B/R's 2025 College Football Experts Top 25 Rankings After Week 6

Even with a long list of top-tier teams on a bye, the Week 6 college football slate saw plenty of drama and a major shakeup to the national landscape.

Penn State (37-42 at UCLA) and Texas (21-29 at Florida) both suffered their second loss of the season to unranked opponents, while Iowa State (30-38 at Cincinnati) and Vanderbilt (14-30 at Alabama) also fell on the road for their first losses of the year.

Now it's time for Bleacher Report's updated top 25 ranking after all the Week 6 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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Brendon Lewis (Memphis)

25. Cincinnati (4-1, Previous Rank: NR)

Week 6 Results: Win vs. Iowa State (38-30)

Next Week: vs. UCF

The Bearcats have won four straight since dropping their opener to Nebraska, and they are 2-0 to begin Big 12 play after securing a 37-34 victory over Kansas in Week 5. Brendan Sorsby threw for 214 yards and two touchdowns while adding a third score on the ground, while Evan Pryor (10 carries, 111 yards, 2 TD) and Tawee Walker (14 carries, 89 yards) anchored a rushing attack that averaged 7.6 yards per carry. With UCF and Oklahoma State up next, they have a golden opportunity to run their winning streak to six straight.

24. Memphis (6-0, Previous Rank: NR)

Week 6 Results: Win vs. Tulsa (45-7)
Next Week: BYE

The Memphis offense is averaging 40.5 points during their 6-0 start to the year, and they are nipping at the heels of South Florida for the top spot among Ground of Five teams. Quarterback Brendon Lewis had another productive game with 266 passing yards, 67 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. He also threw two interceptions, but those were offset by the three picks the Tigers defense had against Tulsa quarterback Kirk Francis, to go along with a fumble recovery.

23. South Florida (4-1, Previous Rank: 25)

Week 6 Results: Win vs. Charlotte (54-26)
Next Week: at North Texas

A staggering 407 rushing yards helped the Bulls cruise to victory in a sloppy game where both teams turned the ball over four times, with quarterback Byrum Brown leading the way with 162 yards on 17 carries. A road matchup against North Texas next weekend will not be an easy game, and could be the toughest remaining test for a South Florida team trying to secure the Group of Five bid to the playoffs.

22. Vanderbilt (5-1, Previous Rank: 19)

Week 6 Results: Loss at Alabama (14-30)
Next Week: BYE

"If we play our game, it won't be close."

Bold words from Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia entering Saturday's clash of ranked SEC squads, and a year after beating Alabama at home, he was unable to find that same magic in Tuscaloosa. Pavia finished 21-of-35 passing for 198 yards with one touchdown and one interception, and after briefly leading 14-7 in the second quarter, the Commodores were held scoreless in the second half.

21. Utah (4-1, Previous Rank: 23)

Week 6 Results: BYE
Next Week: vs. Arizona State

The Utes outscored the opposition by a 185-39 margin in their four wins, but laid an egg against Texas Tech when they allowed 24 fourth quarter points en route to a 34-10 loss. Devon Dampier has been dynamic under center and the defense has looked stout outside of that one ugly quarter, but back-to-back games against Arizona State and BYU will better illustrate just how good this Utah team is going to be in 2025.

Nos. 20-16

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Luke Altmyer (Illinois)

20. BYU (5-0, Previous Rank: NR)

Week 6 Results: Win vs. West Virginia (38-24)
Next Week: at Arizona

The Cougars came back to win after falling behind 14-0 against Colorado in Week 5, and they were the ones who built a 14-0 advantage on Friday night. Bear Bachmeier threw for 351 yards and a touchdown, and BYU piled up 516 total yards to help offset three turnovers and 10 penalties. A 7-0 start is not out of the question with Arizona and Utah up next, but then comes back-to-back road games against Iowa State and Texas Tech.

19. Iowa State (5-1, Previous Rank: 13) 

Week 6 Results: Loss at Cincinnati (30-38)
Next Week: at Colorado

The Cyclones trailed 31-7 in the second quarter and ran out of time trying to dig out of that early hole, cutting the lead to one possession with 1:56 remaining, but failing to recover the ensuing onside kick. After entering the game a perfect 5-of-5 on the year on fourth down conversions, the Cyclones turned it over on downs three times while also punting three other times, and that was simply too many empty possessions in a shootout.

