College Football Rankings: Bleacher Report's Week 10 Top 25
The combination of an unimpressive-on-paper schedule and the holiday of Halloween made for a somewhat surprisingly strong weekend of college football even with five of the top-rated teams in the country getting the weekend off.
You can thank scoreboard explosions, last-second touchdowns and late stops for this, and as a result, we still had plenty of movement in the Bleacher Report Top 25.
Nineteen members of our college football staff voted in this week's Top 25: writers Ben Axelrod, Greg Couch, Ed Feng, Justin Ferguson, David Kenyon, Ben Kercheval, Adam Kramer, Brian Leigh, Mike Monaco, Brian Pedersen, David Regimbal, Barrett Sallee, Brad Shepard, Greg Wallace and Christopher Walsh; video expert Michael Felder; and editors Eric Bowman, Hunter Mandel and Eric Yates.
First-place votes were worth 25 points, with each subsequent rank worth one fewer point, all the way down to one for 25th place. The 25 highest vote-getters made our list, with the rest falling into the "others receiving votes" category.
See where everyone falls after Week 9, then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Others Receiving Votes
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Navy remained unbeaten against conference opponents in its first season in the American Athletic Conference thanks to two fourth-quarter touchdown runs by quarterback Keenan Reynolds to beat South Florida, 29-17. Those two scores gave Reynolds 77 rushing TDs for his career, tying him with former Wisconsin standout Montee Ball for first on the FBS all-time list.
Reynolds and the Midshipmen are 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the AAC, but that wasn't enough for them to make our Top 25. If they're able to win next week at unbeaten Memphis, though, expect them to make their debut.
Here's a look at all of the teams that received votes but not enough to be ranked for Week 10.
- USC (21)
- Wisconsin (15)
- Duke (4)
- Northwestern (4)
- Boise State (2)
- BYU (2)
- Penn State (2)
- Pittsburgh (1)
- San Diego State (1)
No. 25 Texas A&M Aggies
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Voting points: 29
Last week's ranking: 25th
Week 9 result: Won 35-28 vs. South Carolina
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Auburn
Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2 SEC) got a historic performance from true freshman quarterback Kyler Murray in ending a two-game losing streak. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Murray became the second SEC player in the past 20 years with at least 100 rushing and passing yards and at least one score of each type in his first start, joining Auburn's Cam Newton.
Murray threw for 223 yards and a TD on 20-of-28 passing while rushing for 156 yards and a score on 20 carries. Tra Carson also ran for 122 yards and a TD as the Aggies gained 321 rushing yards, their most since the 2013 Cotton Bowl.
A&M had run for only 349 yards in its four previous SEC games.
No. 24 Mississippi State Bulldogs
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Voting points: 53
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 5 at Missouri
Mississippi State (6-2, 2-2 SEC) has won three in a row but now heads back out on the road, where it has struggled to score recently. The Bulldogs' last two games outside Starkville have resulted in 17 points apiece, winning at Auburn and losing at Texas A&M.
Quarterback Dak Prescott is tallying 302.4 yards per game of total offense and is MSU's leading rusher, with 371 yards. He has accounted for 21 of its 33 offensive touchdowns.
No. 23 Temple Owls
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Voting points: 55
Last week's ranking: 22nd
Week 9 result: Lost 24-20 vs. Notre Dame
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 6 at SMU
Temple (7-1) saw its dream of a perfect season fall short after giving up a touchdown with just over two minutes left against visiting Notre Dame in a game that had four lead changes.
The Owls took a 20-17 lead with 4:45 left on Austin Jones' 36-yard field goal but they could not stop Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer. Kizer accounted for 442 of his team's 467 yards of total offense including all 75 on the game-winning drive.
P.J. Walker threw for 188 yards and a TD but he was just 13 of 30, and his final pass was intercepted with 1:08 left. Jahad Thomas added 82 rushing yards and a score.
No. 22 UCLA Bruins
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Voting points: 59
Last week's ranking: 24th
Week 9 result: Won 35-31 vs. Colorado
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Oregon State
UCLA (6-2, 3-2 Pac-12) had to overcome a massive discrepancy in time of possession and offensive snaps to rally at home against Colorado after blowing an early double-digit lead.
