College Football Rankings 2015: Power Ranking All 128 Teams for Week 6
As the 2015 college football season moves on, the cream continues to rise to the top while the also-rans slide to the bottom of the bowl. We're down to just 20 unbeaten teams out of 128 at the FBS level, and they all sit in the top 35 in our power rankings, while the five remaining winless schools are among the last 20 spots.
In between are a lot of teams passing each other in opposite directions.
Bleacher Report's power rankings are comprised of an average of five sources: B/R's weekly Top 25, the Associated Press Top 25, the Amway Coaches Poll, ratings guru Jeff Sagarin's computer rankings and the author's personal rankings for every FBS school. The top 50 teams are broken down individually, while the rest of the 128 FBS teams are summarized in a few easy-to-digest chunks.
Check out where everyone ranks after five weeks, and then give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Nos. 128-91
1 of 53
Tulane had scored 33 points in its previous five games against FBS opponents, but on Saturday, its offense exploded in a 45-31 win over UCF in American Athletic Conference play. It was the most points for the Green Wave in a single game since November 2013.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Hawaii was shut out on the road for the third straight time, losing 55-0 at Boise State. The last time the Rainbow Warriors scored on the U.S. mainland was Nov. 29, when it lost 28-21 at Fresno State.
- 128. Charlotte 49ers (2-3, 0-2 Conference USA)
- 127. Georgia State Panthers (1-3, 1-0 Sun Belt)
- 126. New Mexico State Aggies (0-4, 0-1 Sun Belt)
- 125. Wyoming Cowboys (0-5, 0-1 Mountain West)
- 124. North Texas Mean Green (0-4, 0-2 Conference USA)
- 123. Miami, Ohio RedHawks (1-4, 0-1 Mid-American)
- 122. Old Dominion Monarchs (2-3, 0-1 Conference USA)
- 121. Idaho Vandals (1-4, 0-2 Sun Belt)
- 120. UTEP Miners (2-3, 0-1 Conference USA)
- 119. Eastern Michigan Eagles (1-4, 0-1 Mid-American)
- 118. Kent State Golden Flashes (2-3, 1-0 Mid-American)
- 117. Kansas Jayhawks (0-4, 0-1 Big 12)
- 116. Texas State Bobcats (1-3)
- 115. South Alabama Jaguars (3-2, 1-0 Sun Belt)
- 114. UTSA Roadrunners (1-4, 1-0 Conference USA)
- 112. (tie) Massachusetts Minutemen (1-3)
- 112. (tie) Florida Atlantic Owls (1-3, 1-0 Conference USA)
- 111. Troy Trojans (1-3, 0-1 Sun Belt)
- 110. Tulane Green Wave (2-2, 1-0 American)
- 109. UCF Knights (0-5, 0-1 American)
- 108. Fresno State Bulldogs (1-4, 0-2 Mountain West)
- 107. SMU Mustangs (1-4, 0-1 American)
- 106. Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (2-3, 0-1 Mountain West)
- 105. Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns (1-3)
- 104. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (1-3, 0-1 Sun Belt)
- 102. (tie) New Mexico Lobos (3-2, 1-0 Mountain West)
- 102. (tie) Army Black Knights (1-4)
- 101. Rice Owls (2-3, 1-1 Conference USA)
- 100. Florida International Golden Panthers (2-3, 0-1 Conference USA)
- 99. South Florida Bulls (1-3, 0-1 American)
- 98. Akron Zips (2-3, 0-1 Mid-American)
- 97. Ball State Cardinals (2-3, 1-1 Mid-American)
- 95. (tie) Connecticut Huskies (2-3, 0-1 American)
- 95. (tie) Buffalo Bulls (2-3, 0-1 Mid-American)
- 94. San Diego State Aztecs (2-3, 1-0 Mountain West)
- 92. (tie) Western Michigan Broncos (1-3)
- 92. (tie) UNLV Runnin' Rebels (2-3, 1-0 Mountain West)
- 91. Arkansas State Red Wolves (2-3, 1-0 Sun Belt)
Nos. 90-61
2 of 53
Iowa State ended a nine-game Big 12 losing streak with a 38-13 win over Kansas, getting 175 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Mike Warren and three total TDs from quarterback Sam B. Richardson. At 2-2, the Cyclones have already matched last season's win total.
