No college football team ranked in the AP Top 10 lost, but only one of them was truly tested.
Top-ranked Clemson survived an upset bid from unranked North Carolina. Tar Heels coach Mack Brown’s decision to go for two after Javonte Williams’ 1-yard touchdown rush brought UNC within 21-20 didn’t work out, and the defending champs extended their winning streak to 20 games.
Alabama, meanwhile, put on a clinic against Ole Miss. Tua Tagovailoa threw five of his six touchdown passes to DeVonta Smith, who broke Amari Cooper’s single-game program record for receiving yards (274) and TDs in a 59-31 rout.
Even though No. 3 Georgia and No. 4 LSU were idle, the SEC continued its dominance. Bo Nix and JaTarvious Whitlow combined for six total touchdowns as No. 7 Auburn routed Mississippi State 56-23.
Outside the SEC, No. 5 Ohio State raced out to a 38-0 halftime lead en route to a 48-7 win at Nebraska. While J.K. Dobbins led the Buckeyes with 177 rushing yards, it was Master Teague III (13 carries, 81 yards, 2 TDs) and quarterback Justin Fields (12/72/1) who found the end zone.
Most popular playoff picks
| Votes | |
|---|---|
| Alabama (5-0) | 14/14 |
| Clemson (5-0) | 11/14 |
| Ohio State (5-0) | 10/14 |
| Oklahoma (4-0) | 8/14 |
| LSU (4-0) | 6/14 |
| Auburn (5-0) | 4/14 |
| Georgia (4-0) | 3/14 |
Through the end of September, the race for the College Football Playoff is beginning to take shape.
Here’s how our writers see the playoff field after Week 5. (Note: These are not their projections for how the season will end.)
Andrea Adelson: 1. Alabama; 2. Clemson; 3. LSU; 4. Oklahoma
Edward Aschoff: 1. Clemson; 2. LSU; 3. Alabama; 4. Ohio State
Kyle Bonagura: 1. Alabama; 2. Oklahoma; 3. Clemson; 4. Ohio State
Bill Connelly: 1. Alabama; 2. Ohio State; 3. Oklahoma; 4. Clemson
Heather Dinich: 1. Alabama; 2. Auburn; 3. LSU; 4. Georgia
David M. Hale: 1. Alabama; 2. Ohio State; 3. Clemson; 4. Georgia
Sam Khan Jr.: 1. Auburn; 2. LSU; 3. Alabama; 4. Clemson
Chris Low: 1. Alabama; 2. Ohio State; 3. Auburn; 4. Clemson
Ivan Maisel: 1. Oklahoma; 2. Ohio State; 3. Clemson; 4. Alabama
Ryan McGee: 1. LSU; 2. Alabama; 3. Oklahoma; 4. Clemson
Adam Rittenberg: 1. Auburn; 2. Ohio State; 3. Alabama; 4. LSU
Alex Scarborough: 1. Clemson; 2. Oklahoma; 3. Alabama; 4. Ohio State
Mark Schlabach: 1. Alabama; 2. Georgia; 3. Oklahoma; 4. Ohio State
Tom VanHaaren: 1. Alabama; 2. Clemson; 3. Ohio State; 4. Oklahoma
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