College Football Rankings 2017: Projected Top 25 after Week 5

DURHAM, NC - SEPTEMBER 29: Ahmmon Richards #82 of the Miami Hurricanes runs for a 49-yard touchdown during their game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on September 29, 2017 in Durham, North Carolina. Miami won 31-6. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /

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Saquon Barkley: College football's best player.

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 30: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Penn State Nittany Lions pulls up to throw a touchdown pass to DaeSean Hamilton #5 during the fourth quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers on September 30, 2017 at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania. Penn State defeats Indiana 45-14. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

No. 5: Washington Huskies

Ranking coming into Week 5: No. 6

It was a struggle through the first couple of quarters, but Jake Browning and the Huskies exploded in the second half and blew out the woeful Oregon State Beavers in Corvallis on Saturday night to remain undefeated this season. With USC suffering a key conference loss to Wazzu on Friday night, the Apple Cup could be one of the most important games of the entire season.

No. 4: Penn State Nittany Lions

Ranking coming into Week 5: No. 4

If Saquon Barkley isn’t your odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy this season, then your ballot is wrong and should be voided outright. Barkley took back the opening kickoff in Penn State’s blowout victory over Indiana in Happy Valley on Saturday afternoon. It was an easy day at the office for Barkley and the Nittany Lions, who remain the favorites in the Big Ten.

No. 3: Oklahoma Sooners

Ranking coming into Week 5: No. 3

The Sooners were off this week, so they’ll hold in their No. 3 spot this week with the Red River Shootout awaiting them in two weeks.

No. 2: Clemson Tigers

Ranking coming into Week 5: No. 2

For the second time this season, the defending champions entered a chaotic environment and for the second time this year, Clemson looked completely dominant. Kelly Bryant may not make Clemson fans completely forget about Deshaun Watson, but he’s trying and succeeding to a degree. The Tigers, like the No. 1 team in these projections, are a Playoff contention.

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No. 1: Alabama Crimson Tide

Ranking coming into Week 5: No. 1

Another week in the books and another Crimson Tide drubbing. The Tide crushed Ole Miss at home to remain unbeaten and atop the Top 25 heading to the halfway point of the season. With the rest of the schedule looking like less and less of a problem as the weeks pass by, it’s safe to safe that Alabama should be in the College Football Playoff again at season’s end. It’s just another year in Tuscaloosa.

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