Georgia is still No. 1 heading into October, but there is a reason nobody has won three straight national championships since 1936.
It's really hard. The Bulldogs found that out in a 27-20 victory at Auburn on Saturday. This was the second time in SEC play Georgia fell behind by double digits in the first half. The Tigers piled up 219 rushing yards, the first time the Bulldogs allowed more than 200 rushing yards since a 36-16 loss to LSU on Oct. 13, 2018.
If not for a few clutch throws by Carson Beck and a superhuman second-half by tight end Brock Bowers, then Georgia might have lost for the first time since the 2020 SEC championship game. Of course, the Bulldogs didn't lose, and among the 22 remaining unbeaten teams in the FBS, they will still be ranked No. 1 even if some other contenders have valid claims heading into the season's second month.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart does not have to worry about complacency.
Unbeaten teams left in FBS after Week 5
| No. 1 Georgia (5-0) | No. 16 Washington State (4-0) |
| No. 2 Michigan (5-0) | No. 18 Miami (4-0) |
| No. 3 Texas (5-0) | No. 23 Missouri (5-0) |
| No. 4 Ohio State (4-0) | Maryland (5-0) |
| No. 6 Florida State (4-0) | Louisville (5-0) |
| No. 6 Penn State (5-0) | Kentucky (5-0) |
| No. 7 Washington (5-0) | Fresno State (5-0) |
| No. 8 USC (5-0) | Air Force (5-0) |
| No. 9 Oregon (5-0) | James Madison (5-0) |
| No. 14 Oklahoma (5-0) | Marshall (4-0) |
| No. 15 North Carolina (4-0) | Liberty (4-0) |
Michigan has the best defense, and Big Ten contenders Ohio State and Penn State aren't far behind. Texas and Florida State have the best September resumes courtesy of the victories against Alabama and LSU, respectively. USC has the best offense, unless it's Washington, of course. They have the two best quarterbacks in the FBS in reigning Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams and Michael Penix Jr. Oregon and Oklahoma are in the mix, too.
Georgia still has the remarkable opportunity to win a third straight national championship – which hasn't been done since Minnesota won three in a row from 1934-36. That was before the AP Poll era, before the BCS and before the four-team College Football Playoff. It's not going to be easy.
Each week, we will look at the college football rankings from 1-133.
Here is how that looks heading into Week 6:
College football rankings 2023
Top 25 for Week 6
1. Georgia (5-0)
The Bulldogs kept its 22-game winning streak alive, but Auburn made them work for it. Brock Bowers finished with eight catches for 157 yards. He took over on the go-ahead drive with a clutch catch from Carson Beck on third-and-12, which Bowers followed with a 40-yard touchdown. Georgia faces unbeaten Kentucky in Week 6 – a game which could decide the SEC East.
2. Michigan (5-0)
The Wolverines turned in their most complete performance of the season in a 45-7 blowout at Nebraska. J.J. McCarthy (12 of 16, 156 yards, 2 TDs) added a rushing touchdown, and he was on the bench by the third quarter as Michigan built an impressive lead at Memorial Stadium. The defense gave up a fourth-quarter touchdown and has allowed a FBS-best 6.0 points per game. The Wolverines will get a few more No. 1 votes as a result heading into another road game at Minnesota.
3. Texas (5-0)
The Longhorns broke open a tight game with 20 unanswered points in the second half against Kansas – and that was good for a 40-16 victory. Quinn Ewers (25 of 35, 325 yards, TD), Jonathan Brooks (21-218, 2 TDs) and Adonai Mitchell (10-141, TD) were a prolific trio, and Texas took care of business ahead of the Red River Rivalry matchup with Oklahoma. Will that be the Longhorns' first one-score game of the season?
4. Ohio State (4-0)
Ohio State coach Ryan Day has put the Notre Dame game to rest (we think) through a bye week that should allow Marvin Harrison Jr. (ankle) to get healthy. The Buckeyes continue Big Ten play against Maryland – which lost 43-30 to Ohio State last season in a game that was closer than it appeared. Ohio State ranks second in the FBS in scoring defense (8.5). This will be a legitimate challenge for that unit.
