College Football Rankings 2014: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 6
Take a good look at this week's version of Bleacher Report's power rankings, because they're going to go through a major change after this Saturday. The slate for Week 6 in college football features several big-time matchups between highly rated teams, ensuring that there will be a major shakeup among the top clubs in FBS.
There are 17 unbeaten teams after five weeks of play, but after Saturday we're guaranteed to have no more than 13. Chances are it will be even fewer.
Our power rankings are comprised of an average of five ratings: The Associated Press media and Amway coaches polls, Bleacher Report's Top 25, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer ledger and my personal ranking.
Take a look at how the 128 FBS teams are ranked heading into Week 6 and then give us your take in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
1 of 53
The bottom of the FBS ranks saw a second team begin the search for its new coach after Kansas fired Charlie Weis on Sunday. The Jayhawks, who lost 23-0 at home to Texas on Saturday, were 6-22 under Weis in two-plus seasons and haven't won a road game in their past 26 tries.
Kansas joins SMU, which has been looking for a replacement for June Jones since he resigned after the Mustangs' 0-2 start.
- 128. Eastern Michigan (1-3)
- 127. Georgia State (1-3)
- 126. Idaho (0-4)
- 124. (tie) New Mexico State (2-3)
- 124. (tie) Massachusetts (0-5)
- 122. (tie) Troy (0-5)
- 122. (tie) Kent State (0-4)
- 121. Miami, Ohio (0-5)
- 120. Southern Mississippi (2-3)
- 119. Appalachian State (1-3)
- 118. Florida International (2-3). The Golden Panthers forced six turnovers and returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a 34-20 Conference USA win at UAB, doubling their win total from a season ago.
- 117. New Mexico (1-3)
- 116. Connecticut (1-4)
- 115. Tulane (1-4)
- 114. Army (1-3)
- 112. (tie) UNLV (1-4)
- 112. (tie) Tulsa (1-3)
- 110. (tie) UTEP (2-2)
- 110. (tie) SMU (0-4)
- 109. UAB (2-2)
- 108. Old Dominion (3-2)
- 106. (tie) Western Michigan (2-2)
- 106. (tie) Central Michigan (2-3)
- 105. Buffalo (3-2)
- 104. Louisiana-Monroe (3-1)
- 103. Wake Forest (2-3)
- 102. Texas State (2-2). The Bobcats got a four-yard touchdown run from Terrence Franks, his second of the game, in the third overtime to win 37-34 at Tulsa. Texas State led 17-3 entering the fourth quarter before the game became a shootout.
- 101. South Alabama (2-2)
- 100. Ohio (3-2)
- 98. (tie) San Jose State (1-3)
- 98. (tie) Purdue (2-3)
- 97. Hawaii (1-3)
- 96. Air Force (3-1). The Falcons took advantage of seven Boise State turnovers to race out to a 28-0 lead before holding onto a 28-14 home win to snap a nine-game Mountain West losing streak. Quarterback Kale Pearson ran for 127 yards and accounted for two touchdowns.
- 95. Ball State (1-3)
- 94. Kansas (2-2)
- 93. Florida Atlantic (2-3)
- 92. Louisiana-Lafayette (1-3)
- 91. South Florida (2-3)
Nos. 90-61
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While neither victory would be considered among the biggest upsets in college football history, two road wins Saturday by group-of-five schools over ACC teams were significant.
Akron won 21-10 at Pittsburgh, marking the Mid-American school's first victory over a power-conference team since 2008, while Colorado State rallied for a 24-21 win at Boston College on Garrett Grayson's 12-yard touchdown pass to Charles Lovett with 1:02 left.
- 90. Wyoming (3-2)
- 89. Rice (1-3)
- 88. Louisiana Tech (2-3)
- 87. Colorado (2-3)
- 86. UTSA (1-3)
- 85. Bowling Green (3-2)
- 84. Vanderbilt (1-4)
- 83. Middle Tennessee (3-2)
- 81. (tie) Georgia Southern (3-2). The Eagles moved to 2-0 in the Sun Belt with a 34-14 home win over Appalachian State, getting 151 rushing yards from quarterback Kevin Ellison and another 135 from running back Matt Breida. Georgia Southern, which ran for 408 yards, is ineligible for a bowl game as it transitions from FCS.
- 81. (tie) Akron (2-2)
- 80. Illinois (3-2)
- 79. Fresno State (2-3)
- 78. Navy (2-3)
- 77. Western Kentucky (2-2)
- 76. North Texas (2-2)
- 75. Iowa State (1-3)
- 74. San Diego State (2-2)
- 73. Arkansas State (2-2)
- 71. (tie) Utah State (2-2)
- 71. (tie) Michigan (2-3)
- 69. (tie) Temple (3-1). The Owls scored 23 points in the third quarter to win 36-10 at Connecticut, getting a pair of defensive touchdowns and a safety to go with 231 passing yards and two total touchdowns from quarterback P.J. Walker. Temple has exceeded last year's win total.