- 90. Nevada Wolf Pack (2-3, 0-1 Mountain West)
- 89. San Jose State Spartans (2-3, 1-1 Mountain West)
- 88. Colorado State Rams (2-3, 0-1 Mountain West)
- 87. Rutgers Scarlet Knights (2-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
- 85. (tie) Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (3-2, 1-0 Conference USA)
- 85. (tie) Maryland Terrapins (2-3, 0-1 Big Ten)
- 83. (tie) Tulsa Golden Hurricane (2-2, 0-1 American)
- 83. (tie) Central Michigan Chippewas (2-3, 1-0 Mid-American)
- 81. (tie) Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-3, 0-2 ACC)
- 81. (tie) Virginia Cavaliers (1-3)
- 80. Oregon State Beavers (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12)
- 79. Washington State Cougars (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12)
- 78. Ohio Bobcats (4-1, 1-0 Mid-American)
- 77. Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (2-3, 1-0 Conference USA)
- 76. Colorado Buffaloes (3-2, 0-1 Pac-12)
- 75. Purdue Boilermakers (1-4, 0-1 Big Ten)
- 74. Texas Longhorns (1-4, 0-2 Big 12)
- 73. Northern Illinois Huskies (2-3, 0-1 Mid-American)
- 72. Vanderbilt Commodores (2-3, 0-2 SEC)
- 71. Air Force Falcons (2-2, 1-0 Mountain West)
- 70. Appalachian State Mountaineers (3-1)
- 69. Marshall Thundering Herd (4-1, 1-0 Conference USA)
- 68. Minnesota Golden Gophers (3-2, 0-1 Big Ten)
- 66. (tie) Iowa State Cyclones (2-2, 1-0 Big 12)
- 66. (tie) East Carolina (3-2, 1-1 American)
- 65. South Carolina Gamecocks (2-3, 0-3 SEC)
- 63. (tie) Syracuse (3-1, 1-0 ACC)
- 63. (tie) Cincinnati Bearcats (3-2, 0-2 American)
- 62. Utah State Aggies (2-2, 1-0 Mountain West)
- 61. Georgia Southern Eagles (4-1, 2-0 Sun Belt)
Nos. 60-51
3 of 53
After starting 0-3 for the first time since 1984, Louisville is now on a two-game win streak after its 20-13 win at previously unbeaten North Carolina State.
The Cardinals were paced by freshman quarterback Lamar Jackson, who threw for 103 yards and a touchdown and ran for 121 yards and a TD. He's tops among all freshmen in FBS with 435 rushing yards.
- 60. Bowling Green Falcons (3-2, 1-0 Mid-American)
- 59. Boston College Eagles (3-2, 0-2 ACC)
- 58. Nebraska Cornhuskers (2-3, 0-1 Big Ten)
- 57. Virginia Tech Hokies (2-3, 0-1 ACC)
- 56. Miami, Florida, Hurricanes (3-1)
- 55. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (3-2, 1-1 Conference USA)
- 54. Illinois Fighting Illini (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten)
- 53. Indiana Hoosiers (4-1, 0-1 Big Ten)
- 52. Louisville Cardinals (2-3, 1-1 ACC)
- 51. Arizona Wildcats (3-2, 0-2 Pac-12)
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49. Penn State Nittany Lions
4 of 53
Average rating: 45.5
Week 5 result: Won 20-14 vs. Army
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Indiana
Penn State (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) has won four straight, all at home, since opening the season with a 17-point loss at Temple. But after seeing their scoring and production improve on a game-by-game basis, the Nittany Lions managed only 264 yards.
The Lions rank 15th in FBS in total defense, at 284 yards allowed per game.
49. (tie) Arkansas Razorbacks
5 of 53
Average rating: 45.5
Week 5 result: Won 24-20 at Tennessee
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Alabama
Arkansas (2-3, 1-1 SEC) ended a three-game losing streak and won a conference game outside of Fayetteville for the first time in three years by rallying from a 14-0 deficit fueled by its best rushing performance of the season.
Alex Collins and Rawleigh Williams combined for 254 yards and two touchdowns (both by Collins) as the Razorbacks ran for 275 yards on 50 carries.
48. Texas Tech Red Raiders
6 of 53
Average rating: 45.33
Week 5 result: Lost 63-35 vs. Baylor (in Arlington, Texas)
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Iowa State
Texas Tech (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) has scored 87 points in its past two games but is on a two-game losing streak, the result of having to start its conference schedule with TCU and Baylor.
The Red Raiders rank third in total offense but 125th in defense, and they've allowed 207 points in five games.
Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is fourth nationally in passing, at 367.2 yards per game, though he's thrown five interceptions.
47. Kentucky Wildcats
7 of 53
Average rating: 44.13
Week 5 result: Won 34-27 (in OT) vs. Eastern Kentucky
Week 6 matchup: Bye
Kentucky (4-1, 2-1 SEC) narrowly avoided a disastrous loss to an FCS opponent, scoring two touchdowns in the final 4:59 of regulation and then winning it on Patrick Towles' three-yard TD pass to Dorian Baker in overtime.
It was the fourth career 300-yard passing game for Towles, and it gave the Wildcats their fourth single-digit win of the season. Kentucky's last six games have been decided by eight or fewer points.
46. Auburn Tigers
8 of 53
Average rating: 43.83
Week 5 result: Won 35-21 vs. San Jose State
Week 6 matchup: Bye
Auburn (3-2, 0-2 SEC) rode the rushing of Peyton Barber to end a two-game losing streak, but the Tigers were still outgained by a Mountain West team with a losing record.
Barber scored all five touchdowns and ran for 147 yards on 28 carries. It was his fourth 100-yard game of the season, but prior to Saturday, he's only scored once.
Auburn allowed 182 rushing yards and ranks 108th against the run this season at 209.6 per game.
43. (tie) Washington Huskies
9 of 53
Average rating: 41.0
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 8 at USC
Washington (2-2, 0-1 Pac-12) has looked like a very different team in its wins than in its losses, particularly on offense. In its two victories, the Huskies have averaged 40 points and 493 yards, while in losses to Boise State and California they've managed only 18.5 points and 219 yards per game.