18. Arizona State (4-1, Previous Rank: 24)

Week 6 Results: BYE
Next Week: at Utah

The Sun Devils were knocked out of the AP rankings early with a Week 2 loss to Mississippi State, but they are trending in the right direction once again with back-to-back conference victories over Baylor (27-24) and No. 24 TCU (27-24) heading into their bye week. After tallying just nine carries a year ago, Raleek Brown leads the Big 12 with 506 rushing yards and also has 19 receptions as he is doing his best to fill the shoes of All-American Cam Skattebo.

17. Illinois (5-1, Previous Rank: 22)

Week 6 Results: Win at Purdue (43-27)
Next Week: vs. Ohio State

After a dramatic last second victory over USC in Week 5, the Fighting Illini used a 27-point second quarter to seize control against the Boilermakers and coast to victory on the road. Luke Altmyer completed 19-of-22 pass attempts for a career-high 390 yards and a touchdown, Ca'Lil Valentine and Kaden Feagin combined for 111 rushing yards and three touchdowns and the defense helped the cause with a pair of fumble recoveries.

16. Virginia (5-1, Previous Rank: NR)

Week 6 Results: Win at Louisville (30-27, OT)
Next Week: BYE

The Cavaliers took another big step toward proving they are for real after last weekend's 46-38 upset of No. 8 Florida State, besting a previously undefeated Louisville team. The Virginia defense scored on a fumble recovery and an interception while building a 24-14 lead, but Louisville scored 10 fourth quarter points to force overtime. After the Cardinals settled for a field goal, J'Mari Taylor scored the game-winning touchdown to vault the Cavaliers into the national picture.

Nos. 15-11

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Bryce Underwood (Michigan)

15. Michigan (4-1, Previous Rank: 21)

Week 6 Results: Win vs. Wisconsin (24-10)
Next Week: at USC

Bryce Underwood threw for a career-high 270 yards and a touchdown, Justice Haynes racked up 117 rushing yards and two scores and the Wolverines defense limited Wisconsin to 252 total yards in a well-rounded victory to improve to 2-0 in Big Ten play. The Badgers scored a touchdown on their opening drive, but followed that up with seven straight punts, an interception and one final punt before settling for a field goal late in the fourth quarter.

14. Georgia Tech (5-0, Previous Rank: 18)

Week 6 Results: BYE
Next Week: vs. Virginia Tech

The Yellow Jackets are 5-0 for the first time since 2014 when quarterback Justin Thomas led the offense with 1,719 passing yards, 1,086 rushing yards and 26 total touchdowns. It's another dual-threat signal caller anchoring their hot start this time around. Haynes King missed Week 2 with a lower body injury, but he has logged three 100-yard rushing performances in four games while racking up 1,138 total yards and 10 touchdowns. They might be favored in every game the rest of the way until their non-conference showdown with Georgia in the regular-season finale.

13. Missouri (5-0, Previous Rank: 16)

Week 6 Results: BYE
Next Week: vs. Alabama

Despite going 11-2 in 2023 and 10-3 in 2024, Missouri still entered the season unranked in the AP poll. Impressive starts from Penn State transfer Beau Pribula (75.9 comp%, 1,203 passing yards, 9 TD) and Louisiana-Monroe transfer Ahmad Hardy (730 rushing yards, 9 TD) have the Tigers offense averaging 547.6 total yards per game, and the confidence they have built will be tested against Alabama next weekend.

12. LSU (4-1, Previous Rank: 15)

Week 6 Results: BYE
Next Week: vs. South Carolina

Despite lackluster play from quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, the Tigers got off to a 4-0 start before suffering their first loss of the season on the road against Ole Miss last week. Nussmeier has seen his yards per attempt (7.7 to 6.8) and passer rating (142.7 to 134.2) both drop relative to last year, and he is also dealing with an abdominal injury. An improved defense is allowing just 12.2 points per game, but tougher tests await in October.

