B/R's 2025 College Football Experts Top 25 Rankings After Week 5
The Week 5 schedule was loaded with intriguing matchups, and the day's action did not disappoint, from a Big Ten thriller between Illinois and USC in the early slate to the double-barreled prime time matchups of Oregon vs. Penn State and Alabama vs. Georgia.
In between, LSU and Ole Miss clashed in another major SEC showdown, and when the dust settled on the weekend, Georgia, Penn State, LSU and Florida State had each suffered their first loss of the season.
Now it's time for Bleacher Report's updated top 25 ranking after all the Week 5 action, with the college football writing staff of David Kenyon, Adam Kramer, Joel Reuter and Brad Shepard making up our voting panel.
Nos. 25-21
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25. South Florida (3-1, Previous Rank: 23)
Week 5 Result: BYE
Next Week: vs. Charlotte
Despite a lopsided 49-12 loss to Miami in Week 3, the Bulls still have an impressive resume with early wins over then-No. 25 Boise State and then-No. 13 Florida to kick off the season and climb into the AP poll for the first time since 2018. Road games against North Texas and Memphis in October will test their standing as one of the top contenders for the Group of Five playoff spot.
24. Arizona State (4-1, Previous Rank: NR)
Week 5 Result: Win vs. TCU (27-24)
Next Week: BYE
The Sun Devils entered the season at No. 11 in the AP poll, but suffered a Week 2 loss to Mississippi State that threw some water on the preseason hype surrounding last year's Big 12 champion. Things are trending in the right direction again after a 27-24 road win over Baylor in Week 4 and a victory over ranked TCU by the same score on Friday. Sam Leavitt has 512 passing yards, 118 rushing yards and five total touchdowns the last two weeks.
23. Utah (4-1, Previous Rank: 22)
Week 5 Result: Win at West Virginia (48-14)
Next Week: BYE
Fresh off a lopsided loss to Texas Tech, the Utes put together a dominant performance on the road against West Virginia. Quarterback Devon Dampier threw for four touchdowns and rushed for another while completing 21-of-26 passes. The Utah defense also took full advantage of the fact that West Virginia had a question mark at quarterback with Nicco Marchiol sidelined, limiting the Mountaineers to 6-of-13 passing for 85 yards.
22. Illinois (4-1, Previous Rank: 24)
Week 5 Result: Win vs. USC (34-32)
Next Week: at Purdue
The Illini were up 24-10 midway through the third quarter, but saw that evaporate to a 32-31 deficit when USC rattled off an 11-play, 75-yard drive and a nine-play, 80-yard drive that both ended with Jayden Maiava finding Makai Lemon with a touchdown pass. However, with 1:55 remaining, Luke Altmyer marched the Illinois offense 51 yards on eight plays to set up the game-winning field goal from David Olano as time expired.
21. Michigan (3-1, Previous Rank: 20)
Week 5 Result: BYE
Next Week: vs. Wisconsin
The Wolverines narrowly escaped an early second loss last weekend with a 30-27 victory over Nebraska, though it stands to reason that this team's best football is still ahead of it as true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood gets more comfortable under center. They can't afford to look past the Badgers to their Week 7 road matchup against USC, but they should be comfortable favorites next weekend at the Big House.
Nos. 20-16
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20. Louisville (4-0, Previous Rank: 21)
Week 5 Result: Win at Pitt (34-27)
Next Week: vs. Virginia
The Cardinals trailed 27-17 at halftime, but scored the final 17 points of the game to avoid an upset and stay undefeated. Miller Moss threw a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter on his way to 339 passing yards and four total touchdowns on the day, delivering the game-winning nine-yard strike to Nate Kurisky with 2:58 remaining in the fourth quarter.
19. Vanderbilt (5-0, Previous Rank: 19)
Week 5 Result: Win vs. Utah State (55-35)
Next Week: at Alabama
Diego Pavia completed 26-of-34 pass attempts for 321 yards and five touchdowns, and he also added 79 rushing yards and another score on the ground to lead the Commodores to an easy win against Utah State in their final non-conference tune-up. It was a 31-21 game at halftime, but Vanderbilt opened the second half with 17 unanswered points to put the game away and improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2008.
