College Football Rankings: Bleacher Report's Week 5 Top 25
It was judgement day in the Pac-12 on Saturday, with five of the conference's six teams squaring off in league games that would end up having a major impact on this week's Bleacher Report Top 25. They did, though the results were surprising.
They weren't the only shocking outcomes from Week 4, and thus we again have a lot of movement in our rankings.
Nineteen of our college football staff voted on the Top 25: writers Ben Axelrod, Greg Couch, Justin Ferguson, Bryan Fischer, David Kenyon, Ben Kercheval, Adam Kramer, Brian Leigh, Mike Monaco, Brian Pedersen, David Regimbal, Barrett Sallee, Brad Shepard, Greg Wallace and Christopher Walsh; video experts Michael Felder and Sean McManus; and editors Eric Bowman and Hunter Mandel.
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 4, then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Others Receiving Votes
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Iowa had its most points since 2002 and is off to its first 4-0 start since 2009 after posting a 62-16 win over North Texas on Saturday. That was only enough to get the Hawkeyes one vote in this week's poll, however.
Maybe a strong performance next week at Wisconsin in the Big Ten opener will be enough to get Iowa into the Top 25.
- Mississippi State (35)
- Memphis (22)
- Florida (21)
- Texas Tech (18)
- Duke (16)
- Houston (15)
- Toledo (14)
- Temple (8)
- Boise State (7)
- North Carolina State (6)
- Missouri (5)
- BYU (4)
- Kentucky (3)
- Iowa (1)
No. 25 Michigan Wolverines
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Poll points: 38
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 4 result: Won 31-0 vs. BYU
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 at Maryland
Michigan (3-1) continued its rapid improvement in Jim Harbaugh's first season, recording its first shutout in nearly three years against one of the more potent offenses in the country.
The Wolverines held BYU (2-2) to 105 yards, and during their three-game win streak, they have held opponents to 4.7 points and 159.3 yards per game.
Michigan's offense was efficient again, with quarterback Jake Rudock producing both through the air and on the ground. Rudock threw for 194 yards and a touchdown and ran for two scores, while De'Veon Smith added 125 rushing yards and a TD.
No. 24 Arizona Wildcats
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Poll points: 41
Last week's ranking: 16th
Week 4 result: Lost 56-30 vs. UCLA
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 at Stanford
Arizona (3-1, 0-1 Pac-12) lost for the fourth straight time to UCLA, giving up 42 first-half points and losing quarterback Anu Solomon to a head injury.
Solomon was hurt late in the first half and didn't return, and before going down he was struggling with just 55 yards and a touchdown on 4-of-10 passing along with 47 rushing yards. Jerrard Randall came in and scored on a 39-yard run his first play, finishing with 128 rushing yards. But he was just 4-of-16 for 45 yards through the air with a TD and an interception.
Nick Wilson ran for 136 yards on 24 carries, but Arizona's defense allowed UCLA to score on six of its seven first-half possessions and gain 497 yards for the game.
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No. 23 Oregon Ducks
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Poll points: 43
Last week's ranking: 14th
Week 4 result: Lost 62-20 vs. Utah
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 at Colorado
Oregon (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12) suffered its worst loss in conference play in 38 years. Considering the earlier loss to Michigan State, the Ducks might be out of the playoff race after the first month of the season.
They gave up 530 yards and committed three turnovers, never getting any closer than 6-6 in the first quarter. They trailed Utah (4-0, 1-0) 20-13 in the second quarter but then allowed 42 consecutive points.
Vernon Adams started at quarterback but was pulled in favor of Jeff Lockie, with each throwing a TD pass. Royce Freeman ran for 77 yards and had 46 receiving yards and a TD.
No. 22 California Golden Bears
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Poll points: 46
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 4 result: Won 30-24 at Washington
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Washington State
California (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) opened conference play with a solid win at Washington, getting two touchdown passes from Jared Goff in the process.
Goff, who threw for 342 yards on 24-of-40 passing, tied Kyle Boller for the school's career TD mark at 64.