11. Tennessee (4-1, Previous Rank: 14)

Week 6 Results: BYE
Next Week: vs. Arkansas

The Volunteers have eclipsed 40 points in each of their first five games, and Joey Aguilar leads SEC quarterbacks in passing yards (1,459) and passing touchdowns (13). A three-point loss to Georgia is the only blip on their resume so far, and they will have plenty of opportunities to make that a distant memory with Alabama, Oklahoma and Vanderbilt still on the horizon as they get into the thick of their conference schedule.

Nos. 10-6

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Ty Simpson (Alabama)

10. Indiana (5-0, Previous Rank: 11)

Week 6 Results: BYE
Next Week: at Oregon

The Hoosiers kicked off Big Ten play with a blowout victory over Illinois (63-10) and a grind-it-out win against Iowa (20-15), and their reward was an extra week to prepare for their huge Week 7 showdown against Oregon in Eugene. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza has lived up to the hype through his first five games and garnered plenty of attention, but a defense that is allowing just 221.4 total yards per game (fifth in FBS) might be their biggest strength.

9. Georgia (4-1, Previous Rank: 7)

Week 6 Results: Win vs. Kentucky (35-14)
Next Week: at Auburn

The Bulldogs used a 12-play, 75-yard opening drive and a 13-play, 96-yard second drive to build an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter, with Gunner Stockton capping off both lengthy marches with rushing touchdowns. They cruised to victory from there with 180 total rushing yards in the game and two more rushing scores from Dillon Bell, while the defense limited the Kentucky running game to 45 yards on 22 carries.

8. Ole Miss (5-0, Previous Rank: 9)

Week 6 Results: BYE
Next Week: vs. Washington State

The Rebels had one-score victories over Kentucky (30-23), Arkansas (41-35) and LSU (24-19) during their 5-0 start to the season, and their status as legitimate playoff contenders will be put to the test with back-to-back road games against Georgia and Oklahoma in Week 8 and Week 9. Ferris State transfer Trinidad Chambliss has been fantastic since taking over the starting quarterback role, logging 974 passing yards and 245 rushing yards in three starts.

7. Texas Tech (5-0, Previous Rank: 10)

Week 6 Results: Win at Houston (35-11)
Next Week: vs. Kansas

Quarterback Behren Morton returned from a neck injury to throw for 345 yards and a touchdown, and J'Koby Williams led the way on the ground with 107 yards and two scores, but it's the Red Raiders defense that has them looking like a legitimate playoff contender. They have allowed just 56 points through their first five games, and on Saturday they limited Houston to 267 total yards while forcing three turnovers.

6. Alabama (4-1, Previous Rank: 8)

Week 6 Results: Win vs. Vanderbilt (30-14)
Next Week: at Missouri

With back-to-back wins over ranked SEC opponents, Alabama once again looks the part of a bona fide national title contender, and that season opening loss to Florida State becomes more of a distant memory with each passing week. Ty Simpson had 340 passing yards and two touchdowns, and the Crimson Tide defense did a great job holding Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia in check, holding him to 256 total yards and one touchdown.

5. Oklahoma Sooners (5-0, Previous Rank: 5)

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Michael Hawkins Jr.

Week 6 Results: Win vs. Kent State (44-0)
Next Week: at Texas

No John Mateer, no problem. With its Heisman Trophy candidate sidelined while he recovers from hand surgery, the Sooners turned to Michael Hawkins Jr. for his first start of the season.

The sophomore threw three touchdown passes and ran for another, and all 44 points that Oklahoma scored came during the first three quarters of the game.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma defense allowed just 135 total yards while forcing a pair of turnovers and tallying 13 tackles for loss and five sacks against an overmatched Kent State squad.

4. Texas A&M Aggies (5-0, Previous Rank: 4)

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Marcel Reed

Week 6 Results: Win vs. Mississippi State (31-9)
Next Week: vs. Florida

After squeaking out a 16-10 win over Auburn in Week 5, the Aggies put together a more dominant performance on Saturday night against a Mississippi State team that beat Arizona State and took Tennessee to overtime last week.

Quarterback Marcel Reed had 210 total yards and three touchdowns, and the running game pounded out 299 yards on 54 carries to simply grind the Bulldogs defense down over 60 minutes.

