2026 College Football Rankings Top 25 – Week 5: Expert picks, analysis, projections including Florida, Oregon
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Week 4 delivered! I kicked five teams out of my top 25 and welcomed five new ones as the upsets rolled one after another. Florida and Mississippi State make the biggest jumps after beating Ole Miss and Missouri whereas teams like Michigan, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M exited stage left in losses. Let’s take a look at my Top 25 rankings and where each team belongs!
2026 Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 20-17 win at #15 Tennessee
Next Game: Bye Week
With President Trump in attendance, Texas held on tight to beat Tennessee, 20-17, in Knoxville. Tennessee scored a touchdown and recovered the onside kick before relying on a last-second Hail Mary attempt. It was a thriller, and a lot of credit should go to the defense. Texas grabbed 10 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, and recovered one of two fumbles. The Longhorns held the Vols to 221 total yards and 4.7 yards per completion. On the flip side, Arch Manning led the offense to 262 yards, 3-of-12 on third downs, 14 first downs, and just 1.7 yards per rush. Texas doesn’t look like the number one team in the country, but they beat the No. 1 team, so they are still in the top spot.
2026 Record: 4-0 (2-0)
Last Game: 41-13 win vs Oklahoma
Next Game: Vs Vanderbilt— Saturday at 12:45 PM ET
The Bulldogs routed Oklahoma, 41-13, jumping out to a 28-0 halftime lead. Georgia forced four turnovers, held Oklahoma to 296 yards, 1.9 yards per carry, and a 2-of-14 mark on third downs. The Bulldogs didn’t have their top running back, Nate Frazier, and still totaled 129 yards on the ground and 5.0 yards per carry. Georgia hosts Vanderbilt next before an epic top 10 showdown with Alabama!
2026 Record: 4-0 (2-0)
Last Game: 52-3 win vs Central Michigan
Next Game: At Clemson — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
As you would have guessed, Miami’s offense exploded for 52 points, and the Hurricanes doused the Chippewas. Darian Mensah had another impeccable performance, going 23-of-27 for 338 yards and three touchdowns. Mensah now has a 14:0 TD-to-INT ratio, and Malachi Toney extended his touchdown streak to six straight games. Miami heads to Clemson next before the bye week and gets an advantage with the Tigers flying back across the country following an 11 PM ET kickoff at Cal.
2026 Record: 3-1 (1-0)
Last Game: 42-19 win vs Illinois
Next Game: At #14 Iowa — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
Two words. Jeremiah Smith. The Buckeyes star receiver is the new favorite for the Heisman after scoring four touchdowns on 12 receptions and 217 yards against Illinois — all career-highs. It was the first time in Ohio State history that a receiver had a double-digit number of catches go for at least 200 yards, and four scores in a game. Ohio State goes to Iowa next for its first ranked matchup since losing at Texas.
2026 Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 29-23 win vs Northwestern
Next Game: At Rutgers — Saturday at 8:00 PM ET
It was a tale of two halves for Indiana on Friday night. The Hoosiers led Northwestern at the half, 12-0, but Indiana was outscored 23-17 in the second half. Aidan Chiles continued to escape Indiana and make plays in the second half to give Indiana a scare. The Hoosiers led 22-20 with a little over five minutes to go. Indiana was torched through the air with 9.8 yards per completion allowed, but was stingy on the ground with 32 rushing yards and 1.2 yards per carry. Indiana doesn’t only get ready for its first road game, but also the only back-to-back road game set of the season. Indiana goes to Rutgers and Nebraska.
2026 Record: 4-0
Last Game: 49-10 win at Purdue
Next Game: At North Carolina — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
The Irish’s defense has given up 33 points in four games and an NCAA-best 199.2 yards allowed per game. Notre Dame held Purdue to 10 points, 40 rushing yards, and posted six sacks. CJ Carr tossed three touchdowns to one interception and the ground game had a healthy 177 yards. Notre Dame will likely add another blowout win to their resume when they visit Chapel Hill and North Carolina next weekend.