This starts and ends with Washington's quarterback, true freshman Jake Browning. He's averaging 249 passing yards per game, but in the two losses he's averaging 151 per game with three of his four interceptions and none of his five touchdown passes.
43. (tie) Tennessee Volunteers
10 of 53
Average rating: 41.0
Week 5 result: Lost 24-20 vs. Arkansas
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Georgia
Tennessee (2-3, 0-2 SEC) blew its third double-digit lead of the season and third in as many games against FBS opponents, effectively ending any hope the Volunteers had of competing in the SEC East barring a major turnaround.
The Vols are one of six FBS teams to have a lead of at least 13 points in every game this season, according to Peter Edmiston of the Commercial Appeal. The other five (Baylor, Florida State, LSU, Navy and Temple) are unbeaten.
43. (tie) North Carolina State Wolfpack
11 of 53
Average rating: 41.0
Week 5 result: Lost 20-13 vs. Louisville
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 9 at Virginia Tech
North Carolina State (4-1, 0-1 ACC) had its seven-game win streak come to an end on the heels of its worst offensive performance since being shut out by Clemson last October. The Wolfpack had been averaging 46.3 points and 478.5 yards per game, but against Louisville, they had only 228 yards and committed two turnovers.
Leading rusher Matt Dayes scored his 10th touchdown of the season, which ties him for second in the nation, but after going for at least 100 yards in NC State's first four games, he was held to 68 yards on 19 carries.
42. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
12 of 53
Average rating: 40.5
Week 5 result: Won 49-10 at Rice
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Middle Tennessee
Western Kentucky (4-1, 2-0 Conference USA) has averaged 45.3 points per game over its last four, which has included two wins over league foes to up its C-USA win streak to five.
Quarterback Brandon Doughty has thrown for at least 400 yards in four straight games, and his 400- yards-per-game average ranks second in FBS. He's also the most accurate passer in the country, completing 74.1 percent of his throws.
41. Pittsburgh Panthers
13 of 53
Average rating: 40.0
Week 5 result: Won 17-13 at Virginia Tech
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Virginia
Pittsburgh (3-1, 1-0 ACC) allowed only 100 yards in its conference opener, giving first-year coach Pat Narduzzi his first ACC victory in the process.
The Panthers gave up nine rushing yards, and for the season, they rank fourth in FBS at 71.25 rushing yards allowed per game. They're also fourth in total defense at 243.8 yards allowed per game.
40. Missouri Tigers
14 of 53
Average rating: 39.88
Week 5 result: Won 24-10 vs. South Carolina
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Florida
Missouri (4-1, 1-1 SEC) turned to freshman quarterback Drew Lock to get its offense back on track, and he responded with two touchdown passes and a 75 percent completion rate to keep the Tigers in the hunt for a third straight East Division title.
Lock, who started for the suspended Maty Mauk, completed 21 of 28 passes but for only 136 yards. The Tigers also got 163 rushing yards, led by Ish Witter's 98 yards and a TD, while their defense intercepted three passes.
39. North Carolina Tar Heels
15 of 53
Average rating: 37.0
Week 5 result: Won 38-31 at Georgia Tech
Week 6 matchup: Bye
North Carolina (4-1, 1-0 ACC) takes a four-game win streak into its off week, with the last victory by far the most impressive. It was the Tar Heels' first win in Atlanta since 1997, ending an eight-game road skid to Georgia Tech.
UNC trailed 21-0 late in the second half but scored twice in 85 seconds just before halftime, part of a 38-3 run paced by two rushing touchdowns from Elijah Hood and two scores from quarterback Marquise Williams. Williams threw for 134 yards, ran for 148 yards with two TDs and caught a 37-yard TD from Quinshad Davis.
38. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
16 of 53
Average rating: 36.83
Week 5 result: Lost 38-31 vs. North Carolina
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Clemson
Georgia Tech (2-3, 0-2 ACC) is still ranked sixth in FBS in rushing offense, at 311.8 yards per game, but it has become a shell of the normal dominant run team seen last year and to start this season during a three-game losing streak.
The Yellow Jackets have 3.88 yards per carry during the skid, compared to 6.06 per carry in 2014, and without the ability to control the game with their triple-option scheme they've had to throw far too much. All three losses have seen Tech attempt at least 21 passes, and it's lost nine of the last 10 games when quarterbacks have thrown it 20 or more times.
37. BYU Cougars
17 of 53
Average rating: 36.0
Week 5 result: Won 30-13 vs. Connecticut
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. East Carolina
BYU (3-2) had more points and yards (539) in Friday's win than during its previous two games, losses at UCLA and Michigan. The Cougars avoided a three-game losing streak thanks to a bounce-back performance from freshman quarterback Tanner Mangum, who had 365 passing yards and two touchdowns after throwing for 55 yards at Michigan.
The Cougars also ran for a season-high 174 yards, despite not having leading rusher Adam Hine.