5. Florida State (4-0)
The Seminoles earned a top five ranking with a strong September that included victories against LSU and Clemson. Jordan Travis (1,028 yards, 10 TDs, 1 INT) continues to play efficient football, and the Seminoles allowed just three TD passes in four games. Florida State resumes action Saturday against Virginia Tech.
6. Washington (5-0)
The Huskies built a double-digit lead in the first half, and Penix passed for 363 yards in a 31-24 victory against Arizona. Washington was 6 of 9 on third down, but it was an ugly night for penalties (12-125). That allowed the Wildcats to stay close late.The Huskies have a week to clean that up before the showdown with Oregon. Still, this is our top-ranked Pac-12 team through September.
7. USC (5-0)
USC built a 48-21 lead in the second half before Colorado ripped off 20 unanswered points, which left mixed feelings with a 48-41 final score. Yes, the Trojans are elite on offense under Lincoln Riley – and Caleb Williams (403 yards, six TDs, INT) leads that high-powered offense. USC failed to score on its last three full possessions, and the Buffaloes finished with 564 total yards.
MORE: Caleb Williams makes another Heisman statement vs. Colorado
8. Penn State (5-0)
The Nittany Lions beat Northwestern 41-13 in a game that was tied at 10 at halftime. Penn State quarterback Drew Allar was shaky in the first half (8 of 16, 91 yards), but he finished with 189 yards and a TD. That was more than the 175 yards the Wildcats managed for the game. James Franklin has a defense he can trust, and a bye week and home game against UMass precede the Oct. 21 visit to Ohio State.
9. Oregon (5-0)
Oregon trailed 6-0 early in the second quarter against Stanford before the running game kicked in. The Ducks amassed 208 yards on 7.4 yards per carry, and Bo Nix (27 of 32, 290 yards, 4 TDs) was efficient. For all the talk about Pac-12 offenses, Oregon has allowed 10 points or less in four of its five games under second-year coach Dan Lanning. The Ducks have a bye week to prepare for a top-10 showdown against Washington.
10. Oklahoma (5-0)
The Sooners scored 40 first-half points in a 50-20 victory against Iowa State. Dillon Gabriel passed for 366 yards, three TDs and an interception, and the defense limited Iowa State to 4 of 15 conversions on third down. Oklahoma should get top-10 billing into a Red River Rivalry showdown with Texas, and that is the next memorable moment in the Big 12 farewell tour. It is the first OU-Texas game where both are unbeaten since 2011.
11. Washington State (4-0)
Washington State coach Jake Dickert is playing the right motivational cues with a team that averages 45.8 points per game. Cameron Ward (1,389 yards, 13 TDs, 0 INTs) is an interesting Heisman Trophy sleeper heading into October. The Cougars face UCLA, another team coming off a bye week, in Week 6.
13. Alabama (4-1)
The Crimson Tide beat Mississippi State 40-17, and Nick Saban is finding ways to maximize Jalen Milroe’s talent. Milroe hit 10 of 12 passes for 164 yards and rushed for 69 yards and a pair of TDs. The defense forced three turnovers, and Alabama is atop the SEC West heading into another battle with Texas A&M. The teams have split the last two meetings, which have been decided by a combined total of seven points.
13. Notre Dame (5-1)
Sam Hartman saved the Irish's season with a fourth-and-16 scramble that set up the game-winning touchdown by Audric Estime with 31 seconds remaining. Notre Dame won a 21-14 gut-check game after blowing a 13-point lead, and that was a huge moment for second-year coach Marcus Freeman. The Irish are 5-3 against ranked teams under Freeman, and they likely will get another one in Week 6 at Louisville.
14. North Carolina (4-0)
The Tar Heels had a bye week ahead of a Week 6 matchup against Syracuse. Drake Maye has a better supporting cast this season. Omarion Hampton averages 5.4 yards per carry, and the defense is allowing just 22.8 points per game. The second year with defensive coordinator Gene Chizik has been much better.
