Josh’s College Football Rankings 2024–Week 5

Some very exciting games this week! We almost had a big upset on Friday night. Then we did get a top ten team lose on Saturday. Well I guess two lost, but I would not call one an upset (someone had to lose the Georgia/Alabama game). Even in the games that were won, we learned a good deal about teams. Games against better opponents help paint a clearer picture than those games against FCS schools, or small conferences. Probably why the CFP committee waits until week seven or eight to release their first rankings.

1.  Texas (5-0)–#1–W 35-13 Mississippi State. I contemplated moving them to second, but after watching the highlights, they looked impressive in this win.
2. Alabama (4-0)–#3–W 41-34 #2 Georgia. I can see the argument for ranking the Crimson Tide #1, I was close to doing it myself. The way the fell apart in the second half is probably what holds me back.
3. Ohio State (4-0)–#4–W 38-7 Michigan State. A dominant conference win for the Buckeyes on the road.
4. Georgia (3-1)–#2–L 41-34 #3 Alabama. I know this is a controversial decision, but they lost a close game to a team that was ranked about the same as them. I still think they are better than the teams below them.
5. Tennessee (4-0)–#5–BYE
6. Penn State (4-0)–#7–W 21-7 #16 Illinois. This was a nerve wracking game! It felt like Illinois was moving the ball easily, but then you realize that it was just that first drive and last drive of the first half. In the second half? The Nittany Lion defense looked elite like in the last few years.
7. Oregon (4-0)–#8–W 34-13 UCLA. It was a tough game for the Ducks, even if the score does not look like it.
8. Missouri (4-0)–#9–BYE
9. Miami (5-0)–#10–W 38-34 Virginia Tech. The Hurricanes almost lost to VT (I am still not sure if that was an incomplete pass or not). They move up a spot because of some other teams losing.
10. Michigan (4-1)–#12–W 27-24 Minnesota. Did the Gophers get screwed at the end? The Wolverines picked up the win, and they continue to do what they have to, but this team will lose a few games this year.
11. Clemson (3-1)–#14–W 40-14 Stanford. Clemson continues to dominate, but it is hard to forget about that week one loss to Georgia.
12. Ole Miss (4-1)–#6–L 20-17 Kentucky. The Rebels ran into a strong defense, and did not handle it well. The season is not over, but their path to the playoffs just got a bit harder.
13. USC (3-1)–#15–W 38-21 Wisconsin. The Badgers looked like they might upset the Trojans…but then the second half happened–USC outscored 28-0 after halftime.
14. LSU (4-1)–#17–W 42-10 South Alabama
15. Notre Dame (4-1)–#21–W 31-24 #13 Louisville. The score looks a little closer than this game actually was. That loss to NIU still stings though, but these wins help.
16. Oklahoma (4-1)–#18–W 27-21 Auburn. A nice conference win for the Sooners.
17. BYU (5-0)–#19–W 34-28 Baylor. Crush K-State, then barely beat Baylor.
18. Kansas State (4-1)–#25–W 42-20 #20 Oklahoma State. The Big XII is wild this year.
19. Arizona (3-1)–HM–W 23-10 #11 Utah. See above…
20. Louisville (3-1)–#13–L 31-24 #21 Notre Dame
21. Boston College (4-1)–#20–W 21-20 Western Kentucky
22. Utah (4-1)–#11–L 23-10 Arizona
23. Duke (5-0)–#24–W 21-20 UNC
24. Texas A&M (4-1)–HM–W 21-17 Arkansas. The Aggies make their way back into the rankings, so they will probably lose next week.
25. Boise State (3-1)–NR–W 45-24 Washington State. I had the Cougars in my Honorable Mentions. I thought the AP was crazy ranking Boise State, but they looked great, and Ashton Jeanty is a beast.

Honorable Mention

•  Illinois (4-1)–#16–L 21-7 #7 Penn State. I still think this team is good, but I am curious to see how they bounce back from this loss to the Nittany Lions.
• Indiana (5-0)–HM–W 42-28 Maryland. The Hoosiers are legit this year. I am not saying they are going to win the Big Ten or anything, but I would not be shocked if they come out of October still undefeated.
• Pitt (4-0)–HM–BYE
• SMU (4-1)–NR–W 42-16 Florida State. Do not sleep on this new member of the ACC. Their only loss was a close one to BYU.
• Iowa State (5-0)–NR–W 20-0 Houston. Meh, still not ready to put them in the Top 25.

Watch List
JMU (4-0)–NR–W 63-7 Ball State. Keep scoring points Dukes!
UNLV (4-0)–NR–W 59-14 Fresno State. I thought this game would be close…I was wrong.
Kentucky (3-2)–NR–W 20-17 #6 Ole Miss. The best two-loss team in the country?
Rutgers (4-0)–NR–W 21-18 Washington. I am being cautious with Rutgers, they have burnt me before whenever I rank them.
Colorado (4-1)–NR–W 48-21 #23 UCF. I thought for sure the Buffaloes would take a big loss against UCF, but I was wrong. I will start paying attention to Coach Prime’s team.

Not many great games next week. I think the biggest game between ranked teams is #8 Missouri at #24 Texas A&M. The Tigers could pick up another quality win with another win over a ranked team. SMU at #20 Louisville could be interesting, especially if the Mustangs win. #11 Clemson faces Florida State…a Clemson win could make it damn near impossible for the Seminoles to reach bowl eligibility. Insane after going undefeated last season. And finally, we have Syracuse heading to UNLV. The Rebels need to win this one to get themselves into that ranking conversation. The Orange are another team that is just outside the rankings. Somewhere in that 35-45 position, a win for them could help get them noticed.

Coaching Hot Seat
Mike Norvell is not going to be fired after this season. At least, I do not think that will happen. BUT, getting destroyed by SMU does not help his job security. It is not impossible for them to end the season with just two wins. Their schedule goes: Clemson, Duke, Miami, UNC, Notre Dame, Charleston Southern, and finally Florida. There is only one guaranteed win in there. 

Awful Losses
Tennessee-Martin over Kennesaw State 24-13. I am not sure that this should even count since Kennesaw State was FCS last year (and not particularly good in that division either). They are competing with Kent State to be the worst FBS team.
Louisiana over Wake Forest 41-38. Another Sun Belt win over the ACC.