College football rankings: Predicting the AP top 25 poll for Week 5
As the dust settles around the latest slate of games on Saturday, let's look ahead to the next AP top 25 college football rankings
Note: this isn't our ranking of the best teams, but our prediction for how top 25 voters will slot them in the official poll on Sunday
Predicting the AP top 25 college football rankings for Week 5
25. Kansas. We could see the Jayhawks make the rankings after a superb 4-0 start, the first such result in consecutive years since 1913-15, and coming off a win over undefeated BYU heading into the Texas game.
24. Kentucky. A win over Vanderbilt gives the Wildcats a 4-0 start for a third straight season.
23. Missouri. We thought Mizzou should have made the polls last week after beating a ranked K-State, and it definitely should now after staying perfect with a win over Memphis.
22. Florida. A win over Charlotte doesn't prove much, apart from one legendary catch, and although it was a little closer than expected, it's enough to move up in the poll thanks to some new teams expected to move into the top 25 behind the Gators.
21. Tennessee. Joe Milton ran for an 86 yard touchdown on the first play, setting the tone as the Vols stepped on UTSA in a 45-14 decision. UT should have placed behind Florida after last week's loss, but voters didn't make that choice and this week's results aren't likely to make them swap them this time around either.
20. Oregon State. As expected, the Beavers ran well at Wazzu, but the defense struggled to keep pace against the Cougars' potent skill targets. Highly-regarded by top 25 voters, OSU should stay in the rankings given the close result.
19. Ole Miss. Lane Kiffin lost another one to Nick Saban as the Rebels' offense struggled to find room against Alabama's front seven, but should stay in the rankings at 3-1.
18. Miami. Tyler Van Dyke posted 3 TD passes and Henry Parrish ran for 2 more in a 41-7 win over Temple ahead of the ACC opener against Georgia Tech.
17. Duke. The Blue Devils' defense held UConn off the board until the final seconds of a 41-7 rout and have now outscored opponents 149-35 so far with ND coming to Durham next weekend.
16. North Carolina. Drake Maye passed for a score and ran for 2 more while the Tar Heels forced three takeaways in a 17-point win at Pitt.
15. Washington State. The "Pac-2 Champs" after taking down the Beavers, the Cougars recorded a second win over a ranked team as Cameron Ward covered over 400 yards and scored 5 total touchdowns.
14. Oklahoma. OU introduced Cincinnati to the Big 12 with a 20-6 victory and has held each of its opponents to 17 or fewer points so far this season.
13. Alabama. Jalen Milroe made some of his usual mistakes, but he also hit 17 of 21 passes and a score and by beating Ole Miss shows he's still the Tide's best option in a more open-looking SEC West title race.
12. LSU. A close, hard fought game at the lines of scrimmage finally went in the Tigers' favor over unranked Arkansas as Jayden Daniels hit on four touchdown passes. Likely not enough to move up the rankings.
11. Utah. Still no Cameron Rising for the Utes, who rode another strong defensive performance in a close win over UCLA.
10. Notre Dame. Sam Hartman led two key scoring drives to give the Irish a lead over Ohio State, but the defense couldn't hold that last yard in the final seconds. Pollsters shouldn't punish the Domers for a close result against a top 10 opponent.
9. Oregon. Talk about a statement as the Ducks rolled Colorado after Dan Lanning told his team they weren't playing for "clicks." Oregon should move up, but not too far as voters expected a wide margin against the Buffs.
8. Washington. Michael Penix sliced through Cal's defenses for over 300 yards passing and the Huskies look like arguably the Pac-12's best team.
7. Penn State. Looking like a playoff contender after forcing four takeaways and holding Iowa to just 76 total yards in a 31-0 victory.
6. USC. Caleb Williams accounted for five touchdowns but the Trojans' defense left some tackles on the field that kept Arizona State relatively in the game all night.
5. Florida State. A drop might be in order for the Seminoles despite their statement win at Clemson that cements this team as the new class of the ACC, but they might fall after OSU's own statement.
4. Texas. Likewise for the Longhorns after Jonathon Brooks ran for 2 scores and Quinn Ewers threw 2 more in a 38-6 win over Baylor, cementing themselves as Big 12 contenders, before welcoming Kansas next week.
3. Ohio State. A last-second 1-yard touchdown at Notre Dame keeps the Buckeyes perfect and gives Ryan Day one of his best wins at the school, and shows his team can win games in different ways as the offense still looks for its identity.
2. Michigan. Rutgers played strong early, but the Wolverines turned a takeaway into points in Jim Harbaugh's first game back with a 24-point win at home.
1. Georgia. A slow start against UAB for the Bulldogs, but the offense found its way in a 49-21 win and champs should stay put.
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