36. Temple Owls
18 of 53
Average rating: 34.5
Week 5 result: Won 37-3 at Charlotte
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Tulane
Temple (4-0, 1-0 American) is off to its best start since 1974, winning its last three on the road. The Owls have one of the top all-around performers in Jahad Thomas, who ranks fourth in FBS with 208.5 all-purpose yards per game.
The Owls have led each game by at least 13 points, one of six schools in the country to have achieved that feat.
35. Arizona State Sun Devils
19 of 53
Average rating: 34.4
Week 5 result: Won 38-23 at UCLA
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Colorado
Arizona State (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12) threw itself right back into the South Division race with an impressive win in Los Angeles, its third in as many years against the Pac-12's Southern California teams. And much like last year's win over USC, quarterback Mike Bercovici came through in a big way.
Bercovici threw for a career-high 510 yards at USC last October, and this time had 273 yards with two touchdowns as well as a rushing score. Last week he had his first game as a starter without a TD pass.
ASU's aggressive defensive approach has been burned often this season, but the Sun Devils are tied for sixth in the country with 44 tackles for loss. They've posted at least seven in every game in 2015.
34. Navy Midshipmen
20 of 53
Average rating: 34.2
Week 5 result: Won 33-11 vs. Air Force
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Notre Dame
Navy (4-0, 2-0 American) has won eight straight games and is off to its best start since 2004, doing so with the third-rated rushing offense in the country.
The Midshipmen run for 339.75 yards per game, with quarterback Keenan Reynolds and running back Chris Swain handling the bulk of the production. Reynolds has nine rushing TDs this season and 73 in his career, four behind former Wisconsin star Montee Ball's FBS record of 77.
33. Wisconsin Badgers
21 of 53
Average rating: 33.63
Week 5 result: Lost 10-6 vs. Iowa
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Nebraska
Wisconsin (3-2, 0-1 Big Ten) saw its run game disappear after three straight strong performances, putting too much of an emphasis on a passing game that's improved but still not good enough to carry the Badgers.
Joel Stave was intercepted twice while throwing for 238 yards on 21-of-38 passing, given no support from a run attack that netted 86 yards on 34 carries. Wisconsin has failed to top 100 rushing yards in three of its past six games, its only losses in that span.
32. Mississippi State Bulldogs
22 of 53
Average rating: 33.4
Week 5 result: Lost 30-17 at Texas A&M
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Troy
Mississippi State (3-2, 1-2 SEC) remains a team that will go only as far as quarterback Dak Prescott can take it, which is why the Bulldogs have scored just 53 points in their last three games against FBS opponents.
Prescott is averaging 299.2 yards of total offense per game, which accounts for 68 percent of MSU's yardage. Last year he accounted for 66.4 percent but was also tallying 341.2 yards per outing.
Take away Prescott's rushing, and MSU averages 111.6 yards per game on the ground.
31. Kansas State Wildcats
23 of 53
Average rating: 33.1
Week 5 result: Lost 36-34 at Oklahoma State
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. TCU
Kansas State (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) played much of its last game with a converted wide receiver at quarterback, the fifth man on the depth chart, yet led for much of the game before giving up a deciding field goal in the final minute.
Kody Cook threw for 122 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 87 yards with a score after replacing Joe Hubener, who suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter but returned to give the Wildcats a 34-33 lead with 3:01 left on a five-yard TD run. The two QBs accounted for 302 of the Wildcats' 351 yards in the loss.
It was the first time in 50 games that K-State had the lead at halftime (it was up 28-20) and didn't hang on for victory.
30. Memphis Tigers
24 of 53
Average rating: 31.4
Week 5 result: Won 24-17 at South Florida
Week 6 matchup: Bye
Memphis (5-0, 2-0 American) takes a 12-game winning streak into its bye, during which it will get revved up for a major opportunity when it hosts Ole Miss on Oct. 17.
The Tigers had season lows in points and yards (425) against South Florida, though quarterback Paxton Lynch still had his fourth 300-yard passing game of the season. With 10 touchdowns and a 70.5 percent completion rate, Lynch has the second-most attempts (146) of any FBS quarterback without an interception.
29. Houston Cougars
25 of 53
Average rating: 31.0
Week 5 result: Won 38-24 at Tulsa
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 8 vs. SMU
Houston (4-0, 1-0 American) has the fourth-best offense in the nation at 602.5 yards per game, and while several people are integral to this attack, none are as important as quarterback Greg Ward.
The dual-threat passer had 455 yards of total offense with three rushing touchdowns at Tulsa, and for the year he ranks fifth at 382.5 yards per game. His 472 rushing yards are second-most among quarterbacks, while he's completed 69.7 percent of his passes for eight TDs with only one interception.
28. Oregon Ducks
26 of 53
Average rating: 29.8
Week 5 result: Won 41-24 at Colorado
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Washington State
Oregon (3-2, 1-1 Pac-12) continues to cycle through quarterbacks with Vernon Adams recovering from a broken index finger on his throwing hand, but as long as they can run the ball effectively, the Ducks still have a way to win games.
Saturday's victory at Colorado saw Taylor Alie and Jeff Lockie split snaps but defer mostly to the run game, with Royce Freeman going for 163 yards and two touchdowns and Taj Griffin adding 110 yards and a score. The 361 yards Oregon gained on the ground was its third 300-yard game of the season.
