Diehard G6 Top 25 — Top three hold as upsets reshape G6 conference races

Boise State, James Madison and New Mexico hold the top three spots in the Diehard G6 Top 25 for the second straight week. JMU (7-0) remains the only unbeaten G6 team after beating Georgia State 49-22. Below the top three, the landscape shifted.

Six ranked teams lost. Tulane stunned No. 4 Memphis 31-17 and forced six turnovers — pinning a conference loss on a team that had controlled the American Athletic Conference race. UTSA became the first team to reach 3-0 in American play, with North Texas (2-0) also unbeaten in conference. Louisiana blew out No. 15 Troy 33-6 in Lafayette, reasserting itself in the Sun Belt West alongside South Alabama and Louisiana Tech (both 2-0 in conference). Air Force hammered No. 13 UNLV 41-31 with 430 rushing yards, shaking up a Mountain West race where NDSU, Air Force and Wyoming all sit at 3-1 behind unbeaten New Mexico.

Air Force made the week's biggest jump — from No. 20 to No. 8 — after its second straight blowout. Louisiana climbed 11 spots to No. 13 after the Troy rout. Ohio rose 10 spots to No. 15 after a 48-7 demolition of Sacramento State. Army jumped six to No. 12 after beating FAU 56-24. Memphis dropped six spots to No. 10 after the Tulane upset. FAU fell 16 spots to No. 23 after the blowout loss at Army. Georgia State dropped eight to No. 22 after losing at JMU.

Three teams enter the rankings: Tulane (No. 20), Tulsa (No. 24) and Miami of Ohio (No. 25). Three teams drop out: Troy, UNLV and Fresno State.

Games to watch this week:

No. 5 North Dakota State at No. 3 New Mexico — Saturday, 9 PM CT, CW

No. 2 James Madison at No. 21 App State — Thursday, 6 PM CT, ESPNU

No. 7 Western Michigan at No. 14 Toledo — Saturday, 11 AM CT, CBSSN

No. 4 UTSA at No. 20 Tulane — Saturday, 7 PM CT, ESPNU

No. 12 Army at No. 24 Tulsa — Friday, 7:30 PM CT, ESPN2

Here is the Diehard G6 Top 25:

1. Boise State (5-1, Pac-12) — Spencer Danielson, Year 3 (prev: 1)

Had a bye. The Broncos have won five straight since their season-opening loss and enter the week with the nation's second-longest winning streak among G6 teams behind James Madison's 17. Boise State is 2-0 in Pac-12 play. Boise State is ranked No. 21 in the AP poll, the only G6 ranked by the writers.

Next: at Washington State (1-6), Saturday (5 PM CT, USA Network)

2. James Madison (7-0, Sun Belt) — Billy Napier, Year 1 (prev: 2)

Beat Georgia State 49-22 at home. Camden Coleman went 13-of-19 for 185 yards and two TDs. JC Evans added 80 yards and a TD on 4-of-8 passing. George Pettaway rushed for 119 yards and a TD on 14 carries. JMU totaled 515 yards and committed one turnover. The Dukes have won 17 straight regular-season games and 12 straight Sun Belt conference games. Attendance: 25,225 (Homecoming).

Next: at App State (No. 21), Thursday (6 PM CT, ESPNU)

3. New Mexico (5-1, MW) — Jason Eck, Year 2 (prev: 3)

Beat Hawaii 21-10. Toa Fa'avae went 5-of-10 for 59 yards passing but carried the ball 10 times for 77 yards and a TD, including a 21-yard go-ahead scoring run with 6:57 remaining. Scottre Humphrey rushed for 90 yards and two TDs on 15 carries. Kiefer Sibley added 87 yards on 17 carries. New Mexico rushed for 243 of its 337 total yards. Hawaii was held scoreless in the second half.

Next: vs North Dakota State (No. 5), Saturday (9 PM CT, CW)

4. UTSA (6-1, American) — Jeff Traylor, Year 7 (prev: 5, +1)

Beat Navy 38-34. Owen McCown went 28-of-38 for 359 yards and three TDs with no interceptions. A'Marion Peterson caught the game-winning 41-yard TD pass with 2:24 remaining. Will Henderson III rushed for 78 yards and a TD on 16 carries. Navy's Jordan Collins set a school record with a 92-yard TD reception, and the lead changed hands four times in the fourth quarter. UTSA totaled 469 yards. The Roadrunners are 3-0 in American play — the first team in the conference to reach three league wins. North Texas (2-0) is also unbeaten in conference.

