Brock’s 2023 College Football Top 25 – Week 6
1. GEORGIA BULLDOGS (5-0) (LW: 1)
The Bulldogs were living dangerously this week. They found themselves trailing in the 2nd half, and tied late in the 4th quarter. They found their way out of Jordan-Hare Stadium with a win, however, by finding who else but Brock Bowers for the game-winning TD with 3 minutes remaining.
2. MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (5-0) (LW: 2)
The first team to put up 10 points on Michigan should add the ball to their trophy case, because this defense is something else. They are just absolutely ferocious. We’re almost halfway through the season and the Wolverines have not allowed an opponent to break double-digits, yielding only 6 points per game. Sheesh.
3. USC TROJANS (5-0) (LW: 3)
It was only a 7-point victory, but USC controlled this game throughout, winning by 27 toward the end of the 3rd quarter. It was quite the stat-padding day for Williams, as he racked up 403 yards and 6 TD’s, which should aid his push for another Heisman.
4. TEXAS LONGHORNS (5-0) (LW: 4)
Texas saw to it that the Jayhawks wouldn’t be ranked for long. Both sides of the ball looked great. The offense gained an astounding 661 yards while posting 40 points, while the defense conceded only two TD’s.
5. FLORIDA STATE SEMINOLES (4-0) (LW: 5)
Mike Norvell’s Noles were off this week, meaning they should be prepared for Virginia Tech this week. The Hokies are having a down year, but it should be a live atmosphere in Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday, as these teams always rise to the occasion when they meet.
6. OHIO STATE BUCKEYES (4-0) (LW: 6)
The Buckeyes had their bye week as they prepare to host Maryland. The Terrapins played Ohio State tough last year in College Park, so I’m sure Ryan Day had his guys watching tape of that game to better prepare for this meeting.
7. PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS (5-0) (LW: 7)
It was another blowout win for Penn State, this time against Northwestern. The defense once again put on a show. They tallied up 7 sacks while conceding only 175 yards.
8. WASHINGTON HUSKIES (5-0) (LW: 8)
It was a down week for the Huskies, and by that I mean they only won by 7 and Michael Penix only threw for 363 yards. He didn’t have any TD’s, however, which could loom large in the Heisman race after the show Caleb Williams put on in Boulder.
9. OREGON DUCKS (5-0) (LW: 9)
The Ducks were sleepwalking out of the gate, but coasted their way to another 42-6 victory to reach the 5-0 mark. They enter their bye week with a huge showdown against Washington looming on October 14th, in what is surely to be quite a game.
10. NOTRE DAME FIGHTING IRISH (5-1) (LW: 10)
The Irish had another gutsy primetime performance where the game was decided in the final minute, but this time they came out on the right side, defeating Duke 21-14. A 30-yard TD gallop by Audric Estime with 30 seconds left proved to be the difference. This was a big win, as entering your bye week on a 2-game losing streak can really have a mental effect.
11. ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE (4-1) (LW: 12)
The Tide once again had to rely on the ground game, but the lack of an aerial attack didn’t hurt too much, as they clamped down on Mississippi State and bulled their way to a 40-17 victory.
12. NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS (4-0) (LW: 14)
This bye week came at a good time. Syracuse comes to town on Saturday, and the extra prep time should help the Tar Heels in slowing down Garrett Shrader, which is no easy task.
13. OKLAHOMA SOONERS (5-0) (LW: 15)
The Sooners won 50-20, which is more in line with the type of final scores we’ve been accustomed to seeing from this team in past years. Dillon Gabriel looked phenomenal, tossing 2 TD’s and running another 2 in himself, while picking up 403 combined yards on the ground and through the air.
14. WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (4-0) (LW: 16)
The Cougars took their perfect record into their bye. They will try to keep it intact on Saturday, but that could be a tough ask as they hit the road to take on UCLA in Pasadena.
15. OREGON STATE BEAVERS (4-1) (LW: 19)
The Beavers were the stars of the Friday night show. They posted a 21-7 win over Utah in an absolute rock fight of a game after losing in a shootout against Washington State the week prior.
16. MISSISSIPPI REBELS (4-1) (LW: 20)
It was all offense in Oxford on Saturday. The two teams combined for 1343 yards and 104 points. Ole Miss had a 4th quarter comeback to win 55-49 despite giving up 637 yards, as well as another 121 yards on 11 penalties. Where was this offense in Tuscaloosa last week?
17. MIAMI HURRICANES (4-0) (LW: 18)
The Canes had the week off as they prep for Georgia Tech this week. This isn’t a throwaway game. Miami has home field advantage, but the Yellow Jackets could find a way to make it close.
18. TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS (4-1) (LW: 22)
The Vols defense clamped down on Spencer Rattler & South Carolina on Saturday. Rattler failed to throw for 200 yards. He did throw 1 ball that found its way into the end zone, but the guy who caught it was wearing an orange jersey. This was a great win for Tennessee to enter their bye week with, as they will face Texas A&M in two weeks.
19. DUKE BLUE DEVILS (4-1) (LW: 17)
Well, let’s be honest. This team probably wasn’t going undefeated. Losing in this spot made as much sense as any, as Duke faced a Notre Dame team who was surely riled up from the devastating loss they suffered last week. On the bright side, Duke held a lead in the final minute, and – more importantly – they are still undefeated in ACC play.
20. KENTUCKY WILDCATS (5-0) (LW: 25)
The Wildcats proved that they deserve their Top 25 spot, as they throttled the Gators 33-14. Devin Leary threw for only 69 yards, but who needs a QB when you have Ray Davis in the backfield running for 280 yards and 3 TD’s? He also caught a 9-yard TD pass from Leary for good measure.
21. MISSOURI TIGERS (5-0) (LW: 23)
The Tigers took on Vanderbilt, and no surprise here – they won by 17. Let’s see what they do this week against an LSU team whose defense was just publicly embarrassed in front of a national audience.
22. LSU TIGERS (3-2) (LW: 11)
This was a tough week for the Tigers. LSU’s defense had always been a strength of their team, but it’s quickly turning into a liability. Maybe that’s a bit harsh, but what else can you say after what happened on Saturday? The offense did their job – they gained 637 yards and put up 49 points. But the defense gave up an ABSURD 706 yards and 55 points to a Mississippi team that was limited to just 10 points by Alabama a week ago.
23. UTAH UTES (4-1) (LW: 13)
It was bound to happen eventually. The absence of Cam Rising’s QB play has been glaring all season. Sure enough, the Utes found themselves in a hostile road environment against a staunch opponent, and Nate Johnson just couldn’t get it done, as the Utes fell from the ranks of the undefeated.
24. LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (5-0) (LW: NR)
Louisville has been one of the more “under the radar” teams in college football. They are currently undefeated at 5-0, and look to be a dark horse ACC title contender. They haven’t played the toughest teams, but 3 of their 5 wins have come away from home against Power 5 opponents.
25. FRESNO STATE BULLDOGS (5-0) (LW: NR)
I’m a little late to the party when it comes to putting Fresno State in my Top 25, as they were ranked in the AP Poll heading into their game against Nevada on Saturday. They took care of business, while some teams above them didn’t, so here we are. It’ll be interesting to see if they can hang around, as they travel to Laramie this week to take on Wyoming in just a brutal environment.