2026 Record: 4-0 (2-0)
Last Game: 52-28 win vs #4 Ole Miss
Next Game: At #25 Missouri — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
It may be crazy to have Florida jump this high when I had them at #16 last week, but boy did they look amazing. Jadan Baugh and Duke Clark went for 280 total yards and four touchdowns as Florida’s offense totaled 498 yards, no turnovers, and no sacks taken! The Gators held Ole Miss to 128 rushing yards without Kewan Lacy, and borderline shut Trinidad Chambliss down in the first half. Florida has a rough three-game stretch before the bye week. The Gators go to Missouri, then host South Carolina, before going to Texas. Anything less than 2-1 won’t be acceptable if this Gators squad wants to make the playoffs.
2026 Record: 4-0 (2-0)
Last Game: 49-18 win vs South Carolina
Next Game: At #16 Mississippi State — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
That is four straight games of at least 45 points scored for the Tide! Alabama’s offense has been rolling under Keelon Russell, who threw a career-high four touchdowns and 365 yards against South Carolina. Alabama posted 489 yards of offense, and the defense forced two turnovers while limiting LaNorris Sellers to 185 yards. Alabama has five consecutive ranked opponents on deck (maybe four): Mississippi State, Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and LSU.
2026 Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 49-14 win vs Sam Houston
Next Game: At Colorado — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
Outside of allowing 14 points in the second quarter to Sam Houston and four turnovers, Texas Tech looked ok, I guess. There were highlights for the Red Raiders like 470 total yards of offense, 6.3 yards per carry, and three turnovers forced by the defense, but also lowlights like four turnovers themselves. Will Hammond was responsible for three interceptions, and he now has more picks than touchdowns tossed.
2026 Record: 3-0 (1-0)
Last Game: Bye Week
Next Game: At TCU — Saturday at 7:00 PM ET
BYU had the week off, so there is nothing to report on the Cougars. BYU goes to TCU on Saturday night, then has a short week with Iowa State coming to Provo on Friday. After that two-game stretch out of the bye week, BYU’s season really begins with Notre Dame on Oct. 17. That will be the game of the week, seeing Notre Dame in Utah.
2026 Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 31-17 win at Iowa State
Next Game: Bye Week
Through four games, Utah’s defense has allowed 41 points and ranks 17th with 258.5 yards per game allowed. The Utes opponents are converting third downs at a 28.8% rate (2nd) and Utah ranks tied 13th in turnover margin per game (+1.25). Wayshawn Parker ran for a career-high 174 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries and has now scored four touchdowns against their two P4 opponents. Devon Dampier threw touchdowns and 206 yards to no interceptions as the Utes rolled as they enter the bye week.
2026 Record: 3-1 (1-1)
Last Game: 52-28 loss at #21 Florida
Next Game: Bye Week
The letdown spot was real. The Rebels took a beating from the Gators. Ole Miss had no answer for Florida’s ground game as Jadan Baugh had 142 yards and three touchdowns, plus Duke Clark went for 126 yards and a touchdown. Overall, Florida ran for 302 yards and six touchdowns. The Rebels simply couldn't match that energy, and Kewan Lacy (shoulder) being out was a big reason why. Ole Miss enters the bye week, so the Rebels will likely have their star running back in the mix for Vanderbilt.
2026 Record: 3-1 (1-1)
Last Game: 35-6 win vs #23 Texas A&M
Next Game: Vs McNeese State — Saturday at 7:45 PM ET
Lane Kiffin and LSU responded following their 32-24 loss to Ole Miss. LSU pounded Texas A&M 35-6. The Tigers outgained the Aggies 506-197, averaged 11.1 yards per completion, 5.1 yards per rush, and held A&M to 4-of-15 on third downs. LSU hosts McNeese State next before going to Lexington to face a surging Kentucky team. That Kentucky game will likely start a stretch of four or five ranked teams over the next six games. No rest for the wicked. Well, maybe just this week.
2026 Record: 4-0 (2-0)
Last Game: 31-24 win vs #19 Missouri
Next Game: Vs #7 Alabama — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
Kamario Taylor had another heroic effort leading a fourth-quarter comeback against #19 Missouri. The Bulldogs were down 24-17 entering the fourth, and Taylor led a 14-play, 73-yard drive to tie the game, then an explosive five-play, 85-yard drive in 1:44 to go up 31-24. Taylor finished with 360 passing yards and three touchdowns, while Fluff Bothwell ran for 122 yards and a score. The defense had an incredible 15 pass deflections on 16 of Austin Simmons’ incompletions.