Next: at Tulane (No. 20), Saturday (7 PM CT, ESPNU)

5. North Dakota State (6-1, MW) — Tim Polasek, Year 3 (prev: 6, +1)

Beat Nevada 31-17. Nathan Hayes went 19-of-25 for 153 yards and two TDs with no interceptions and added 42 yards and a TD on eight carries. Jackson Williams returned a missed field goal 100 yards for a touchdown. Marion Moore intercepted Nevada's AJ Bianco twice. NDSU totaled 345 yards (192 rushing). The Bison are bowl-eligible in their first year as an FBS program. Attendance: 18,261.

Next: at New Mexico (No. 3), Saturday (9 PM CT, CW)

6. Oregon State (5-2, Pac-12) — JaMarcus Shephard, Year 1 (prev: 8, +2)

Beat Washington State 48-30. Braden Atkinson went 23-of-38 for 347 yards and three TDs with no interceptions. AJ Newberry had a career day: 105 rushing yards on 11 carries and 120 receiving yards on five catches — 225 yards from scrimmage and a TD. Jesse Legree caught eight passes for 108 yards and two TDs. Oregon State totaled 555 yards and committed zero turnovers. The Beavers have won five straight and are 3-0 in Pac-12 play for the first time since 2013.

Next: Bye

7. Western Michigan (5-2, MAC) — Lance Taylor, Year 4 (prev: 9, +2)

Beat Central Michigan 21-14 in the Victory Cannon rivalry. Jalen Buckley rushed for 150 yards and two TDs on 24 carries. Broc Lowry went 5-of-8 for 48 yards and a TD — WMU attempted only eight passes the entire game. CMU outgained WMU 337-272 in total yards but scored both its touchdowns in the fourth quarter in a comeback that fell short. Attendance: 25,352.

Next: at Toledo (No. 14), Saturday (11 AM CT, CBSSN)

8. Air Force (5-1, MW) — Troy Calhoun, Year 20 (prev: 20, +12)

Beat UNLV 41-31. Evan Medders rushed for 152 yards and three TDs on 18 carries and went 2-of-3 passing for 18 yards. Rocco Conti added 103 yards and a TD on 12 carries. Air Force rushed for 430 yards on the day — a season high — and attempted three total passes. The Falcons committed zero turnovers and controlled possession for 35:13. Medders' 32-yard TD run six seconds into the fourth quarter extended Air Force's lead to 34-24. UNLV's only loss had been at the hands of NDSU. Air Force has won four straight since its only defeat — also to NDSU.

Next: at Wyoming (4-3), Friday (8 PM CT, CW)

9. Liberty (5-1, CUSA) — Jamey Chadwell, Year 4 (prev: 11, +2)

Had a bye. Liberty has won five straight since its only loss and is 2-0 in CUSA play.

Next: at Kennesaw State (1-5), Thursday (6 PM CT, CBSSN)

10. Memphis (5-2, American) — Charles Huff, Year 1 (prev: 4, -6)

Lost to Tulane 31-17. Marcus Stokes went 20-of-37 for 306 yards and two TDs but threw three interceptions and was sacked seven times. Memphis committed six turnovers — the Tigers' most since 2006. TJ Smith returned one of Stokes' interceptions 76 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first half. Memphis totaled 488 yards but converted just 2-of-11 third downs. The loss was Memphis's first in American play (2-1).

Next: vs East Carolina (3-3), Thursday (6:30 PM CT, ESPN2)

11. North Texas (4-2, American) — Neal Brown, Year 1 (prev: 12, +1)

Had a bye. North Texas is 2-0 in American play and owns a head-to-head win over Army.

Next: at Navy (2-4), Saturday (2:30 PM CT, CBSSN)

12. Army (4-2, American) — Jeff Monken, Year 13 (prev: 18, +6)

Beat FAU 56-24. Cale Hellums rushed for 195 yards and five TDs on 25 carries and went 1-of-2 passing for 2 yards — Army threw two total passes. Jake Rendina added 86 yards and a TD on seven carries, including a 61-yard scoring run. Army rushed 60 times for 479 yards (8.0 per carry), scored on its first seven possessions and did not punt until the fourth quarter. The Black Knights committed zero turnovers.