18. Georgia Tech (5-0, Previous Rank: 18)
Week 5 Result: Win at Wake Forest (30-29, OT)
Next Week: BYE
The Yellow Jackets are 5-0 for the first time since 2014, and dual-threat quarterback Haynes King is emerging as a dark horse Heisman candidate. He had 243 passing yards, 106 rushing yards and three total touchdowns in Saturday's win over Wake Forest, and the team needed every bit of that production. After trailing 20-3 in the third quarter, Georgia Tech rallied to force overtime. They scored on a two-yard keeper by King to start the extra period, then picked off Wake Forest's two-point conversion attempt to seal the victory.
17. Florida State (3-1, Previous Rank: 8)
Week 5 Result: Loss at Virginia (38-46, 2 OT)
Next Week: vs. Miami
In a sloppy game where both teams turned the ball over three times, the Seminoles battled back from down 14-0 early to force overtime. Both teams kicked field goals in the first overtime before Virginia scored a touchdown and converted a two-point conversion on their second drive. After a drop on third down, Thomas Castellanos threw an interception on a desperation heave on fourth down to give the Cavaliers their biggest win in years.
16. Missouri (5-0, Previous Rank: 17)
Week 5 Result: Win vs. UMass (42-6)
Next Week: BYE
The Tigers defense held UMass scoreless the rest of the way after a first quarter touchdown, allowing just 124 total yards of offense and a paltry 19 rushing yards on 16 carries. Beau Pribula completed 26-of-29 pass attempts for 241 yards and a touchdown, Ahmad Hardy logged 24 carries for 130 yards and three scores and Kevin Coleman Jr. had 12 catches for 102 yards in a well-balanced game against an overmatched opponent.
Nos. 15-11
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15. LSU (4-1, Previous Rank: 5)
Week 5 Result: Loss at Ole Miss (19-24)
Next Week: BYE
A non-existent running game made the Tigers one-dimensional on offense, and Garrett Nussmeier had a lackluster game under center, completing 21-of-34 pass attempts for 197 yards with a touchdown and an interception as LSU suffered its first loss of the year. With just 57 rushing yards on 2.6 yards per carry, the Tigers were outgained 480-254 in total yardage. Between this loss and the diminished perception of early wins over Clemson and Florida, the Tigers' stock is undeniably down.
14. Tennessee (4-1, Previous Rank: 13)
Week 5 Result: Win at Mississippi State (41-34, OT)
Next Week: BYE
It took a Joey Aguilar touchdown run inside of the final two minutes for the Volunteers to force overtime, and DeSean Bishop ripped off a 25-yard touchdown run on the first play of the extra period. The Tennessee defense then clamped down and forced a turnover on downs to end the game, capping off an impactful performance that included 11 tackles for loss, five sacks and an interception and fumble recovery that were both returned for touchdowns.
13. Iowa State (5-0, Previous Rank: 14)
Week 5 Result: Win vs. Arizona (39-14)
Next Week: at Cincinnati
The Cyclones opened the game with 22 unanswered points and were in complete control the entire way against a previously undefeated Arizona team to improve to 5-0 for the second year in a row. Quarterback Rocco Becht had three rushing touchdowns and Carson Hanson tallied 19 carries for 63 yards and two scores of his own on the ground. Road games in the Big 12 are never easy, but the Cyclones should be favored against Cincinnati and Colorado the next two weeks.
12. Texas (3-1, Previous Rank: 10)
Week 5 Result: BYE
Next Week: at Florida
With a Week 1 loss to Ohio State and a lackluster showing against UTEP two weeks later, the Longhorns have faced plenty of scrutiny in their early going this season. A 55-0 blowout of overmatched Sam Houston last weekend did little to change that narrative, though it should be a confidence booster for Arch Manning, who had five total touchdowns and played his best game of the season by far.