Up next, a Florida team with some momentum following an upset win over Texas.

3. Miami Hurricanes (5-0, Previous Rank: 3)

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Carson Beck

Week 6 Results: Win at Florida State (28-22)
Next Week: BYE

A game that looked like a blowout through three quarters ended up being a lot closer than expected, as a 28-3 Hurricanes lead was whittled to six points before the final whistle, but a win is a win in a rivalry game against a ranked opponent.

Carson Beck gave his Heisman Trophy candidacy a boost by completing 20-of-27 pass attempts for 240 yards and four touchdowns, and he continues to be a terrific fit in the Miami system.

With the Seminoles out of the way, it's a favorable road ahead on the way to a potential undefeated regular season.

2. Oregon Ducks (5-0, Previous Rank: 2)

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Dante Moore

Week 6 Results: BYE
Next Week: vs. Indiana

After a huge 30-24 victory on the road against Penn State in Week 5, the Ducks had a bye week to prepare for another heavyweight clash with Indiana next weekend.

Quarterback Dante Moore threw three touchdown passes in last week's victory, and he was the new Heisman Trophy favorite (+700) entering Week 5, according to DraftKings.

The Ducks do not have to face Ohio State or Illinois in the regular season, so there will be a relatively clear path to the Big Ten championship game if they can survive the Hoosiers in Week 7.

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0, Previous Rank: 1)

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Carnell Tate

Week 6 Results: Win vs. Minnesota (42-3)
Next Week: at Illinois

The Buckeyes defense limited the Golden Gophers to 162 yards of offense and 1-of-11 on third down conversions, dominating like the No. 1 team in the country should against an overmatched opponent, even in conference play.

Julian Sayin had 326 passing yards and three touchdowns, with much of that damage coming from Carnell Tate (9 catches, 183 yards, 1 TD) and Jeremiah Smith (7 catches, 67 yards, 2 TD) who continue to be arguably the best wide receiver tandem in the country.

A tough matchup on the road against Illinois awaits in Week 7.

B/R Top 25 Rankings After Week 6

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B/R Top 25

1. Ohio State
2. Oregon
3. Miami
4. Texas A&M
5. Oklahoma
6. Alabama
7. Texas Tech
8. Ole Miss
9. Georgia
10. Indiana
11. Tennessee
12. LSU
13. Missouri
14. Georgia Tech
15. Michigan
16. Virginia
17. Illinois
18. Arizona State
19. Iowa State
20. BYU
21. Utah
22. Vanderbilt
23. South Florida
24. Memphis
25. Cincinnati

What's Next

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The SEC is loaded with great matchups on the Week 7 slate, but the best game of the weekend belongs to the Big Ten, with the Indiana Hoosiers traveling to Eugene to take on the Oregon Ducks in a battle of undefeated top 10 teams that could end up being a preview of the Big Ten championship.

Ohio State also has a tough draw on the road against Illinois, so there is potential for a shakeup at the top of the rankings as the Big Ten top dogs will be put to the test.

As for the aforementioned SEC lineup, the Red River Rivalry lost some of its luster when Texas suffered its second loss of the year on Saturday, but it's still a huge game for Oklahoma and an opportunity for the Longhorns to play spoiler as they look to get their season back on track.

Instead, the top matchup will be a rolling Alabama team on the road against undefeated Missouri coming off a bye week. Texas A&M (vs. Florida), LSU (vs. South Carolina) and Tennessee (vs. Arkansas) will all be favored at home, while Georgia has a tough road game against Auburn as the Bulldogs look to avoid a second loss.

In the Big 12, Arizona State at Utah is a showdown of two of the top teams in a wide open conference, while BYU (at Arizona) and Iowa State (at Colorado) are both on the road and Texas Tech welcomes Kansas to Lubbock.

Finally, if you're looking to get the weekend's festivities started early, South Florida at North Texas could have significant playoff implications. The Mean Green are off to a 5-0 start and have a breakout star at quarterback in Drew Mestemaker (1,248 yards, 11 TD, 0 INT), and they will look to derail a Bulls team trying to make a run at the Group of Five playoff bid.