- 69. (tie) Boston College (3-2)
- 68. Nevada (3-1)
- 67. Indiana (2-2)
- 66. Texas Tech (2-2)
- 64. (tie) Toledo (3-2)
- 64. (tie) Colorado State (3-1)
- 63. Houston (2-2)
- 61. (tie) Pittsburgh (3-2)
- 61. (tie) Memphis (2-2)
Nos. 60-51
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Two down-on-their luck power-conference programs ended long league losing streaks on Saturday but did so with completely different performances.
California beat Colorado 59-56 in double overtime, getting 449 passing yards and seven touchdowns from quarterback Jared Goff, to end a 15-game losing streak in Pac-12 play. The Golden Bears nearly ended the skid the week before but gave up a Hail Mary pass at the end of a 49-45 loss at Arizona.
Kentucky ended its 17-game SEC losing streak with a 17-7 win over Vanderbilt, getting 201 passing yards and two total touchdowns from Patrick Towles. The Wildcats held the Commodores to 139 yards and zero points on offense.
- 60. Washington State (2-3)
- 59. Rutgers (4-1)
- 57. (tie) Northern Illinois (3-1)
- 57. (tie) Kentucky (3-1)
- 56. Boise State (3-2)
- 55. UCF (1-2)
- 54. North Carolina (2-2)
- 53. Northwestern (2-2). The Wildcats rolled to a 29-6 win at Penn State in their Big Ten opener, getting three rushing touchdowns from quarterback Trevor Siemian. Northwestern held Penn State to 266 yards and got a 49-yard interception return TD from Anthony Walker.
- 52. California (3-1)
- 51. Virginia (3-2)
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50. Syracuse Orange
4 of 53
Average rating: 47.0
Week 5 result: Lost 31-15 vs. Notre Dame (at East Rutherford, NJ)
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Louisville
The Orange (2-2) dropped their second straight game but played far better than in their 14-point home loss to Maryland the week before.
Syracuse only managed nine points on offense, however, as one of its touchdowns came on a 29-yard interception return by Durell Eskridge late in the fourth quarter. It gained 429 yards, with quarterback Terrel Hunt accounting for 294 passing yards, but converted just three of 15 third downs.
Syracuse failed to capitalize on four Notre Dame turnovers, other than the pick-six.
49. Minnesota Golden Gophers
5 of 53
Average rating: 44.83
Week 5 result: Won 30-14 at Michigan
Week 6 matchup: Bye
The Golden Gophers (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) earned just their second win over Michigan in the last 24 meetings, earning the series' Little Brown Jug trophy behind 183 rushing yards from David Cobb.
Quarterback Mitch Leidner returned from foot and knee injuries that kept him out of Minnesota's last game and threw for 167 yards and a TD while also rushing for a score, and the Gophers defense held Michigan to 171 yards and forced two turnovers.
One of those takeaways, an interception by De'Vondre Campbell, was returned 30 yards for a TD.
48. Virginia Tech Hokies
6 of 53
Average rating: 44.0
Week 5 result: Won 35-17 vs. Western Michigan
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at North Carolina
The Hokies (3-2, 0-1 ACC) ended their nonconference slate with a run-heavy performance, rushing for 308 yards and limiting the impact of mistake-prone quarterback Michael Brewer.
Marshawn Williams ran for 119 yards, while Shai McKenzie added 87 with a touchdown. Brewer threw two TD passes and had 178 yards, but he completed only 14 of 32 passes and was intercepted twice.
Brewer has been intercepted 10 times in five games, throwing at least one pick every game.
47. Penn State Nittany Lions
7 of 53
Average rating: 43.5
Week 5 result: Lost 29-6 vs. Northwestern
Week 6 matchup: Bye
The Nittany Lions (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) managed only a pair of field goals and 266 yards in a home loss to Northwestern as their offensive line continues to struggle.
Penn State ran for only 50 yards, dropping their per-game average to 101, while quarterback Christian Hackenberg was sacked four times and completed just 22 of 45 passes for 216 yards and an interception.
PSU allowed three rushing touchdowns to Northwestern quarterback Trevor Siemian.
45. (tie) Oregon State Beavers
8 of 53
Average rating: 43.0
Week 5 result: Lost 35-10 at USC
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Colorado
The Beavers (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12) managed just 181 yards and three offensive points in suffering their first loss, extending their winless streak at the Los Angeles Coliseum to 54 years.
Sean Mannion managed just 123 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, after he had thrown for 903 yards in Oregon State's first three games. OSU's only TD came on a 97-yard kickoff return by Ryan Murphy, right after Mannion had a pick returned for a score by USC's Su'a Cravens.
45. (tie) Miami (Florida) Hurricanes
9 of 53
Average rating: 43.0
Week 5 result: Won 22-10 vs. Duke
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Georgia Tech
The Hurricanes (3-2, 1-1 ACC) got two passing touchdowns from quarterback Brad Kaaya and 155 rushing yards with a score from Duke Johnson to improve to 3-0 at home this season.
Johnson moved into fifth place on Miami's career rushing list with 2,392 yards and became the third player in school history to reach 4,000 all-purpose yards. His seven-yard TD run gave Miami a 9-0 first-quarter lead it would never relinquish.
Kaaya, a true freshman, completed 20 of 34 passes and had his first game without an interception.