Oregon's defense had its best performance of the year at Colorado, giving up season lows in points and yards (308).
27. Toledo Rockets
27 of 53
Average rating: 29.5
Week 5 result: Won 24-10 at Ball State
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Kent State
Toledo (4-0, 1-0 Mid-American) has won seven in a row and is off to its best start since 2001, using a balanced offense and tremendous run stopping.
The Rockets average 175.25 rushing yards per game despite having no player with more than 244 yards, while quarterback Phillip Ely has thrown for 211.8 yards per contest. Opponents rush for 80.5 yards and 2.4 yards per carry, the last two combining for 12 yards on 54 carries.
26. Duke Blue Devils
28 of 53
Average rating: 28.5
Week 5 result: Won 9-7 vs. Boston College
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Army
Duke (4-1, 2-0 ACC) ranks ninth in the country in yards allowed at 269.8 per game, with three of its four opponents held to single digits in scoring. This performance on the defensive end has masked an offense that has averaged 278 yards per game.
Opponents have completed only 43.8 percent of their passes, best in FBS, with the last three foes going 23-of-66 for 354 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions.
25. West Virginia Mountaineers
29 of 53
Average rating: 26.8
Week 5 result: Lost 44-24 at Oklahoma
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Oklahoma State
West Virginia (3-1, 0-1 Big 12) has looked better on offense than expected this season, considering its youth on that side, but Saturday's loss showed what happens when that unit struggles and the defense isn't able to hold up its end of the bargain.
The Mountaineers allowed 23 points in their first three games but gave up more than that in the first half against Oklahoma, and the 427 yards allowed was a season high. It didn't help West Virginia quarterback Skyler Howard committed five turnovers, three on interceptions and two on lost fumbles from the seven times he was sacked.
Howard threw for 173 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions, along with a 50-yard rushing TD, while completing only 53.1 percent of his passes. He'd completed 69 percent in the first three games.
24. Boise State Broncos
30 of 53
Average rating: 24.8
Week 5 result: Won 55-0 vs. Hawaii
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Colorado State
Boise State (4-1, 1-0 Mountain West) has won three straight by an average score of 54-5 with two shutouts, putting in the past its last-minute loss at BYU to make another push for a New Year's Six bowl bid.
The Broncos are seventh nationally in total defense, giving up 260.2 yards per game, while their offense has two young stars in freshman quarterback Brett Rypien and sophomore running back Jeremy McNichols. McNichols has 10 rushing touchdowns and two receiving scores, his 72 points tops in the country.
23. California Golden Bears
31 of 53
Average rating: 24.2
Week 5 result: Won 34-28 vs. Washington State
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Utah
California (5-0, 2-0 Pac-12) has won its past three games by a combined 13 points, the last two in league play by getting late stops from a defense that has been the Golden Bears' biggest improvement.
A year after ranking last in FBS in passing yards allowed, at 367.2 per game, the Bears are giving up less than 250 per game. They still rank 94th but with 10 interceptions against only four touchdowns yielded; in 2014, they saw opponents score 42 times through the air.
Cal's offense remains productive, ranking 10th in FBS at 527.8 yards per game, as Jared Goff has 1,630 yards with 15 TDs and four picks on 70.2 percent passing.
22. Iowa Hawkeyes
32 of 53
Average rating: 22.0
Week 5 result: Won 10-6 at Wisconsin
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Illinois
Iowa (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) continues its best start since 2009, and after showing off improved offense in its first four games, the defense took center stage in a key road win in its conference opener.
The Hawkeyes held Wisconsin to two long field goals and capitalized on four turnovers, making it so their own offensive struggles didn't factor into the result. All they needed was George Kittle's one-yard touchdown pass from C.J. Beathard late in the first half to claim their first win in Madison in six years.
"The thing we've really focused on this year was being able to finish games, finish a season," defensive lineman Faith Ekakitie told ESPN.com's Jesse Temple. "The big thing we've been preaching is being able to fight for a full 60 minutes. Just play to the very last whistle."
Iowa is holding opponents to 15.4 points and 299.8 yards per game.
21. Oklahoma State Cowboys
33 of 53
Average rating: 20.8
Week 5 result: Won 36-34 vs. Kansas State
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at West Virginia
Oklahoma State (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) has won its last two games by a combined five points, with Ben Grogan kicking game-winning field goals in the final minute of each victory. It might seem like the Cowboys have a guardian angel looking over them, or that could be the officiating those games have had, especially against Kansas State
An officiating mistake awarded OK State a first down on a scoring drive late in the first half when it should have been 4th-and-4, according to a statement from the Big 12, per Jake Trotter of ESPN. OK State scored a touchdown four plays later to go into the half down 28-20, then outscored the Wildcats 18-6 in the second half for its seventh straight win.
20. UCLA Bruins
34 of 53
Average rating: 19.6
Week 5 result: Lost 38-23 vs. Arizona State
Week 6 matchup: Bye
UCLA (4-1, 1-1 Pac-12) might want to petition to have all of its games played on the road, at least when it comes to the conference schedule, since the Bruins' 15-point home loss on Saturday was their fourth at the Rose Bowl in the last six against league opponents.