The Bears held Washington (2-2, 0-1) to 259 yards and forced five turnovers.
No. 21 West Virginia Mountaineers
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Poll points: 80
Last week's ranking: Not ranked
Week 4 result: Won 45-6 vs. Maryland
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 at Oklahoma
West Virginia (3-0) ended nonconference play with a dominant performance against its border rivals, forcing six turnovers in the process.
The Mountaineers intercepted five passes and recovered a fumble, converting two of those takeaways into 10 points to help build a 45-0 lead.
Skyler Howard threw for 294 yards and four touchdowns, two to Shelton Gibson, and Wendell Smallwood ran for 147 yards and a TD as West Virginia tallied 601 yards of total offense.
No. 20 Oklahoma State Cowboys
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Poll points: 92
Last week's ranking: 22nd
Week 4 result: Won 30-27 at Texas
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Kansas State
Oklahoma State (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) kicked two field goals in the final 1:33, with Ben Grogan's 40-yard field goal with six seconds left coming shortly after Texas (1-3, 0-1) botched a punt that gave the Cowboys great field position.
The Cowboys overcame three turnovers, including an interception by Mason Rudolph that was returned for a touchdown to fall behind 27-24 late in the third quarter. Rudolph threw for 290 yards and a TD on 22-of-34 passing, while J.W. Walsh had short TDs on a pass and a run.
OK State held Texas to 290 yards, limiting mobile quarterback Jerrod Heard to 48 yards on 19 carries.
No. 19 Wisconsin Badgers
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Poll points: 103
Last week's ranking: 21st
Week 4 result: Won 28-0 vs. Hawaii
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Iowa
Wisconsin (3-1) posted its second shutout in the past three games and has allowed three points during a three-game win streak since opening the season with a loss to Alabama.
The Badgers ran for 326 yards with three touchdowns, led by Taiwan Deal's 147 yards and two TDs on 26 carries. Dare Ogunbowale added 85 yards and a rushing score, while Joel Stave threw for 164 yards and a TD.
Wisconsin handed Hawaii its second shutout of the season, limiting the Rainbow Warriors to 15 rushing yards.
No. 18 Stanford Cardinal
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Poll points: 144
Last week's ranking: 24th
Week 4 result: Won 42-24 at Oregon State
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Arizona
Stanford (3-1) won its third straight with another strong performance on offense, with all-purpose star Christian McCaffrey leading the way.
McCaffrey had 303 all-purpose yards on 34 touches, including 206 rushing yards on 30 carries, part of a 325-yard performance for the Cardinal. Barry Sanders Jr. had 97 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries, and Remound Wright scored twice on the ground.
Kevin Hogan threw for 163 yards and two TDs on 9-of-14 passing, pacing Stanford to 114 points in its last three games after losing 16-6 at Northwestern in its season opener.
No. 17 Northwestern Wildcats
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Poll points: 145
Last week's ranking: 20th
Week 4 result: Won 24-19 vs. Ball State
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Minnesota
Northwestern (4-0) shook off a slow start at home against a Mid-American opponent to finish its nonconference schedule without a loss thanks to Clayton Thorson's best game as quarterback.
Thorson threw for 256 yards and three touchdowns, two of those in the third quarter to turn a 10-7 halftime deficit into a 21-10 lead. The Wildcats then had to hold on when Ball State (2-2) scored twice late.
Justin Jackson added 184 rushing yards on 33 carries, and Northwestern amassed 546 yards of total offense.
No. 16 USC Trojans
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Poll points: 172
Last week's ranking: 17th
Week 4 result: Won 42-14 at Arizona State
Week 5 matchup: Bye
USC (3-1, 1-1 Pac-12) rebounded from last week's home loss to Stanford by romping on the road against a team it had lost two straight to, including on a Hail Mary pass at home in 2014.
The Trojans led 35-0 at halftime and tallied 440 yards, with Cody Kessler throwing for 375 yards and five touchdowns on 19-of-33 passing. He did throw his first interception of the year but connected with four different targets for TDs.