15. Miami (4-0)
The Hurricanes had a bye week, and it was an underrated perfect September for Mario Cristobal in his second season. Tyler Van Dyke ranks second in the FBS with a 91.4 QBR. Miami is tough – and the Nov. 11 matchup at Florida State could be special. The Hurricanes play Georgia Tech in Week 6.
16. Ole Miss (4-1)
Ole Miss beat LSU 55-49 in a game that featured 1,343 yards of offense and 65 first downs. That's a Lane Kiffin special, right? The Rebels totaled 706 yards, and Jaxson Dart's 13-yard TD pass to Tre Harris with 39 seconds remaining completed a wild shootout in Oxford. It was a bounce-back performance for Ole Miss that keeps their SEC West hopes alive, even after the head-to-head loss to Alabama. The Rebels take on Arkansas in Week 6.
17. Tennessee (4-1)
Kamal Hadden's interception return for a touchdown with 47 seconds left in the half opened up a two-touchdown lead against South Carolina, and the Vols cruised to a 41-20 victory in a revenge game from last season. Joe Milton (21 of 32, 232 yards, TD, 2 INTs) had the help of a dominant running game that totaled 238 yards on 6.0 yards per carry. Tennessee has averaged 43 points per game since the loss to Florida.
18. Oregon State (4-1)
The Beavers limited Utah to 198 total yards in a 21-7 victory on Friday night. DJ Uiagalelei finished 14 of 25 passing for 204 yards, a TD and an interception, and Oregon State bounced back from a Week 4 loss to Washington State. That will be enough to stay in the Top 25 heading into a matchup with Cal in Week 6.
19. Missouri (5-0)
Brady Cook (33 of 41, 395 passing yards, 4 TDs) enjoyed his third consecutive 300-yard game, and the Tigers beat Vanderbilt 38-21. Luther Burden III (11-140, 2 TDs) and Theo Wease Jr. (10-118, TD) were frequent targets, but the Tigers did have nine penalties for 75 yards. Missouri will get a huge test against LSU in Week 6.
20. Kentucky (5-0)
The Wildcats will be ranked after beating Florida 33-14. Running back Ray Davis had a monster game with 26 carries for 280 yards and three touchdowns – and the defense limited the Gators to 69 rushing yards. Kentucky has won three in a row against Florida, but they have lost 13 straight to Georgia. Here is the ultimate statement game for Mark Stoops.
21. Maryland (5-0)
The Terps' time is now. Maryland routed Indiana 44-17, and Taulia Tagovailoa passed for 352 yards and five TDs with the prolific tandem of Tai Felton (7-134, TD) and Jeshaun Jones (6-121). This is the Terps' best team under Mike Locksley, and they get a chance to prove it against Ohio State, where they have lost four games by an average of 46.8 points at Ohio Stadium.
22. Duke (4-1)
Duke likely will slip after a heart-breaking 21-14 loss to Notre Dame, and the attention will turn to quarterback Riley Leonard, who suffered an ankle injury on the Blue Devils' final play from scrimmage. Duke proved it can handle the prime-time stage with second-year coach Mike Elko, and this team can still be in the hunt for an ACC championship. Of course, Leonard's health will be a determining factor.
23. Utah (4-1)
The Utes had a miserable offensive game in a 21-7 loss to Oregon State. Utah managed just 57 rushing yards and finished 2 of 13 on third down. Nate Johnson (8 of 23, 101 yards, TD) struggled, too. Without Cam Rising – who split reps in practice last week – the Utes' ceiling is limited. A much-needed bye week before a Week 7 matchup against Cal is needed.
24. Louisville (5-0)
There is room for two ranked teams in the Bluegrass State, right? Jeff Brohm continues to prove fit matters, and the Cardinals stayed unbeaten with a 13-10 victory against NC State. While the focus is always on Brohm's play-calling, the defense is allowed just 17.2 points per game. Louisville gets Notre Dame in the prime-time spotlight in Week 6.
