While TCU won by the skin of its teeth in Week 4, Notre Dame and UCLA continue to build their case for inclusion into the top half of these college football power rankings. And after arguably the most impressive win of the week, the Utah Utes make their season debut in the top 10.
As is the norm this time of the week, let’s get a brief glimpse into those teams, as well as rest of the 10 best teams heading into Week 5 of the college football season. Also, don’t forget to check out our breakdown of the top five sleepers for Week 4 of the NFL season.
[sc:Football ]Week 5 NCAA College Football Power Rankings
1. Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0)
Next Game: at Indiana
[sc:NCAA240banner ]The efficiency (19-of-33, 58.8 percent) still isn’t the best, but Cardale Jones’ career-high 288 yards and two touchdowns against Western Michigan is a welcome improvement from his clunker against Northern Illinois. He’ll need to keep those performances up to keep his starting job safe, although JT Barrett’s play hasn’t inspired much confidence either.
Writer’s Prediction: Ohio State opens up conference play with a 35-17 win on the road.
2. Michigan State Spartans (4-0)
Next Game: vs. Purdue
There were some concerns with the Spartans performance in their 30-10 win over Central Michigan, but the injury to left tackle Jack Conklin is definitely the biggest concern of all. As good as freshmen running backs Madre London and LJ Scott have played over the first month, the loss of Conklin will be a big blow to a Spartans offense that must rely heavily on its O-line’s excellence.
Writer’s Prediction: The Spartans stroll to a 38-10 win at home.
3. Ole Miss Rebels (4-0)
Next Game: at Florida
Despite beating ‘Bama, Ole Miss showed in its laborious 27-16 home win over Vandy that it’s still a work in progress, particularly on offense. But if running back Jaylen Walton (21 carries, 133 yards and the game-sealing touchdown) can come up with more solid performances, the Rebels could be even stronger title contenders than their +1,000 odds indicate.
Writer’s Prediction: The Rebels roll on the road, 28-14.
4. Baylor Bears (3-0)
Next Game: vs. Texas Tech
The bye sure served Baylor – and Seth Russell – well. The slow and sluggish starts in the first two games were replaced by crisp execution and 42 first half points care of six Russell TD passes. Granted, it was against Rice, but Baylor is just flat-out scary when its offense is firing on all cylinders and dropping 70 points like it’s nothing at all.
Writer’s Prediction: Baylor beats Texas Tech in a shootout, 60-52.
5. TCU Horned Frogs (4-0)
Next Game: vs. Texas
TCU’s defensive woes are plenty real, and if it weren’t for Aaron Green’s incredible last-gasp touchdown, the Horned Frogs would probably be out of these rankings. Until those injuries heal up, TCU’s offense better be ready to bring it. Senior receiver Josh Doctson (18 catches, 267 yards, three touchdowns vs. Tech) certainly looks up for that challenge, though.
Writer’s Prediction: TCU takes care of Texas at home, 35-21.
6. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-0)
Next Game: at Clemson
Leo Fournette may be getting most of the Heisman buzz – and rightly so – but show some love to CJ Prosise. The senior, a converted wide receiver who stepped in as the Irish’s top back after the injury to Tarean Folston, is averaging 8.11 yards per carry this season to lead a surprisingly prolific Notre Dame running game that is running teams over. Malik who?
Writer’s Prediction: The Irish run away from Clemson, 27-21.
7. UCLA Bruins (4-0)
Next Game: vs. Arizona State
Freshman QB Josh Rosen may have received a lot of hype in Westwood, but the Bruins offense revolves around the running game. Fellow freshman Soso Jamabo and veteran Paul Perkins combined for 181 rushing yards and four (of the team’s six) touchdowns on 33 carries in UCLA’s massive 56-30 blowout of Arizona in Tucson. With a ground game that prolific, all Rosen has to do is not screw up.
Writer’s Prediction: The Bruins beat up Arizona State, 42-24.
8. LSU Tigers (3-0)
Next Game: vs. Eastern Michigan
Shaq has his Heisman ballot all filled up, and it’s hard to argue with his pick. With back-to-back 200-yard performances, as well as a growing highlight reel of jaw-dropping plays, there’s no more exciting player in college football right now than Leo Fournette, who is now the overwhelming -150 Heisman favorite. Who cares if LSU can’t throw the ball? Fournette’s mere presence makes the Tigers legit playoff contenders.
Writer’s Prediction: Fournette runs over a few more people to lead LSU to a 42-6 win.
9. Georgia Bulldogs (4-0)
Next Game: vs. Alabama
Greyson Lambert has just two incompletions in his last two games (33-of-35, 476 yards, five touchdowns). So is he the quarterback that the Bulldogs need to mount a serious challenge in the SEC and beyond? Stay tuned for his performance in Georgia’s next game against Alabama, which should help answer that question quite nicely.
Writer’s Prediction: Georgia gets upset at home, 27-24.
10. Utah Utes (4-0)
Next Game: Bye
Anytime you beat a top-15 team on the road by 42 points like Utah did to poor Oregon in Eugene, there’s a spot waiting in these rankings. The Utes still have a question mark at quarterback with senior Travis Wilson, but the 327 yards and five total touchdowns he came up with on the road will give him the benefit of the doubt for the foreseeable future.
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