College Football Rankings 2011: Bold Predictions for Top 25 in Week 5

When just one loss can end a team’s national championship hopes in college football, history is on the line in every single game.  The first week of October will without a doubt feature plenty of upsets along with four games between ranked opponents.  In those four games, four team’s national title dreams will inch closer to reality while four teams will wake up.

Squads will sky-rocket up and plummet down the rankings.  Teams like LSU, Oklahoma and Boise State are safe for now, but the top 10 as a whole could be unrecognizable after a crazy week.  Here are the favorites in each game and predictions on the outcome of the contests:

No. 14 Texas A&M

Week 5 Opponent: Home vs. No. 18 Arkansas

The Aggies and Razorbacks each have only played one strong opponent this year, and they both lost.  Texas A&M lost to Oklahoma State in a game A&M should’ve won. They boasted a 20-3 lead at halftime, but blew it losing to the Cowboys 30-29.

Arkansas was slaughtered by Alabama in a game in which Trent Richardson rushed 126 yards on 7.4 yards a pop. A&M has a running back in Cyrus Gray who won’t be able to do as much damage as Richardson, but he’ll wear down the Razorbacks. At home, senior quarterback Ryan Tannehill won’t allow the Aggies to dwell on their collapse.

Prediction: 35-31 Texas A&M

Week 6 AP Ranking: No. 11

No. 11 Virginia Tech

Week 5 Opponent: Home vs. No. 13 Clemson

Clemson is one of the hottest teams in the nation. They are coming off wins against two ranked opponents in No. 21 Auburn and No. 11 Florida State. Both of those games were at home, but their battle against Virginia Tech will be in Blacksburg.

VT has played no one thus far. Despite facing sub-par talent in Appalachian State, East Carolina, Arkansas State and Marshall, their passing attack ranks just 71st in the nation while their points per game ranks at an unimpressive 40th. Their sophomore quarterback Logan Thomas will not be able to lead the Hokies to victory against a tested Tigers team.

Prediction: 28-27 Clemson

Week 6 AP Ranking: No. 17

No. 7 Wisconsin

Week 5 Opponent: Home vs. No. 8 Nebraska

Wisconsin is a machine. 

Their offense led by former NC State quarterback Russell Wilson is methodical. A running back duo of Montee Ball and James White gives the Badgers their most talented attack in years. And their defense is just as dominant as in years past.

No more Ndamukong Suh, Prince Amukamara led defense for the Cornhuskers. Their defense isn’t nearly as talented as it has been in years past even with Jared Crick and Alfonzo Dennard. Young, dual-threat QB Taylor Martinez will struggle against Wisconsin’s third-ranked defense.

Nebraska’s move to the Big Ten won’t pay dividends win-wise in year one.

Prediction: 21-17 Wisconsin

Week 6 AP Ranking: No. 5 

No. 3 Alabama

Week 5 Opponent: Away vs. No. 12 Florida

Florida has a strong defense; it’s ranked fourth in the country, but it won’t be enough to stop Trent Richardson. Through four games this year, Richardson has 562 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns. The Gators will have to commit 100 percent to stopping the run to slow down the Heisman candidate, and that won’t help slow down the rapidly progressing AJ McCarron.

Breaking big plays will be the key for Florida. Good thing for the Gators they have arguably the two fastest players in college football in Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey. Against Alabama’s loaded defense though, John Brantley and company won’t be able to move the football consistently.

Prediction: 24-20 Alabama

Week 6 AP Ranking: No. 2

David Daniels is a Featured Columnist at Bleacher Report and a Syndicated Writer. Follow him on Twitter.