Although Week 5 did not feature as many ranked matchups as Week 4, it did not disappoint. In fact, there were multiple games that went down to the wire and impacted what the race for the college football playoffs will look like.
We are starting to see some separation between the contenders and the pretenders, except possibly in the SEC where these next couple of weeks will define the pecking order behind 2-time defending champion Georgia.
Scroll to the bottom to see how Rivalry Sports did on their picks for the week 5 games and to see a summary of this weeks picks!
Check out last week’s Top 5 Rankings
College football never disappoints, and this year is no exception. Let’s check in with the Weekly Rivalry Sports Top 5 for each power conference.
SEC Top Five
The Home of the 2-Time Defending National Champions is experiencing a lot of uncertainty this year. Georgia will most likely be fine, but they have started off each game in a seeming slumber, but so far have been able to come back and stay undefeated. Who is second in the SEC EAst and who will take control of the SEC WEst?
The SEC Top Five has been Reshuffled as you can see below. this week has two games with four of these teams playing against each other! We will start to see just how good these teams really are.
1. Georgia (5 – 0)
Georgia is the two-time defending National Champs, but if they keep playing with fire they are going to get burned. They beat Auburn with a game winning drive and then defensive stand, but this was a tight game that Georgia trailed in for a lot of the game.
This is no shade on Auburn, and Joran O’Hare stadium is hard to win in, but the Defending Champs are supposed to handily beat teams that seem overmatched. Georgia still has the talent and the coaching, but can they muster up the motivation and focus required to chase a 3-Peat?
The Dawgs have a real test in front of them this week against an undefeated and inspired Kentucky team. We will know more about both of those teams after this game.
Last Week SEC Ranking: 1
Week 6 Opponent: Kentucky at 7:00 pm EDT, Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. Alabama (4 – 1)
Alabama more than covered the spread in a win against Mississippi State this past weekend. They have not looked like the dominant Alabama teams of the past, but maybe that is ok. Maybe this team just wants to win and although they have one loss and have not looked great, they are in the thick of the race for the SEC West crown.
This weeks game against Texas A&M is the most important game of the year so far for Alabama. With a win they stay on course to win the SEC West, but a loss puts them in a tough position and knocks them out of contention for the College Football Playoffs for sure.
If Alabama can make it to the SEC Championship behind a strong D and a balanced rushing attack, they will be a force to be reckoned with. Bet against the GOAT Nick Saban at your own risk…
Last Week SEC Ranking: 3
Week 6 Opponent: @ Texas A&M at 3:30pm EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. Ole Miss (4 – 1)
I predicted that the Rebels would still be a force this season, but I failed to give them the credit that they would beat LSU. Although their defense gave up 49 points and over 600 yards of offense, they got stops at the end of the game.
Their offense was back to being dominant after a poor showing against Alabama the week before. Lane Kiffin continued his aggressive ways and the team backed his calls with a statement win against a strong LSU team.
Now that Ole Miss got a big win, can they keep their focus this week against a tough Arkansas team? The Rebels are still in the running for the SEC West, but they need to keep winning and hope that Alabama loses a couple of games.
Last Week SEC Ranking: 4
Week 6 Opponent: Arkansas at 7:30pm EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. Kentucky (5 – 0)
Even though Kentucky was undefeated after four games it was hard to know just how good they were due to their competition. However, in week 5 they manhandled a Florida team that already has a win against a talented Tennessee team this year.
Although Kentucky needs starting QB Devin Leary (a talented transfer from NC State) to help the Wildcats passing game improve, their is absolutely nothing wrong wtih their running game powered by a strong offensive Line and RB Ray Davis who is also a transfer. With a powerful running game and a stiff Defense, this team has proven they are for real.
This week’s game against Georgia will give us a look into just how high the ceiling is for this version of the Wildcats!
Last Week SEC Ranking: Unranked
Week 6 Opponent: @ Georgia at 7:00 pm EDT, Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
5. Texas A&M (4 – 1)
I am hesitant to believe in Coach Jimbo Fisher’s team after years of disappointing results, but the Aggies are playing great defense and QB max Johnson has taken the reins of the team and is leading a steady offense.
