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College football power rankings: Predicting the AP Top 25 after Week 5

By Connor Muldowney

TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 29: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts with Hale Hentges #84 after passing for a touchown to Henry Ruggs III #11 against the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, AL - SEPTEMBER 29: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts with Hale Hentges #84 after passing for a touchown to Henry Ruggs III #11 against the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 29, 2018 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Ohio State Buckeyes Running Back J.K. Dobbins (2) runs with the ball and scores a touchdown during the second quarter the Ohio State Buckeyes versus the Penn State Nittany Lions game on September 29, 2018, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA – SEPTEMBER 29: Ohio State Buckeyes Running Back J.K. Dobbins (2) runs with the ball and scores a touchdown during the second quarter the Ohio State Buckeyes versus the Penn State Nittany Lions game on September 29, 2018, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, PA. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Everyone is just waiting for LSU to come back down to earth, but it’s just not happening. The Tigers took care of yet another opponent, continuing their red-hot start to the season as Ole Miss didn’t stand much of a chance in Week 5. Joe Burrow had his best game as the starting quarterback and that’s bad news for the rest of the SEC. The Tigers will remain in the top-five with another big win.

Another year, another scare against Syracuse. Even worse news for the Tigers is the fact that Trevor Lawrence suffered a shoulder injury and didn’t return against the Orange. Clemson overcame a late 10-point deficit behind the arm of Chase Brice and legs of Travis Etienne, beating the Orange on a last-minute touchdown rush. The Tigers may drop slightly in the rankings because of this close call at home.

One of the most anticipated Big Ten games of the season took place in Happy Valley on Saturday evening and Ohio State knew it would have a hostile environment to deal with, as well as an upset-hungry Nittany Lion squad. After falling behind 26-14 in the fourth quarter, it looked all but decided for the Buckeyes, but Dwayne Haskins led Ohio State back, taking a 27-26 lead with just over two minutes left and they came up with a big defensive stop on the Nittany Lions’ last drive.

Kirby Smart’s team just continues to run like a well-oiled machine even with Jake Fromm not passing for a single touchdown. The Bulldogs took care of Tennessee on Saturday afternoon, 38-12, and they didn’t look like they really even broke a sweat. The Bulldogs held the Volunteers to just over 200 total yards while rushing for 220 of their own. No. 2 has their name written all over it yet again.

Should anyone be surprised to see the Tide at No. 1 in the rankings? Even though the Crimson Tide faced off against a lackluster Louisiana team to conclude non-conference play until a mid-November matchup against The Citadel. Both Jalen Hurts, who burned his redshirt opportunity, and Tua Tagovailoa got some extended snaps and the Tide was able to run away with a convincing win over the lesser opponent yet again.

Next. Biggest takeaway from every Top 20 team in Week 5. dark

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