,” Toledo head coach Matt Campbell said in his postgame press conference.

That the Rockets had the chutzpah to march into SEC Territory and come away with a win may not be that surprising when one considers Toledo quarterback Phillip Ely is an Alabama transfer.

One thing Ely quite clearly learned from his time in Tuscaloosa: how to beat Arkansas. The Crimson Tide haven’t lost to the Razorbacks since 2006.

7. Boise State Broncos

Poor Hail Mary defense is an epidemic around college football, and Boise State is its latest victim.

The reigning top-dog among the Group of 5 suffered its first loss in almost a year Saturday at BYU when it surrendered Tanner Mangum’s second Hail Mary winner in as many weeks.

The Broncos’ win over Washington is among the most impressive for a Group of 5 team thus far into 2015. I would also venture to guess this is the lowest Boise State will find itself this season.