Any momentum gained from a 56-30 win at Arizona the week before was snuffed out after giving up 465 yards (including 192 on the ground, which slightly lowered their 101st-ranked run defense to 197 per game) and yielding two safeties. The second was voluntary, but you get the picture.
Josh Rosen has had two really good games and three that remind you he's only 18 years old, and in those three, he's tossed all five of his interceptions with a 52.4 percent completion rate.
19. Michigan Wolverines
35 of 53
Average rating: 17.6
Week 5 result: Won 28-0 at Maryland
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Northwestern
Michigan (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) has posted back-to-back shutouts, its first season with two blankings since 2000. The Wolverines have allowed 14 points during their four-game win streak to move to second in the nation in scoring defense at 7.6 points per game and second overall in yards allowed at 184 per contest.
A key to Michigan's success has been its ability to not let turnovers by the offense become costly. Only one of the Wolverines' nine giveaways has resulted in points, that coming on an interception that Utah returned for a touchdown in the season opener.
"The defense itself has been perfect in eight sudden change situations this season, not allowing a single point," wrote Nick Baumgardner of MLive.com. "On drives immediately following a turnover, Michigan's defense has allowed just 32 yards on 24 plays."
18. Northwestern Wildcats
36 of 53
Average rating: 17.2
Week 5 result: Won 27-0 vs. Minnesota
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Michigan
Northwestern (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) leads the nation in scoring defense at 7.0 points allowed per game after recording its second shutout of the season. The Wildcats had only two shutouts in the past 18 seasons.
With its defense stifling all comers and the offense growing under the tandem of quarterback Clayton Thorson and running back Justin Jackson, Northwestern is off to its best start since 2012.
Jackson averages 127.2 rushing yards per game, while Thorson has four passing touchdowns and four rushing scores.
17. Georgia Bulldogs
37 of 53
Average rating: 15.4
Week 5 result: Lost 38-10 vs. Alabama
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Tennessee
Georgia (4-1, 2-1 SEC) was utterly dominated at home in a major opportunity to prove itself as the team to beat in the conference, so now the Bulldogs must refocus and avoid a prolonged skid that would put into jeopardy a chance to make the conference title game for the first time since 2012.
Quarterback Greyson Lambert went from almost perfect in his previous two starts to watching from the sidelines in the second half, the product of a 10-of-24 performance for 86 yards with an interception. Running back Nick Chubb set a school record with his 13th consecutive 100-yard rushing performance, but it was a misleading achievement in that he had 83 of his 146 yards on one carry (when the game was already well out of hand) and averaged 3.3 yards on the other 19 rushes.
And Georgia's defense, which had given up only 3.78 yards per play in its first four games, was torched for more than six yards per snap.
16. Stanford Cardinal
38 of 53
Average rating: 15.2
Week 5 result: Won 55-17 vs. Arizona
Week 6 matchup: Bye
Stanford (4-1, 3-0 Pac-12) continues to see its offense surge after managing only 13 points through the first six quarters of this season. The Cardinal have topped 30 points for four straight games and only a week off prevents them from continuing that trend.
The Cardinal now rank 31st in total offense after gaining 240 yards in their season-opening loss at Northwestern. The run game has produced 300-plus yards the last two weeks, led by Christian McCaffrey's 6.02 yards per carry, while Kevin Hogan has nine touchdown passes and a 67.5 percent completion rate.
14. (tie) USC Trojans
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Average rating: 13.4
Week 5 result: Oct. 8 vs. Washington
Week 6 matchup: Bye
USC (3-1, 1-1 Pac-12) has been hot and cold since conference play started, losing by 10 at home to Stanford and then rolling over Arizona State on the road. But with only one unbeaten team left in the South Division, it's still very much in the race for that and other titles.
The Trojans converted 10 of 16 third-down opportunities in their last game after going 8-of-26 in the first three games. That had been the only weak spot in an offense that ranks ninth in total offense at 532 yards per game and fifth in scoring at 46.8 points per contest.
Cody Kessler is second in the nation in passing efficiency, at 201.18, with 15 touchdown passes and just one interception while completing 73 percent of his passes.
14. (tie) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
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Average rating: 13.4
Week 5 result: Lost 24-22 at Clemson
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Navy
Notre Dame (4-1) showed plenty of fight by rallying from a 21-3 second-half deficit to put itself in position for overtime at Clemson, falling short when its two-point try with seven seconds remaining was unsuccessful. Now the Fighting Irish must regroup in time to handle the next in a series of tough opponents if they want to remain in contention for a playoff bid.
Saturday's loss was the first of five consecutive games against teams with one or zero losses, after Notre Dame opened against opponents who are a combined 5-13.
Turnovers cost Notre Dame dearly against Clemson, giving the ball away four times in the second half (including a lost fumble just short of the goal line late in the fourth quarter). That negated a great overall game from DeShone Kizer, who had 381 yards of total offense and two total touchdowns.
