Buffalo lands at No. 24 in AP Poll for first ranking in program history

Buffalo achieved uncharted territory when the Week 14 Associated Press poll was published.

The Bulls secured their first ranking in program history, checking in at No. 24 in the AP Poll with 145 points. They are the first MAC team to enter the rankings since Western Michigan finished No. 15 in the 2016 final AP Poll.

Buffalo (4-0) is one of nine remaining undefeated teams in college football, and all except San Jose State are currently ranked. The Bulls’ promotion into the AP Poll comes after their Saturday game against Ohio was canceled due to COVID-19 issues within the Bobcats program. Last week, Buffalo was two spots away from a ranking, but losses by Oklahoma State, Oregon, Washington, and Marshall helped clear room at the bottom of the Top 25.

The Bulls have garnered significant national attention due to the weekly endeavors of running back Jaret Patterson. A potential Heisman finalist, Patterson is averaging 230 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns per game, exploding for 409 yards and an FBS record eight touchdowns in his latest showing against Kent State. Buffalo currently rides a 7-game win streak dating back to November 2019, and Patterson has eclipsed 170 rushing yards in five of those seven contests.

Buffalo has two wins over 1-loss MAC teams and both occurred by significant margins. The Bulls defeated defending MAC champion Miami (OH) 42-10 before ousting Kent State 70-41 weeks later. Buffalo has won all four of its games by 19 or more points, creating an average deficit of 26 per outing.

Buffalo’s lone remaining game on the regular season schedule is a clash with Akron (1-4) next Saturday. The Bulls also clinched the MAC East after their cancelation and will battle either Western Michigan (4-1) or Ball State (4-1) in the MAC Championship in Detroit on Friday, Dec. 18.