The Aggies were able to defeat Alabama last year, but this week we get to see if they can do it again. A win puts the Aggies in the driver’s seat in the race for the SEC WEst, but a loss leaves them with an uphill battle to win the division.
Last Week SEC Ranking: Unranked
Week 6 Opponent: Alabama at 3:30pm EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Just Missed Top 5: LSU (3 – 2)
Brian Kelly’s Bayou Bengals put up two disappointing defensive weeks in a row and this time it cost them with a loss to a talented Ole Miss team.
With a lethal offense led by QB Jaden Daniels and WR Malik Nabers, the Tigers can score with anybody. The question is, can the defense rise up and start stopping other teams?
This is gut check time for LSU. They can still buckle down and make a run for the division and salvage their season, or they can turn against each other and waste the season. I think they will finish strong.
Last Week SEC Ranking: 2
Week 6 Opponent: @ Missouri at 12:00pm EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
B1G Top Five
The Big Ten East Division is loaded with talented and undefeated teams including: Michigan, Ohio State, Penn State, and Maryland, while the West division is wide open and each team already has at least one loss.
The Big Ten East will look to continue to battle and send at least one of their teams to the College Football Playoffs, but the Big Ten West will continue to fight for respect and prepare for next year when the divisions will be elimated.
1. Michigan (5 – 0)
The 2-time defending B1G Champs looked every bit the part in this past week’s win over Nebraska when they dominated the Cornhuskers 45 – 7.
Michigan only played their starting QB and RB (J.J. McCarthy and Blake Corum) for the first 2.5 quarters before getting some backups playing time. The offensive and defensive lines looked dominant and Michigan was solid in all three phases of the game.
They passed their first test on the road, but will have to stay focused until their showdown with the other B1G East unbeatens, starting with Penn State on Nov 11th. Next up is a night game with a Minnesota team that cannot be overlooked.
Last Week B1G Ranking: 1
Week 6 Opponent: @ Minnesota at 7:30pm EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. Ohio State (4 – 0)
The Buckeyes had a bye week this past week to heal up and tighten up any areas they wanted to address.
After a big win over Notre Dame in week 4 the Buckeyes had a perfect place for a bye week and will look to come out strong when they face unbeaten Maryland in Week 6.
Can QB Kyle McCord and the offense continue jelling and putting up big numbers and will the strong Buckeye Defense be able to slow down the powerful Maryland offense?
Last Week B1G Ranking: 2
Week 6 Opponent: Maryland at 12:00PM EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. Penn State (5 – 0)
The Nittany Lions played a closer than expected game against Northwestern in the first half before turning it on and blowing the game open. Penn State won comfortably with a score of 41 – 13 after the defense dominated and the running game got going.
QB Drew Allar didn’t put up big numbers, but did a good job leading the offense and avoided turnovers. The Nittany Lions are a deep and talented team on both Offense and Defense and will look to strengthen any weak areas during their bye week.
Last Week B1G Ranking: 3
Week 6 Opponent: Bye Week
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Bye Week
4. Wisconsin (3 – 1)
Coach Luke Fickell has contined Wisconsin’s tradition of fielding tough teams. The Badgers bye week this past week came at a perfect time as they get ready to face two similarly tough teams in the next two weeks in Rutgers and Iowa.
We will see just where Wisconsin stands in Fickell’s first season over the next two weeks. Although Maryland played great this past week and could be moved to the number four spot, I am keeping Wisconsin here based on the fact that they didn’t do anything to lose the spot and I expect them to play well after the bye week.
Last Week B1G Ranking: 4
Week 6 Opponent: Rutgers at 12:00PM EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. Maryland (5 – 0)
The Terps were impressive in their domination of Indiana to the tune of 44 – 17. Taulia Tagovailoa continues to set Maryland passing records and remains a sneaky threat running as well.
Coach Mike Locksley has built a strong program, but they will face their biggest test so far this year in their next game against Ohio State. The Terps will be underdogs and will be on the road, but if they could pull off the win they will put themselves firmly in the mind of all college football fans.
In Tagovailoa’s last college year this is the time to make a big leap if the Terps are ever going to do it.