43. (tie) Utah Utes
10 of 53
Average rating: 42.0
Week 5 result: Lost 28-27 vs. Washington State
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at UCLA
The Utes (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12) blew a 21-0 lead in the first quarter, allowing two touchdowns in the final nine minutes to drop their conference opener at home.
Utah used three big plays to take its early advantage, getting an interception return TD from Eric Row, a punt return score from Kaelin Clay—his third this season—and a 76-yard rushing TD from Devontae Booker. After that, it managed only a pair of Andy Phillips field goals.
After holding down Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday in the first half, Utah gave up 267 passing yards and three TDs in the second half.
43. (tie) Tennessee Volunteers
11 of 53
Average rating: 42.0
Week 5 result: Lost 35-32 at Georgia
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Florida
The Volunteers (2-2, 0-1 SEC) were unable to hold onto an early 10-point lead, but their fight in the second half and overall performance showed this program is close to turning a corner in Butch Jones' second year.
Particularly promising was the play of quarterback Justin Worley, who threw for 264 yards and three touchdowns, with two of those TD passes coming in the fourth quarter after Tennessee fell behind 28-17. He missed three series because of an elbow injury, and the Vols were far less efficient without him in the game.
"It wasn't so very long ago that we wondered whether Tennessee's Vols could win a meaningful game with Justin Worley at quarterback," wrote David Climer of The Tennessean. "Now we wonder whether the Vols can win a meaningful game without him at quarterback."
42. Texas Longhorns
12 of 53
Average rating: 41.67
Week 5 result: Won 23-0 at Kansas
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Baylor
The Longhorns (2-2, 1-0 Big 12) used defense to end a two-game losing streak, winning their conference opener on the road thanks to four interceptions.
Tyrone Swoopes threw for 218 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for a score, while Texas stymied Kansas quarterback Montell Cozart by sacking him four times and forcing four picks to go with only 140 yards on 12-of-31 passing.
41. Cincinnati Bearcats
13 of 53
Average rating: 40.67
Week 5 result: Lost 50-28
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Memphis
The Bearcats (2-1) rallied from a 30-7 deficit to pull within five points in the third quarter before running out of gas to suffer their first loss of the season despite another huge game from quarterback Gunner Kiel.
Kiel threw for 352 yards and four touchdowns, which gives him 14 TD passes in three games. But Cincinnati only ran for 70 yards while allowing Ohio State to rush for 380 yards and gain 710 yards along with a FBS record-tying 45 first downs.
40. North Carolina State Wolfpack
14 of 53
Average rating: 40.63
Week 5 result: Lost 56-41 vs. Florida State
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Clemson
The Wolfpack (4-1, 0-1 ACC) may not have won, but they earned some supporters after jumping out to a 24-7 first-quarter lead on the defending national champions. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett also earned plenty of fans with his play.
Brissett, a Florida transfer, threw for 359 yards and three touchdowns on 32-of-48 passing. His second TD, an eight-yard throw to Johnathon Alston late in the first quarter, came after Brissett shook off multiple Florida State tackles as he scrambled out of the pocket.
NC State led 38-28 but then was outscored 28-3 over the final 21 minutes.
39. Duke Blue Devils
15 of 53
Average rating: 37.83
Week 5 result: Lost 22-10 at Miami (Florida)
Week 6 matchup: Bye
The Blue Devils (4-1, 0-1 ACC) were held to just 264 yards and committed three turnovers in suffering their first loss to start off on a down note in conference play.
Anthony Boone completed just 22 of 51 passes for 179 yards with two interceptions, and Duke ran for just 85 yards after coming in averaging 261 rushing yards per game.
37. (tie) West Virginia Mountaineers
16 of 53
Average rating: 36.5
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Kansas
The Mountaineers (2-2, 0-1 Big 12) have faced three FBS teams with a combined record of 12-1, handing Maryland its only loss while losing to unbeaten Alabama and Oklahoma by 10 and 12 points, respectively.
West Virginia's best weapon has been quarterback Clint Trickett, who has thrown for 1,600 yards and nine touchdowns. His top target has been Kevin White, who has 42 catches for 633 yards and is second nationally in receiving yards per game.
37. (tie) Iowa Hawkeyes
17 of 53
Average rating: 36.5
Week 5 result: Won 24-10 at Purdue
Week 6 matchup: Bye
The Hawkeyes (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) opened conference play by coming from behind on the road for the record straight week, rallying from a 10-0 deficit in the second quarter.
Mark Weisman had two rushing touchdowns, and quarterback C.J. Beathard threw for 245 yards and a TD, while Iowa's defense limited Purdue to 156 yards of total offense. That included only 72 yards through the air on 13-of-32 passing, with two interceptions.
Last week, the Hawkeyes rallied for a 24-20 win at Pittsburgh.
36. Marshall Thundering Herd
18 of 53
Average rating: 36.3
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Old Dominion
The Thundering Herd (4-0) had little trouble dispatching a nonconference slate that featured three Mid-American teams and an FCS school, averaging 45.5 points per game. Now comes the Conference USA slate, as Marshall looks to run the table and get looked at for a College Football Playoff at-large berth.
Rakeem Cato has thrown for 1,163 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Devon Johnson has rushed for 482 yards and five TDs.
