Diehard G6 Top 25 — Boise State stays No. 1 after loss to Oregon

Boise State lost 34-27 at No. 2 Oregon and stays No. 1. The Broncos competed throughout against one of the best teams in the country, and nobody else in the Group of 6 has a stronger overall profile. Spencer Danielson's team barely had time to process the result before the biggest game of its regular season arrived.

Memphis comes to Boise on Saturday. No. 5 visits No. 1. The Tigers are 2-0 under Charles Huff after winning at UNLV in Week 0 and handling Arkansas State 42-24, and now they get the game that could loom large in the CFP discussion at season's end. If Memphis wins in Boise, the Tigers own the head-to-head tiebreaker and a significant road victory against the G6's top-ranked team. If Boise wins, the Oregon loss becomes a building block rather than a burden.

Western Michigan climbed a spot to No. 3 despite losing 13-12 at Michigan. The Broncos led 12-7, stopped a Hail Mary, watched the clock hit zero — and then watched officials add a second so Michigan could throw another one. The result was a loss. The performance validated everything we wrote about this team in the preseason.

Army made the biggest jump, rising six spots to No. 11 after demolishing Bryant 59-3. Troy climbed six to No. 17 after surviving Sam Houston 24-21 in a season opener that tested a roster with only six returning starters. Memphis moved up a spot to No. 5 at 2-0 and NDSU rose one to No. 6 after outscoring opponents 71-7 in two games. Three new teams enter the rankings: Nevada (No. 18) after blasting Western Kentucky 49-14, Tulsa (No. 19) after beating Oklahoma State 24-10 for a win vs. the Big 12 and Colorado State (No. 20) after winning the Border War 35-13 in Jim Mora's debut.

Oregon State, Miami OH and Western Kentucky dropped out. Hawaii fell 14 spots to No. 24 after an 0-2 start that included scoring six points at home against UNLV.

Three games to watch in Week 2:

No. 5 Memphis at No. 1 Boise State (Sept. 12, 5 PM CT, USA Network) — The first game this season with legitimate CFP implications for two G6 programs. Huff's 2-0 Tigers against Danielson's Broncos coming off the Oregon loss. This is the kind of game that determines who gets talked about in December.

No. 7 South Florida at No. 11 Army (Sept. 12, 11 AM CT, CBSSN) — The first ranked G6 matchup of the season. Hartline's 41-transfer roster against Monken's triple option at West Point. Army looked midseason sharp against overmatched Bryant. USF looked like a team still learning each other's names.

No. 6 North Dakota State at Air Force (Sept. 12, 9 PM CT, FS1) — NDSU has outscored two opponents 71-7 in its FBS transition. Air Force is a the Bison's first road test at the FBS level.

Here's the Diehard G6 Top 25:

1. Boise State (0-1, Pac-12) — Spencer Danielson, Year 3 (prev: 1)

Lost 34-27 at No. 2 Oregon. QB Maddux Madsen went 15-of-29 for 181 yards and 3 TDs. Oregon QB Dante Moore threw for 378 yards and 3 TDs, and WR Dakorien Moore caught a 62-yard go-ahead TD with 7:51 remaining. Boise State still leads the all-time series with Oregon 3-2.

Next: vs. No. 5 Memphis, Sept. 12 (5 PM CT, USA Network)

2. Navy (1-0, American) — Brian Newberry, Year 4 (prev: 2)

Beat Towson 42-15. QB Braxton Woodson rushed for 200 yards and 3 TDs on 23 carries in his first start, replacing Blake Horvath. Navy ran for 506 yards total with 14 players carrying the ball. 32,654 in attendance.

Next: at Florida Atlantic, Sept. 12 (6:30 PM CT, ESPNU)

3. Western Michigan (0-1, MAC) — Lance Taylor, Year 4 (prev: 4)

Lost 13-12 at No. 16 Michigan as a 27.5-point underdog. WMU led 12-7 and the clock hit zero after Michigan's first Hail Mary sailed out of bounds, but officials put a second back on it. JJ Buchanan caught the second one for a 47-yard TD. MAC OPOY QB Broc Lowry went 15-of-21 for 89 yards with zero turnovers. RB Jalen Buckley carried 19 times for 62 yards. WMU out-rushed Michigan 132-106, held the ball for 40:08 and committed zero turnovers to Michigan's three. 110,879 in attendance.