25. LSU (3-2)
We're not sure if the Tigers will fall out of the AP Top 25 after the 55-49 loss to Ole Miss, but the sting from losing two games in September in Brian Kelly's second season will linger. Jayden Daniels passed for 414 yards and four TDs, and LSU still will have an offense capable of getting to the SEC championship game. Can you say the same about the defense after Saturday’s implosion?
College football 1-133 rankings: (1-25)
Here is a look at how our Top 25 fared in Week 5:
| RANK | SCHOOL | RECORD | PREVIOUS | WEEK 5 RESULT |
| 1 | Georgia | 5-0 | 1 | Beat Auburn 27-20 |
| 2 | Michigan | 5-0 | 2 | Beat Nebraska 45-7 |
| 3 | Texas | 5-0 | 3 | Beat Kansas 40-14 |
| 4 | Ohio State | 4-0 | 4 | Bye |
| 5 | Florida State | 4-0 | 5 | Bye |
| 6 | Washington | 5-0 | 6 | Beat Arizona 31-24 |
| 7 | USC | 5-0 | 7 | Beat Colorado 48-41 |
| 8 | Penn State | 5-0 | 8 | Beat Northwestern 41-13 |
| 9 | Oregon | 5-0 | 9 | Beat Stanford 42-6 |
| 10 | Oklahoma | 5-0 | 12 | Beat Iowa State 50-20 |
| 11 | Washington State | 4-0 | 13 | Bye |
| 12 | Alabama | 4-1 | 15 | Beat Mississippi State 40-17 |
| 13 | Notre Dame | 5-1 | 16 | Beat Duke 21-14 |
| 14 | North Carolina | 4-0 | 14 | Bye |
| 15 | Miami | 4-0 | 18 | Bye |
| 16 | Ole Miss | 4-1 | 11 | Beat LSU 55-49 |
| 17 | Tennessee | 4-1 | 21 | Beat South Carolina 41-20 |
| 18 | Oregon State | 4-1 | 22 | Beat Utah 21-7 |
| 19 | Missouri | 5-0 | 24 | Beat Vanderbilt 38-21 |
| 20 | Kentucky | 5-0 | 27 | Beat Florida 33-14 |
| 21 | Maryland | 5-0 | 25 | Beat Indiana 44-17 |
| 22 | Duke | 4-1 | 17 | Lost to Duke 21-14 |
| 23 | Utah | 4-1 | 10 | Lost to Oregon State 21-7 |
| 24 | Louisville | 5-0 | 26 | Beat NC State 13-10 |
| 25 | LSU | 3-2 | 19 | Lost to Ole Miss 55-49 |
Rest of FBS (26-133)
Here is a look at the rest of the FBS heading into Week 6:
| 26 | Fresno State | 5-0 | 29 | Beat Nevada 27-9 |
| 27 | Air Force | 5-0 | 36 | Beat San Diego State 49-10 |
| 28 | Texas A&M | 4-1 | 35 | Beat Arkansas 34-22 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | 3-1 | 32 | Bye |
| 30 | Kansas | 4-1 | 23 | Lost to Texas 40-14 |
| 31 | Iowa | 4-1 | 31 | Beat Michigan State 26-16 |
| 32 | UCLA | 3-1 | 33 | Bye |
| 33 | Kansas State | 3-1 | 34 | Bye |
| 34 | Clemson | 3-2 | 40 | Beat Syracuse 31-14 |
| 35 | BYU | 4-1 | 38 | Beat Cincinnati 35-27 |
| 36 | Rutgers | 4-1 | 41 | Beat Wagner 52-3 |
| 37 | James Madison | 5-0 | 44 | Beat South Alabama 31-23 |
| 38 | Colorado | 3-2 | 30 | Lost to USC 48-41 |
| 39 | Auburn | 3-2 | 42 | Lost to Georgia 27-20 |