35. Washington Huskies
19 of 53
Average rating: 35.0
Week 5 result: Lost 20-13 vs. Stanford
Week 6 matchup: Bye
The Huskies (4-1, 0-1 Pac-12) were tied with Stanford for nearly the entire second half despite only managing 179 yards and one offensive touchdown, giving up the game-winning score with 4:29 left.
Washington's defensive TD came on a fumble return by linebacker Shaq Thompson, who has three defensive TDs and four overall scores this season. That tied the game at 13 just before halftime, but in the second half the Huskies had 114 yards on seven possessions with zero points.
Cyler Miles threw for just 98 yards on 15-of-29 passing, and Washington failed to capitalize on a 3-0 turnover margin.
34. Maryland Terrapins
20 of 53
Average rating: 34.67
Week 5 result: Won 37-15 at Indiana
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Ohio State
The Terrapins (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) made a strong debut in their new conference, improving to 3-0 on the road despite losing starting quarterback C.J. Brown to a wrist injury.
Brown threw for a touchdown and ran for one but didn't play the second half after suffering a sprained wrist, according to Roman Stubbs of The Washington Post. Backup Caleb Rowe came in and threw two TD passes and compiled 198 passing yards.
Maryland, which has also won at South Florida and Syracuse, limited Indiana quarterback Nate Sudfeld to 126 yards and an interception on 14-of-37 passing.
33. Arkansas Razorbacks
21 of 53
Average rating: 34.5
Week 5 result: Lost 35-28 vs. Texas A&M in OT (at Arlington, Texas)
Week 6 matchup: Bye
The Razorbacks (3-2, 0-2 SEC) were unable to hold onto a 14-point lead in the fourth quarter and then failed to get a first down in overtime, losing their 14th straight conference game.
Arkansas led 28-14 with 12 minutes left, but despite rushing for 285 yards (including 51 on a fake punt touchdown by punter Sam Irwin-Hill), it managed only 90 total yards and no points on its final six possessions. In the OT, Alex Collins—who ran for 131 yards and a touchdown— was stuffed on 4th-and-1, four plays after Texas A&M took the lead on a 25-yard TD pass on its first play.
Arkansas also got 95 rushing yards and a TD from Jonathan Williams, while quarterback Brandon Allen threw for 199 yards and a TD.
32. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
22 of 53
Average rating: 32.8
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Miami (Florida)
The Yellow Jackets (4-0, 1-0 ACC) are off to their best start since 2011, and they've done so with their usual triple-option running as well as timely passing from quarterback Justin Thomas.
Thomas has thrown for 610 yards and seven touchdowns while also leading Georgia Tech in rushing with 443 yards. Tech is averaging 292 yards per game on the ground, 11th-best in the nation.
31. Louisville Cardinals
23 of 53
Average rating: 32.75
Week 5 result: Won 20-10 vs. Wake Forest
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 3 at Syracuse
The Cardinals (4-1, 2-1 ACC) dominated on defense for the second straight game, holding Wake Forest to minus-22 rushing yards and 100 total yards along with just three points on offense.
Louisville got two rushing touchdowns from Brandon Radcliff, who ran for 129 yards, while freshman Reggie Bonnafon threw for 206 yards in his first career start.
Louisville is allowing 225.2 yards per game, ranking third in FBS.
30. Florida Gators
24 of 53
Average rating: 31.5
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Tennessee
The Gators (2-1, 1-1 SEC) play their second straight conference road game—this time at longtime rival Tennessee—in hopes of fixing an offense that has gotten worse each time out.
Florida managed only 200 yards last time out against Alabama, with quarterback Jeff Driskell completing just nine of 28 passes for 93 yards with two interceptions.
29. Arizona Wildcats
25 of 53
Average rating: 29.9
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 2 at Oregon
The Wildcats (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) come out of a bye week that followed three straight narrow victories, with the last requiring 36 points in the fourth quarter and a Hail Mary touchdown at the buzzer to beat California 49-45.
Arizona now heads to face unbeaten Oregon but brings with it an offense averaging 42 points that is ranked sixth nationally at 593.8 yards per game.
Freshman quarterback Anu Solomon has thrown for 1,454 yards and 13 touchdowns, while freshman running back Nick Wilson has run for 482 yards and four TDs. In addition, receiver Cayleb Jones has 29 catches for 475 yards and six scores.
28. Missouri Tigers
26 of 53
Average rating: 27.0
Week 5 result: Won 21-20 at South Carolina
Week 6 matchup: Bye
A year after losing in double overtime at home to South Carolina, the Tigers (4-1, 1-0 SEC) returned the favor by rallying from 13 points down in the fourth quarter to win their conference opener and vault to the top of the SEC East standings.
Russell Hansbrough scored two one-yard rushing touchdowns in the final seven minutes, the last with 1:36 left, and accounted for all three of Missouri's TDs. His scores were pretty much the Tigers' only offense, as they finished with just 280 yards.
Maty Mauk struggled at quarterback, completing just 12 of 34 passes for 132 yards after throwing 14 TD passes in Missouri's first three games. But the Tigers defense kept the game close and forced stops in the fourth quarter to help spark the comeback.