The Bruins led 21-3 late in the first half but then fell behind early in the fourth quarter. Soso Jamabo's two-yard touchdown run with 8:28 left put them up for good.
UCLA was outgained 554-400 and had the ball for less than 19 minutes, and Colorado ran 114 plays to 59 for the Bruins.
Josh Rosen threw for 262 yards and a TD, while Paul Perkins ran for 118 yards and a score. UCLA also got a 96-yard interception return TD from Ishmael Adams.
No. 21 North Carolina Tar Heels
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Voting points: 80
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 9 result: Won 26-19 at Pittsburgh
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Duke
North Carolina (7-1, 4-0 ACC) won its seventh straight game thanks to a few big throws from Marquise Williams, clutch kicking from Nick Weiler and a defense that held an opponent to 20 or fewer points for the seventh time this season.
Yahoo Sports' Pat Forde tweeted that the Tar Heels defense "might be (the) most improved unit in America. Gene Chizik has been a huge hire."
UNC allowed only 5.25 yards per play while its offense managed 7.66 yards per snap. Williams had 322 yards of total offense and two touchdown passes, including a 71-yarder to Ryan Switzer, while Elijah Hood added 98 rushing yards on 20 carries.
No. 20 Ole Miss Rebels
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Voting points: 122
Last week's ranking: 19th
Week 9 result: Won 27-19 at Auburn
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Arkansas
Ole Miss (7-2, 4-1 SEC) kept itself in the hunt for the West Division title with a tight-knit road win, pulling away at the end thanks to a touchdown catch by a player who was injured late in last year's home loss to Auburn.
Laquon Treadwell caught a 21-yard TD pass from Chad Kelly with 10:13 left in the fourth quarter, his sixth of the season. Treadwell suffered a broken fibula and dislocated ankle as he fumbled just short of the goal line last season against the Tigers, but on Saturday he had seven catches for 114 yards. He also had a 21-yard pass completion.
"I think every player on our team wanted to make that play," Treadwell told the Associated Press (h/t ESPN.com). "So when you get that opportunity, you've got to make it. The team was counting on me. The ball came to me, and I just had to make a play."
Chad Kelly threw for 381 yards and two TDs but also threw two interceptions. He has 12 picks this season.
No. 19 Toledo Rockets
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Voting points: 129
Last week's ranking: 20th
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 3 vs. Northern Illinois
Toledo (7-0, 4-0 Mid-American) is on a mini-bye of sorts, since its last game was a 51-35 comeback win at Massachusetts Oct. 24. But the Rockets are about to start a run of three straight weeks playing on a Tuesday night to put a spotlight on one of the top mid-major teams in the country.
The Rockets have won 10 straight games and are off to their best start since 1997. This season they have victories over Arkansas and Iowa State. Alabama transfer quarterback Phillip Ely has averaged 262.8 passing yards with 13 touchdowns in four MAC games, which Toledo has won by an average of 26 points.
No. 18 Houston Cougars
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Voting points: 172
Last week's ranking: 18th
Week 9 result: Won 34-0 vs. Vanderbilt
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Cincinnati
Houston (8-0, 4-0 AAC) picked up its second win over a power-conference opponent to stay in the hunt for a major bowl bid, beating an SEC team for the first time in six years.
The Cougars allowed only 185 yards and forced four turnovers, getting a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown by William Jackson III.
Greg Ward threw for 221 yards and a TD and ran for a score, his 16th rushing TD of the year, while Kenneth Farrow ran for 82 yards and a TD.
No. 17 Florida State Seminoles
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Voting points: 185
Last week's ranking: 17th
Week 9 result: Won 45-21 vs. Syracuse
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Clemson
Florida State (7-1, 5-1 ACC) played without its starting quarterback and top running back yet still had its highest point and yardage total since the season opener.
Sean Maguire threw for 348 yards and three touchdowns in place of the injured Everett Golson, connecting with Travis Rudolph for all three scores. Jacques Patrick, playing for 1,000-yard rusher Dalvin Cook, ran for 162 yards and three TDs on 24 carries.
The Seminoles gained 575 yards a week after being held to 280 in a 22-16 loss at Georgia Tech, their first against an ACC opponent since 2012.