| 40 | West Virginia | 4-1 | 46 | Beat TCU 24-21 |
| 41 | Marshall | 4-0 | 50 | Beat Old Dominion 41-35 |
| 42 | Florida | 3-2 | 20 | Lost to Kentucky 33-14 |
| 43 | Syracuse | 4-1 | 28 | Lost to Clemson 31-14 |
| 44 | Tulane | 4-1 | 43 | Beat UAB 35-23 |
| 45 | Memphis | 4-1 | 54 | Beat Boise State 35-32 |
| 46 | NC State | 3-2 | 45 | Lost to Louisville 13-10 |
| 47 | Liberty | 4-0 | 52 | Bye |
| 48 | Arizona | 3-2 | 48 | Lost to Washington 31-24 |
| 49 | Wake Forest | 3-1 | 51 | Bye |
| 50 | Wyoming | 4-1 | 53 | Beat New Mexico 35-26 |
| 51 | Toledo | 4-1 | 54 | Beat Northern Illinois 35-33 |
| 52 | TCU | 3-2 | 37 | Lost to West Virginia 24-21 |
| 53 | Ohio | 4-1 | 62 | Bye |
| 54 | UCF | 3-2 | 39 | Lost to Baylor 36-35 |
| 55 | Georgia Southern | 4-1 | 56 | Beat Coastal Carolina 38-28 |
| 56 | Cal | 3-2 | 61 | Beat Arizona State 24-21 |
| 57 | Minnesota | 3-2 | 69 | Beat Louisiana 35-24 |
| 58 | Western Kentucky | 3-2 | 82 | Beat Middle Tennessee State 31-10 |
| 59 | SMU | 3-2 | 66 | Beat Charlotte 34-16 |
| 60 | Baylor | 2-3 | 86 | Beat UCF 36-35 |
| 61 | Troy | 3-2 | 63 | Beat Georgia State 28-7 |
| 63 | Georgia State | 4-1 | 49 | Lost 28-7 to Troy |
| 64 | Arkansas | 2-3 | 58 | Lost to Texas A&M 34-22 |
| 65 | Mississippi State | 2-3 | 47 | Lost to Alabama 40-17 |
| 65 | South Carolina | 2-3 | 60 | Lost to Tennessee 41-20 |
| 66 | Texas Tech | 2-3 | 78 | Beat Houston 49-28 |
| 67 | Appalachian State | 3-2 | 67 | Beat UL-Monroe 41-40 |
| 68 | Miami, Ohio | 4-1 | 75 | Beat Kent State 23-3 |
| 69 | Texas State | 4-1 | 65 | Beat Southern Miss 50-36 |
| 70 | Jacksonville State | 4-1 | 93 | Beat Sam Houston 35-28 |
| 71 | Oklahoma State | 2-2 | 72 | Bye |
| 72 | Nebraska | 2-3 | 57 | Lost to Michigan 45-7 |
| 73 | Purdue | 2-3 | 87 | Beat Illinois 44-19 |
| 74 | Boise State | 2-3 | 64 | Lost to Memphis 35-32 |
| 75 | UNLV | 4-1 | 90 | Beat Hawaii 44-20 |
| 76 | Boston College | 2-3 | 88 | Beat Virginia 27-24 |
| 77 | Michigan State | 2-3 | 68 | Lost to Iowa 26-16 |
| 78 | Louisiana | 3-2 | 76 | Lost to Minnesota 35-24 |
| 79 | Houston | 2-3 | 74 | Lost to Texas Tech 49-28 |
| 80 | Iowa State | 2-3 | 70 | Lost to Oklahoma 50-20 |
| 81 | Georgia Tech | 2-3 | 59 | Lost to Bowling Green 38-27 |
| 82 | Army | 2-2 | 80 | Bye |
| 83 | Virginia Tech | 2-3 | 91 | Beat Pitt 38-21 |
| 84 | Vanderbilt | 2-4 | 77 | Lost to Missouri 38-21 |
| 85 | Northwestern | 2-3 | 81 | Lost to Penn State 41-13 |
| 86 | FIU | 3-2 | 79 | Bye |
| 87 | Cincinnati | 2-3 | 71 | Lost to BYU 35-27 |
| 88 | Illinois | 2-3 | 73 | Lost to Purdue 44-19 |