27. East Carolina Pirates
27 of 53
Average rating: 26.6
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. SMU
The Pirates (3-1) impressed many with their play in conference action, knocking off ACC teams Virginia Tech and North Carolina and falling by 10 at South Carolina. Now East Carolina heads into its first season in the American Athletic Conference as the prohibitive favorite.
Senior quarterback Shane Carden has paced an explosive offense that is averaging 43.3 points per game, including 70 last time out against North Carolina. Carden has thrown for 1,469 yards and 11 touchdowns.
East Carolina's defense has been paced by junior linebacker Zeek Bigger, who is fifth nationally with 13.5 tackles per game.
26. South Carolina Gamecocks
28 of 53
Average rating: 26.2
Week 5 result: Lost 21-20 vs. Missouri
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Kentucky
The Gamecocks (3-2, 2-2 SEC) lost a second conference home game after entering the season on an 18-game home win streak, blowing a 13-point lead in the fourth quarter and giving up the game-winning touchdown with 1:36 left.
South Carolina led 20-7 with 7:25 left after Dylan Thompson hit Pharoh Cooper for a 23-yard touchdown pass, but overall the Gamecocks were sluggish moving the ball and only finished with 338 yards. They allowed 280 yards, making this loss far different from the previous setback (52-28 to Texas A&M).
Considered a favorite to win the SEC East at the start of the season, South Carolina faces a very rough stretch from here on out, according to Dan Wolken of USA Today. "Now, the Gamecocks face a scenario in which three of their four remaining league games are on the road, not to mention the rivalry game against Clemson to end the season," he wrote, listing the program on his weekly Misery Index.
24. (tie) TCU Horned Frogs
29 of 53
Average rating: 26.0
Week 5 result: Won 56-0 at SMU
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Oklahoma
The Horned Frogs (3-0) wrapped up nonconference play with another dominant defensive performance while also registering a season high in points heading into Big 12 action.
TCU gained 614 yards, and its 265 rushing yards were 20 more than SMU had in total offense. Quarterback Trevone Boykin rushed for two touchdowns and threw for another four, accounting for 342 yards of total offense.
B.J. Catalon ran for 114 yards and a TD, while Deante' Gray had six catches for 96 yards and a score. TCU forced three turnovers in posting its first shutout since beating Grambling 56-0 to open the 2012 season.
24. (tie) Arizona State Sun Devils
30 of 53
Average rating: 26.0
Week 5 result: Lost 62-27 vs. UCLA
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at USC
The Sun Devils (3-1, 1-1 Pac-12) allowed their most points ever at home, and most in any game in 19 years, in their first game since losing quarterback Taylor Kelly to a leg injury.
Kelly's replacement, Mike Bercovici, threw for 488 yards and three touchdowns, but he attempted 68 passes as UCLA shut down running back D.J. Foster. Bercovici was intercepted twice, with Ishmael Adams returning a pick for 95 yards for a TD just before halftime that gave the Bruins a 27-17 halftime lead after trailing 17-6.
ASU allowed five plays of 80 or more yards, including a 100-yard kickoff return TD, which negated its own 626 yards and 38 first downs. Foster, who came into the game with 510 rushing yards, had just 30 yards on nine carries, as the Sun Devils were forced to throw almost exclusively in the second half.
23. Clemson Tigers
31 of 53
Average rating: 25.2
Week 5 result: Won 50-35 vs. North Carolina
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. North Carolina State
The Tigers (2-2, 1-1 ACC) gave quarterback Deshaun Watson his first career start, and the true freshman responded by setting a school record with six touchdown passes.
Watson threw for 435 yards on 27-of-36 passing, hitting Germone Hopper and Mike Williams for two TDs apiece. Those receivers combined for 261 yards on nine receptions.
Clemson led 20-0 and then traded scores with North Carolina, which has allowed 120 points in its past two games.
22. Kansas State Wildcats
32 of 53
Average rating: 22.8
Week 5 result: Won 58-28 vs. UTEP
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Texas Tech
The Wildcats (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) breezed to a nonconference win over UTEP, scoring the game's first 45 points as they worked on offensive issues that contributed to last week's tough home loss to Auburn.
Kansas State only had one turnover and made its long field-goal try, after giving the ball away three times and missing three kicks in the previous game. It had six rushing TDs, including three by Charles Jones and one by quarterback Jake Waters, while Tyler Lockett returned a punt 58 yards for a TD as part of his 256 all-purpose yards.
K-State held UTEP to 260 yards, with three of the Miners' TDs coming in the fourth quarter.
21. Oklahoma State Cowboys
33 of 53
Average rating: 22.0
Week 5 result: Won 45-35 vs. Texas Tech
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Iowa State
The Cowboys (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) opened Big 12 play with a quick-strike offense that had five touchdown drives last 69 seconds or fewer.
Quarterback Daxx Garman threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns and also ran for a score, while Desmond Roland ran for 82 yards and a TD as Oklahoma State averaged 7.2 yards per play. It allowed 512 yards but intercepted three Texas Tech passes and recorded three sacks.
Garman has thrown for 929 yards and eight TDs in two-plus games since coming in for injured J.W. Walsh in the Cowboys' second game.