Next: vs. Monmouth, Sept. 12 (5:30 PM CT, ESPN+)

4. James Madison (1-0, Sun Belt) — Billy Napier, Year 1 (prev: 3)

Beat Liberty 20-13 in Napier's debut. QB JC Evans went 7-of-9 for 61 yards passing with 1 TD (to Corey Scott) and carried 9 times for 69 yards rushing. Liberty QB Deshawn Purdie threw for 230 yards and 1 TD. JMU leads the all-time rivalry series 14-6.

Next: vs. Wagner, Sept. 12 (2:30 PM CT, ESPN+)

5. Memphis (2-0, American) — Charles Huff, Year 1 (prev: 6)

Beat Arkansas State 42-24. RB Jaylin Carter had 201 total yards and 4 rushing TDs, 3 in the second half. Memphis rushed for 335 yards — its first 300-yard rushing game since September 2020. The defense intercepted A-State QB Trey Owens four times (Owens finished with 325 passing yards, 1 TD and 4 INTs).

Next: at No. 1 Boise State, Sept. 12 (5 PM CT, USA Network)

6. North Dakota State (2-0, MW) — Tim Polasek, Year 3 (prev: 7)

Blanked Fordham 38-0 after beating Jacksonville State 33-7 in the FBS debut. QB Nathan Hayes went 18-of-22 for 210 yards and 2 TDs against Fordham. CB Marion Moore returned an interception for a TD — his second pick in two games. The defense held Fordham to 135 total yards and forced 4 turnovers. NDSU has outscored opponents 71-7 in two games.

Next: at Air Force, Sept. 12 (9 PM CT, FS1)

7. USF (1-0, American) — Brian Hartline, Year 1 (prev: 5)

Beat FIU 19-9 in Hartline's debut. K Nico Gramatica went 4-of-4 on field goals (37, 53, 30 and 29 yards) and scored 13 of USF's 19 points. QB Michael Van Buren Jr. went 11-of-18 for 100 yards. FIU outgained USF 381-208 in total yards, but USF's defense forced 3 turnovers (2 INTs, 1 fumble). DJ Crowther's 1-yard TD run was USF's only touchdown. 41,847 in attendance.

Next: at No. 11 Army, Sept. 12 (11 AM CT, CBSSN)

8. UNLV (1-1, MW) — Dan Mullen, Year 2 (prev: 8)

Beat Hawaii 21-6 on the road. QB Jackson Arnold went 8-of-18 for 116 yards and rushed 16 times for 89 yards and 2 TDs. RB Jai'Den Thomas ran 20 times for 143 yards and a TD, including a 50-yard score. Hawaii QB Micah Alejado went 17-of-41 for 176 yards and 1 INT, sacked 5 times. Hawaii went without a TD at home for the first time since 2023. UNLV retained the Island Showdown Trophy for a fourth consecutive victory in the series.

Next: at North Texas, Sept. 12 (2:45 PM CT, ESPNU)

9. New Mexico (1-0, MW) — Jason Eck, Year 2 (prev: 9)

Beat Central Michigan 38-7. New Mexico outgained CMU 364-149 and held the Chippewas to 30 passing yards. K Ryan Glasgow connected from 48, 46 and 49 yards. New Mexico possessed the ball for 37-plus minutes and won the turnover battle 2-0.

Next: vs. Mercyhurst, Sept. 12 (3 PM CT, MW+)

10. San Diego State (1-0, Pac-12) — Sean Lewis, Year 3 (prev: 11)

Beat Portland State 53-20. Lucky Sutton scored 3 rushing TDs. Jaylon Hawkins returned a kickoff 100 yards for a TD. QB Jayden Denegal went 12-of-17 for 137 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. SDSU out-rushed Portland State 237-95 and blocked 2 punts.

Next: at UCLA, Sept. 12 (6:15 PM CT, BTN)

11. Army (1-0, American) — Jeff Monken, Year 13 (prev: 17)

Demolished Bryant 59-3. Army rushed for 569 yards at 10.0 yards per carry and outgained Bryant 648-165. Mundell and Hellums each scored 2 rushing TDs. Army had 31 first downs to Bryant's 9. The game was Army's first at the renovated Michie Stadium.

