Roses are red, violets are blue, college football action, oh, how much I love you. The greatest sport in the existence of sports continued its parity and celebration of unequal passion in Week 6.
The Top 25 rankings didn’t see much movement among the elite, but UCLA and TCU proved their mettle. Which programs rose and fell near the midway point of the 2022 season?
PFN’s 2022 Top 25 College Football Rankings Following Week 6
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
The Crimson Tide were without QB Bryce Young against Texas A&M, and it showed. Backup Jalen Milroe struggled mightily under center, losing two fumbles, tossing an interception, and generating just 111 yards through the air.
And yet, Alabama still won 24-20, with Jahmyr Gibbs powering the offense on the ground (21 carries for 154 yards). Nick Saban’s squad may have pulled out the victory but can’t compete for a national title without Young at the helm.
2. Ohio State Buckeyes
The amount of offensive talent this Ohio State team has is simply unfair: C.J. Stroud, TreVeyon Henderson, Emeka Egbuka, Marvin Harrison Jr, Paris Johnson Jr., and Dawand Jones. And don’t forget about Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is still out with an injury. As long as that core remains in place, it’s going to be very difficult for any team to keep pace with the Buckeyes.
3. Georgia Bulldogs
Another week, another Georgia victory. The Bulldogs are making SEC opponents look like FCS schools, manhandling Auburn 42-10. They held QB Robby Ashford to an abysmal 34% completion rate on 38 attempts.
Stetson Bennett didn’t need to do much through the air, as three running backs scored touchdowns, including Daijun Edwards rushing for three scores on his own. Georgia is a national contender until proven otherwise.
4. Michigan Wolverines
The stat sheet looks great for the Wolverines, but it was tough sledding for much of their contest vs. Indiana. Blake Corum picked up 50 yards on an insane display of his vision, but he only mustered 74 yards on his other 23 carries.
However, J.J. McCarthy showed some life at QB, which is necessary for Michigan to compete at the highest level. But as long as the defensive line can continue to generate pressure, which they’ve had no issue doing all year, they’ll derail opposing offenses.
5. USC Trojans
In two of the last three games, Caleb Williams has completed less than 52% of his passes for fewer than 190 yards. But USC remains with a donut in the loss column, as the rushing attack and defense have picked up the slack when needed. If Williams can find his rhythm and stay in it, the Trojans can reach their first undefeated season since 2004.
6. Clemson Tigers
Clemson allowed just 254 total yards and three points against Boston College. Yet, the Tigers’ offense was 5 of 14 on third down and started the game with the following drives: field goal, interception, punt, punt, punt, punt.
QB DJ Uiagalelei ultimately got his unit going, but slow starts won’t fly against stiffer competition. Although, with this defense, Clemson likely isn’t falling any time soon.
7. Oklahoma State Cowboys
Spencer Sanders and the Oklahoma State offense didn’t have their best day against Texas Tech, and they still put up 41 points. Sanders completed just under 50% of his passes, and the Cowboys averaged 3.3 yards on the ground.
But the defense wracked up 14 tackles for loss, four sacks, and a pick. Plus, kicker Tanner Brown nailed all of his field goals (four) and extra points (three).
8. Tennessee Volunteers
Bru McCoy (7-140) and Jalin Hyatt (4-63-2) continue to fill the void left by Cedric Tillman for this aerial assault.
QB Hendon Hooker definitely appreciates it, just as much as he appreciates Jabari Small torching LSU for 127 yards and two scores on 22 carries.
That’s three ranked opponents on the cutting board for Tennessee (Pitt, Florida, LSU), but a home match with Alabama might see them fall a few spots down the Top 25 rankings in Week 7.
9. Ole Miss Rebels
I’ve been skeptical of this Ole Miss passing attack all year, and a 3-TD, 2-INT performance from Jaxson Dart vs. Vanderbilt did nothing to quell my concerns. He completed 25 of 32 passes for 448 yards, but Dart has five TDs and a sub-60% completion rate under his belt this season. This isn’t the Matt Corral-led offense we saw from Lane Kiffin in 2021.
Still, the running game is firing on all cylinders. The defense has been a pleasant surprise. And Kiffin finally got Jonathan Mingo going, as the receiver hauled in nine receptions for 247 yards and two scores.
10. UCLA Bruins (Last Week: 12)
UCLA is legit. I know they play in a conference that plays spoiler to itself each year. But if they can survive the Pac-12 gauntlet, it could come down to them and cross-town rival USC for a playoff spot.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson is killing teams with both his legs and improvised passing, Zach Charbonnet can’t be stopped on the ground, Jake Bobo is a reliable weapon, and the defense is holding their end of the bargain.
11. TCU Horned Frogs (Last Week: 13)
Max Duggan, Kendre Miller, Quentin Johnston, Taye Barber, Derius Davis, Savion Williams … need I say more? TCU is loaded on offense, going toe-to-toe and outrunning SMU, Oklahoma, and Kansas in their last three games. The defense leaves some to be desired, but the secondary is quietly strong, with Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson leading the way.
12. Penn State Nittany Lions (Last Week: 10)
It was a bye week for Penn State. So how did they fall two spots? Well, UCLA and TCU are how. Those programs have been the more complete packages thus far, with the Nittany Lions weighed down by Sean Clifford at signal-caller. You need playmakers at the most valuable position in sports, and Clifford isn’t that.