Next: at Tulsa (No. 24), Friday (7:30 PM CT, ESPN2)

13. Louisiana (5-2, Sun Belt) — Michael Desormeaux, Year 5 (prev: 24, +11)

Beat Troy 33-6. Lunch Winfield went 11-of-21 for 70 yards and a TD and rushed 15 times for 65 yards. JJ Garner rushed for 62 yards and a TD on 10 carries. Anthony Reagan Jr. added 58 yards and a TD on 11 carries. Louisiana totaled 351 yards, controlled possession for 36:39 and committed zero turnovers. Troy committed two turnovers and managed 267 total yards. Louisiana is 2-1 in Sun Belt play.

Next: at Southern Miss (1-5), Saturday (4 PM CT, ESPN+)

14. Toledo (5-2, MAC) — Mike Jacobs, Year 1 (prev: 19, +5)

Beat Eastern Michigan 34-14. John Alan Richter went 24-of-30 for 288 yards and a TD with no interceptions. Autavius Ison rushed for 104 yards and a TD on 18 carries. CJ Miller added 48 yards and two TDs on 13 carries. Toledo's defense recorded six sacks and nine tackles for loss. EMU managed 34 rushing yards on 28 carries and went 0-for-4 on fourth down. Toledo totaled 480 yards.

Next: vs Western Michigan (No. 7), Saturday (11 AM CT, CBSSN)

15. Ohio (5-2, MAC) — John Hauser, Year 1 (prev: 25, +10)

Beat Sacramento State 48-7. Nick Poulos went 11-of-14 for 165 yards and a TD. Irving Brown rushed for 87 yards and a TD on eight carries. Duncan Brune added 55 yards and two TDs on 12 carries. Ohio led 34-0 before Sacramento State scored and totaled 468 yards. Preston Bowman caught a 67-yard TD pass. The Bobcats are 3-0 in MAC play and have won four straight.

Next: vs Eastern Michigan (4-4), Saturday (3 PM CT, ESPNU)

16. Jacksonville State (5-2, CUSA) — Charles Kelly, Year 2 (prev: 16)

Beat FIU 27-24. Caden Creel went 16-of-22 for 214 yards and two TDs with one interception and rushed 19 times for 95 yards. Deondre Johnson caught four passes for 93 yards and a TD. Luke Gilbert caught three passes for 55 yards and a TD. Garrison Rippa kicked a 26-yard game-winning field goal with 44 seconds remaining after an 82-yard, 13-play drive. FIU outgained JSU 404-387 and held the ball seven minutes longer. Jacksonville State is 3-0 in CUSA play and 19-3 at home since moving to the FBS.

Next: Bye

17. USF (5-2, American) — Brian Hartline, Year 1 (prev: 21, +4)

Beat Kent State 29-2. Michael Van Buren Jr. went 22-of-27 for 193 yards and a TD with no interceptions. CJ Hicks recovered a fumble and returned it 96 yards for a touchdown. Nico Gramatica kicked a 49-yard field goal with 10 seconds left in the first half. Kent State's only points came on a safety. USF totaled 271 yards and committed zero turnovers. The Bulls have won two of their last three after losing back-to-back.

Next: Bye

18. South Alabama (4-2, Sun Belt) — Major Applewhite, Year 3 (prev: 17, -1)

Had a bye. The Jaguars are 2-0 in Sun Belt West play and have won two straight. South Alabama's 56-49 win at Arkansas State two weeks ago produced 105 combined points — the highest-scoring G6 game of the season.

Next: at Marshall (3-3), Tuesday (6:30 PM CT, ESPN2)

19. Louisiana Tech (4-2, Sun Belt) — Sonny Cumbie, Year 5 (prev: 23, +4)

Beat UL Monroe 24-0. Blake Baker went 15-of-21 for 178 yards and two TDs — both to tight end Brayden Bockler. Andrew Burnette rushed for 79 yards on 22 carries. Marcus Calwise Jr. had 119 receiving yards on eight catches and added 53 yards on two carries — 172 yards from scrimmage. UL Monroe's Aidan Armenta threw two interceptions. It was ULM's 14th consecutive loss and La Tech's first shutout of the season. Louisiana Tech is 2-0 in Sun Belt play. Attendance: 20,653.