| 89 | South Florida | 3-2 | 94 | Beat Navy 44-30 |
| 90 | Rice | 3-2 | 95 | Beat East Carolina 24-17 |
| 91 | Indiana | 2-3 | 84 | Lost to Maryland 44-17 |
| 92 | Pitt | 1-4 | 83 | Lost to Virginia Tech 38-21 |
| 93 | Arizona State | 1-4 | 89 | Lost to Cal 24-21 |
| 94 | Louisiana Tech | 3-3 | 108 | Beat UTEP 24-10 |
| 95 | South Alabama | 2-3 | 85 | Lost to James Madison 31-23 |
| 96 | Tulsa | 3-2 | 99 | Beat Temple 48-28 |
| 97 | Arkansas State | 3-2 | 106 | Beat UMass 52-28 |
| 98 | Stanford | 1-4 | 92 | Lost to Oregon 42-6 |
| 99 | UL-Monroe | 2-2 | 101 | Lost to Appalachian State 41-40 |
| 100 | Colorado State | 2-2 | 113 | Beat Utah Tech 41-20 |
| 101 | Central Michigan | 3-2 | 105 | Beat Eastern Michigan 26-23 |
| 102 | San Diego State | 2-4 | 96 | Lost to Air Force 49-10 |
| 103 | Bowling Green | 2-3 | 120 | Beat Georgia Tech 38-27 |
| 104 | Coastal Carolina | 2-3 | 98 | Lost to Georgia Southern 38-28 |
| 105 | Temple | 2-3 | 97 | Lost to Tulsa 48-28 |
| 106 | North Texas | 2-2 | 114 | Beat Abilene Christian 45-31 |
| 107 | UTSA | 1-3 | 104 | Bye |
| 108 | Western Michigan | 2-3 | 121 | Beat Ball State 42-24 |
| 109 | FAU | 1-3 | 102 | Bye |
| 110 | Old Dominion | 2-3 | 107 | Lost to Marshall 41-35 |
| 111 | Utah State | 2-3 | 122 | Beat UConn 34-33 |
| 112 | Eastern Michigan | 2-3 | 100 | Lost to Central Michigan 26-23 |
| 113 | New Mexico State | 2-3 | 115 | Bye |
| 114 | Northern Illinois | 1-4 | 103 | Lost to Toledo 35-33 |
| 115 | Hawaii | 2-4 | 110 | Lost to UNLV 44-20 |
| 116 | UAB | 1-3 | 111 | Lost to Tulane 35-23 |
| 117 | East Carolina | 1-4 | 116 | Lost to Rice 24-17 |
| 118 | Charlotte | 1-4 | 118 | Lost to SMU 34-16 |
| 119 | Navy | 1-3 | 119 | Lost to South Florida 44-30 |
| 120 | San Jose State | 1-4 | 123 | Bye |
| 121 | UMass | 2-4 | 112 | Lost to Arkansas State 52-28 |
| 122 | Virginia | 0-5 | 109 | Lost to Boston College 27-24 |
| 123 | Southern Miss | 1-4 | 124 | Lost to Texas State 50-36 |
| 124 | Buffalo | 1-4 | 133 | Beat Akron 13-10 |
| 125 | New Mexico | 1-4 | 127 | Lost to Wyoming 35-26 |
| 126 | Kent State | 1-4 | 125 | Lost to Miami 23-3 |
| 127 | Ball State | 1-4 | 128 | Lost to Western Michigan 42-24 |
| 128 | UTEP | 1-5 | 129 | Lost to Louisiana Tech 24-10 |
| 129 | Middle Tennessee | 1-4 | 117 | Lost to Western Kentucky 31-10 |
| 130 | Akron | 1-3 | 126 | Lost to Buffalo 13-10 |
| 131 | Nevada | 0-5 | 131 | Lost to Fresno State 27-9 |
| 132 | UConn | 0-5 | 130 | Lost to Utah State 34-33 |
| 133 | Sam Houston | 0-4 | 132 | Lost to Jacksonville State 35-28 |
