As we dive into the heart of the 2024 college football season, the landscape is as dynamic and competitive as ever. This week’s Top 25 rankings reflect where every Saturday brings new heroes and unexpected twists. Leading the charge, Texas has surged to the top, showcasing its dominance and earning the coveted No. 1 spot for the first time in 16 years, a testament to their remarkable performance and the shifting sands of college football supremacy.
Below them, the rankings tell a story of fierce competition, with traditional powerhouses like Georgia, Ohio State, and Alabama jostling for position while rising stars and unexpected contenders like Miami and Missouri inject fresh energy into the college football narrative. Let’s dive into the top 25 ahead of week 5 of the college football season.
1. Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns improved to 4-0 after a 51-3 victory over UL-Monroe. QB Arch Manning threw for 258 yards with 2 Touchdowns and 2 Interceptions. Quinn Ewers could potentially return this weekend when the Longhorns host Mississippi State in their SEC opener.
2. Georgia Bulldogs
The Bulldogs were off this past weekend, and head to Tuscaloosa to take on Alabama in a showdown between two top five teams.
3. Ohio State Buckeyes
Marshall hung around early in the game before the Buckeyes kicked it into gear for a 49-14 win. Quinshon Judkins ran for 173 yards and 2 Touchdowns. Ohio State opens Big Ten play vs. Michigan State in East Lansing Saturday Night.
4. Alabama Crimson Tide
Similar to their opponent this weekend, the Crimson Tide were off this past weekend before hosting Georgia in a rematch of last year’s SEC Championship Game.
5. Tennessee Volunteers
The Volunteers had the most impactful win of any top ten team this weekend, as Josh Huepal coached his team to a 25-15 win over his alma mater Oklahoma. Nico Lamaleava threw for 194 yards and a Touchdown. Tennessee is on bye this weekend.
6. Ole Miss Rebels
The Rebels improved to 4-0 after a 52-13 win over Georgia Southern. Jaxon Dart threw for 382 yards with 4 Touchdowns and 1 Interception. Ole Miss hosts Kentucky in their SEC Opener Saturday at Noon Eastern.
7. Miami Hurricanes
The Hurricanes went on the road and took down USF 50-15 behind 404 passing yards with 3 Touchdowns and 1 Interception from Cam Ward. Miami opens ACC plan Friday night at home against Virginia Tech.
8. Missouri Tigers
Missouri survived a 2OT win at home against Vanderbilt 30-27 when the Commodores missed a game tying Field Goal. QB Brady Cook and WR Luther Burden III connected for two Touchdowns for the Tigers.
9.Penn State Nittany Lions
Penn State was on bye last weekend before hosting Illinois in the only ranked Big Ten matchup of the weekend.
10. Oregon Ducks
Oregon was off last weekend before heading to the Rose Bowl for their inaugural Big Ten game vs. UCLA on Saturday Night.
11. Utah Utes
Utah went into Stillwater on Saturday and came out with a narrow 22-19 victory over Oklahoma State. Micah Bernard’s career high 182 rushing yards helped the Utes possess the ball for over 42 minutes and dominate most of the game before two late Touchdowns from the Cowboys. Utah hosts Arizona Saturday night.
12. Michigan Wolverines
Michigan picked up a big 27-24 win at home over USC to keep their playoff hopes alive. Kalel Mullings rushed for 159 yards and 2 Touchdowns including the game winner with 37 seconds to play. The Wolverines host Minnesota in the 106th Battle for the Little Brown Jug at Noon Eastern Saturday.
13. USC Trojans
Miller Moss threw for 283 yards with 3 Touchdowns and an Interception in the previously mentioned 27-24 loss for USC. The Trojans host their Big Ten opener against Wisconsin Saturday afternoon.
14. LSU Tigers
After being tied at halftime, LSU scored 17 unanswered points to beat UCLA 34-17. Garrett Nussmeier threw for 352 yards and 3 Touchdowns in the win. The Tigers host South Alabama in their final non-conference game Saturday.
15. Louisville Cardinals
Louisville was off this following weekend before heading to South Bend to take on Notre Dame in a ranked matchup Saturday afternoon.
16. Clemson Tigers
Clemson’s offense put up a 50 burger for the second consecutive game, winning the Textile Bowl 59-35 to avenge getting upset by NC State last season. Cade Klubnik threw for 209 yards with 3 Touchdowns and a 55 yard rushing Touchdown. The Tigers host Stanford Saturday night.
17. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
MACTION was not able to catch the Fighting Irish sleeping for a second time this year, as Notre Dame knocked off Miami Ohio 28-3. While it took the offense until late in the 2nd quarter to find the end zone, Riley Leonard found paydirt twice on the ground and once through the air. Notre Dame hosts Louisville Saturday afternoon in a game with big playoff implications.
18. Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma fell 25-15 to Tennessee in their inaugural SEC game. Michael Hawkins Jr came in for Jaxon Arnold in the 2nd quarter, and the two will compete for who starts at Auburn Saturday according to Coach Brent Venables.
19. Iowa State Cyclones
Iowa State cruised to a 52-7 win over Arkansas State on Saturday. RB Carson Hansen rushed for 2 Touchdowns and QB Rocco Bendt rushed for 1 TD and contributed 2 more TDs through the air. The Cyclones head to Houston for their Big 12 opener Saturday Night.
20. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State fell 22-19 to Utah at home in a Big 12 game with big playoff implications. Allan Bowman threw for 206 yards and 2 Touchdowns, but also threw 2 interceptions. The Cowboys look to get back on track Saturday on the road against Kansas State.
21. Illinois Fighting Illini
Illinois had a big 31-24 overtime road win in Lincoln Friday night over Nebraska to propel them into the rankings this week. Luke Altmyer looked very impressive throwing for 215 yards and 4 Touchdowns including two to WR Pat Bryant. Illinois now faces an even bigger road test against a top 10 ranked Penn State team in Happy Valley this Saturday.
22. BYU Cougars
The Cougars find themselves in the rankings after a big 38-9 win over Kansas State at home Saturday Night. BYU had a fumble recovery and punt returned for a Touchdown on top of 2 Touchdown passes by Jake Retzlaff. BYU heads to Baylor for their first Big 12 road game Saturday.
23. Kansas State Wildcats
The Wildcats previously mentioned 38-9 loss in Provo is a perfect example of how unpredictable College Football is, and why fans need to stop jeopardizing their intestines’ health online over their team winning a football game. Kansas State looks to bounce back against Oklahoma State at Noon Eastern in Manhattan on Saturday.
24. UNLV Rebels
UNLV was off this past weekend, but with two wins against Big 12 opponents they have one of the better resumes to secure them the G5 playoff spot if they take care of business in the MWC. The Rebels start MWC play on Saturday at home vs. Fresno State.
25. Boise State Broncos
The Broncos won 56-14 against FCS opponent Portland State this past weekend. Maddux Mansen threw for 3 Touchdowns and ran for another in the victory. The Broncos can bolster their resume with a win against undefeated Washington State this weekend.
First Four Out: Washington State Cougars, Texas A&M Aggies, Indiana Hoosiers, Boston College Eagles
[…] Bill O’Brien appears to be the right hire for Boston College. Last year’s record for the Eagles was 7-6 and 3-5 in ACC play. Expectations rose by bringing in the former Penn State and Houston Texans head coach. They luckily started with an opening win over FSU. For the new man in charge, this pointed to a significant shift within the program. […]