ESPN updates College Football Power Rankings Top 25 after Week 6
Week 5 was a whirlwind in college football. Now, fans are sorting through the debris.
Oklahoma put the nation on notice with its 34-30 upset over Texas in the Red River Showdown. In the Midwest, Louisville stunned Notre Dame in a convincing 33-20 victory. Of course, Arizona gave USC a fright as well in the Trojans’ nail-biting 43-41 triple-overtime thriller.
With things only heating up around the nation, ESPN tried to get ahead of the curve. On Sunday, the staff provided its updated Top 25. The list included quite a few shakeups. Look below to see where your favorite team fell in the new-look rankings.
1. Georgia (6-0)
Georgia silenced the doubters on Saturday in its dominant 51-13 win over No. 20 Kentucky. The team didn’t wait to put the contest out of reach. Before the ‘Cats could put a point on the board, UGA shoveled three touchdowns on top of Kentucky.
The Bulldogs never looked back. The win is reaffirming for Georgia fans after the Bulldogs narrowly escaped with a 27-20 win over Auburn in Week 5. Thankfully, nothing settles a fanbase’s worries like 31 first downs and 608 total yards of offense.
2. Michigan (6-0)
Michigan looked as fantastic ever in its 52-10 win over Minnesota. In the triumph, the Wolverines’ defense was impenetrable, giving up just 169 total yards and squeezing two turnovers out of the Golden Gophers. Michigan’s currently allows third-least yards per game in the country.
Although the blowout win was exciting, it wasn’t unusual. No team is yet to come within 24 points of the Wolverines. Michigan’s win on Saturday was its 17th-straight Big Ten win, the second-longest streak in program history. After the game, Minnesota head coach PJ Fleck claimed Michigan might be the “best football team” he’s seen in his head coaching career. Not bad.
3. Florida State (5-0)
Florida State skipped through Week 6 with ease, handily defeating Virginia Tech 39-17. While the Seminoles typically terrify opponents in the air, they pounded the ground game on Saturday. Specifically, running back Trey Benson was excellent.
Benson finished the game with a career-high 200 yards on 11 carries. He is the first Seminole to reach that mark since Dalvin Cook last did it in 2016. If FSU can continue to find balance between its lethal aerial raid and formidable rushing offense, expect them to continue to rise up this list.
4. Ohio State (5-0)
While Ohio State looked sluggish early in its 37-17 win against Maryland, the team came alive in the second half, outscoring the Terrapins 27-7 in the final two quarters. Nonetheless, Buckeyes fans shouldn’t take the sleepy start to heart. After all, OSU was likely still win-drunk from its massive victory over Notre Dame in Week 5.
When it mattered, the Buckeyes stepped up, especially Marvin Harrison Jr. In the win, the standout wide receiver hauled in eight catches on 15 targets, resulting in 163 receiving yards and a touchdown grab from Kyle McCord. Led by a player straight out of a video game, the Buckeyes are seemingly leveling up each week.
5. Oklahoma (6-0)
Oklahoma is a fresh face in ESPN’s top 10 power rankings. Nonetheless, it earned its spot and then some. The Sooners embraced the moment in their 34-30 win over Texas this weekend. In the triumph, OU rattled off 486 total yards of offense while committing just four penalties.
Meanwhile, Texas crumbled under the pressure, committing nine penalties and three turnovers. The win was a national notice, courtesy of Brent Venables. The Oklahoma head coach suffered a 49-0 loss to Texas last season. On Saturday, Venables and his steadfast Sooners showed they won’t play second fiddle to any program.
6. Washington (5-0)
The Washington Huskies don’t bark much, but they surely bite. However, this weekend, the Huskies got a treat. The team had a bye week following a solid 31-24 win over Arizona in Week 5. Washington will need the rest.
On Saturday, the team will square off against No. 8 Oregon. While the battle will be fierce across the field, all eyes are on the team’s generals. Washington’s Michael Penix Jr. will look to outshine Oregon QB Bo Nix in the anticipated showdown.
It wouldn’t be the first time Penix has soared past the highly-touted Duck. Nix and Penix squared off last season when Washington narrowly defeated the Ducks 37-34, knocking Oregon out of the College Football Playoff race. In the contest, Penix outplayed Nix, completing 26-of-his-35 passes for for 408 yards and two touchdowns.
7. Oregon (5-0)
Speaking of Oregon. The Ducks landed at No. 7 on ESPN’s list this week after also enjoying a break this past Saturday. While Washington reigns supreme over offensive statistics in the Pac-12, Oregon dominates on defense.
The Ducks only give up 277.6 yards per game, the sixth-least in the country. For reference, no other Pac-12 team ranks within the top in the nation. Oregon’s matchup with Washington this weekend will be classic case of an unstoppable force against an immovable object.
8. Penn State (5-0)
While Ohio State and Michigan steal the spotlight in the Big Ten, Penn State has quietly matched the perennial programs at every turn this season. In five triumphs, the Nittany Lion boasts an average win margin of 31 points.
With Drew Allar leading the charge, Penn State is a threat on offense. However, the team’s offense pales in comparison to its defense. The Nittany Lions are giving up just 9.6 points per game and 3.8 yards per play, while adding up 20 sacks, 37 tackles for loss, six interceptions and six forced fumbles this season. When Penn State and OSU meet on Oct. 21, sparks will fly.
9. USC (6-0)
USC won by the skin of its teeth again this weekend, escaping Saturday evening with a 43-41 win over Arizona. Nerve-racking wins have become commonplace for the Trojans, who also allowed Colorado to cut its deficit to one score in the fourth quarter in Week 5.
Despite its shortcomings, USC has a secret weapon that saves it time and time again: Caleb Williams. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner has been nothing short of spectacular this season, already amassing 1,822 passing yards and 22 touchdowns while throwing just one interception.
As great as Williams is, he can’t single-handedly save USC’s season. The team must strengthen its weakness before they catch up to it.
10. Texas (5-1)
The Longhorns lost, but they never gave up. In its 34-30 loss to Oklahoma, Texas suffered countless mistakes. While it’s easy to claim each slip-up was a direct results of Oklahoma’s excellence, it isn’t that easy. After all, the Longhorns showed no signs of mental weakness in their Week 2 win over Alabama.
Now, it’s about looking forward for head coach Steve Sarkisian and Co. With an unimpressive Big 12 slate ahead, the season is far from over. If Texas can win out, it will have a chance to avenge its loss against the Sooners. For now, the Longhorns will fight to stay on the edge of relevance.
ESPN Rankings 11-25
11. Alabama (5-1)
12. North Carolina (5-0)
13. Louisville (6-0)
14. Oregon State (5-1)
15. Ole Miss (4-1)
16. Utah (4-1)
17. Washington State (4-1)
18. Tennessee (4-1)
19. Duke (4-1)
20. Notre Dame (5-2)
21. UCLA (4-1)
22. Miami (4-1)
23. Kentucky (5-1)
24. LSU (4-2)
25. Missouri (5-1)
For a week, the list is cemented. But, rest assured, it’ll receive a makeover again next week. As of now, the SEC and Pac 12 lead the way, both with seven teams in ESPN’s Top 25. However, one thing is certain about college football: change is inevitable.