Another chaotic Saturday of college football brought the drama fans live for. Two preseason giants took brutal tumbles as James Franklin’s Penn State fell to previously winless UCLA, and Arch Manning’s Texas couldn’t survive The Swamp against a 1-3 Florida squad. The shake-up is real, and ESPN’s latest rankings prove that no one’s spot is safe this season. Their list ranks based on a Football Power Index (FPI) that measures each team’s true strength on a net points scale calculated with expected point margin against average opponent on a neutral field.
25. TCU Horned Frogs
Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs quarterback Josh Hoover (10) looks to throw downfield against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Record: 4-1
FPI: 11.4
TCU rallied from a two-touchdown deficit, with Josh Hoover accounting for five touchdowns, to beat Colorado 35–21. Colorado lost control after building an early 14-0 lead and committed four turnovers, allowing TCU to seize momentum late.
24. Florida State Seminoles
Florida State Seminoles quarterback Tommy Castellanos (1) fights off a defender as he makes his way down the field. The Miami Hurricanes defeated the Florida State Seminoles 22-28 at Doak Campbell Stadium. Credit: Alicia Devine/Tallahassee Democrat / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Record: 3-2
FPI: 12.5
The Seminoles fought hard but were undone by two key interceptions from quarterback Tommy Castellanos, both of which turned into Miami touchdowns. After trailing 28–3 into the fourth quarter, FSU mounted a late rally—connecting on touchdown throws to Lawayne McCoy and Randy Pittman and adding a late field goal to cut the deficit to 28–22—but their attempts at onside kicks failed and they came up just short.
23. Auburn Tigers
College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) looks to pass the ball during the second half against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Record: 3-2
FPI: 13.0
The week before, the Tigers’ offense sputtered all day, punting nine times, failing to convert on third downs (0-for-12), and seeing QB Jackson Arnold sacked five times, despite a staunch defensive effort that held Texas A&M to just 176 yards.
22. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) and wide receiver Nyziah Hunter (13) celebrate after a touchdown by Hunter during the game against Michigan State at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Kylie Graham-Imagn Images
Record: 4-1
FPI: 13.1
Nebraska overcame a rollercoaster first half to beat Michigan State 38–27, led by Emmett Johnson’s three touchdowns and Dylan Raiola’s key passing. The Cornhuskers’ defense and special teams sealed the win with turnovers, a blocked punt, and a recovered onside kick.
21. Utah Utes
Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) runs out of the pocket during the third quarter against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images
Record: 4-1
FPI: 13.8
The Utah Utes secured a dominant 48-14 football victory over the West Virginia Mountaineers the week before in Morgantown. Quarterback Devon Dampier led the Utes’ offensive attack, throwing a career-high four touchdown passes while also adding a rushing touchdown.
20. BYU Cougars
Provo, Utah, USA; Brigham Young Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) warms up before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
Record: 5-0
FPI: 14.5
Bear Bachmeier threw for a career-high 351 yards and a touchdown, leading BYU to a 38–24 victory over West Virginia. Chase Roberts added 161 receiving yards, and Parker Kingston contributed 111 yards and a touchdown, helping the Cougars remain undefeated
19. Penn State Nittany Lions
Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) reacts to a call during the fourth quarter against the UCLA Bruins at Rose Bowl. Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Record: 3-2
FPI: 15.3
Penn State rallied from a late deficit, with Drew Allar connecting to Devonte Ross for two crucial touchdowns to force overtime. But the Nittany Lions came up short when Allar’s pass was intercepted in the second OT, ending their bid heartbreakingly.
18. Missouri Tigers
Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Beau Pribula (9) runs in for a two point conversion against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the second half of the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Record: 5-0
FPI: 15.5
Missouri continued its dominant season with a 42–6 victory over Massachusetts, as quarterback Beau Pribula set a school record by completing 21 consecutive passes, finishing 26-of-29 for 241 yards and a touchdown. The defense was equally impressive, allowing just 19 rushing yards and forcing an interception by safety Santana Banner.