20. Nebraska Cornhuskers
34 of 53
Average rating: 19.4
Week 5 result: Won 45-14 vs. Illinois
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Michigan State
The Cornhuskers (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) dominated Illinois in their conference opener, riding the hot running of Ameer Abdullah yet again.
Abdullah rushed for 208 yards and three touchdowns, with 196 of that (and all three scores) coming during a 31-point first half. Abdullah now has 833 rushing yards, most in FBS, and he contributed to a team rushing total of 458.
Aside from a narrow win over FCS McNeese State in Week 2, Nebraska hasn't been challenged much. That will change Saturday at Michigan State, and despite the hot start, the Cornhuskers have plenty to work on, according to coach Bo Pelini.
"We're nowhere near what we're capable of being or where we want to be," Pelini told Stewart Mandel of Fox Sports.
19. Ohio State Buckeyes
35 of 53
Average rating: 19.2
Week 5 result: Won 50-28 vs. Cincinnati
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Maryland
The Buckeyes (3-1) recorded an FBS record-tying 45 first downs and finished with 710 yards in their latest win over an in-state opponent. Ohio State has won 40 straight games against teams from Ohio.
J.T. Barrett threw for 330 yards and four touchdowns and added 79 rushing yards, while Ezekiel Elliott ran for 182 yards and a TD. Ohio State ran for 380 yards.
Ohio State trailed 7-0 before scoring 30 straight points; after Cincinnati pulled within 33-28, the Buckeyes scored the game's final 17 points, overcoming 352 passing yards and four TDs from Bearcats quarterback Gunner Kiel.
18. BYU Cougars
36 of 53
Average rating: 18.4
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Utah State
The Cougars (4-0) have gotten off to a hot start with wins over teams from the American Athletic Conference (two), ACC and Big 12 in their quest to get a bid to the College Football Playoff.
BYU has done it with a balanced offense that is averaging 219 passing yards and 230.3 rushing yards per game, and quarterback Taysom Hill has been the architect of that attack. He has thrown for 876 yards, run for 428 yards and accounted for 13 touchdowns.
Jamaal Williams has added 296 rushing yards, and BYU has scored at least 33 points in every game.
17. Wisconsin Badgers
37 of 53
Average rating: 17.0
Week 5 result: Won 27-10 vs. South Florida
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Northwestern
The Badgers (3-1) wrapped up nonconference play with another rushing-dominated performance, getting 181 yards and two touchdowns from Melvin Gordon.
Gordon had 131 yards and both of his TDs in the second half, when Wisconsin turned a 3-3 tie into a runaway. Tanner McEvoy threw for 160 yards and a TD, while the Badgers limited South Florida to 245 yards and only eight first downs.
Since blowing a 24-7 lead to LSU in its opener, Wisconsin has outscored its opponents 132-30.
16. USC Trojans
38 of 53
Average rating: 16.4
Week 5 result: Won 35-10 vs. Oregon State
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Arizona State
The Trojans (3-1, 2-0 Pac-12) returned to their balanced offensive ways while also getting a great effort from their defense in a convincing win over previously unbeaten Oregon State.
USC ran for 200 yards, with 115 of that coming from Javorius Allen along with a touchdown—a big improvement on the 20 rushing yards it had in a 37-31 loss at Boston College. Allen had 31 yards in that game.
Cody Kessler threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns and still hasn't tossed an interception this season, while USC's defense shut down Oregon State quarterback Sean Mannion. He completed just 15 of 32 passes for 123 yards and two interceptions, with Su'a Cravens returning one pick 31 yards for a score.
15. LSU Tigers
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Average rating: 15.6
Week 5 result: Won 63-7 vs. New Mexico State
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Auburn
The Tigers (4-1, 0-1 SEC) turned to some of their heralded freshmen to overcome a mistake-filled first quarter, and those youngsters sparked a rout with touchdowns on seven straight drives led by true freshman quarterback Brandon Harris.
Harris, who relieved Anthony Jennings after he was intercepted twice and lost a fumble, threw for 178 yards and three TDs on 11-of-14 passing. That performance was enough to earn Harris his first career start at Auburn, LSU coach Les Miles announced Monday.
LSU also got great efforts from freshmen Leonard Fournette (122 rushing yards, two TDs) and Malachi Dupre (27-yard TD catch), while the defense forced four turnovers and got a 29-yard interception return score by Kendell Beckwith.
14. Mississippi State Bulldogs
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Average rating: 14.4
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Texas A&M
The Bulldogs (4-0, 1-0 SEC) head into one of the biggest homestands in school history, hosting unbeatens Texas A&M and Auburn on back-to-back Saturdays. And coming off a landmark 34-29 win at LSU, Mississippi State appears ready to be part of the big time.
Dak Prescott's mobility and arm have been MSU's driving forces, as the junior quarterback has 1,342 yards of total offense and has accounted for 14 touchdowns. Running back Josh Robinson has added 485 rushing yards and a 7.8 per-carry average.
MSU's defense has forced nine turnovers and is seventh in the country against the run by limiting opponents to 82.5 yards per game.