11. Indiana (5-0, Previous Rank: 12)
Week 5 Result: Win at Iowa (20-15)
Next Week: BYE
A week after hanging 63 points on No. 9 Illinois, the Hoosiers were able to grind out an ugly win on the road against Iowa. Fernando Mendoza connected with Elijah Sarratt on a 49-yard touchdown pass with 1:28 remaining to break a 13-13 tie, and the defense forced a turnover on downs on the Hawkeyes ensuing possession to seal the win. Now they get a bye week to prepare for a huge Week 7 game at Oregon.
Nos. 10-6
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10. Texas Tech (4-0, Previous Rank: 11)
Week 5 Result: BYE
Next Week: at Houston
The Red Raiders brought in the No. 2-ranked transfer class in the country during the offseason, and that influx of experienced talent has paid dividends in the early going, as they boosted their stock nationally with a 34-10 victory over Utah on the road in Week 4. Head coach Joey McGuire has a big decision to make under center after Behren Morton struggled against the Utes before exiting with an injury, paving the way for Will Hammond to put together an impressive performance in relief.
9. Ole Miss (5-0, Previous Rank: 15)
Week 5 Result: Win vs. LSU (24-19)
Next Week: BYE
The Rebels overcame two turnovers and 14 penalties for 109 yards to pull out a victory over the No. 4 team in the country, limiting LSU to 254 total yards, 2.6 yards per carry and 2-of-11 on third down conversions. Quarterback Trinidad Chambliss recorded his third straight 300-yard passing game since replacing Austin Simmons, who suffered an ankle injury in Week 2 against Kentucky, and he is making a strong case to hold onto the job the rest of the way.
8. Georgia (3-1, Previous Rank: 2)
Week 5 Result: Loss vs. Alabama (21-24)
Next Week: vs. Kentucky
The Bulldogs FBS-leading 33-game winning streak at home is officially over, but a tip of the cap to an impressive run of success for the Bulldogs. Georgia is now 1-7 against Alabama under Kirby Smart, and they never led on Saturday night, falling behind 14-0 and never bridging the gap. Home against Kentucky and on the road against Auburn is next for the Bulldogs as they look to rebound and avoid an early second loss that would knock them out of the playoff picture.
7. Alabama (3-1, Previous Rank: 16)
Week 5 Result: Win at Georgia (24-21)
Next Week: vs. Vanderbilt
Since opening the season with an upset loss to Florida State, Alabama has annihilated UL-Monroe (73-0), won by multiple touchdowns over Wisconsin (38-14) and now has a signature win against SEC foe Georgia to help push them back into the playoff conversation. Ty Simpson threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns while adding a third score on the ground, and the offense converted an impressive 13-of-19 third downs to help win the time of possession battle by more than 10 minutes.
6. Penn State (3-1, Previous Rank: 3)
Week 5 Result: Loss vs. Oregon (24-30, 2 OT)
Next Week: at UCLA
After cruising to victory over Nevada, FIU and Villanova by a 132-17 margin, the Nittany Lions faced their first real test of the season on Saturday night. Down 17-3 early in the fourth quarter, they tied things up with a pair of late touchdown drives, including a 15-play, 67-yard marathon that concluded with 30 seconds left in regulation. Both teams found the end zone in the first overtime and the Ducks put six points on the board in their second possession before Drew Allar was picked off to end the game. Now the Nittany Lions will need to navigate a remaining schedule that includes Ohio State and Indiana with a loss on their resume.
5. Oklahoma Sooners (4-0, Previous Rank: 9)
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Week 5 Result: BYE
Next Week: vs. Kent State
The Sooners will be without Heisman Trophy candidate John Mateer against Kent State after he underwent surgery to repair a broken bone in his right hand on Thursday, and he is expected to miss roughly a month.
In his absence, Michael Hawkins Jr. will start under center, and next weekend will be an opportunity for him to find some flow in the offense before the Red River Rivalry with Texas in Week 7.
