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College football rankings: AP Top 25 predictions – Big shake-up in Top 10

By Connor Muldowney

DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 06: Texas Longhorns bench rushes onto the field to celebrate winning the Big 12 Conference Red River Rivalry game against the Oklahoma Sooners on October 6, 2018 at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - OCTOBER 06: Texas Longhorns bench rushes onto the field to celebrate winning the Big 12 Conference Red River Rivalry game against the Oklahoma Sooners on October 6, 2018 at Cotton Bowl Stadium in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by William Purnell/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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COLLEGE STATION, TX – OCTOBER 06: Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kellen Mond (11) runs the ball during the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and Texas A&M Aggies on October 6, 2018 at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, TX – OCTOBER 06: Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kellen Mond (11) runs the ball during the game between the Kentucky Wildcats and Texas A&M Aggies on October 6, 2018 at Kyle Field in College Station, TX. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Charlie Strong makes another appearance in the AP Top 25 this week after being the first team on the outside looking in just seven days ago. South Florida has been a surprise contender this season, racing out to a 5-0 record thanks to a strong offense led by Alabama and Arizona State transfer Blake Barnett. It also helps when you have a running back finish with 300 yards like Jordan Cronkrite did on Saturday against UMass. The Bulls will sneak into the Top 25 this week.

Just one week after a 13-6 home loss to Florida, the Bulldogs bounced back to beat Auburn. The Bulldogs looked like a completely different team than they did against the Gators, beating the No. 8 team in the land by two touchdowns. This is Joe Moorhead’s first signature win as head coach and he can thank the legs of Nick Fitzgerald who rushed for nearly 200 yards against the vaunted Tigers defense. The Bulldogs may bounce in and out of the Top 25 more than any team this season.

The Wolfpack may be the newest addition to the AP Top 25 from a week ago, but they are holding strong after a slim victory over Boston College at home. Ryan Finley had a strong game passing the ball and the Eagles not having AJ Dillon definitely helped matters. NC State will live to see another week in the AP Top 25, but just barely.

No one really expected Texas A&M and Kentucky to battle it out in a low-scoring affair, but the Aggies were able to overcome a late tying touchdown by the Wildcats to win in overtime. Jimbo Fisher looks to have the Aggies headed in the right direction as they’re playing with more heart than they ever did under Kevin Sumlin, it seems. Trayveon Williams stole the show with over 130 rushing yards, including the game-winning leap into the end zone in overtime.

Sure, a road game against Utah in a Pac-12 After Dark matchup seemed daunting enough, but the Cardinal had plenty of experience on the road in conference play before this Week 6 battle. Beating Oregon on the road looked to help the Cardinal out in this one, but quarterback K.J. Costello got off to a rough start as the Cardinal fell behind 21-0 early and eventually trailed 27-7 before mounting a late comeback that fell short. Stanford was without Bryce Love and his replacements, Trevor Speights and Cameron Scarlett combined for 22 carries for 67 yards. Stanford committed four turnovers.

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