No. 16 Michigan Wolverines
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Voting points: 206
Last week's ranking: 14th
Week 9 result: Won 29-26 at Minnesota
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Rutgers
Michigan (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) stuffed a quarterback sneak inside the 1-yard line as time expired to avoid losing back-to-back games while also spoiling Minnesota's first game under interim coach Tracy Claeys.
The Wolverines went ahead for good with 4:56 to play on a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jehu Chesson from backup quarterback Wilton Speight, who came on in the second half after Jake Rudock was injured. Speight then connected with Amara Darboh for the two-point conversion.
Minnesota outgained Michigan 461-296, but the Wolverines got a huge all-around game from Jabrill Peppers, who had 84 return yards and 16 rushing yards, including a TD, taking several direct snaps after Rudock was hurt.
The Wolverines allowed 20-plus points for the second game in a row after recording three straight shutouts.
No. 15 Memphis Tigers
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Voting points: 214
Last week's ranking: 16th
Week 9 result: Won 41-13 vs. Tulane
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Navy
The Tigers (8-0, 4-0 AAC) trailed 13-0 and then woke up, finishing with 581 yards for their 15th consecutive victory.
Memphis didn't score until a little more than four minutes into the second quarter, but by halftime it had a 15-13 lead. It then added 26 points in the second half. The Tigers recorded two safeties while holding Tulane to 270 yards.
Paxton Lynch threw for 343 yards and a touchdown, and the Tigers gained 223 yards on 39 rushes.
No. 14 Oklahoma Sooners
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Voting points: 235
Last week's ranking: 15th
Week 9 result: Won 62-7 at Kansas
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Iowa State
Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) topped 60 points for the second game in a row, gaining 710 yards against listless and winless Kansas on the road.
Baker Mayfield threw for 383 yards and four touchdowns on 27-of-32 passing, while Alex Ross had 103 rushing yards and Samaje Perine ran for 90 yards and two scores. Perine set the FBS single-game rushing record last season against Kansas, gaining 427 yards.
Sterling Shepard had 11 catches for 183 yards and a TD for the Sooners, who held Kansas to 216 yards in their 11th straight win in the series.
No. 13 Utah Utes
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Voting points: 259
Last week's ranking: 13th
Week 9 result: Won 27-12 vs. Oregon State
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Washington
Utah (7-1, 4-1 Pac-12) rebounded from its first loss of the season with a wire-to-wire victory at home, scoring 14 points in the first quarter and then cruising.
Devontae Booker scored on a one-yard run and Travis Wilson threw a 39-yard touchdown pass to Harrison Handley, which was all the Utes needed thanks to their strong defense. They held Oregon State to 312 yards a week after giving up 42 points at USC.
Booker finished with 121 rushing yards and a TD, while Wilson was 14-of-17 for 198 yards and a TD with 56 rushing yards and a score.
No. 12 Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Voting points: 272
Last week's ranking: 12th
Week 9 result: Won 70-53 at Texas Tech
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. TCU
Oklahoma State (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) survived a major challenge in Lubbock to win its 10th straight game, coming out on top of the highest-scoring game of this season and one tied for fourth-most in the past 10 seasons, per ESPN.
The Cowboys trailed 17-0 after less than nine minutes and were down 31-14 early in the second quarter. They trailed by 10 at halftime but went on a 28-7 run over 14:28 in the second half to go up 56-45.
OK State had four TDs of at least 50 yards, two on long TD catches by James Washington, who finished with 200 yards on just four receptions. Jalen McCleskey returned a punt 67 yards for a score, and Ramon Richards capped the scoring with a 59-yard interception return TD with six seconds left.
The Cowboys gained 662 yards, with Mason Rudolph throwing for 285 yards and two TDs. J.W. Walsh threw for 167 yards and two TDs while rushing for 80 yards and a score.
Now OK State heads into a final month where it hosts the Big 12's three other strong teams, starting with TCU before later getting visits from Baylor and rival Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma State scored 70 on the road and yet I’m still not completely sure how good this team is,” Bleacher Report's Bryan Fischer tweeted. “We’ll find out next week.”