13. Florida Gators
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Average rating: 13.0
Week 5 result: Won 38-10 vs. Ole Miss
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Missouri
Florida (5-0, 3-0 SEC) was a major unknown heading into this season, a team that was devoid of talent on offense and had a new coach in Jim McElwain. But now the Gators have ensured they should be taken seriously following a hot start that's included three impressive wins to jump out to a lead in the SEC's East Division.
The last, an utter destruction of Ole Miss at the Swamp, has the Gators off to their best start since going 7-0 in 2012.
Six freshmen or sophomores start on offense, including redshirt freshman quarterback Will Grier. He's looking like McElwain's next success story, following what he did with Garrett Grayson at Colorado State, as Grier threw for 271 yards and four touchdowns on 24-of-29 passing against the Rebels and for the year has 10 TD passes and a 67.2 percent completion rate.
"He's a quick learner," McElwain said of Grier, per Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports. "You don't see the same thing show up over and over. He's correcting the errors and is starting to be a little more comfortable in the pocket which is not easy in this league."
Combine Grier with Florida's strong defense, which gives up 16.6 points and 304.2 yards per game, and the Gators aren't going to go away anytime soon.
12. Ole Miss Rebels
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Average rating: 11.6
Week 5 result: Lost 38-10 at Florida
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. New Mexico State
When Ole Miss (4-1, 2-1 SEC) loses, it does so in pretty devastating fashion. The Rebels' 28-point loss at Florida was their third straight defeat of at least that margin, following 2014 setbacks to TCU (42-3) in the Peach Bowl and at Arkansas (30-0).
The key for Ole Miss now is to make sure it can rebound, unlike last season when after a 7-0 start it dropped four of six, with only one win against an FBS opponent after mid-October.
Four turnovers sapped any opportunity for the Rebels to win against Florida, and for the season they have 10 giveaways to go with 10 forced turnovers. Last year Ole Miss was plus-seven in turnover margin, though it was minus-three during the 2-4 finish.
11. Florida State Seminoles
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Average rating: 11.0
Week 5 result: Won 24-16 at Wake Forest
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Miami (Florida)
Florida State (4-0, 2-0 ACC) saw what its offense would look like without star running back Dalvin Cook, and it wasn't pretty. The sophomore broke off a 94-yard rushing touchdown but then injured his hamstring and didn't return. Without him, the Seminoles managed only 17 more points and finished with 329 yards.
Coach Jimbo Fisher told Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post Cook is day-to-day with the injury and will not practice the next few days before seeing if he can go against Miami. FSU is also without backup Mario Pender, who remains hospitalized with a collapsed lung, and third-string rusher Johnathan Vickers had only 33 yards with a TD on 10 carries.
FSU still has its defense to fall back on, though that unit allowed 357 yards before Tyler Hunter intercepted a pass in the end zone in the final minute against Wake Forest.
10. LSU Tigers
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Average rating: 10.2
Week 5 result: Won 44-22 vs. Eastern Michigan
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at South Carolina
LSU (4-0, 2-0 SEC) can't take much out of this past game other than the realization that Leonard Fournette is its only reliable offensive weapon. The sophomore became the first SEC player with three consecutive 200-yard rushing performances and is far and away the FBS leader at 216 yards per game, but after there it gets pretty sketchy for the Tigers.
Take away Fournette's 233 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries and LSU gained 246 yards on 38 plays, with quarterback Brandon Harris throwing for only 80 yards with an interception on 4-of-15 passing.
LSU's defense allowed only 255 yards and intercepted three passes, one of which was returned for a TD.
9. Texas A&M Aggies
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Average rating: 10.0
Week 5 result: Won 30-17 vs. Mississippi State
Week 6 matchup: Bye
Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0 SEC) topped 500 yards for the third time this season, with quarterback Kyle Allen (387 yards of total offense, two passing touchdowns) having another strong outing. Yet far more impressive and impactful for the road ahead was the Aggies defense, which is giving up only 18.3 points per game to power-conference opponents.
The Aggies have forced two turnovers apiece against Arizona State, Arkansas and Mississippi State, and for the year, they have eight takeaways. In 2014, they had only 13 takeaways and a minus-seven turnover ratio.
Allen, despite being briefly benched in the season opener, has 13 TD passes and two interceptions while also scoring twice on the ground.
8. Michigan State Spartans
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Average rating: 9.8
Week 5 result: Won 24-21 vs. Purdue
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Rutgers
Michigan State (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) is winning its games but not getting many style points in the process. After building a 21-0 lead, it allowed one of the worst teams in the conference to get in a position to win, only being able to breath after forcing three straight incomplete passes near midfield in the final minute.
The Spartans have won their games by an average of 10.6 points and have been outgained three times.
This past victory was the most impressive for MSU's run game, though, as freshman LJ Scott rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns, while redshirt freshman Madre London added 97 yards.
7. Oklahoma Sooners
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Average rating: 9.4
Week 5 result: Won 44-24 vs. West Virginia
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Texas (in Dallas)
Oklahoma (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) has an offense that can hang with the many explosive attacks in its conference, but in order to be able to compete for the league title, it will need to have more of the defensive efforts it showed this past weekend.
