Week 5 featured an eye popping performance from Keelon Russell and the Alabama Crimson Tide that has them in the conversation for the best offense in the country, but they weren’t the biggest winner, no. That was Missouri. The Tigers throttled the Florida Gators as the two are my biggest winner and loser of this week’s rankings. This week, I have three teams in my top 25 that aren’t in the AP Top 25 and two teams in the Top 10 that aren’t in theirs. Let’s take a look at the Top 25 and where each team lands!
2026 Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Last Game: 20-17 win at #15 Tennessee
Next Game: Vs Oklahoma — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
Texas had a much-needed bye week after a tussle in Knoxville. The Longhorns have a brutal schedule awaiting them starting with the Red River Rivalry, which might be the easiest on paper until November 21. Texas plays five-straight rank opponents after Oklahoma (Florida, Ole Miss, Miss St, Missouri, LSU). A Texas loss would shake up the rankings and I expect it to happen in the next few weeks.
2026 Record: 5-0 (3-0)
Last Game: 38-14 win vs Vanderbilt
Next Game: At #6 Alabama— Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
Georgia put up a second-half shutout against Vanderbilt following a 21-14 lead at the half. The Bulldogs outgained Vanderbilt 371-293, converted 7-of-10 third downs (70%), and held the Commodores to 85 rushing yards. Only Western Kentucky has been able to eclipse 100 rushing yards versus Georgia this year. Gunner Stockton threw three touchdowns and 295 yards on 25-of-32 (78.1%)
2026 Record: 5-0 (3-0)
Last Game: 41-13 win vs Florida State
Next Game: Bye Week
Miami earned its fourth blowout win in five games following a 41-13 beatdown on Clemson. The Hurricanes defense held the Tigers to 55 rushing yards and forced two turnovers. Darian Mensah (227 yards, 1 TD) and Malachi Toney (5 rec, 40 yards) had their quietest games as the ground game was in control with 192 yards and three touchdowns.
2026 Record: 4-1 (2-0)
Last Game: 31-14 win at #14 Iowa
Next Game: Vs Maryland — Saturday at 4:15 PM ET
The first quarter of Ohio State and Iowa might have been the most entertaining part of the game. Once the Buckeyes built a lead, they sat on Iowa. The Buckeyes defense held the Hawkeyes to 199 total yards of offense, 1.9 yards per carry, and forced two turnovers. Julian Sayin threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns, but once again, the headliner was Jeremiah Smith‘s performance. Smith caught 11 passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Smith now leads the nation in receptions (44), yards (823), and touchdowns (9).
2026 Record: 5-0 (2-0)
Last Game: 47-15 win at Rutgers
Next Game: At Nebraska — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
Indiana’s second-half performance raised some red flags against Northwestern, but there was no carry over against Rutgers. The Hoosiers routed Rutgers 47-15 and outgained the Scarlet Knights in yards 593-254 and did not commit a single penalty. Turbo Richard ran for career-high 204 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, while Lee Beebe Jr. posted 122 yards on 18 attempts and a score. Indiana goes to Nebraska before hosting Ohio State on Oct. 17. We’ll see if there is a letdown for either Indiana or Ohio State in this look-ahead spot.
2026 Record: 5-0 (3-0)
Last Game: 56-23 win at #16 Mississippi State
Next Game: Vs #2 Georgia — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
Alabama versus Mississippi State was the game everyone clocked in to watch at noon last week and most of us had to change the channel for the second half (Alabama won 56-23). Keelon Russell and this Alabama offense has been a buzzsaw. The Tide have scored 45 or more points in every game and are second the country in scoring at 49.4 points per game. Russell threw for three touchdowns and ran for another as he totaled 301 total yards of offense. He’s now a top five contender for the Heisman and has the chance to become No. 1 if he beats Georgia this weekend.
2026 Record: 5-0
Last Game: 37-26 win at North Carolina
Next Game: Vs Stanford — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
Notre Dame drops a spot back for me not just because of Alabama’s win, but also the fact the Irish gave up 26 points to North Carolina. The Irish completed their back-to-back road trip with 39 and 11-point wins over Purdue and UNC as they enter this look-ahead spot. After Stanford, Notre Dame goes to BYU for a top 10 ranked matchup. I cannot wait!
2026 Record: 5-0 (2-0)
Last Game: 29-7 win at Colorado
Next Game: Bye Week
The Red Raiders smothered Colorado in Boulder over the weekend. Texas Tech scored a zero yard interception return for a touchdown (you have to see it to believe it) and forced four turnovers overall. Texas Tech did get outgained in yards 375-315, but held Colorado to 78 rushing yards and 6.2 yards per pass. Texas Tech goes into the bye week in a good spot.
2026 Record: 4-0 (2-0)
Last Game: 17-10 win at TCU
Next Game: Vs Iowa State — Friday at 10:15 PM ET
Fresh off the bye week, BYU had a scrap on its hands. BYU beat TCU 17-10 scoring a touchdown with 2:06 left to pull head 17-7. The Cougars only put up 216 yards of offense and gained 15 first downs, but were successful on third downs at 8-for-16. Bear Bachmeier ran for both of BYU’s touchdowns and had more rushing yards (66) than passing (62).
