The morning games were mellow, the noon games were cooking, but the evening games…were awful. Cincinnati/Iowa State was shockingly good and Cincy might be good. The marquee games in the afternoon were stellar from start to finish. The evening games was a drag. I nearly fell asleep on the majority of them except two other Big 12 games. After that ebb-and-flow of a weekend college football schedule, I think we have an idea of two pretty damn strong teams in Ohio State and Miami having a vaunted defense and an array of offensive weapons to balance the roster. I’m not saying that there aren’t others out there that have it, but I’m looking at consistency after five games, and both have stayed consistent. I will give Oregon a chance to prove they do too this upcoming weekend against Indiana, but Indiana might have a say too. Look out for next weekend with a multitude of interesting matchups.

12) SOUTH FLORIDA (4-1)

USF obliterated Charlotte. Not only did Byrum Brown work through the air, but he also grounded 162 rushing yards too. That’s something they must do if they want to return to the Top 25 and compete as the highest Group of Five team to get into the playoffs. Most importantly, Florida upset Texas, so that goes a long way for their resume.

11) OKLAHOMA (5-0)

Oklahoma shut out Kent State with little to no issue. I’m pissed that I didn’t get to watch Kent State quarterback Dru DeShields play, but that’s beside the point. Oklahoma’s defense finally forced a turnover this season (two in that game) and should finally give them a taste of blood knowing that the Red River is upon us this weekend. However, Oklahoma must do it without John Mateer and their third receiving option in Keontez Lewis🙏🏾 Will the Mike Hawkins show be better than last year? God help us all in Sooner Nation! 🙏🏾

10) TEXAS A&M (5-0)

Question me all you want, but I haven’t seen anything that pops about Texas A&M. However, they find ways to control the situation when it looks like it’ll get out of control. Defense hasn’t been all that great to start things out until SEC play before finally playing some good football. As of right now, they will be the reason this team has chances to win. However, I must see stiffer competition to believe that A&M and Marcel Reed can be for real this season.

9) TEXAS TECH (5-0)

It was a slow-moving drag of a game, but the Red Raiders were the better team outright. Defense tortured Houston on multiple occasions. When it looked like Houston finally got something going, Tech shut it down immediately. We’re talking three turnovers and a loss of their starting quarterback Conner Weigman. Tech’s defense is for real, and that’s a first saying that as a Big 12 fan.

8) GEORGIA (4-1)

Georgia took down Kentucky with no problem. Gunnar Stockton did the majority of the work, especially with his feet. They travel to Auburn and that game could go either way. I want to assume it should be easy work for the Dawgs, but Auburn kept it real close with A&M two weeks ago.

7) OLE MISS (5-0)

BYE

6) ALABAMA (4-1)

Alabama was in full focus against Vanderbilt. It wasn’t pretty at first and fans had anxiety for a bit after the first quarter. Eventually, the Tide got going and there was nothing Vanderbilt could do to stop it. Since the second half, Alabama’s defense didn’t allow a single point and forced Diego Pavia’s hand on more than one occasion. Alabama may be back in the SEC title conversation, but stiffer competition will tell if the Tide is back.

5) GEORGIA TECH (5-0)

BYE

4) INDIANA (5-0)

BYE

3) OREGON (5-0)

BYE

2) MIAMI (5-0)

Miami showed that they might be the best team in the ACC right now. Defense, led by edge Reuben Bain Jr., played out of their mind and put a stranglehold on quarterback Thomas Castellanos. The team’s familiar with him from his Boston College days, so the gameplan didn’t change much. They face Louisville next but their October schedule’s a bit light the rest of the way.

1) OHIO STATE (5-0)

There wasn’t much that needed to be said for Ohio State. They pummeled Minnesota per usual, and Carnell Tate had a big day with 183 yards and a touchdown. The defense’s third down percentage was absurd as Minnesota couldn’t do much of anything against the Buckeye defense in that situation. Next up for Ohio State, Illinois.

HONORABLE MENTION

CINCINNATI AND VIRGINIA…AGAIN!

They did it. They’re making head way in their respective conferences and could create some chaos in October. Cincinnati and Virginia may have the easiest path to November with a quality 7-1 record. Cincy’s defense with their quarterback is fierce while Virginia proved their offense with a healthy Chandler Morris can tussle with nearly any team in the nation.

UCLA

UCLA was down and out from the start of the season. Nico Iamaleava wasn’t playing well, former coach Deshaun Foster was fired, and the program was left in the dust of the Big Ten. Fortunately for them, they seemed rejuvenated with their offensive coordinator Jerry Neuheisel “Jerry-rigging” what was a good Penn State defense. They not only won their first game, but they also upset a Top 10 ranked opponent in the first month of October. They’re now the fifth winless team to pull that off in college football history.

FLORIDA

Like UCLA, Florida’s early struggles left them questioning themselves and begging to get Billy Napier out asap. But their home game against a questionable Texas team seemed like a fitting situation to rejuvenate their hope for a six-plus win season again. Defense outplayed the Texas offense from start to finish and left Arch Manning with waking nightmares to come for next week. Thank you, Gator Nation! Boomer Sooner!!! Does this Top 10 upset win get Napier back off the hot seat? Well? Anyone? Well…