Adoree' Jackson had three catches for 131 yards and a TD, while JuJu Smith-Schuster had five catches for 103 yards and two scores.
USC forced Arizona State (2-2, 0-1) into four turnovers, with Chris Hawkins returning a fumble 94 yards for a TD. The Trojans scored 28 points off turnovers.
No. 15 Oklahoma Sooners
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Poll points: 232
Last week's ranking: 15th
Week 4 result: Bye
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. West Virginia
Oklahoma (3-0) has the weekend off before playing nine straight weeks in the Big 12, but the Sooners will head in with momentum following a pair of notable victories.
First was the double-overtime win at Tennessee in which the Sooners rallied from a 17-0 hole thanks to quarterback Baker Mayfield's clutch play. Mayfield followed that up with a record-setting performance in a 52-38 win over Tulsa, putting up 572 yards of total offense, including 487 through the air with six total TDs.
The total yardage was the most ever by an Oklahoma player.
No. 14 Florida State Seminoles
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Poll points: 246
Last week's ranking: 11th
Week 4 result: Bye
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 at Wake Forest
Florida State (3-0, 1-0 ACC) is in the middle of a long stretch without a home game, having last played at Boston College on Sept. 18. The road trip began with a defense-fueled 14-0 win in which the Seminoles managed only 217 yards but held BC to 195 yards.
Notre Dame transfer Everett Golson has yet to commit a turnover at quarterback, but his numbers have been unimpressive to this point. The senior has thrown six touchdown passes but is averaging just 194.7 yards per game.
FSU's defense is allowing 10 points and 256.3 yards per game this season.
No. 13 Texas A&M Aggies
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Poll points: 261
Last week's ranking: 13th
Week 4 result: Won 28-21 (in OT) vs. Arkansas in Arlington, Texas
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Mississippi State
Texas A&M (4-0, 1-0 SEC) knocked off Arkansas in overtime for the second year in a row, scoring the final 15 points of the game.
Tra Carson scored on a two-yard run with 2:50 left, with Josh Reynolds catching a two-point conversion pass from Kyle Allen to force overtime. In the extra frame, Allen connected with Christian Kirk for a 20-yard TD pass, and then the Aggies stopped Arkansas (1-3, 0-1) on downs.
A&M had a chance to win the game in regulation after forcing a fumble near midfield, but a field goal at the buzzer went wide right.
Allen threw for 358 yards and two TDs, with Kirk catching eight passes for 173 yards and two scores. Reynolds had three catches for 106 yards.
A&M won despite allowing 232 rushing yards.
No. 12 Alabama Crimson Tide
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Poll points: 285
Last week's ranking: 9th
Week 4 result: Won 34-0 vs. Louisiana-Monroe
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 at Georgia
Alabama (3-1) rebounded from last week's home loss to Ole Miss with an all-out assault on Sun Belt foe Louisiana-Monroe (1-2), holding the Warhawks to 92 yards, including just nine on the ground.
The Crimson Tide didn't have much in terms of yardage with just 303, including only 137 on the ground, but Jake Coker threw three touchdowns and Derrick Henry added a rushing score.
Alabama forced two turnovers and registered six sacks.
No. 11 Utah Utes
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Poll points: 287 (one first-place vote)
Last week's ranking: 17th
Week 4 result: Won 62-20 at Oregon
Week 5 matchup: Bye
Utah (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) scored its biggest conference win since joining the Pac-12 in 2011, winning in Eugene for the first time in 21 years. And the Utes did it in impressive fashion, using a 28-0 third quarter to turn a close game into a rout.
In handing Oregon its worst home loss since a 54-0 defeat in 1977, Utah racked up 530 yards and forced three turnovers. It had five passing touchdowns, two rushing scores and got a 69-yard punt-return TD from Boobie Hobbs.
"The Utes outclassed Oregon in all three phases," Bleacher Report's Brian Leigh wrote.