2026 Record: 3-1 (1-0)
Last Game: 41-24 win at West Virginia
Next Game: Bye Week
The Pokes exploded for 28 second-half points to pull away at West Virginia and win 41-24. That’s three straight wins for the Cowboys. Oklahoma State totaled 609 yards of offense, averaged 14.4 yards per completion, and 220 rushing yards on 5.4 yards per carry. Drew Mestemaker threw a season-high 389 yards and three touchdowns, while Caleb Hawkins recorded 180 rushing yards and a touchdown on 31 carries.
2026 Record: 3-1 (1-0)
Last Game: 41-27 win at #12 USC
Next Game: Bye Week
Despite Dante Moore being knocked out on a dirty hit and being on the road in a top-20 matchup, Danning Lanning and Dylan Raiola rallied to beat USC 41-27. Raiola threw for an astonishing 289 yards in relief on 19-of-25 (76%) and two touchdowns. He stood in under pressure and delivered a few deep dimes as the offense flowed smoothly. In the second half, Oregon scored a touchdown on four of their final five drives. Oregon positioned themselves back into the third spot of the Big Ten’s College Football Playoff hopefuls.
2026 Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 20-19 win at #18 Michigan
Next Game: Vs #5 Ohio State — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
The Hawkeyes went on a 91-yard drive over 11 plays in 1:46 to beat Michigan at the Big House. Iowa forced Michigan into a punt on their final two possessions as the Wolverines took the ball out of Bryce Underwood’s hands in the most critical moment. Iowa has held its four opponents to 32 points overall this season and has a favorable schedule to win at least 10 games, but next week will be a loss as they welcome Ohio State to Kinnick Stadium.
2026 Record: 3-1 (0-0)
Last Game: 32-7 win vs Western Michigan
Next Game: Vs Utah State — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
Boise State played its most complete game of the season when they hosed Western Michigan 32-7. The Boise State offense converted 10 out of 14 third downs and earned 21 first downs to WMU’s 12. Boise State outgained WMU 377-223 and held them to 2-of-14 on third and fourth downs. Maddux Madsen tossed three touchdowns and 204 yards, while Davis Riley accounted for 138 yards and a touchdown on 28 attempts. Boise State faces Utah State and Fresno State over the next two weeks before the bye.
2026 Record: 4-1 (1-1)
Last Game: 41-27 loss vs #20 Oregon
Next Game: Vs Washington — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
The Trojans had the world in their palms, but dropped it. USC went into halftime down 13-10 to Oregon, and the Ducks had to move on from Dante Moore after Desman Stephens III targeted him and knocked him out of the game. Stephens has been suspended for their matchup versus Washington. The Trojans ended up getting smoked in the second half by Dylan Raiola. Oregon outscored USC 28-17 and gave up four touchdowns on five drives to start the second half.
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2026 Record: 3-1 (1-1)
Last Game: 45-21 win vs South Alabama
Next Game: At South Carolina — Saturday at 4:15 PM ET
Kentucky didn’t slip up when they faced South Alabama. The Wildcats won 45-21 and outgained the Jaguars 567-354 in yards. Kentucky ran for a whopping 390 yards and, for the first time since 2020, had three players run for 100-plus yards in the same game. CJ Baxter (149, 1 TD), Jason Patterson (137, 3TDs), and Jovantae Barnes (100, 1 TD) all hit 100-plus rushing yards, and the Wildcats dominated with 9.3 yards per rush. Their road game at South Carolina is a must-win if Kentucky wants to continue building momentum off the 31-21 win versus Texas A&M and be taken serious as an SEC dark horse.
2026 Record: 3-1 (0-1)
Last Game: 20-17 loss vs #1 Texas
Next Game: Vs Auburn — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
Faizon Brandon earned my respect on Saturday. Most quarterbacks would have left the game versus Texas injured at some point, but Brandon fought through every hit. Brandon was sacked 10 times and pressured on what seemed like every dropback. Despite that, the Volts had a chance to win at the end after scoring a touchdown to pull within 3, then miraculously grabbed the onside kick before coming up short on a Hail Mary. The Vols won the turnover battle (2-0), outrushed the Longhorns (70-61), and had more first downs (22-14). I was wrong about this team.
