By: Brock Vierra

This recent week of college football was a wild one. The biggest winners were those on BYE as Washington, Oregon, Penn State, Utah, and Air Force all either rose in the rankings or stayed where they are despite not playing as Georgia, Oklahoma, and Louisville all reaped the rewards of winning their ranked matchups. The Sooners are now in the driver’s seat for a Big 12 Title and a spot in the College Football Playoffs.

Last week, Miami, Kentucky, Fresno State, and Kansas State were in the Top 25. They were dropped due to not only their loss but the way in which they lost. Kansas State losing to Oklahoma State, a team in disarray is unacceptable. Miami losing despite having the ball under 40 seconds while Georgia Tech had no timeouts was the Mario Cristobal lesson in incompetence that we were all waiting for. Fresno State gets hosed because they’re a G5 program and Kentucky just got boat raced by a team that couldn’t cover the spread. James Madison and Liberty join as undefeated programs while Wyoming’s quality loss at Texas gives them the nudge to get in. They beat Fresno State this week and they have a P5 win over Texas Tech.

Just missing the cut this week are Jacksonville State, Iowa, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

1. Georgia. Some had Georgia on upset alert and that was the bulletin board material they needed. A big win to give them a cushion in the SEC East standings. Such a statement against a ranked team reclaims the top spot for the Bulldogs.
2. Michigan. The Little Brown Jug remains in Ann Arbor after a dominant performance at Minnesota. Michigan welcomes Indiana for what should be another easy Big 10 win.
3. Oklahoma. The BIG winner today, the Golden Hat goes to Norman as Brent Venables gets the biggest win of his head coaching career. A gutsy, gritty performance that springs OU into the top four and Dillion Gabriel into the Heisman conversation.
4. Florida State. Another easy ACC win as the Seminoles were just too much for a Virginia Tech team on the rebound.
5. Washington. The first team out, they welcome Oregon to Seattle for a game that could push the winner into the top four and the winning QB into being the odds-on Heisman favorite. After some R&R this week, a much-needed treat due to their tough win in Tucson the week before, Washington’s wide receivers look to continue their dominant ways.
6. Penn State. James Franklin must be smiling after watching Ohio State struggle against Maryland. His talented roster has a tune up game against UMass this week before their trip to the Shoe the week after.
7. Oregon. A trip to Seattle to play a team that beat them at home in 2022 is what awaits Dan Lanning’s men. A game which will reshape the Pac-12 Title Game picture, Oregon has lost back to back games against Pacific Northwest Opponents with a home loss to the Huskies and a road loss to Oregon State.
8. Ohio State. Mike Locksley might’ve just proved he’s a better coach than Ryan Day. Despite some big wins in recent weeks, Ohio State’s overall performances have done little to quiet the irritation surrounding Day’s program.
9. USC. If Caleb Williams didn’t exist USC might only have two wins in 2023. The sheer brilliance from the Heisman winner is the only reason USC defeated Arizona in one of the wildest games of the year. USC has massive issues with their offensive line, their defense and now with their special teams. Zachariah Branch is dearly missed but despite the Trojans’ injuries, Arizona was also missing their starting QB and RB. Very concerning.
10. Alabama. Another hurdle leaped over, the Crimson Tide go to 3-0 in conference play with a big win over Texas A&M. What looked like a possible trap game gave way to a brilliant day by Dallas Turner, Jalen Milroe and Jermaine Burton. Alabama is one step closer to a trip to Athens.

11-25:

11. North Carolina

12. Louisville

13. Texas

14. Ole Miss

15. Oregon State

16. Air Force

17. Notre Dame

18. UCLA

19. Liberty

20. Missouri

21. Washington State

22. Utah

23. Maryland

24. James Madison

25. Wyoming

For more CFP content, check out Team NBS Media’s Sunday morning recap show, The Last Word.