13. Stanford Cardinal
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Average rating: 12.8
Week 5 result: Won 20-13 at Washington
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Notre Dame
The Cardinal (3-1, 1-1 Pac-12) used their defense yet again to pull out a tough road victory, holding Washington to 179 yards and only six points on offense.
Stanford, which has allowed only 26 points this season, struggled again in the red zone but did manage to get a five-yard touchdown run by quarterback David Hogan with 4:29 left to break a 13-13 tie. The Cardinal led 10-0 early in the second quarter after a TD pass from Hogan to Ty Montgomery but after that did almost nothing until the end.
Hogan had 231 yards of total offense, but Stanford committed three turnovers and gave up a 32-yard fumble return score to tie the game at 13 just before halftime.
Stanford heads to Notre Dame with the nation's top-rated scoring defense and the No. 1 total defense, allowing just 198 yards per game.
12. Ole Miss Rebels
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Average rating: 12.2
Week 5 result: Won 24-3 vs. Memphis
Week 6 matchup: Oct 4 vs. Alabama
The Rebels (4-0, 1-0 SEC) avoided a look-ahead loss in advance of this weekend's huge showdown with Alabama, getting past pesky Memphis in a mistake-filled performance that was just a 7-3 game entering the fourth quarter.
Ole Miss committed four turnovers, with three by quarterback Bo Wallace, who lost a fumble and tossed two interceptions while throwing for 248 yards and two touchdowns to Laquon Treadwell. The Rebels scored 17 points in the game's final 13 minutes, but besides Treadwell's TD catch less than three minutes into the first quarter, they did almost nothing on offense because of the giveaways.
The Rebels defense was strong again, holding Memphis to 104 yards and forcing two turnovers. Ole Miss now gets a chance to show if it's for real against Alabama, whom it hasn't beaten since 2003.
11. Georgia Bulldogs
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Average rating: 11.8
Week 5 result: Won 35-32 vs. Tennessee
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Vanderbilt
The Bulldogs (3-1, 1-1 SEC) got 208 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Todd Gurley, who showed off his hurdling skills on one run, but it was Josh Dawson's second fumble recovery that proved to be the difference.
Dawson fell on a loose ball in Tennessee's end zone with 4:27 left to give Georgia a 35-25 lead in a game it trailed 10-0 in the first quarter. Gurley had 238 yards of total offense, making up for Hutson Mason's 147-yard, two-interception effort at quarterback.
Georgia's defense struggled, especially in the second half, as Tennessee quarterback Justin Worley threw two touchdowns passes in the fourth quarter.
10. Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 9.6
Week 5 result: Won 56-14 vs. Wyoming
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Nebraska
The Spartans (3-1) scored 42 first-half points, again giving their starters a chance to rest most of the game as they wrapped up nonconference play with a second straight blowout win.
Connor Cook completed eight of 12 passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns, while Jeremy Langford ran for 137 yards and a score. Michigan State ran for 338 yards in scoring 50-plus in back-to-back games for the first time in 36 years.
Along with a 73-14 win over Eastern Michigan the week before, MSU has been able to limit the usage of many starters heading into its huge Big Ten opener against unbeaten Nebraska.
9. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 9.2
Week 5 result: Won 31-15 vs. Syracuse (at East Rutherford, NJ)
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Stanford
The Fighting Irish (4-0) managed an otherwise unspectacular result at the Meadowlands against an overmatched Syracuse team, with quarterback Everett Golson typifying both the highs and lows of the game with his performance.
Golson set a school record for consecutive completions, hitting 25 straight passes to fall one shy of the FBS record, but the junior quarterback also committed four turnovers. He was intercepted twice, one of which was returned for a Syracuse touchdown, although he threw four TD passes of his own to go with 362 yards on 32-of-39 passing.
"When I think of this game, I think of my play being sloppy," Golson told Kevin Armstrong of the New York Daily News.
William Fuller caught two of those TD passes, including a 72-yard score, and finished with 119 yards on five receptions.
The Irish have scored 30 or more points in their first four games—the first time they've done that in 71 years—but none of the defenses they've faced compared to Stanford's this weekend. Stanford has allowed 26 total points in four games.
8. UCLA Bruins
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Average rating: 8.6
Week 5 result: Won 62-27 at Arizona State
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Utah
The Bruins (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) dominated on the road behind quarterback Brett Hundley's throwing and the return skills of Ishmael Adams to avenge last year's loss to the South Division champions.
UCLA trailed 24-7 in the second quarter before scoring 28 straight points in less than 15 minutes. That run was fueled three Hundley touchdown passes, including 80-yard scores to Eldridge Massington and Jordan Payton, as well as a 95-yard interception return TD by Adams just before halftime.
Adams also returned a kickoff 100 yards for a score, and UCLA recorded the most points of any visiting team against Arizona State.
Hundley, who injured his left (non-throwing) elbow in UCLA's previous game, didn't run as much but still shined behind 355 passing yards and four TDs on 18-of-23 passing. He did score on a one-yard run and finished with 72 rushing yards, mostly on scrambles.
7. Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 6.8
Week 5 result: Won 49-28 at Iowa State
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Texas
The Bears (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) wasted little time getting a big lead on the road, racing out to a 35-7 lead behind Bryce Petty's running and passing.