Next: vs. No. 7 South Florida, Sept. 12 (11 AM CT, CBSSN)

12. Old Dominion (1-0, Sun Belt) — Ricky Rahne, Year 7 (prev: 13)

Beat Norfolk State 31-10. QB Quinn Henicle threw 2 TD passes and scored 2 rushing TDs in his first regular-season start. The defense held Norfolk State to 220 total yards.

Next: at Virginia Tech, Sept. 12 (11 AM CT, CW)

13. Washington State (0-1, Pac-12) — Kirby Moore, Year 1 (prev: 15)

Lost to Washington 24-10 in the Apple Cup in Seattle. The Cougars played well enough defensively to stay in it — Keith Brown made a fourth-and-1 stop at the WSU 1-yard line as the first half expired — but the offense couldn't sustain drives. Caden Pinnick went 16-of-25 for 142 yards with two interceptions and added 61 rushing yards and a touchdown on 14 carries. WSU missed two field goals and went 0-for-9 on third down. No shame in losing to a ranked rival on the road, and the Cougars showed enough fight to hold their spot.

Next: at Kansas State, Sept. 12 (11 AM CT, TNT)

14. UTSA (1-0, American) — Jeff Traylor, Year 7 (prev: 18)

Beat UT-Rio Grande Valley 45-16 in UTRGV's first game against an FBS opponent. QB Owen McCown went 22-of-27 for 275 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs. UTSA generated 525 total yards on 58 plays (9.1 yards per play) with zero turnovers. Three TDs went for 50-plus yards: Will Henderson III 75-yard TD run, DJ Allen Jr. 62-yard TD reception and A'Marion Peterson 53-yard TD run. Ahamad Chapman returned an interception 49 yards for a TD. 33,403 in attendance.

Next: at Texas State, Sept. 12 (2:30 PM CT, CW)

15. Liberty (0-1, CUSA) — Jamey Chadwell, Year 4 (prev: 14)

Lost 20-13 at James Madison. QB Deshawn Purdie threw for 230 yards and 1 TD. JMU led the all-time series 13-6 entering the game.

Next: vs. Gardner-Webb, Sept. 12 (5 PM CT, ESPN+)

16. Louisiana (1-0, Sun Belt) — Michael Desormeaux, Year 5 (prev: 20)

Beat Lamar 38-7. All five Louisiana TDs came on rushing plays. QB Lunch Winfield went 15-of-21 for 189 yards (2 INTs) and rushed 8 times for 84 yards and a 22-yard TD. RB Darrell Smith scored twice (2-yard and 25-yard runs). The defense forced 4 turnovers — 3 INTs of Lamar QB Aiden McCown and a fumble recovery. Lamar entered ranked No. 14 in the FCS and was held to 205 total yards and 56 rushing yards (1.9 per carry).

Next: at USC, Sept. 12 (10 PM CT, BTN)

17. Troy (1-0, Sun Belt) — Gerad Parker, Year 3 (prev: 23)

Beat Sam Houston 24-21. QB Goose Crowder went 12-of-24 for 165 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs. Troy rushed for 177 yards; Sam Houston had 38. Sam Houston QB Landyn Locke threw for 335 yards and 3 TDs but had 1 INT. Troy won the turnover battle 1-0 and recovered an onside kick in the final minute to seal it. 24,356 in attendance.

Next: vs. Alabama State, Sept. 12 (3 PM CT, ESPN+)

18. Nevada (1-0, MW) — Jeff Choate, Year 3 (prev: NR)

Beat Western Kentucky 49-14. RB Dominic Kelley scored on a 72-yard TD run on the second play from scrimmage and finished with 11 carries, 152 yards and 2 TDs. QB Carter Jones went 9-of-15 for 163 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. Nevada rushed for 323 yards and averaged 8.4 yards per play. The defense forced 2 fumbles. 19,404 in attendance.

