As the Washington Huskies continue to sweep aside all-comers, Kalen DeBoer’s team remain at the head of our College Football Top 25 Power Rankings. However, some key losses from previously undefeated college football teams in Week 5 have shaken up the order in the chasing pack.
Everything we’ve seen so far this season, including all the action from Week 5, informs the latest CFN College Football Top 25, our power rankings of the best teams college football has to offer this fall.
College Football Top 25: CFN’s Official Power Rankings
1) Washington Huskies
Previous Ranking: 1st (–)
Washington remains at number one in our College Football Top 25 Power Rankings after moving to 5-0 with a win over Arizona. Michael Penix Jr. was once again an unstoppable force as the Huskies moved the chains through the air before flexing their ground game muscle when it came to the red zone. DeBoer’s combine high-scoring offense with ferocious defense each week.
2) Michigan Wolverines
Previous Ranking: 2nd (–)
Has there been a more consistent team in college football this season? Without being hyperbolic, there might not have been a more consistent team in recent college football history. For the fifth consecutive week, the Michigan Wolverines put up 30+ points while suffocating their opponent defensively, with Nebraska the most recent team to fail to put up more than 10.
3) Texas Longhorns
Previous Ranking: 5th (+2)
Here comes the Longhorns! The first major movement in our College Football Top 25 Power Rankings, Texas has proven they’re a team to challenge for a national title. Becoming more impressive with every week, they’re a juggernaut on offense who moved the ball at will on Kansas in Week 5. Meanwhile, the Longhorn defense gets more potent with every passing week.
4) Georgia Bulldogs
Previous Ranking: 4th (–)
In what is becoming a weekly occurrence, the Georgia Bulldogs overcame a slow start to move to 5-0 with a 27-20 win on the road at the Auburn Tigers. It took a herculean effort from tight end Brock Bowers to drag them past their long-running rival and keep on track for a historic “Threepeat”. We’re still waiting for that flick of the switch and a dominant performance this year.
5) Florida State Seminoles
Previous Ranking: 4th (-1)
Sat at home on their bye week, the Florida State Seminoles are the unfortunate final-four casualty of Texas’ elevation into a playoff place. Although they’re undefeated, the close nature of their wins over a poor Boston College team and a Clemson program still loitering outside our College Football Top 25 — combined with another LSU loss — impacts their résumé some.
6) Penn State Nittany Lions
Previous Ranking: 6th (–)
After surviving a first-half shock on the road at Northwestern, the Penn State Nittany Lions stretched their legs in the second half to record a comfortable 41-13 and move to 5-0 on the season. If they’re to be a legitimate challenger to Michigan in the Big Ten — and for the Playoff — Drew Allar will need to deliver more consistently, but their defense might be the best in the nation.
7) Ohio State Buckeyes
Previous Ranking: 7th (–)
No movement in our latest College Football Top 25 Power Rankings for the Ohio State Buckeyes while on their bye week. Their last-gasp win over a Notre Dame team who moved back into our top 10 this week bolsters their résumé. A strong defense that ranks second for points allowed helps solidify their standing as one of college football’s best despite some offensive struggles.
8) Oregon Ducks
Previous Ranking: 11th (+3)
With some undefeated teams that were ahead of them entering Week 5 falling by the wayside, the Oregon Ducks leapfrog into the top 10 of our College Football Top 25 Power Rankings. Dan Lanning’s team didn’t turn in their most convincing performance of 2023, but once again showcased their defensive fortitude while Bo Nix sparked the offense in the second half of a 42-6 win.
9) USC Trojans
Previous Ranking: 7th (-2)
There is absolutely no questioning that the USC Trojans have one of — if not the — best offenses in college football. Week in, week out, Caleb Williams weaves his magic, and Lincoln Riley’s team puts up an ungodly amount of points. Yet, once again, they were exposed defensively in Week 5, with Colorado putting up 41 points. A defeat is coming if they don’t solidify that side of the ball.
10) Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Previous Ranking: 13th (+3)
A week after a defensive faux pas prevented the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from defeating Ohio State, Marcus Freeman’s team came out on the right side of a late-game drama against Duke. Sam Hartman showcased his leadership, Audric Estime secured the win, and the defense once again looked like one of the most terrifying units in college football as they flew to the football with ferocity.
11) Oklahoma Sooners
12) North Carolina Tar Heels
13) James Madison Dukes
14) Alabama Crimson Tide
15) Kentucky Wildcats
16) Washington State Cougars
17) Miami (FL) Hurricanes
18) Duke Blue Devils
19) Oregon State Beavers
20) Utah Utes
21) Fresno State Bulldogs
22) Air Force Falcons
23) Missouri Tigers
24) Louisville Cardinals
25) Maryland Terrapins