The Sooners gave up 369 yards but forced five turnovers and sacked West Virginia's Skyler Howard seven times. On two of those sacks they forced him to fumble, including one that Jordan Evans returned 41 yards for a touchdown to put the game away midway through the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma had only two takeaways in its first three games, but the pressure on defense combined with continued strong play from Baker Mayfield (320 passing yards, three TDs) is a great combination going forward.
6. Utah Utes
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Average rating: 7.8
Week 5 result: Bye
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. California
Utah (4-0, 1-0 Pac-12) benefited greatly from its week off (and losses by several unbeaten teams) to surge in the power rankings ahead of its first time playing host to ESPN's College GameDay show.
Last time out, the Utes posted their biggest win since joining the Pac-12 in 2011, a 62-20 drubbing of Oregon on the road. Do-everything running back Devontae Booker showed off his varied skills in that game by rushing for 98 yards, catching a 23-yard pass and throwing a 25-yard touchdown.
Utah has won six in a row, its best streak since a nine-game run in 2009-10.
5. Alabama Crimson Tide
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Average rating: 6.4
Week 5 result: Won 38-10 at Georgia
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Arkansas
Reports of an Alabama (4-1, 1-1 SEC) demise have been greatly exaggerated, as Saturday's thorough beatdown of Georgia proved. When the Crimson Tide start to get counted out, it seems, that's when they have their best performances.
Two weeks after turning the ball over five times and giving up several big plays in a home loss to Ole Miss, the Tide were in complete control and asserted their will more so than the heavy rains did. Jake Coker had his coming-out party after a month of uneven performances, even though he had only 218 yards of total offense, since that included a 50-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley as well as a rushing TD.
Derrick Henry also broke out after some quiet games with a career-high 148 yards and a score, while Bama's defense and special teams both chipped in TDs.
4. Clemson Tigers
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Average rating: 5.8
Week 5 result: Won 24-22 vs. Notre Dame
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Georgia Tech
Clemson (4-0, 1-0 ACC) now lays claim to one of the biggest wins of any team in the country after holding off Notre Dame in a hurricane-fueled downpour, the latest step in the Tigers' slow rise to the elite level the last few seasons.
And while a big-play offense and players like dynamic dual-threat quarterback Deshaun Watson remain the most noticeable part of the Tigers, that's not solely why they're winning.
"The Tigers are built these days to win in the trenches, which is to say they’re now to be taken seriously as a program and not a gimmick," USA Today's Dan Wolken wrote.
Despite being outgained 437-296 by Notre Dame, Clemson forced four turnovers in the second half and snuffed out a game-tying two-point conversion try by the Fighting Irish with seven seconds left. The Tigers allow 304.8 yards per game and 14.8 points per game.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
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Average rating: 4.0
Week 5 result: Won 34-27 at Indiana
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 vs. Maryland
Ohio State (5-0, 1-0 Big Ten) had only six points at halftime and trailed at Indiana before finally remembering about the star running back it had seemingly forgotten about for most of this season. Once Ezekiel Elliott became the focus of the offense, the Buckeyes took control.
Elliott ran for a career-high 274 yards and three long touchdowns, breaking off runs of 55, 65 and 75 yards in the second half. Elliott is sixth in FBS at 145.8 yards per game and is riding a 10-game streak with at least 100 rushing yards, but in the first half Saturday he had only 10 carries for 21 yards.
Quarterback play remains an issue for the Buckeyes, who despite having won 18 straight games have the lowest QBR, per ESPN, of any undefeated team in FBS.
2. TCU Horned Frogs
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Average rating: 2.8
Week 5 result: Won 50-7 vs. Texas
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Kansas State
TCU (5-0, 2-0 Big 12) furthered its push toward the top of the college football hierarchy in the state of Texas by crushing the Longhorns in a game that could have been much worse had the Horned Frogs not eased up after taking a 30-0 lead in the first quarter.
The Frogs had 604 yards of total offense, with Trevone Boykin contributing 384 and throwing five touchdown passes. Four of those went to KaVontae Turpin, who had six catches for 138 yards.
It was TCU's second straight blowout of Texas, following last Thanksgiving's 48-10 win in Austin. Its previous seven victories in the series since 1958 were by an average of nine points.
1. Baylor Bears
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Average rating: 2.4
Week 5 result: Won 63-35 vs. Texas Tech (in Arlington, Texas)
Week 6 matchup: Oct. 10 at Kansas
Baylor (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) is making it look too easy on offense, putting up the kind of numbers that seem impossible to sustain but might not be with the way it's been moving the ball. Saturday's scoring output was only its third-best this season, while the 680 yards gained was a season low.
The Bears lead FBS in numerous offensive categories, including scoring (63.8) and total offense (745.3), and their 376.75 rushing yards per game is only a hair behind Georgia Southern for the national lead. Quarterback Seth Russell is the top-rated passer in the country, with an efficiency of 218.75, and his 19 touchdown passes have come on just 103 attempts.
Shock Linwood is averaging 9.42 yards per carry, while Corey Coleman's 11 TD catches are more than all but 12 receivers had in all of 2014, according to David Ubben of Sports on Earth.
We've yet to see what Baylor can do against a team with a good defense, however, since its three FBS opponents are all in the bottom 20 nationally in yards allowed.
Statistics provided by cfbstats.com.
Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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