Next: vs Old Dominion (2-5), Saturday (4 PM CT, ESPN+)

20. Tulane (3-3, American) — Will Hall, Year 1 (prev: NR, NEW)

Beat No. 4 Memphis 31-17. Trace Johnson went 11-of-21 for 165 yards and a TD with one interception. Johnnie Daniels scored on a 48-yard run on fourth-and-1 with 1:34 remaining. TJ Smith returned a Marcus Stokes interception 76 yards for a TD on the last play of the first half. Tulane forced six turnovers. Memphis totaled 488 yards but committed six turnovers. Tulane's three losses are at Army (by three), at Duke and at Kansas State. The Green Wave also own a win over South Alabama. Tulane enters the rankings at No. 20.

Next: vs UTSA (No. 4), Saturday (7 PM CT, ESPNU)

21. App State (4-2, Sun Belt) — Dowell Loggains, Year 2 (prev: 22, +1)

Beat Coastal Carolina 35-32 on the road. Malachi Singleton went 12-of-14 for 151 yards. Henry Hasselbeck went 9-of-12 for 112 yards and a TD and rushed 21 times for 125 yards. Jaquari Lewis rushed for 85 yards and four TDs on 13 carries. App State trailed by double digits at halftime and outscored Coastal Carolina 21-8 in the second half. App State totaled 516 yards (253 rushing). Attendance: 19,485.

Next: vs James Madison (No. 2), Thursday (6 PM CT, ESPNU)

22. Georgia State (4-2, Sun Belt) — Dell McGee, Year 3 (prev: 14, -8)

Lost to James Madison 49-22. Cameran Brown went 13-of-25 for 134 yards with one TD and one interception. Georgia State totaled 373 yards but committed two turnovers. JMU led 35-10 at halftime. Georgia State is 1-1 in Sun Belt play.

Next: at Arkansas State (3-4), Saturday (6 PM CT, ESPN+)

23. FAU (4-2, American) — Zach Kittley, Year 2 (prev: 7, -16)

Lost to Army 56-24. Caden Veltkamp went 33-of-48 for 318 yards and three TDs with one interception. FAU totaled 432 yards but committed three turnovers and could not slow Army's ground game — the Black Knights rushed 60 times for 479 yards. FAU trailed 35-14 at halftime after Army scored on its first seven possessions. FAU is 1-1 in American play.

Next: vs Rice (1-6), Saturday (11 AM CT, ESPNU)

24. Tulsa (4-3, American) — Tre Lamb, Year 2 (prev: NR, NEW)

Beat Rice 38-17. Baylor Hayes went 20-of-27 for 249 yards and three TDs with no interceptions. Trequan Jones rushed for 77 yards and a TD on 12 carries, including a 45-yard scoring run. Rice led 17-7 before Tulsa scored 31 unanswered points. Tulsa totaled 401 yards. The Golden Hurricane own a nonconference win over Oklahoma State. Tulsa enters the rankings at No. 24.

Next: vs Army (No. 12), Friday (7:30 PM CT, ESPN2)

25. Miami of Ohio (4-3, MAC) — Chuck Martin, Year 13 (prev: NR, NEW)

Beat Akron 34-14. Rodney Nelson rushed for a career-high 142 yards and two TDs on 13 carries. Miami rushed for 324 yards as a team. Caleb Heavner went 8-of-16 for 65 yards and a TD — the ground game carried the offense. Akron's Brayden Roggow threw four interceptions, including one Blayne Myrick returned 34 yards for a pick-six. Miami has won back-to-back games for the first time this season and is 2-1 in MAC play. Attendance: 18,515. Miami of Ohio enters the rankings at No. 25.

Next: at Central Michigan (3-4), Saturday (noon CT, ESPN+)

Dropped out

Troy (3-3, prev: 15) — Lost to Louisiana 33-6. The Trojans' worst loss of the season drops them from the rankings.

UNLV (4-3, prev: 13) — Lost to Air Force 41-31. The Rebels committed two turnovers and were outrushed 430-130.

Fresno State (4-3, prev: 10) — Lost to San Diego State 26-23. The Bulldogs have lost two straight.