17. LSU Tigers
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) walks across the field during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss. Ole Miss defeated LSU 24-19. Credit: Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Record: 4-1
FPI: 15.8
LSU opened the scoring against Ole Miss last week and fought back with two field goals by Damian Ramos, but their offense was stifled, limited to 57 rushing yards, and hampered by penalties. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was held to 197 yards with an interception. Despite their efforts, LSU couldn’t overcome Ole Miss’s momentum or execute in the red zone late.
16. Vanderbilt Commodores
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Vanderbilt running back Sedrick Alexander (28) breaks a long touchdown run in the first quarter against Alabama at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Record: 5-1
FPI: 15.9
Vanderbilt showed flashes, jumping out early behind a 65-yard touchdown run by Sedrick Alexander and compiling 126 rushing yards in the first half. But their offense stalled in the second half, and quarterback Diego Pavia’s interception and fumble proved costly as the Commodores couldn’t sustain their early rhythm.
15. Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr.. left, scrambles away from Kent State defensive lineman Mason Maddox (6) during the first half of an NCAA football game between the Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Kent State Golden Flashes at Gaylord Family – Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla. Credit: NATE BILLINGS/FOR THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Record: 5-0
FPI: 16.1
Oklahoma dominated Kent State 44–0, with backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. throwing three touchdown passes and rushing for another in place of the injured John Mateer. The defense recorded five sacks and 13 tackles for loss, holding Kent State to just 135 total yards and forcing their first turnover of the season.
14. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Houston, Texas, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Behren Morton (2) celebrates a Raiders touchdown against the Houston Cougars in the second half at TDECU Stadium. Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
Record: 5-0
FPI: 16.4
Texas Tech secured a dominant 35–11 victory over Houston, improving to 5–0 on the season. Behren Morton threw for 345 yards and a touchdown, while J’Koby Williams rushed for two scores, leading the Red Raiders to their eighth 5–0 start in school history.
13. Texas A&M Aggies
College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Le’Veon Moss (8) runs the ball during the third quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kyle Field. Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images
Record: 5-0
FPI: 16.8
In their last game, Le’Veon Moss powered the Aggies with 139 rushing yards and a touchdown, leading the way in a gritty 16–10 win over Auburn. Texas A&M’s defense dominated, holding Auburn to 0-of-12 on third downs and limiting total offense to 176 yards, sealing the win despite offensive hiccups.
12. Michigan Wolverines
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Bryce Underwood (19) passes in the second half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
Record: 4-1
FPI: 17.5
Bryce Underwood shone in a 24–10 win over Wisconsin, finishing 19-of-28 for 270 yards with a TD pass to Donaven McCulley. Justice Haynes added 117 rushing yards and a score, helping Michigan pull away late.
11. Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) looks to throw as Tennessee offensive lineman Lance Heard (53) blocks Mississippi State defensive lineman Jamil Burroughs (88) during a college football game between Tennessee and Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss. Credit: Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Record: 4-1
FPI: 17.7
Tennessee trailed late, but Joey Aguilar’s 6-yard touchdown run with 1:55 remaining forced overtime. DeSean Bishop scored on a 25-yard touchdown on the first play of OT to seal a 41–34 win over Mississippi State.
10. USC Trojans
Champaign, Illinois, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) scrambles with the ball during the second half against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium. Credit: Ron Johnson-Imagn Images
Record: 4-1
FPI: 18.7
The Trojans fell just short in one of their most dramatic losses of the season, dropping a 34–32 game to Illinois after the Illini’s Luke Altmyer led a last-minute drive and David Olano knocked in a 41-yard field goal as time expired. Despite a strong performance by USC’s offense, the team squandered opportunities and gave up too many chances in the fourth quarter.
9. Miami Hurricanes
Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck (11) at the line during the first half against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images
Record: 5-0
FPI: 19.1
Carson Beck had a huge night, throwing four touchdown passes (two to Malachi Toney and two to CJ Daniels) to lead No. 3 Miami to a 28–22 win over No. 18 Florida State in Tallahassee. Miami built a comfortable lead, capitalized on two interceptions thrown by FSU’s Tommy Castellanos, and held off a late Seminole rally despite Florida State’s push in the fourth quarter.