Last Week B1G Ranking: 5
Week 6 Opponent: @ Ohio State at 12:00pm EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Pac-12 Top Five
The Powerful Pac -12 continues to have multiple teams in the top ten even though defending conference champion Utah lost this weekend. The Pac – 12 has continued to put some of the most exciting football on the field this year and are a strong and deep conference.
1. Oregon (5 – 0)
Oregon has jumped to the top of the Pac-12 rankings with their continued dominance. While they started off slow against Stanford, they took control of the game and won 42 – 6.
The Combination of a dominant offense with a strong offense led the Ducks to jump from number 3 to number one in the Pac-12 rankings. this could be one of the Ducks best teams if they can keep going at their current rate.
Oregon Coach Dan Lanning will take the bye week to rest his players and get QB Bo Nix and the rest of the team ready for their biggest battle so far this season when they play Washington in Week 7!
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 3
Week 6 Opponent: Bye Week
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Bye Week
2. Washington (5 – 0)
The Huskies continue to look like one of the best teams in not only the Pac-12, but in the entire country. Their game against Arizona was closer than expected, but a win is a win and the Huskies won 31 – 24.
The bye week gives them time to refine any areas in need of it for their showdown with Oregon in Week 7. The winner of that game will see a jump in their national rankings and give themselves a good chance to play for the Pac-12 title.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 2
Week 6 Opponent: Bye Week
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Bye Week
3. USC (5 – 0)
USC might be number three in the Pac-12 ranking, but this is a legitimate top 10 team nationally and could quickly move in in the national and Pac-12 rankings if their defense improves.
Wtih Coach Lincoln Riley and Heisman QB Caleb Williams leading the way, the offense is in great shape and keeps them in any game. The only problem with the team is a defense that fails to consistenly stop opponents.
USC had a blowout going against Colorado much like Oregon did the week before, but USC’s suspect defense let Colorado back in the game and a blowout became a close game in the 48 – 41 win. Give Colorado credit for coming back, but to be a championship team USC will need more from their defense.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 4
Week 6 Opponent: Arizona at 10:30pm EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. Washington State (4 – 0)
The Cougars have surpised a lot of people, but not coach Jake Dickert who expects Washington State to compete with anyone. They have flown under the radar so far this season, but they have a chance to compete the the “Big Boys” in the conference starting with their game against UCLA in Week 6.
The Cougars are well coached and solid in all phases of the game. They also have star QB Cameron Ward leading the charge so do not count the Cougars out.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 5
Week 6 Opponent: @ UCLA at 3:00PM EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. Oregon State (4 – 1)
Oregon State was just out of the Top 5 ranking last week and then went and beat the defending Conference Champion Utah Utes 21 – 7 this past week.
Their only loss of the year was a three point loss to Washington State in Week 4. Coach Jonathan Smith has the Beavers playing sound football and they could be a threat to any team they play each week.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: Unranked
Week 6 Opponent: @California at 10:00pm EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Just Missed Top 5: Utah (4 – 1)
The Utes are the defending conference champs, but lost to a strong Oregon State team 21 – 7 this week. utah was surprisingly still without star QB Cam Rising this past weekend and he has yet to play this year and he recovers from knee surgery.
Combined with Risings absence and other offensive players missing the game, the Utes had a hard time moving the football. Give Oregon State credit for winning the game, but if Utah can get healthy they are still a very dangerous team.
Their bye week this week will be used to try to get Rising and the other offensive starters healthy so that the Utes can try to make a run throughout the rest of their schedule.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 1
Week 6 Opponent: Bye Week
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Bye Week
Big 12 Top Five
The Big-12 is solid throughout the conference, but is led by undefeated Texas and undefeated Oklahoma. These two powerhouses will meet in week 6 in an epic showdown with College Football Playoff implications.
1. Texas (5 – 0)
Texas has roared back to the National stage with a strong start to the season, including one of the best wins of the year when they defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Now that Texas has shown that they are a legit threat, how high is their ceiling? We will find out this weekend when they face their rival Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout.
