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Projected College Football Playoff rankings after upset-filled Week 5

By Scott Rogust

Oct 2, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Derion Kendrick (11) and linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) react after a play against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Derion Kendrick (11) and linebacker Nakobe Dean (17) react after a play against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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With Week 5 in the books, here is how the College Football Playoff would look like if the college football season were to end today.

Week 5 of the college football season was not short on excitement, if we are being quite frank. That was highlighted by the No. 3 Oregon Ducks losing in overtime to the Stanford Cardinal and the on Saturday to send next week’s AP Top 25 into complete chaos. But, there is a bigger picture to look at.

The College Football Playoff and who should be in it will be debated throughout the season. If the 2021 campaign were to end right now, as of this writing, here is how the CFP rankings would look like between the four teams who qualify and the two teams who would miss out.

Projected College Football Playoff Rankings after Week 5

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

The Alabama Crimson Tide had what was supposed to be a test on Saturday against the No. 12 Ole Miss Rebels, and they aced it. The Crimson Tide capitalized on an over-aggressive Rebels team from the start to pick up a huge 42-21 win to improve to 5-0 on the season. The score may look relatively close, but it wasn’t. Alabama was leading 42-7 at one point in the second half.

2. Georgia Bulldogs

The Georgia Bulldogs showed from the start of the season that they are no joke, due in part to their ridiculously overpowered defense. That was evident this Saturday, when they smoked the No. 8 Arkansas Razorbacks by the score of 37-0. Simply put, the Bulldogs look unbeatable this year.

3. Oklahoma Sooners

The Oklahoma Sooners rise up the rankings now that Oregon is no longer an undefeated football team. The Big 12 leaders did have a tough challenge in the form of the Kansas State Wildcats, but they held on to win 37-31. We shall see how the Sooners fare next week when they face the Texas Longhorns in the Red River Showdown Game next week.

4. Iowa Hawkeyes

Like Oklahoma, the Iowa Hawkeyes jump into the Top 4 on Saturday by virtue of Oregon’s upset loss. Iowa had a dominant showing on Friday evening, when they blew out the Maryland Terrapins by the score of 51-24. Iowa has a huge game next weekend against Penn State.

Missed the Cut

5. Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State is two weeks removed from a signature win over the Auburn Tigers. They pulled off the victory over Villanova last week. While they are not out of the Top 4, they will have the chance to next week if they pull out a win against Iowa.

6. Cincinnati Bearcats

The Cincinnati Bearcats may have just missed the cut, but they deserve plenty of credit for the performance they put up in Week 5. They entered Notre Dame Stadium, took a 17-0 lead into the locker room at halftime, and pulled out the 24-13 victory over the No. 9 Fighting Irish. Luke Fickell’s program will be a team to watch throughout the season, because they could very well sneak into the Playoff at the end of the year.

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