Next: vs. Montana State, Sept. 12 (9:30 PM CT, CW)

19. Tulsa (1-0, American) — Tre Lamb, Year 2 (prev: NR)

Beat Oklahoma State 24-10. QB Baylor Hayes went 17-of-24 for 227 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT. RB Damari Alston ran 15 times for 73 yards and 2 TDs, including a 29-yard score with 7:52 remaining. Oklahoma State committed 4 turnovers. S Zach Williams sealed it with an end-zone interception of Drew Mestemaker with 4:13 left. Oklahoma State was a 13.5-point favorite. Second consecutive Tulsa win over OSU — the first back-to-back in the rivalry since 1951-52. 28,520 in attendance.

Next: at Sam Houston, Sept. 12 (6 PM CT, ESPN+)

20. Colorado State (1-0, Pac-12) — Jim Mora, Year 1 (prev: NR)

Beat Wyoming 35-13 in the Border War. QB Hauss Hejny (transfer from Oklahoma State) went 23-of-33 for 214 yards, 5 TDs and 0 INTs. WR RJ Vick caught 6 passes for 75 yards and 3 TDs, including a 57-yarder. Wyoming went 0-for-8 on third downs and committed 4 turnovers (3 Tyler Hughes INTs, 1 fumble). Colorado State had zero turnovers. 40,548 in attendance.

Next: vs. Southern Utah, Sept. 12 (6 PM CT, CBSSN)

21. Fresno State (0-1, Pac-12) — Matt Entz, Year 2 (prev: 12)

Lost 39-0 at No. 14 USC. Fresno State was held to 116 total yards (39 rushing, 77 passing) and never advanced past USC's 39-yard line. QB Jayden Mandal went 7-of-15 for 77 yards, 0 TDs and 1 INT. USC QB Jayden Maiava went 23-of-25 for 349 yards and 3 TDs. The 116 total yards were the fewest allowed by USC since holding Notre Dame to 91 in 2008. 53,014 in attendance.

Next: vs. Sacramento State, Sept. 12 (9:30 PM CT, CBSSN)

22. East Carolina (0-1, American) — Blake Harrell, Year 2 (prev: 19)

Lost 48-10 at No. 13 Alabama. ECU managed 162 total yards, including 2 net rushing yards on 22 carries. QB Mitch Griffis went 10-of-16 for 137 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT — a pick-six by Yhonzae Pierre from 27 yards. ECU's lone TD: Griffis to Jeremiah Melvin, 1 yard, in the second quarter. Alabama scored on all six first-half possessions and led 38-7 at halftime. 100,077 in attendance.

Next: vs. Appalachian State, Sept. 12 (11 AM CT, ESPNU)

23. Tulane (0-1, American) — Will Hall, Year 1 (prev: 16)

Lost 17-3 at Duke. Tulane used two quarterbacks: starter Zeon Chriss-Gremillion (6-of-9, 64 yards) and Kadin Semonza (11-of-21, 140 yards). Combined: 17-of-30, 204 yards, 0 TDs. The offense's only score was a Jackson Courville 37-yard field goal — the first time Tulane failed to score a TD since a Sept. 7, 2019 loss to Auburn. Duke RB Nate Sheppard ran 35 times for 227 yards and 2 TDs. Tulane never ran a play from inside the red zone and was penalized 15 times for 104 yards, most by any FBS team in the opening week. 16,113 in attendance.

Next: vs. South Alabama, Sept. 12 (6 PM CT, ESPN+)

24. Hawaii (0-2, MW) — Timmy Chang, Year 5 (prev: 10)

Lost 21-6 to UNLV at home after opening with a loss at Stanford. QB Micah Alejado went 17-of-41 for 176 yards and 1 INT, sacked 5 times. Hawaii went without a TD at home for the first time since 2023. The 0-2 start is the biggest drop in this week's rankings.

Next: vs. New Mexico State, Sept. 12 (10:59 PM CT, MW+)

25. Jacksonville State (1-1, CUSA) — Charles Kelly, Year 2 (prev: 25)

Bounced back from the 33-7 loss to NDSU with a 49-7 win over Eastern Kentucky. QB Caden Creel went 21-of-28 for 327 yards and 5 TDs — all career highs. WR Jamill Williams caught 7 passes for 144 yards and 4 TDs, the first Jax State receiver with four TD catches in a game since 2012. Caleb Nix returned an interception 43 yards for a TD. Jax State converted 9 of 11 third downs. 19,677 in attendance.

Next: at Ohio, Sept. 12 (5 PM CT, ESPN+)