QB Quinn Ewers has proven to be a difference maker and he has a lot of talent around him, but facing Oklahoma and their high powered offense and surprisingly strong defense will be a challenge.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 1
Week 6 Opponent: Oklahoma at 12:00pm EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
2. Oklahoma (5 – 0)
With the number three scoring Offense and the number five scoring defense in the nation, Coach Brent Venables has the Sooners ready to face anyone.
QB Dillon Gabriel leads a powerful offense that spreads the ball around the the much improved defense has kept other teams honest on that side of the ball.
Their schedule has not included any top 25 teams up to this point, but that quickly changes when they face Texas this coming Saturday. If the Sooners want a chance at the College football playoffs, they will have to knock off Texas in the Red River Showdown on October 7th!
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 2
Week 6 Opponent: @ Texas at 12:00pm EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. Kansas State (3 – 1)
Coming off a Bye week, the Big 12 defending champions have a chance to get back on track with some winnable games coming up on the schedule before they close the season with some tougher games.
Expect QB Will Howard and RB DJ Giddens to lead this team to more victories and make their way back into the top 25 nationally.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 4
Week 6 Opponent: @ Oklahoma State at 7:30PM EDT Friday 10/6/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
4. Kansas (4 – 1)
The Jayhawks are a hard team to place as they are a different team when star QB Jalon Daniels doesn’t play. Surpisingly, just before their game against Texas this week Daniels was declared inactive with a back injury.
Backup Jason Bean did his best, but it is hard to replace a star like Daniels and the final results showed it in the 40 – 14 loss.
Without Daniels they are still a good team, but with the uncertainty of his injury they are a notch below where they were.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: 3
Week 6 Opponent: UCF at 4:00PM EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. WEst Virginia (4 – 1)
West Virginia is a surprise team to see their way into the Big-12 top 5 rankings. This team has taken on the pressure that is on Coach Neal Brown and played tough football in accumulating four wins in five games.
The Mountaineers will look to continue to play as a team and rack up some more wins as we approach the halfway point of the season.
A team that was on the outside looking in, now has a clear path to a bowl game and maybe more.
Last Week Pac-12 Ranking: Unranked
Week 6 Opponent: Bye Week
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Bye Week
ACC Top Five
There is a new lead team in the ACC this year and that is Florida State. They are by no means alone though as North Caroline and Louisville remain unbeaten and Duke and Clemson have the players and the coaches to be top 25 teams nationally throughout the rest of the season.
1. Florida State (4 – 0)
The Bye week did nothing to change Florida States standing as the top team in the ACC. With star power in QB Jordan Travis and DE Jared Verse, this team is loaded and ready to run the gauntlet that is their schedule.
Expect FSU to roll again this week against Virginia Tech followed by a good Syracuse team. Between Syracuse and Duke over the next few weeks we will see if FSU can stay focused enough to get through these tough teams.
Last Week ACC Ranking: 1
Week 6 Opponent: Virginia Tech at 3:30PM EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
2. North Carolina (4 – 0)
Coach Mack Brown has brought fun back to the football program since he came back for his second stint at the school in 2019. He has a Heisman candidate at QB in Drake Maye and an improved defense that gives the Tar Heels a chance to win each week. UNC avoids playing FSU during the regular season, but if they can get through Duke, Clemson, Miami, and others, then they could meet FSU in the ACC championship!
Last Week ACC Ranking: 3
Week 6 Opponent: Syracuse at 3:30PM EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
3. Duke (4 – 1)
The Blue Devils played a good Notre Dame team good down to the end of the game. They lost 21 – 14, but we will not drop them far for losing a close game to a really good team.
The worrisome part is if QB Riley Leonard’s ankle sprain keeps him out for some time.
Duke started the season so strong and the Defense looks great, but lets see how they bounce back after a tough loss. The bye comes at a perfect time for Leonard to hopefully heal and the Blue Devils to bounce back from a tough loss.
Last Week ACC Ranking: 2
Week 6 Opponent: Bye Week
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Bye Week
4. Miami (4 – 0)
Miami comes back from a bye week against an opponent in Georgia Tech that is struggling. They will be favored and it is a perfect warm up game to get ready to play UNC the following week.
Miami looks much better than last year, but QB Tyler VAn Dyke and the rest of the Hurricanes must show that they can stay focused coming off a bye week and preparing for the toughest part of their schedule.