13. North Carolina State Wolfpack (Last Week: 14)
I pegged Devin Leary as a mid-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, but his performances this year scream Day 3 to even UDFA. He’s thrown a pick in three straight games, has passed for 300+ yards just once, and is averaging a paltry 6.6 yards per attempt.
North Carolina State has won on the ground and on defense, but Leary must take his game to the next level for them to contend for an ACC title.
14. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (Last Week: 16)
Sam Hartman and Wake Forest are manhandling teams offensively, even dropping 45 on top-10-ranked Clemson to force overtime in Week 4. But they can’t drop their guard with a three-week leg at NC State, vs. UNC, and vs. Syracuse beginning Week 10.
15. North Carolina Tar Heels (Last Week: 17)
Despite scoring their fewest points this season (27), North Carolina dispatched ACC opponent Miami in Week 6. Drake Maye is already pushing for the QB1 label in the 2024 NFL Draft, but let’s not get too ahead of ourselves.
UNC is the frontrunner to battle Clemson for the ACC title in 2022, but Wake Forest and NC State still stand in their way on the schedule.
16. Kansas Jayhawks (Last Week: 11)
The Jayhawks may have lost, but they are still the best team in Kansas. Jalon Daniels left the contest early and didn’t return, putting the ball in the hands of Jason Bean.
The move provided a spark for the offense, resulting in a 38-31 shootout with TCU. Kansas was still in it with under a minute left, underlining the heart this team has.
17. Kansas State Wildcats (Last Week: 19)
10-9. That’s a score that showcases offensive ineptitude on both sides, as well as stellar defensive outings. But a win is a win, and that’s what Kansas State earned over Iowa State.
The Wildcats were 4 of 13 on third downs with the run game stalled. WRs Phillip Brooks (4-119-1) and Malik Knowles (5-108) proved to be the only offensive catalysts, but expect Deuce Vaughn and Adrian Martinez to bounce back.
18. Minnesota Golden Gophers (Last Week: 20)
Minnesota had a much-needed bye after a disappointing loss to Purdue in Week 5. They’ll need to get the train back on the tracks quickly, as they face 5-1 Illinois and 5-0 Penn State in their next two games.
19. Syracuse Orange (Last Week: 23)
Like Minnesota, Syracuse had a bye in Week 6 but moved up thanks to those ahead of them falling. Yet, the Orange may have the toughest six-week stretch of any school in the country, with NC State, Clemson, Notre Dame, Pitt, Florida State, and Wake Forest next up.
20. Coastal Carolina Chanticleers (Last Week: 25)
The Chants scored 28 points in the first half, didn’t score another point, and still pulled out the victory. Yes, it was against ULM, but the offense practically took the second half off.
Coastal’s schedule won’t allow them to rise much higher than 20, simply because they face practically no one of consequence the rest of the year. Regardless, Grayson McCall and CJ Beasley have this offense humming, and it’s #FunToWatch.
21. Oregon Ducks (Last Week: Unranked)
Alright, maybe I was a bit harsh to drop Oregon out of the Top 25 entirely after their embarrassing loss to Georgia. But wins over Eastern Washington, BYU, Washington State, Stanford, and Arizona are expected, and some of those contests were closer than they should’ve been. We can talk about the Ducks reaching the teens if they wreck UCLA’s undefeated season next week.
22. Mississippi State Bulldogs (Last Week: Unranked)
Will Rogers is tied for the national lead in passing touchdowns (19), and he has four receivers with 200+ yards this season. Mike Leach is going to air it out, and he has the perfect QB to do so.
Back-to-back wins over Texas A&M and Arkansas (albeit without KJ Jefferson) aren’t as impressive as they would’ve looked before the season. But those are two SEC programs nonetheless. With Kentucky and Alabama on tap, Mississippi State is about to show us who they really are.
23. Illinois Fighting Illini (Last Week: Unranked)
Sure, Illinois doesn’t any exceptional victories on their résumé, but they are 5-1, the defense has conceded over 10 points just once, and RB Chase Brown has rushed for 100+ yards in every contest. If they can knock off an underrated Minnesota team next week, expect the Fighting Illini to continue their rise.
24. James Madison Dukes (Last Week: Unranked)
Welcome to the FBS, James Madison! Following a 5-0 start to their first year above the FCS level, it’s time to give the Dukes the respect they deserve. Former Colorado State QB Todd Centio is on a tear, throwing 11 TDs to one INT so far this season.
Wins over MTSU and Appalachian State highlight JMU’s campaign, but they have bouts with Marshall, Louisville, and Coastal Carolina down the stretch to put their talent to the test.
25. Florida State Seminoles (Last Week: 22)
Unfortunately, this is likely the last time we will see Florida State in the Top 25 (for now), as they host Clemson next week. It’s not an impossible matchup, but it might as well be with the offensive line in front of Jordan Travis. This team has talent throughout the roster, but they aren’t ready to compete yet.
Teams on the Outside Looking In
- Cincinnati Bearcats
- Texas Longhorns
- UCF Knights
- Utah Utes
- Kentucky Wildcats