ESPN college football analyst Rece Davis ranks his top college football teams after five regular-season games.
Many of college football’s top teams are far from perfect, so there are a variety of ways you could rank the best teams. Georgia, which is the defending back-to-back national champions, has not looked like a championship team yet. Florida State, Washington, Ohio State and USC have had at least one close call. Michigan, which has not had a close game, does not have any impressive wins.
Buy Bulldogs TicketsThe College Football Playoff race is starting to shape up. Who are Rece Davis’ top 10 college football teams after Week 5 and ahead of an interesting slate of games in Week 6?
10
Notre Dame
Week 5: Notre Dame 21, Duke 14
Notre Dame earned a gutsy last-second win on the road against a talented Duke team. The Fighting Irish’s College Football Playoff hopes remain alive. Notre Dame has a challenging schedule ahead with an Oct. 7 game at Louisville and a Oct. 14 game at home against USC.
Get more Notre Dame news, analysis and opinions on Fighting Irish Wire
9
USC
Week 5: USC 48, Colorado 41
The USC Trojans must improve defensively, but Rece Davis likes USC star quarterback Caleb Williams, who may be the best player in the nation. USC plays at Arizona this week before playing Notre Dame, Utah, Washington and Oregon as part of a challenging five-week stretch.
8
Oregon
Week 5: Oregon 42, Stanford 6
Oregon has Week 6 off ahead of a massive Week 7 game against Washington. Superstar quarterback Bo Nix overcame a slow start to defeat Stanford in Week 5. He finished with four touchdown passes.
7
Penn State
Week 5: Penn State 41, Northwestern 13
Penn State is 5-0 after defeating Northwestern. The Nittany Lions have a bye week and play UMass before finally playing Ohio State on Oct. 21.
6
Ohio State
Week 5: off
Ohio State had a bye week after a narrow road win at Notre Dame in Week 4. The Buckeyes host an undefeated Maryland team on Oct. 7. The Big Ten looks very interesting this year. Two College Football Playoff teams could emerge from the Big Ten.
Get more Ohio State news, analysis and opinions on Buckeyes Wire
5
Michigan
Week 5: Michigan 45, Nebraska 7
Rece Davis had Michigan as his preseason No. 1, but he is not as high on the Wolverines now. Michigan has played an easy schedule to open the season, but faces a much tougher October and November schedule.
4
Washington
Week 5: Washington 31, Arizona 24
Rece Davis is still confident in the Washington Huskies after they had a one-possession game at Arizona. Washington used the ground game to score four rushing touchdowns against Arizona. The Huskies also have a bye week before facing Oregon in key Pac-12 game on Oct. 14. We’ll know a lot more about Washington after it plays Oregon.
3
Georgia
Week 5: Georgia 27, Auburn 20
Georgia won at Auburn thanks to a monster second half from tight end Brock Bowers. The Bulldogs have a wealth of talent, but are looking to play a complete game.
Georgia faces No. 20 Kentucky in Week 6. The Wildcats are undefeated and are coming off an impressive win over Florida. Could Kentucky knock off Georgia at home?
2
Texas
Week 5: Texas 40, Kansas 14
Quinn Ewers and Texas did not overlook Kansas ahead of the Oklahoma game. The Longhorns pulled away from Kansas in the second half.
Texas and Oklahoma are both 5-0 entering the Red River Showdown. Texas’ road win at Alabama remains one of the top wins in the country this season.
Get more Texas news, analysis and opinions on Longhorns Wire
1
Florida State
Week 5: off
The Seminoles’ bye week came early in the season. Florida State enjoyed it after knocking off ACC rival Clemson on the road.
Florida State is the team to beat in the ACC and has very impressive wins over Clemson and LSU. Florida State wide receiver Keon Coleman and quarterback Jordan Travis are a dynamic duo. The Seminoles return to action against Virginia Tech in Week 6.