Travis Wilson, who missed Utah's last game with a shoulder injury, had 327 yards of total offense and accounted for five TDs (four passing, one rushing). Devontae Booker added 98 rushing yards and threw a TD pass, and both Britain Covey and Caleb Repp had two TD receptions.
No. 10 Clemson Tigers
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Poll points: 298
Last week's ranking: 10th
Week 4 result: Bye
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Notre Dame
Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC) is on an extended break between its conference opener at Louisville and a huge showdown with Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish's first trip to Death Valley since 1977.
The Tigers won 20-17 at Louisville last time out thanks to another strong defensive effort, and for the season they're giving up 12.3 points and 260.7 yards per game.
They've also had strong performances on offense from quarterback Deshaun Watson (seven touchdowns, 74.4 percent completion rate) and running back Wayne Gallman (310 yards, three TDs).
No. 9 LSU Tigers
18 of 26
Poll points: 304
Last week's ranking: 8th
Week 4 result: Won 34-24 at Syracuse
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Eastern Michigan
LSU (3-0) survived a tougher-than-expected trip north by once again leaning on star running back Leonard Fournette, who adds to his growing legend on a weekly basis.
Fournette ran for a career-high 244 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries, and along with a seven-yard reception, he accounted for 59 percent of the Tigers offense. For the year, Fournette has 631 yards and eight TDs and has topped 100 yards in five straight games.
Bleacher Report's Adam Kramer wrote:
"Heismans aren't handed out in September or October—although if they were, we would toss it to him [Fournette] without an ounce of hesitation. If he stays healthy, he's got a wonderful chance to finally turn the quarterback-heavy award on its side.
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LSU also got some late clutch passing from Brandon Harris, who threw for 157 yards and a TD on 8-of-16 passing for his first game with more than 100 yards this season.
No. 8 Georgia Bulldogs
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Poll points: 354
Last week's ranking: 7th
Week 4 result: Won 48-6 vs. Southern
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Alabama
Georgia (4-0) stepped away from SEC action for a week to easily romp over FCS Southern, holding the Jaguars to 184 yards while gaining 532.
Nick Chubb tied Herschel Walker's school record with his 12th straight 100-yard rushing game, with 131 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries along with a receiving TD. Sony Michel added two scores on the ground.
Greyson Lambert, who set an FBS record for single-game completion percentage last week against South Carolina, was 9-of-10 for 146 yards and two TDs.
No. 7 TCU Horned Frogs
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Poll points: 362
Last week's ranking: 4th
Week 4 result: Won 55-52 at Texas Tech
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Texas
TCU (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) managed to escape Lubbock with a wild victory when Aaron Green caught a tipped pass in the back of the end zone with 23 seconds left, then had to thwart a final lateral-filled play to hold off Texas Tech (3-1, 0-1).
Boykin's four-yard TD throw that Green caught was intended for Josh Doctson, who had 18 catches for 267 yards and three scores, but it was high and Doctson could only get a hand on it before Green dove to get the TD. Boykin finished with 527 yards of total offense, including 485 passing yards with four TDs.
Green also ran for 162 yards and two TDs. The Horned Frogs gained 750 yards but also allowed 607 yards and five rushing TDs.
No. 6 UCLA Bruins
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Poll points: 365
Last week's ranking: 11th
Week 4 result: Won 56-30 at Arizona
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Arizona State
UCLA (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) opened conference play in impressive fashion, earning its fourth straight win over Arizona and 12th consecutive victory away from the Rose Bowl.
The Bruins trailed 7-0 but scored on six of their first seven possessions to lead 42-14 at halftime thanks to freshman quarterback Josh Rosen's poised play and Paul Perkins' hard running. Rosen finished with 284 yards and two touchdowns on 19-of-28 passing, while Perkins ran for 85 yards and three TDs as UCLA gained 213 yards on the ground with six TDs.
Jordan Payton added seven catches for 136 yards and a TD for the Bruins.
"UCLA looked every bit like a bunch capable of winning the Pac-12 and reaching the College Football Playoff," USA Today's George Schroeder wrote. "There's plenty of season left, and the Pac-12 South still looks like a minefield. But UCLA looks built for the gantlet."