8. Texas Longhorns
Gainesville, Florida, USA; Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs with the ball while Florida Gators defensive end Jayden Woods (15) chases during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
Record: 3-2
FPI: 19.6
The Longhorns fell 29–21 to Florida in a gut-wrenching road loss despite a solid effort from Arch Manning (263 passing yards, 2 TDs). Turnovers, two interceptions, and a late sack sealed their fate as Florida executed in the clutch to pull off the upset.
7. Ole Miss Rebels
Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) looks for an open receiver during the third quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
Record: 5-0
FPI: 19.8
Ole Miss rode Trinidad Chambliss’s dual-threat breakout performance (314 passing yards) and a balanced attack last week, including a touchdown run by Logan Diggs, leading to a 24–19 win over LSU, outgaining the Tigers 480 to 254. They also drew advantage from LSU’s struggles on the ground (just 57 rushing yards) and took advantage of penalty-plagued drives by the Tigers.
6. Georgia Bulldogs
Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) breaks a tackle by Kentucky Wildcats linebacker Landyn Watson (9) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Record: 4-1
FPI: 20.9
The Bulldogs bounced back from their earlier loss with a convincing 35–14 win over Kentucky. Gunner Stockton and Dillon Bell each scored two rushing touchdowns, and the defense held Kentucky to just 45 rushing yards, helping Georgia reclaim further momentum in the SEC.
5. Notre Dame Fighting Irish
South Bend, Indiana, USA; Boise State Broncos wide receiver Latrell Caples (3) tackles Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback Leonard Moore (15) after he made an interception during the second half at Notre Dame Stadium. Credit: Michael Caterina-Imagn Images
Record: 3-2
FPI: 21.1
The Fighting Irish turned in a commanding 28–7 win over Boise State behind a stingy, turnover-hungry defense and strong offensive balance. Leonard Moore returned from injury to snag two interceptions, while CJ Carr threw two TDs, and the ground game also delivered, with Jeremiyah Love rushing for over 100 yards and a score.
4. Indiana Hoosiers
Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) throws a pass against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
Record: 5-0
FPI: 21.4
Indiana escaped Iowa last week with a hard-fought 20–15 win after Fernando Mendoza connected on a 49-yard touchdown pass to Elijah Sarratt with just 1:28 left. Despite being held to their lowest yardage and facing stout resistance, the Hoosiers leaned on clutch execution late and a safety to seal the victory.
3. Alabama Crimson Tide
Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson (15) is tripped up by Vanderbilt defensive lineman Zaylin Wood (15) at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama downed Vanderbilt 30-14. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
Record: 4-1
FPI: 23.5
Ty Simpson delivered a standout performance, going 23-of-30 for 340 yards and two touchdowns, to power Alabama to a 30–14 win over Vanderbilt. Jam Miller added balance on the ground with 136 rushing yards and a touchdown as the Crimson Tide defense forced key turnovers (an interception and a fumble) that helped stymie Vanderbilt’s momentum.
2. Oregon Ducks
Oregon defensive back Dillon Thieneman, right, grabs the game-winning interception as Oregon inside linebacker Jerry Mixon celebrates as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Credit: © Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Record: 5-0
FPI: 24.2
Oregon edged out Penn State 30-24 in double overtime, with Dillon Thieneman intercepting Drew Allar to seal the win. After trailing 17-10 late, Oregon leaned on a balanced attack—touchdowns from Jamari Johnson, Dierre Hill Jr., and Jordan Davison—to force overtime and eventually prevail.
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin (10) runs off the field after a touchdown during the NCAA football game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. Credit: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Record: 5-0
FPI: 24.9
Ohio State dominated from start to finish, rolling to a 42-3 win over Minnesota. Quarterback Julian Sayin led the charge with 326 passing yards and three touchdowns, completing 23 of 27 attempts, while the Buckeyes’ defense held the Gophers to just a field goal and recorded multiple three-and-outs.
Conclusion
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) looks into the stands after failing to get a first down during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss. Credit: Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
If Week 6 taught us anything, it’s that college football never sticks to the script. Heavy favorites fell, new contenders rose, and the playoff picture looks more unpredictable than ever. As Week 7 looms, expect more movement, more chaos, and maybe a few more giants falling from the top.
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