4. Texas A&M Aggies (4-0, Previous Rank: 7)
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Week 5 Result: Win vs. Auburn (16-10)
Next Week: vs. Mississippi State
The Aggies defense limited Auburn to 177 total yards of offense and 0-of-13 on third down conversions while allowing just nine total first downs in a dominant performance.
On the offensive side, Le'Veon Moss shouldered the load with 21 carries for 139 yards and a touchdown, and the rest of the Aggies scoring came on three field goals from Randy Bond.
The Aggies should be favored against Mississippi State, Florida and Arkansas over their next three games as they look to cement their spot in the upper echelon of teams.
3. Miami Hurricanes (4-0, Previous Rank: 4)
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Week 5 Result: BYE
Next Week: at Florida State
With quality wins over Notre Dame and South Florida, along with a 26-7 drubbing of Florida in Week 4, the Hurricanes look like national title contenders.
Their next two games are on the road against Florida State and at home against Louisville. If they can navigate those contests to improve to 6-0, there is a relatively clear path to an undefeated regular season and a playoff berth.
2. Oregon Ducks (5-0, Previous Rank: 6)
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Week 5 Result: Win at Penn State (30-24, 2 OT)
Next Week: BYE
The Ducks are the real deal, and Dante Moore has entered the Heisman Trophy conversation after throwing for 248 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winning strike to Jamari Johnson in the second overtime.
Despite the close final score, Oregon held a massive 424-276 advantage in total yardage, and while the defense bent in the fourth quarter they managed to come up with the big play when it mattered most, sealing the victory with an interception of Drew Allar.
The Ducks have a bye next week, followed by another huge game against Indiana at home in Week 7.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0, Previous Rank: 1)
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Week 5 Result: Win at Washington (24-6)
Next Week: vs. Minnesota
The Buckeyes did not put points on the board until Jeremiah Smith caught an 18-yard touchdown pass with 3:31 remaining in the second quarter to wrap up a 10-play, 73-yard drive, but ultimately found enough offense to back their stingy defense.
The Huskies converted just 1-of-11 third down attempts and were limited to 61 rushing yards on 30 carries.
Quarterback Julian Sayin completed 22-of-28 pass attempts for 208 yards and two touchdowns for the Buckeyes.
B/R Top 25 Rankings After Week 5
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B/R Top 25
1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Miami
4. Texas A&M
5. Oklahoma
6. Penn State
7. Alabama
8. Georgia
9. Ole Miss
10. Texas Tech
11. Indiana
12. Texas
13. Iowa State
14. Tennessee
15. LSU
16. Missouri
17. Florida State
18. Georgia Tech
19. Vanderbilt
20. Louisville
21. Michigan
22. Illinois
23. Utah
24. Arizona State
25. South Florida
What's Next
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It's been nine years since the last time Miami and Florida State were both ranked during their annual in-state clash, and despite the Seminoles surprising loss to Virginia on Friday, they should still be a top 25 team when the next AP poll is released.
With Clemson stumbling out of the national picture, the winner could move into the driver's seat in the ACC race, while a second loss for Florida State would give teams like Georgia Tech and Louisville a clear path to move ahead of them in the pecking order.
One of the biggest upsets of the 2024 season saw unranked Vanderbilt topple No. 1 Alabama in Week 6 last year, and the two teams go head-to-head in that same slot on the schedule this year, as Diego Pavia looks to further add to his legacy and the Crimson Tide look to avoid a devastating second loss.
Texas on the road against Florida is a matchup of highly touted quarterbacks who have underperformed relative to expectations in Arch Manning and DJ Lagway. Both teams are coming off a bye, with the Longhorns looking to re-restablish their status as playoff contenders, while the Gators try to halt a three-game losing streak.
Clemson vs. North Carolina, Boise State vs. Notre Dame and Kansas State vs. Baylor are three games that looked a lot more compelling a month ago, but still have the potential to provide some entertaining football.
See you all next weekend!