No. 11 Florida Gators
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Voting points: 302
Last week's ranking: 12th
Week 9 result: Won 27-3 vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville, Florida)
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Vanderbilt
Florida (7-1, 5-1 SEC) dominated the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party for the second year in a row, moving close to its first East Division title since 2009 in Jim McElwain's first season as coach.
The Gators used a consistent ground game and a swarming defense to beat the Bulldogs in even more impressive fashion than last season's 38-20 win. They held Georgia without a touchdown and only 223 yards, which was 35 fewer than Florida had just from the run attack.
Treon Harris completed only eight of 19 passes for 155 yards and a TD, but he didn't need to do much through the air with Kelvin Taylor rushing for 121 yards and two scores and Jordan Scarlett adding 96 yards on the ground.
“It's crazy to think that Florida—a team that had to piece together its offensive line on the fly, adjust to a new coaching staff under McElwain and deal with the sudden suspension of starting quarterback Will Grier—could be a legit contender for the playoff,” Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee wrote. “But that's where we are in college football in 2015.”
Florida will clinch the East title with a win next week against Vanderbilt.
No. 10 Iowa Hawkeyes
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Voting points: 323
Last week's ranking: 11th
Week 9 result: Won 31-15 vs. Maryland
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Indiana
Iowa (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) continued its surprising start to 2015 with a defense-driven home win, stretching its best start since 2009.
The Hawkeyes only had 293 yards of total offense, their second-lowest output for the season, but they held Maryland to 241 yards while forcing four turnovers. One of those was an interception Desmond King returned 88 yards for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
LeShun Daniels, Derrick Mitchell and Akrum Wadley each had rushing TDs for Iowa, while C.J. Beathard threw for 183 yards.
No. 9 Stanford Cardinal
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Voting points: 341
Last week's ranking: 9th
Week 9 result: Won 30-28 at Washington State
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Colorado
Stanford (7-1, 6-0 Pac-12) scored 27 points in the second half, including the game-winning field goal with 1:54 left to claim a wild game late Saturday in a driving rainstorm.
The Cardinal then had to watch as Washington State's Erik Powell, who had made five field goals, miss wide on a 43-yard attempt as time expired.
Stanford trailed 12-3 at halftime, but its offense came alive in the second half thanks to the running of quarterback Kevin Hogan, who had a career-high 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including a 59-yard scamper. His six-yard TD run early in the fourth quarter gave Stanford a 27-22 lead.
The Cardinal got 107 rushing yards from Christian McCaffrey, and it also intercepted WSU's Luke Falk twice, including one that set up Conrad Ukropina's 19-yard field goal to win it.
No. 8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Voting points: 349
Last week's ranking: 10th
Week 9 result: Won 24-20 at Temple
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Pittsburgh
Notre Dame (7-1) kept its playoff hopes alive by outlasting a previously unbeaten opponent on the road, going ahead for good with 2:09 left on a 17-yard touchdown pass from DeShone Kizer to Will Fuller.
Kizer accounted for all three of the Fighting Irish TDs, scoring on runs of four and 79 yards. The second gave the Irish a 14-10 halftime lead.
Temple went ahead on a 36-yard field goal with 4:45 left but Kizer led Notre Dame on a six-play, 75-yard drive in which he completed all four of his passes for 69 yards. Kizer finished the game with 442 of Notre Dame's 467 yards of total offense, throwing for 299 yards with two interceptions and rushing 17 times for 143 yards.
Notre Dame allowed only 295 yards but managed just one takeaway, an interception by KeiVarae Russell on Temple's final drive.
No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide
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Voting points: 384
Last week's ranking: 8th
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. LSU
Alabama (7-1, 4-1 SEC) has only outscored its three conference opponents by 12 points this season at home, compared to its two league wins on the road by a combined 46 points. The Crimson Tide trailed in the fourth quarter last time out against Tennessee.
The Tide's defense has been masterful since allowing 43 points in a home loss to Ole Miss, giving up 284.5 yards per game against its last four SEC foes.
Derrick Henry has already surpassed last year's totals in attempts (180), rushing yards (1,044) and touchdowns (14).
No. 6 Michigan State Spartans
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Voting points: 395
Last week's ranking: 6th
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Nebraska
Michigan State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) has a 12-game win streak, but four wins this season have been by single digits. Its last game against Indiana was headed that way before the Spartans scored 24 points in the fourth quarter to win by 26.