UCLA took advantage of great returns on special teams and three turnovers by Arizona (3-1, 0-1) to get set up with great field position most of the night. The Bruins allowed 353 rushing yards but prevented the Wildcats from doing anything in the air, either from starter Anu Solomon or backup Jerrard Randall after Solomon left the game with an injury.
No. 5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Poll points: 372
Last week's ranking: 6th
Week 4 result: Won 62-27 vs. Massachusetts
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 at Clemson
Notre Dame (4-0) had its highest scoring output since 1996 and used a 41-0 run to blow out visiting Massachusetts (0-3).
The Fighting Irish had 681 yards, including 457 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 51 carries. C.J. Prosise ran for 149 yards and two TDs, while Josh Adams had 133 yards and a score. Backup quarterback Brandon Wimbush had four carries for 92 yards and a TD.
DeShone Kizer threw for 207 yards and two TDs and added a rushing score.
No. 4 Baylor Bears
23 of 26
Poll points: 402
Last week's ranking: 5th
Week 4 result: Won 70-17 vs. Rice
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Texas Tech (in Arlington, Texas)
Baylor (3-0) netted 793 yards, marking the third time it has totaled more than 700 yards in as many games this season. The Bears also hit the 70-point mark for the sixth time in the past four seasons to blow out another in-state nonconference opponent.
The Bears got six touchdowns and 277 yards from quarterback Seth Russell on 12-of-16 passing, with Corey Coleman converting three of his six receptions into TDs. Baylor ran for 427 yards, with Shock Linwood going for 158 yards and a TD and Terence Williams adding 111 yards and a score.
Baylor held Rice (2-2) to 246 yards of total offense.
No. 3 Michigan State Spartans
24 of 26
Poll points: 432 (three first-place votes)
Last week's ranking: 2nd
Week 4 result: Won 30-10 vs. Central Michigan
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 vs. Purdue
Michigan State (4-0) mostly sleepwalked through its final nonconference game, needing two fourth-quarter touchdowns to make the final score more respectable in what was otherwise an unimpressive offensive game.
The Spartans gained 324 yards, with 181 of that coming on the ground. Gerald Holmes scored two rushing touchdowns, and Madre London added another, while Connor Cook threw for 143 yards and a TD on 11-of-19 passing.
MSU gave up 285 passing yards to Central Michigan (1-3) but sacked quarterback Cooper Rush four times.
No. 2 Ole Miss Rebels
25 of 26
Poll points: 436
Last week's ranking: 3rd
Week 4 result: Won 27-16 vs. Vanderbilt
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 at Florida
Ole Miss (4-0, 2-0 SEC) showed plenty of signs of a post-Alabama hangover, tied at home with Vanderbilt (1-3, 0-2) midway through the third quarter before taking control late.
The Rebels got 321 passing yards from Chad Kelly, who had a touchdown pass and two interceptions, and Jaylen Walton ran for 133 yards and a score. They came into the game averaging 64 points and 567.3 yards per game.
Ole Miss held Vanderbilt to 322 yards but didn't force a takeaway for the first time this season.
No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes
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Poll points: 459 (15 first-place votes)
Last week's ranking: 1st
Week 4 result: Won 38-12 vs. Western Michigan
Week 5 matchup: Oct. 3 at Indiana
Ohio State (4-0) had its most balanced offensive performance since the season-opening win at Virginia Tech, gaining 511 yards while getting touchdowns on the ground, through the air and via its defense.
Cardale Jones threw for 288 yards and two TDs on 19-of-33 passing, nearly matching his passing total from the first three games of 2015. Ezekiel Elliott ran for 124 yards and a TD, part of the Buckeyes' 223 rushing yards and two scores.
Adolphus Washington returned an interception 20 yards for a TD, OSU's 15th defensive score under Urban Meyer since 2012 (the most of any team in FBS).
All slides written by Brian J. Pedersen. Follow the author on Twitter at @realBJP.
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