2026 Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Last Game: Bye Week
Next Game: Vs Kansas — Saturday at 10:15 PM ET
Utah enjoyed a bye week following 41 points allowed through four games. The Utes have one of the most physical defenses in the country, so the rest was needed. Kansas is on deck for the Utes following the Jayhawks 55-0 blowout win over Middle Tennessee. Utah beat Kansas 31-21 on the road last year.
Peacock offers one of the most comprehensive live sports streaming lineups available today, bringing together the NFL, NBA, MLB, WNBA, Premier League, NCAA football, NCAA basketball, golf, motorsports, and major global sporting events in a single service.
2026 Record: 3-1 (1-1)
Last Game: Bye Week
Next Game: At Vanderbilt — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
Ole Miss is coming off a bye week to prepare for a road trip to Vanderbilt. The Rebels are expecting Kewan Lacy back after he missed the Florida game with a left shoulder injury. Ole Miss ran for 128 yards against Florida, but also surrendered 302 rushing yards to the Gators. Look for a bounce back for the defense against a struggling Vanderbilt offense.
2026 Record: 4-1 (1-1)
Last Game: 63-14 win vs McNeese State
Next Game: At Kentucky — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
LSU freshened up with a 63-14 win over McNeese State. The Tigers gained 39 first downs, went 12-of-20 on third and fourth downs, plus outgained McNeese State, 731-196. LSU ran for 367 rushing yards as three different players posted 79-plus rushing yards. LSU goes to Kentucky next. LSU hasn’t gone to Lexington since 2021 (42-21 loss).
2026 Record: 3-1 (1-0)
Last Game: 41-24 win at West Virginia
Next Game: Vs UCF — Saturday at 12 PM ET
After beating West Virginia on the road, Oklahoma State enjoyed a bye week. The Cowboys will host UCF this weekend before going to Houston next week for a ranked matchup. Oklahoma State has scored 139 points in the last three games after putting up 10 points in a dud against Tulsa.
2026 Record: 3-1 (1-0)
Last Game: Bye Week
Next Game: Vs #21 UCLA — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
After beating USC, Dan Lanning and the Ducks are at home for two-straight weeks to follow the bye week. Oregon hosts UCLA and Nebraska, two teams are on the cusp of the top 25 in most peoples minds. Oregon has won five-straight meetings versus UCLA and are -11.5 points favorites this time around.
2026 Record: 4-1 (1-1)
Last Game: 45-17 win vs #8 Florida
Next Game: Vs Texas A&M — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
The biggest winner of the week was Missouri. The Tigers offense totaled 560 yards of offense with no turnovers and only four penalties. Austin Simmons went for 340 passing yards on 23-of-30 (76.6%) for two touchdowns, while Jamal Roberts ran for a career-high 211 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries. Missouri will host Texas A&M next but over the next month, the Tigers play three top-10 teams, Ole Miss, Texas, and Georgia.
2026 Record: 4-1 (2-1)
Last Game: 45-17 loss at #25 Missouri
Next Game: Vs South Carolina — Saturday at 12:45 PM ET
Florida ran wild against Ole MMiss, but Missouri was’t having any of it. The Gators ran for a season-low 42 yards on 25 carries (1.7 ypc) and ended up playing two quarterbacks due to the blowout. Florida allowed 560 total yards of offense and have no time to dwell on the past as they play South Carolina, Texas, and Georgia over the next four weeks.
2026 Record: 4-1 (1-0)
Last Game: 37-18 win vs Utah State
Next Game: At Fresno State — Saturday at 10:30 PM ET
Boise State has now played five-straight weeks and have one more at Fresno State before getting a bye week. The Broncos earned their fourth-straight win of at least 14 points when they beat Utah State by 19. Boise State started the game off with three-straight touchdown drives and finished with 429 total yards of offense and no turnovers. Boise State will likely be favored in every regular season game and still has a route to the College Football Playoff.
2026 Record: 4-1 (2-1)
Last Game: 35-34 OT win at South Carolina
Next Game: Vs #10 LSU — Saturday at 7:00 PM ET
Kentucky was down 17-0 at South Carolina and took the lead 24-20 in the third quarter before almost losing in regulation. Kentucky had a chance to score a touchdown with 4:13 remaining but opted for a 29-year field goal on a fourth and one. Kentucky matched South Carolina in OT with a score, then one-upped them with a successful two-point conversion. The Wildcats are surging, but you have to question if the all-out effort over South Carolina will lead to a fatigued second-half effort against LSU this weekend.