Last Week ACC Ranking: 4
Week 6 Opponent: Georgia Tech at 8:00PM EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
5. Clemson (3 – 2)
The Tigers got a much needed win against an undefeated Syracuse team which they beat 31 – 14 this past week.
Although QB Cade Klubnik is leading a less highly powered offense than previous versions of the Tigers, they have a stout Defense, a great coach in Dabo Swinney and a steady ball control offense.
This team still has championship pedigree and should not be taken lightly. I expect them to close out the rest of the season in a strong fashion
Last Week ACC Ranking: 5
Week 6 Opponent: Wake Forest at 3:30pm EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Win
Just Missed Top 5: Louisville CArdinals (5 – 0)
The Cardinals have done nothing wrong and are very close to being in the top 5 ranking for the ACC, but I have a hard time believing that they could beat any of the teams above them.
However, Coach Jeff Brohm has quickly turned the Cardinals into a stronger team that is beating the teams they should beat and have future opportunities in front of them.
We get to see just how far Louisville has come when they face Notre Dame in Week 6.
Last Week ACC Ranking: Unranked
Week 6 Opponent: Notre Dame at 7:30pm EDT Saturday 10/7/23
Rivalry Sports Prediction: Loss
Notable Upcoming Games
The season just continues to provide us with games to look forward to. There are lots of good games on the schedule for week 5, but some of the most exciting games for week 5 are listed below:
- #12 Oklahoma @ #3 Texas – The Red River Showdown is always a great game and this year the stakes are as high as ever!
- #11 Alabama @ Texas A&M – Alabama is trying to get their season back on track, but Texas A&M surprised them last year. Who will win this year and take control of the SEC West?
- #20 Kentucky @ #1 Georgia – Undefeated vs Undefeated! Will Georgia stop sleep walking through the first half of games or will Kentucky prove that they are for real?
- #10 ND @ #25 Louisville – This is UofL’s chance to prove that they are for real, but Notre Dame is on a mission after their close loss to Ohio State a couple of weeks ago.
- Maryland @ #4 Ohio State – Battle of two unbeaten teams in the Big Ten East. Is Maryland ready to take the next step or will OSU build upon their win over Notre Dame.
- #23 LSU @ #21 Missouri – LSU is out to save their season and Mizzou is out to prove they are for real. Should be a great game!
Rivalry Sports Lock Pick of the Week – Notre Dame over Louisville
Rivalry Sports Underdog Pick of the Week – LSU over Missouri
Check back in for updated power rankings next week!
Week 5 Picks Reviewed
| Week 5 Pick Results | Record |
| SEC | 2 – 3 |
| B1G (Big Ten) | 3 – 0 |
| Pac – 12 | 3 – 1 |
| Big – 12 | 3 – 1 |
| ACC | 1 – 1 |
| Total | 12 – 6 |
Week 6 Game Picks
| Game | Rivalry Sports Pick | Guest Picker Pick – Stephanie Kirby |
| Georgia vs Kentucky | Georgia | Georgia |
| Alabama vs Texas A&M | Alabama | Texas A&M |
| Ole Miss vs Arkansas | Ole Miss | Ole Miss |
| LSU vs Missouri | LSU | Missouri |
| Michigan vs Minnesota | Michigan | Michigan |
| Ohio State vs Maryland | Ohio State | Ohio State |
| Wisconsin vs Rutgers | Wisconsin | Wisconsin |
| USC vs Arizona | USC | USC |
| Washington State vs UCLA | Washington State | Washington State |
| Oregon State vs California | Oregon State | Oregon State |
| Texas vs Oklahoma | Oklahoma | Texas |
| Kansas State vs Oklahoma State | Kansas State | Kansas State |
| Kansas vs UCF | Kansas | Kansas |
| Florida State vs Virginia Tech | Florida State | Florida State |
| North Carolina vs Syracuse | North Carolina | UNC |
| Miami vs Georgia Tech | Miami | Miami |
| Clemson vs Wake Forest | Clemson | Clemson |
| Louisville vs Notre Dame | Notre Dame | NOtre Dame |
