Joel Klatt updates Top 10 rankings after Week 5
The month of October is upon us, and the college football season is starting really take shape. One of the storylines of the season so far: how many good teams there.
But there is also a catch to that. Nobody is sure how many truly great teams there are either. Some teams, like Michigan, have been dominant but haven’t play any tough games. Others, like Florida State , have great wins but also closer-than-expected squeakers.
It has resulted in college football analysts having different rankings of their top 10 teams. Here are Joel Klatt’s Top 10 teams following the fifth week of the college football season.
1. Michigan
The new No. 1 team in Klatt’s top 10 rankings, Michigan has been the definition of consistent to start the season. The Wolverines have won every game by scoring at least 30 points and giving up a maximum of seven.
Now, Michigan hasn’t played anyone in the upper echelon, or even the second-highest echelon of college football teams so far this year. But such level of dominance against weaker opponents, with no hiccups, is the sign of a great team.
2. Texas
Texas is 5-0 for the first time since 2009, which is the last time it made the national championship game. The Longhorns did it thanks to a dominant win over Kansas this weekend.
Now they have a chance to continue their outstanding season with a win this Saturday in the Red River Showdown. The victory would not only move them to 3-0 in the conference, but also give them an inside track on making the Big 12 Championship Game.
3. Georgia
Georgia has played two SEC opponents so far this year, and each game has been a fight to win. South Carolina led them at the half and Auburn had the game tied until late in the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs still won those games, and close games should not be cause for major concern, but it does raise some eyebrows. This is a different Georgia team than in 2022 or even 2021. What does that mean for their hopes for a third straight title remains to be seen.
4. Ohio State
Ohio State didn’t play this past week. But the Buckeyes win over Notre Dame looks even better after the Fighting Irish beat a tough Duke team on the road this past week.
This week presents a challenge for Ohio State, however, in the form of Maryland. The Terrapins are 5-0 with arguably their best team in years. There would be no bigger splash than defeating the Buckeyes.
5. Penn State
Penn State had a slow first half versus Northwestern but blew them out in the second half on its way to its fifth win of the year. The Nittany Lions have arguably their best shot at making the College Football Playoff this year in at least a half decade.
But, like every year, it has an uphill road to climb thanks to its division. The Big Ten East has three teams in the top five, and Michigan and Ohio State are both ranked above them in the top 10 by Klatt.
6. Florida State
Like Ohio State, Florida State had a bye week after a major road victory. For the Seminoles, it was their 31-24 victory over Clemson in Death Valley.
Klatt talked last week about the Seminoles and how they do have the best resume in the country, he has seen some causes for concern on the field. He said he still likes their chances for the College Football Playoff, but he also sees room for improvement.
7. Washington
Washington‘s dynamic offense wasn’t at its best against an Arizona team that put up a good fight Saturday, but the Huskies still moved to 5-0 on the season. People have different views on where Washington fits in the top 10, and the Pac-12 for that matter, but Klatt has them right in the mix.
The Huskies are on their bye this week. They will return to action the following Saturday in one of the best matchups of the month of October, against the team below them on this list.
8. Oregon
Oregon‘s win over Colorado two weeks ago was a statement victory for the squad. Its blowout win over Stanford was an assertion this team means business.
Yes, the Cardinal are rebuilding. But there was no letdown after an emotional victory the week before. The Ducks came out and took care of business in their 42-6 victory.
9. USC
USC has a cheat code and his name is Caleb Williams. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is having another extraordinary season and is right in the running once again for the top individual prize.
But the Trojans defense has a lot of problems, including letting Colorado come back from 41-14 down in the second half to come as close as 48-41. That’s a problem that needs to be solved, and quickly.Washington
10. Oklahoma
Oklahoma had been flying under the radar this season. The Sooners are undefeated and have won every game by at least two touchdowns.
This weekend, the offense found a near gear against Iowa State. While it had scored 73 and 66 points against weak non-conference competition, Oklahoma dropped 50 on the Cyclones.
Each week seems to add new wrinkles and developments to the top 10 rankings in college football. Week 6, headlined by Texas and Oklahoma facing off in Dallas, looks to be no different.