2026 Record: 4-1 (2-1)
Last Game: 56-23 loss vs #7 Alabama
Next Game: Bye Week
Boy was I wrong about Mississippi State. However, it looks like playing catch up against South Carolina and Missouri caught up to the Bulldogs against Alabama’s high-octane offense. Mississippi State abandoned the game finishing with 18 rushing yards and 0.6 yards per carry. Kamario Taylor threw two early interceptions and lost a fumble as a part of four turnovers from the Bulldogs. Mississippi State enters the bye week with their heads down, but with LSU the following weekend, the Bulldogs have no time to loathe in the loss.
2026 Record: 5-1 (2-1)
Last Game: 25-21 win vs Washington
Next Game: At Penn State — Saturday at 7:30 PM ET
USC nearly lost to Washington, but stood strong on the final drive with a fourth down stop after the Huskies converted two earlier in the drive. The Trojans bounced back after the loss to Oregon, but still have a rough road to the playoff. USC goes to Penn State and Wisconsin over the next two games (bye week in-between) then plays Ohio State and Indiana back-to-back. Those are four consecutive physical conference games. USC might be in trouble.
What devices does Peacock support?You can enjoy Peacock on a variety of devices. View the full list of supported devices here.
2026 Record: 4-1 (1-1)
Last Game: 24-14 win vs Auburn
Next Game: At Arkansas — Saturday at 4:15 PM ET
Faizon Brandon was benched in favor of George MacIntyre and it led to a 24-14 win. Tennessee scored 21 second half points in a game festered with turnovers. Both teams combined for five turnovers with two coming from the Vols. 220 out of Tennessee’s 323 yards came from DeSan Bishop as he ran for a career-high 220 yards on 34 carries and all three Vols’ touchdowns. With Arkansas next, that’s a good game for Brandon or MacIntyre to get a rhythm.
2026 Record: 4-1 (1-1)
Last Game: 27-17 win vs UCF
Next Game: At Kansas State — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
Houston was shutout in the first half against UCF, but rallied with a 27-7 second half to steal the win. The Cougars punted on their first drive on the third quarter, then scored on five-straight possessions (3 TDs, 2 FGs) before taking kneel downs. On UCF’s final five drives, Houston forced two punts, grabbed one interception, and had two turnovers on downs. Houston goes to Kansas State this weekend, then has ranked opponents back-to-back weeks with Oklahoma State and Utah. With a loss to Texas Tech already, another conference loss is likely the nail in the coffin for Houston to make the Big 12 Championship Game.
2026 Record: 4-1 (1-1)
Last Game: 57-3 win vs Stanford
Next Game: At NC State — Saturday at 12:00 PM ET
One of the most lopsided games of the weekend was Wake Forest demolishing Stanford, 57-3. Wake Forest outgained Stanford 519-197 in yards and converted 10 out of 13 third downs (76.9%) with 26 first downs to the Cardinals’ 13. Wake Forest scored on eight out of 11 drives and held Stanford to 49 rushing yards and 1.4 yards per carry. Wake Forest is going on the road for two weeks straight and that will make or break the season. The Demon Deacons go to NC State and California before their bye week and we’ll know whether or not Wake Forest can position themselves in the top three for the ACC.
2026 Record: 4-0 (1-0)
Last Game: Bye Week
Next Game: At #13 Oregon — Saturday at 3:30 PM ET
I can’t wait to see what UCLA cooked up during the bye week for Oregon. The Bruins have scored 45 or more points in three-straight games and 106 points in the last two Ames against the bottom of the Big Ten, Maryland and Purdue. Wayne Knight has ran for 97 or more yards in three straight games and will be the key player to wtach and a difference-maker against Oregon.
2026 Record: 4-1 (2-0)
Last Game: 20-14 win vs Michigan
Next Game: At Purdue — Saturday at 8:00 PM ET
One of the most fun stories over the last two weeks has been PJ Fleck‘s postgame antics following wins over Washington and Michigan. Minnesota is streaking right now and my only addition to the Top 25. Minnesota heads to Purdue this week for what should be a double-digit win before a bye week. Minnesota plays Iowa, Indiana, and UCLA out of the bye week — three AP Top 25 teams.
Out of the Top 25
2026 Record: 4-1 (1-1)
Last Game: 31-14 loss vs #5 Ohio State
Next Game: At Washington — Friday at 9:00 PM ET
It may be unfair to take Iowa out of the Top 25 following a loss to Ohio State, but the Hawkeyes didn’t show much fight and were unable to run. I give UCLA and Minnesota the slight edge right now in the rankings and think Iowa is on upset alert at Washington. Iowa hasn’t been to Seattle since 1963!
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the college football schedule!
New to the Top 25
2026 Record: 4-1 (2-0)
Last Game: 20-14 win vs Michigan
Next Game: At Purdue — Saturday at 8:00 PM ET
With Minnesota beating Washington and Michigan back-to-back weeks, I give them the nod over Iowa who has wins over Iowa State and Michigan on their resume. When the two meet in Minnesota on Oct. 24, expect the first to score 20 points wins.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe to Peacock today.
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff:
- Jay Croucher (@croucherJD)
- Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper)
- Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports)
- Trysta Krick (@Trysta_Krick)
