College Football Rankings 2016: Latest Standings and Predictions for Week 5
Week 4 was another classic weekend in college football filled with high-scoring affairs and a handful of thrilling upsets. For the third time in four weeks, a Top 10 team suffered a defeat.
Week 5 is certain to stretch that to four out of five weeks, as we'll have two games pitting Top 10 teams against each other.
Before diving into the Week 5 action, here's a look back at how last weekend's upsets shook up the Top 25, followed by a breakdown of a few of the best games on the docket for this weekend.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
| 1 | Alabama | Alabama |
| 2 | Ohio State | Ohio State |
| 3 | Louisville | Clemson |
| 4 | Michigan | Louisville |
| 5 | Clemson | Michigan |
| 6 | Houston | Stanford |
| 7 | Stanford | Houston |
| 8 | Wisconsin | Wisconsin |
| 9 | Texas A&M | Washington |
| 10 | Washington | Texas A&M |
| 11 | Tennessee | Tennessee |
| 12 | Florida State | Florida State |
| 13 | Baylor | Baylor |
| 14 | Miami | Miami |
| 15 | Nebraska | Nebraska |
| 16 | Ole Miss | Michigan State |
| 17 | Michigan State | Ole Miss |
| 18 | Utah | Utah |
| 19 | San Diego State | TCU |
| 20 | Arkansas | Georgia |
| 21 | TCU | Florida |
| 22 | Texas | Arkansas |
| 23 | Florida | North Carolina |
| 24 | Boise State | San Diego State |
| 25 | Georgia | Texas |
No. 7 Stanford at No. 10 Washington
One of the best matchups of the weekend takes place on Friday night, as the Stanford Cardinal travel north to take on the Washington Huskies.
According to the Washington media guide, this will be the first time the Huskies have hosted a battle between Top 10 opponents since Nebraska visited in September 1997. However, the Huskies haven't been victorious in a battle between Top 10 teams since Billy Joe Hobert led them to victory in the 1992 Rose Bowl against Michigan.
The key to the game will be Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey.
UCLA managed to keep it close against Stanford in Week 3 by limiting the damage done by McCaffrey, especially as a receiver out of the backfield. McCaffrey managed just two receptions for 13 yards against the Bruins.
Washington's talented defense will need to have the same effect on McCaffrey this week.
Stanford lacks a potent passing attack, so if the Huskies are able to contain McCaffrey and limit his big plays, this should be a close battle.
Prediction: Stanford 27, Washington 24
No. 18 Utah at California
Another Pac-12 clash pits the undefeated Utah Utes against the California Golden Bears.
Cal enters the game with a 2-2 mark, but it boasts one of the nation's most dangerous passing attacks, led by quarterback Davis Webb.
Webb has led Cal to at least 40 points in every game this season, including 50 in its last home game against Texas.
If Cal's offense gets rolling, Utah may have a hard time keeping up. Utes quarterback Troy Williams has yet to throw for 300 yards in a game this season and has already thrown four interceptions. This is Williams' first season as the Utes starter, and this could prove to be a season-defining matchup for him and the Utah offense.
Prediction: California 42, Utah 31
No. 3 Louisville at No. 5 Clemson
This is the matchup we've been waiting for since roughly halftime of the Louisville Cardinals' dominant victory over Florida State in Week 3.
After cruising past the Seminoles, the Clemson Tigers appear to be the final challenge standing between Louisville and an ACC championship. With a victory on Saturday, Louisville would need to lose at least two other games in the ACC in order to miss out on the ACC Atlantic Division crown.
Led by quarterback Lamar Jackson, Louisville's offense appeared unstoppable against Florida State. But it's worth noting that the Seminoles were without the star of their defense, safety Derwin James.
Clemson lost a lot of talent to the NFL this past season, but it has reloaded with another dominant crop of defensive stars, including true freshman defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence.
Through four games, 10 different defensive players have recorded a sack for the Tigers. Despite losing high draft picks such as Shaq Lawson and Kevin Dodd, this remains one of the most dangerous front sevens in the nation.
As long as Clemson can avoid falling into an early hole, it should have the balance on both sides of the ball to hold off the Cardinals and keep the ACC race interesting throughout the season.
Prediction: Clemson 42, Louisville 35
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
