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It’s been some time since we’ve had a season and not using a clear-cut No. 1 group this deep into the autumn.
Several teams could make a case, and there are nonetheless many huge video games to be performed. But at this level, it’s time for a change. Texas is the new No. 1 on this week’s Athletic 133.
There are two causes for it. The first is Texas itself. The Longhorns went to Alabama and dealt with the Crimson Tide in what’s the most spectacular single win of the season. Texas additionally took care of enterprise with blowouts of Baylor and Kansas within the final two weeks. Yes, Texas had a short scare in opposition to Wyoming, however the different teams within the high 4 have every had a scare in opposition to an inferior group as effectively. The Longhorns have performed like the most effective group within the nation and have a marquee win. That’s good for No. 1.
The second motive is Georgia. We’re virtually midway via the season, and these gradual begins can’t be ignored anymore. The Bulldogs trailed South Carolina at halftime and wanted a second-half comeback to beat an Auburn group that was pushed round by Texas A&M final week and barely escaped Cal. Georgia hasn’t misplaced, however the Dawgs don’t have a notable win, not like Texas (Alabama), Ohio State (Notre Dame) and Florida State (LSU, Clemson). Sagarin ranks Georgia’s schedule energy at a hundred and thirtieth nationally. It’s not that unhealthy, however nothing Georgia has accomplished this 12 months is price a No. 1 rating at this level in comparison with different teams.
Now, believing in Texas may be well-known final phrases for one week. The Longhorns play Oklahoma in Dallas this Saturday. If they win, we’d see everybody else come round and rank Texas at No. 1. But I’m making the transfer now. If the Longhorns lose, effectively, that’s what I get for considering Texas has turned a nook. These rankings aren’t meant to be predictive. They’re based mostly solely on what has been achieved, and to date, Texas deserves that spot.
GO DEEPER
Behind the AP Top 25 poll: Why I moved Texas to No. 1 over Georgia
Here is that this week’s Athletic 133.
1-10
Outside of Texas and Georgia, the opposite notable transfer on this group is USC. The Trojans get jumped by Oregon on account of their outcomes in opposition to frequent opponent Colorado, and by Notre Dame after the Irish rallied to beat Duke within the closing seconds. USC now sits at No. 10.
Florida State and Ohio State had been each idle, whereas Oregon and Washington are each off this coming week earlier than taking part in one another in Seattle on Oct. 14 in a large sport. Michigan lastly dominated an opponent (Nebraska) from begin to end prefer it ought to, however once more, the Wolverines are going to simply float round in these rankings till they play a notable opponent (Penn State on Nov. 11) or the teams forward of them drop video games. It’s the identical as Georgia. The Bulldogs simply began increased. Both teams have performed very simple schedules, making their rankings principally irrelevant for now. They have the expertise to win the nationwide championship. They simply don’t have the resume but.
GO DEEPER
How good is Washington? After a scorching begin, the Huskies bought examined Saturday
11-25
Maybe Alabama has figured some issues out? The Crimson Tide have rebounded from the scare at USF with multi-score wins in opposition to Ole Miss and Mississippi State, and so they transfer as much as No. 11. Oklahoma continues to look dominant however hasn’t performed anybody of observe but, so the Sooners sit behind North Carolina and Washington State. We’ll get a superb learn on Oklahoma in opposition to Texas this Saturday.
Duke was one fourth-and-long cease away from beating Notre Dame, so the Blue Devils solely fall one spot to No. 15. Oregon State rises forward of Utah as much as No. 17 after beating the shorthanded Utes on Friday night time. Ole Miss dropped out of the highest 25 after shedding to Alabama, however the Rebels are again in at No. 20 after their wild 55-49 win in opposition to LSU, which falls to No. 24.
Maryland and Kentucky, each 5-0, have moved into the highest 25. The Wildcats sit barely forward at No. 21 due to the win in opposition to Florida this weekend. Texas A&M additionally slides in at No. 25. The Aggies could have figured issues out since Max Johnson grew to become quarterback, with consecutive wins in opposition to Auburn and Arkansas.