Connor Cook is coming off a career-high 398 passing yards with four touchdowns, and in the past three games he's averaged 364.3 yards per game. Cook has only two interceptions in 254 attempts this season.
The Spartans have a plus-10 turnover margin, which ranked fourth in FBS heading into the weekend.
No. 4 (Tie) TCU Horned Frogs
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Voting points: 433 (one first-place vote)
Last week's ranking: 4th
Week 9 result: Won 40-10 vs. West Virginia
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Oklahoma State
TCU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) showed no rust from a bye week, winning a 16th straight game behind another dominant effort from Trevone Boykin.
The senior quarterback accounted for 472 of the Horned Frogs' 616 yards, throwing for 388 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 84 with a TD that saw him flip into the end zone. Two of Boykin's TD passes went to Josh Doctson, who had 11 catches for 183 yards and extended his school record to 14 touchdowns.
The Frogs capitalized on numerous dropped passes by West Virginia, which was held to 327 yards. Kicker Jaden Oberkrom added four field goals, including a school record-tying 57-yarder just before halftime.
No. 4 (Tie) LSU Tigers
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Voting points: 433
Last week's ranking: 5th
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 at Alabama
LSU (7-0, 4-0 SEC) has scored at least 30 points in six consecutive games, its longest streak since the first half of the 2013 season. And while running back Leonard Fournette has been the main weapon on offense, quarterback Brandon Harris' production of late has led to a more balanced attack.
Harris has topped 200 passing yards in three straight games with seven touchdowns, and he's yet to throw an interception this season. Fournette leads the nation with 1,352 yards along with 15 TDs, gaining 7.68 yards per carry.
The Tigers entered the weekend with the seventh-ranked rush defense in the country, giving up 93.7 yards per game.
No. 2 (Tie) Clemson Tigers
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Voting points: 467 (three first-place votes)
Last week's ranking: 3rd
Week 9 result: Won 56-41 at North Carolina State
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Florida State
Clemson (8-0, 5-0 ACC) got punched in the mouth early on the road but threw its own set of jabs before delivering a knockout blow with two long touchdown passes form Deshaun Watson in a 3:39 span late in the third quarter.
Watson had 437 yards of total offense, throwing for 383 yards with five TDs and adding 54 rushing yards and a score. Wayne Gallman added 172 rushing yards and a score.
The Tigers trailed three times in the first half, allowing two TDs in the first four minutes, including one on a 100-yard kickoff return. They came into the game having trailed for less than seven minutes in their first seven games, but after falling behind 20-19 midway through the second quarter, they outscored the Wolfpack 28-7 to lead 47-27.
Six of Clemson's seven TDs went for at least 24 yards.
No. 2 (Tie) Baylor Bears
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Voting points: 467 (seven first-place votes)
Last week's ranking: 1st
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 5 at Kansas State
Baylor (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) had its second bye of the season at a perfect time, since it allows true freshman quarterback Jarrett Stidham more time to get prepared to handle the job the rest of the season. Starter Seth Russell, who accounted for 35 total touchdowns, is done for the year after needing neck surgery.
Stidham won't have to do it alone, as the Bears' run game averages 6.92 yards per carry and 338.3 per game. Shock Linwood is gaining 8.05 yards per carry.
There's also star receiver Corey Coleman, who has 18 TD catches in seven games on only 47 receptions.
No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes
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Voting points: 469 (nine first-place votes)
Last week's ranking: 2nd
Week 9 result: Bye
Week 10 matchup: Nov. 7 vs. Minnesota
Ohio State (8-0, 4-0 Big Ten) was hitting its stride after putting more of the offense in the hands of sophomore quarterback J.T. Barrett, who accounted for 544 yards of total offense in the past three games. But Barrett will miss at least one game after being suspended following a Saturday morning arrest for OVI, per Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com.
Running back Ezekiel Elliott has topped 100 rushing yards in 13 straight games, and this year he has scored 13 times and averages 6.77 yards per carry.
The Buckeyes defense has allowed only 17 points in the past two games and yields just 4.4 yards per carry.
All slides written by Brian J. Pedersen. Follow the author on Twitter at @realBJP.
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