Petty threw for 336 yards and a touchdown on 30-of-44 passing, though he did have his first interception of the year, and he also hurdled an Iowa State defender en route to a 16-yard TD run in the first quarter.
Corey Coleman had 12 catches for 154 yards and a TD after missing Baylor's first three games, while Antwan Goodley also returned from injury with six catches for 114 yards. Shock Linwood ran for three TDs and has seven rushing scores this season.
6. Texas A&M Aggies
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Average rating: 6.2
Week 5 result: Won 35-28 vs. Arkansas in OT (at Arlington, Texas)
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Mississippi State
The Aggies (5-0, 2-0 SEC) hadn't faced adversity since the first half of their season opener at South Carolina, but against Arkansas they got a fierce challenge that required a two-touchdown comeback in the fourth quarter. It also necessitated Texas A&M's young defense to make a stop at the most critical of times.
A&M trailed 28-14 with 12 minutes left before mounting its rally, with quarterback Kenny Hill hitting Edward Pope for an 86-yard touchdown pass. The defense held, allowing Hill to find Josh Reynolds on a 59-yard scoring strike with 2:09 left to force overtime. On the first play of OT, Hill threw a 25-yard TD pass to Malcome Kennedy.
That's when A&M's defense, which had been mostly beaten up by Arkansas' massive offensive line, showed some late life. The Aggies forced a fourth down and then stuffed Alex Collins just short of the first-down marker for the win.
"I think we took a step today," A&M defensive coordinator Mark Snyder told Kate Hairopolous of The Dallas Morning News. "We're going to build on this."
A&M's offense wasn't nearly as explosive as in its first four games but still got a strong performance from Hill. The sophomore threw for 386 yards and four touchdowns, with Pope (four catches, 151 yards) pulling in two of them.
5. Auburn Tigers
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Average rating: 4.8
Week 5 result: Won 45-17 vs. Louisiana Tech
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. LSU
The Tigers (4-0, 1-0 SEC) took a break from their arduous upcoming slate of league games with a relatively effortless win over a Conference USA team, getting three touchdowns from Quan Bray.
Bray caught a 37-yard TD pass from Nick Marshall for a 24-0 lead late in the first half and then added a 44-yard TD catch early in the fourth quarter. Just over a minute later he gave Auburn a 38-10 lead with a 76-yard punt return touchdown, becoming the first Tigers player in 40 yards with two punt return TDs in one season.
Marshall threw for 166 yards and three TDs, while Cameron Artis-Payne ran for 116 yards and a score.
Now Auburn begins a stretch of six straight games against teams either currently ranked or who have been ranked this season.
4. Florida State Seminoles
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Average rating: 4.0
Week 5 result: Won 56-41 at North Carolina State
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 vs. Wake Forest
The Seminoles (4-0, 2-0 ACC) found themselves down 24-7 after one quarter but eventually pulled out a two-score victory, shaking off the rough start to win their 20th straight game.
Jameis Winston returned from his one-game suspension to throw for 365 yards and four touchdowns, though he was intercepted twice. Karlos Williams added three rushing TDs, including both of Florida State's fourth-quarter scores.
FSU committed four turnovers, while the 24 points it allowed in the first quarter was the most in school history. The Seminoles couldn't figure out how to stop North Carolina State quarterback Jacoby Brissett, who eluded rushers and tacklers to throw for 359 yards and three TDs.
The defending national champions have trailed in their last two games, including last week's 23-17 overtime win over Clemson.
3. Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 2.8
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at TCU
The Sooners (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) got a break between back-to-back road games to open the conference slate, and the second one could be tougher than the first.
Oklahoma dominated in the second half of its 45-33 win last time out at West Virginia, riding the running ability of freshman Samaje Perine. He may not get as many touches this time out if injured sophomore Keith Ford is back from a leg injury, but Ford and sophomore Alex Ross are all capable of putting up big yards.
The Sooners defense has fared well outside of the first half against West Virginia and now will take on a TCU team that has outscored its opponents 134-21.
2. Oregon Ducks
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Average rating: 2.2
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 2 vs. Arizona
The Ducks (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) survived last time out at Washington State and now takes on unbeaten Arizona in a matchup of uptempo offenses.
Oregon is averaging 555.3 yards and 48.5 points per game, compared to 593.8 yards and 42 points per game for the Wildcats. The Ducks have managed to still dominate on offense despite a line that's suffered numerous injuries and allowed quarterback Marcus Mariota to be sacked 10 times.
Mariota has still managed to put up big numbers, though, throwing for 1,135 yards and 13 touchdowns (with no interceptions) along with 214 rushing yards and three scores.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 2.0
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 4 at Ole Miss
The Crimson Tide (4-0, 1-0 SEC) head into their first conference road game still riding high off the breakout performance by quarterback Blake Sims in the 42-21 win over Florida. Sims, who threw for 445 yards and four touchdowns, has 1,091 passing yards and eight TDs while completing 73.2 percent of his attempts this season.
Receiver Amari Cooper is on a record-setting pace, with 43 receptions for 655 yards and five TDs, and he leads FBS in receiving yards per game at 163.8.
Alabama's defense is fifth nationally in yards allowed per game, at 250.3.
All statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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