GO DEEPER
Auerbach’s Top 10: Week 5 leaves some contenders sweating greater than others
26-50
| Rank | Team | Record | Prev |
|---|---|---|---|
|
26 |
4-1 |
22 |
|
|
27 |
3-1 |
27 |
|
|
28 |
3-2 |
21 |
|
|
29 |
4-1 |
29 |
|
|
30 |
3-2 |
30 |
|
|
31 |
5-0 |
34 |
|
|
32 |
3-2 |
24 |
|
|
33 |
3-1 |
31 |
|
|
34 |
4-1 |
32 |
|
|
35 |
5-0 |
37 |
|
|
36 |
5-0 |
46 |
|
|
37 |
5-0 |
48 |
|
|
38 |
4-1 |
41 |
|
|
39 |
4-1 |
49 |
|
|
40 |
3-2 |
25 |
|
|
41 |
4-1 |
44 |
|
|
42 |
4-1 |
47 |
|
|
43 |
4-1 |
36 |
|
|
44 |
4-1 |
52 |
|
|
45 |
4-0 |
55 |
|
|
46 |
3-2 |
45 |
|
|
47 |
3-2 |
38 |
|
|
48 |
2-3 |
39 |
|
|
49 |
3-2 |
50 |
|
|
50 |
3-2 |
40 |
Kansas falls simply out of the highest 25 after its 26-point loss to Texas as a result of it didn’t have quarterback Jalon Daniels. Florida solely stays within the high 30 for now by advantage of its win in opposition to Tennessee. Louisville is 5-0 however nonetheless exterior the highest 25 as a consequence of a weak schedule and close calls in opposition to Georgia Tech and Indiana. A house sport this Saturday in opposition to Notre Dame will give us a real learn on the Cardinals. Colorado solely falls to No. 32 after rallying to inside seven of USC late. The Buffs have a whole lot of issues, however they will nonetheless rating.
Tulane stays the highest Group of 5 group (No. 34) after a comeback win in opposition to UAB, however undefeated Fresno State, James Madison and Air Force are proper on the heels of the Green Wave. Fresno State’s sport in opposition to Wyoming this week is a giant one that might increase the Bulldogs into the highest 25.
51-75
Arkansas and Mississippi State fall out of the highest 50 after lopsided losses to Texas A&M and Alabama, respectively. Troy bought again on monitor with a dominant win in opposition to beforehand undefeated Georgia State and strikes as much as No. 54. One week after comfortably beating Wake (*133*), Georgia Tech misplaced to Bowling Green, making the Yellow Jackets a troublesome group to position. They are actually right down to No. 61.
USF has overwhelmed Rice and Navy since its slim loss in opposition to Alabama, and the Bulls rise as much as No. 65. Texas State is 4-1 and ninth nationally in scoring, and the Bobcats are as much as No. 66. Michigan State allowed 26 factors to Iowa however only one offensive landing, which is a fairly typical strategy to lose to Iowa today. Purdue dealt with Illinois 44-19 in a surprising closing rating; the Boilermakers transfer as much as No. 57 and Illinois falls to No. 72, remaining forward of Toledo for now due to its head-to-head win. Miami (Ohio) and UNLV are each 4-1 and squeeze into the highest 75 as teams to regulate of their respective conferences.
76-100
Baylor scored 29 factors within the closing 19 minutes to come back again and beat UCF 36-35 and transfer as much as No. 79. The Bears stay behind UTSA for now as a consequence of their loss to frequent opponent Texas State. San Diego State has misplaced 4 in a row, together with 49-10 to Air Force on Saturday, and continues to tumble right down to No. 83. Virginia Tech bought a much-needed 38-21 win in opposition to Pitt to leap as much as No. 87.
GO DEEPER
Saturday Superlatives: Top Week 5 highlights, from Ole Miss-LSU to Caleb Williams
101-133
Bowling Green, which was blown out by Ohio every week in the past, beat Georgia Tech 38-27 to leap as much as No. 101. Stanford drops into this group at No. 102 after a 42-6 loss to Oregon. ULM stays at No. 103 after Appalachian State wanted a 54-yard subject aim as time expired to beat the Warhawks. Virginia is now the lowest-ranked Power 5 at No. 104 after shedding to Boston College, which beforehand held the title.
Arkansas State, which was No. 133 after Week 2, has received three video games in a row and is as much as No. 113 after beating UMass. Sam Houston almost notched its first FBS win however allowed a late Jacksonville State landing drive and misplaced in extra time. Buffalo beat Akron for its first win to get out of the underside spot, and the new No. 133 is Nevada, which is now on a 15-game shedding streak.
The Athletic 133 Rankings sequence is a part of a partnership with AllState. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners don’t have any management over or enter into the reporting or enhancing course of and don’t assessment tales earlier than publication.
(Photo: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images)
(*1*)
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