2026 Record: 3-1 (0-1)
Last Game: 42-28 win vs Georgia Southern
Next Game: Vs UCF — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
After losing 28-26 at Texas Tech, Houston led by as many as 21 against Georgia Southern and won 42-28. The Cougars went 8-of-9 on third downs, gained 28 first downs, only recorded four penalties, and ran for 202 yards and two touchdowns (4.9 ypc). Connor Weigman threw four touchdowns to four different receivers and finished with 239 yards on 17-of-22 passing. Houston will host UCF next. The Cougars won 30-27 last year at UCF.
2026 Record: 3-1 (1-1)
Last Game: 30-27 win at #16 Louisville
Next Game: Vs Stanford — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
I didn’t think I’d find myself ranking Wake Forest this season, but they didn’t go away against #5 Miami in Week 3 (33-20 loss) and upset #16 Louisville (30-27) on the road this past Saturday. The Demon Deacons held the Cardinals to 75 rushing yards as a team (2.0 ypc) and their dynamic duo of Kejuan Brown and Isaac Brown to 71 combined rushing yards on 21 carries. Louisville ran for 265 yards on SMU the week before, so Wake Forest was ready for Louisville. Wake Forest ranks 29th with 279.5 passing yards per game, and Carlos Hernandez was a big reason for that success over the weekend as he caught nine passes for 194 yards and a touchdown in the upset win.
2026 Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 54-3 win at Maryland
Next Game: Bye Week
The UCLA offense has quitely been pretty good. The Bruins rank fifth in the country with 281.5 rushing yards per game and rank 20th in third-down offense (50%). Nico Iamaleava has thrown four touchdowns in the last two games after throwing none in the first two games, but it’s been all about the running back committee. Wayne Knight has 445 rushing yards and nine touchdowns; Anthony Woods has 269 yards and four scores, plus Jaivian Thomas has 155 yards and three touchdowns — Iamaleava has 143 rushing yards and a score as well. UCLA has a bye week to prep for their trip to Eugene, Oregon. USC just ran for 120 yards on Oregon and had to abandon the run late in the second half. UCLA could find some success on the ground against the Ducks.
2026 Record: 3-1 (0-1)
Last Game: 31-24 loss vs #24 Mississippi State
Next Game: Vs #8 Florida — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
The final spot was a tough fill. You have SMU, Wisconsin, Duke, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Nebraska, and my second pick behind Missouri—Cincinnati. Now, Missouri went toe to toe with Mississippi State and could have beaten them, which is why I am sticking with the Tigers here. If they ever get star running back Ahmad Hardy back from a gunshot wound, then this team can be even more dangerous. Missouri hosts #8 Florida next, who are now in their own letdown spot after catching #4 Ole Miss in the same spot a week ago.
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Out of the Top 25
2026 Record: 2-2 (1-1)
Last Game: 30-27 loss vs Wake Forest
Next Game: At NC State — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
2026 Record: 2-2 (0-2)
Last Game: 35-6 loss at #10 LSU
Next Game: Vs Arkansas — Saturday at 7:00 PM ET
2026 Record: 2-2 (0-2)
Last Game: 41-13 loss at #2 Georgia
Next Game: Bye Week
2026 Record: 3-1 (0-1)
Last Game: 27-24 loss vs Minnesota
Next Game: At #18 USC — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
2026 Record: 3-1 (0-1)
Last Game: 31-26 loss at Cincinnati
Next Game: Bye Week
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New to the Top 25
2026 Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 20-19 win at #18 Michigan
Next Game: Vs #5 Ohio State — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
2026 Record: 3-1 (0-1)
Last Game: 20-17 loss vs #1 Texas
Next Game: Vs Auburn — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
2026 Record: 3-1 (0-1)
Last Game: 42-28 win vs Georgia Southern
Next Game: Vs UCF — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
2026 Record: 3-1 (1-1)
Last Game: 30-27 win at #16 Louisville
Next Game: Vs Stanford — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
2026 Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 54-3 win at Maryland
Next Game: Bye Week
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