Metro College Football Rankings, Week 6: Black Knights Rise Again
SYRACUSE, NY - OCTOBER 07: Quarterback Eric Dungey #2 of the Syracuse Orange passes the ball during the first quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at The Carrier Dome on October 7, 2017 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)

Army continues to make our Metro poll proud and Buffalo comes oh-so-close as we rank our five local FBS teams.

Our Metro college football teams posted a combined .500 record last week—two wins, two losses. It certainly helped that a one-win Rutgers team had the week off, of course. But that doesn’t take away from impressive performances from the Black Knights of Army or the Orange of Syracuse.

1. Army (4-2)

Last Week: W 49-12 @ Rice on Saturday

Top Performer: RB Kell Walker (10 carries, 127 yards, 3 TDs)

This Week: vs Eastern Michigan (Saturday at Noon on CBS Sports Network)

The Black Knights won their second in a row on Saturday, quickly jumping on the hapless Owls. They jumped out to a 35-0 lead on the Conference USA competition, torching them for 418 rushing yards. The sophomore Walker set career-highs in rushing yards and touchdowns, besting his previous high in yardage from the historic win over Navy last season. He was joined over the century mark by quarterback Ahmad Bradshaw, who tallied 115 yards and two scores. The junior secondary man also had a day, picking five tackles, a forced fumble and pick six.

2. Buffalo (3-3)

Last Week: L 71-68 (7OT) vs. Western Michigan on Saturday

Top Performer: QB Drew Anderson (35-of-61, 597 yards, 7 TDs)

This Week: @ Northern Illinois (Saturday @ 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN3.com) 

In taking the defending MAC champions to the brink at home, the Bulls gave it their all, helping break the Football Bowl Subdivision for most combined points in a single game, breaking a record shared by Syracuse last season in a 76-61 loss to Pittsburgh in regulation. Three Bulls receivers broke 100 yards receivers, led by Anthony Johnson‘s 195 yards, while K.J. Osborn put in three scores. There’s still reason for hope with the Bulls, currently locked in a four-game logjam in second place in the MAC East. They’ll have another chance to prove their worth this week going up against perennial MAC contender NIU, who has already beaten Nebraska this season. The Bulls are 0-7 all-time against the Huskies.

3. Syracuse (3-3)

Last Week: W 27-24 vs Pittsburgh on Saturday

Top Performer: QB Eric Dungey (33-for-49, 365 yards, 2 TDs)

Next Week: @ #2 Clemson (Friday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN)

The easy part of the schedule is over for the Orange, who defeated Pittsburgh for the first time since 2013. This slate will be defined by missed opportunities, including an ugly loss at home to Middle Tennessee State and a comeback that fell just short in Baton Rouge against LSU. Now, the Orange have two brutal games against the defending champion Tigers and #11 Miami over the next two week. While the ensuing three opponents (Florida State, Wake Forest, and Louisville) are currently unranked, each is still very dangerous. Should the Orange miss out on bowl mania, they’re going to regret the opportunities missed in the first half of their season.

4. Connecticut (1-4)

Last Week: L 70-31 vs Memphis on Friday

Top Performer: RB Arkeel Newsome (9 carries, 114 yards, 2 TDs, 3 receptions, 49 yards)

This Week: @ Temple (Saturday at Noon on ESPNEWS)

The Huskies, losers of four in a row, now 0-3 in AAC play and 0-4 against FBS competition this season, are stuck in a hellish Saturday afternoon version of Groundhog Day. They put up a solid offensive showing…that trend repeated itself against the strong Tigers, tallying 477 yards of offense…but absolutely whiff on defense. Friday night was just a total and complete disaster, as the Huskies let up 711(!) yards, 480 of which came from the arm of Memphis QB Riley Ferguson. The Tigers also threw for eight touchdowns, seven of which came from Ferguson. Some relief should come from the more mild Owls offense, but that’s really not saying much based on Friday’s no-show.

5. Rutgers (1-4)

Last Week: Idle

Top Performer: N/A

This Week: @ Illinois (Saturday at Noon on BTN)

Back from vacation, the Scarlet Knights have a chance to pick up a win against the struggling Illini, who are mere 2.5 point favorites in Champaign. The Illini went into Piscataway last season and took a 24-7 final. It’s their first meeting against Illinois, however, since that magical 2006 season, shutting them out 33-0 in a non-conference showdown. Members of the Big East, Devin McCourty led the way with a 38-yard pick-six. In Rutgers’ thus far only visit to Memorial Stadium, the Illini took a 33-30 overtime victory, as the Knights wasted a 128-yard effort from Brian Leonard.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffMags5490