Weekly college football top 25 rankings are a big part of every season, and Athlon Sports will update its top 25 following the games each weekend.
The fifth weekend of the 2024 season was headlined by Alabama's win over Georgia, Kentucky's upset of Ole Miss, Arizona's victory at Utah, and Notre Dame edging a close win over Louisville.
Alabama moves to the No. 1 spot in the post-Week 5 top 25 rankings, followed by Texas, Ohio State, Tennessee, and Georgia. Here are Athlon Sports' top 25 college football teams after Week 5:
College Football Top 25 Rankings (After Week 5)
1. Alabama (4-0)
Last Week: 6
Week 5 Result: Defeated Georgia
Kalen DeBoer passed his first SEC test by leading Alabama to a thrilling 41-34 victory against Georgia. Behind quarterback Jalen Milroe, the Crimson Tide led 30-7 at halftime. However, the Bulldogs rallied with 27 points in the second half to take a 34-33 lead with just over two minutes to go. DeBoer dialed up the perfect play on the next offensive snap, as Milroe connected with freshman Ryan Williams for a 75-yard touchdown strike to regain the lead. The defense intercepted Georgia quarterback Carson Beck in the end zone with less than a minute left to secure the victory and move to No. 1 in the rankings.
2. Texas (5-0)
Last Week: 1
Week 5 Result: Defeated Mississippi State
Arch Manning was excellent (26 of 31 for 324 yards and two scores) in his second start, helping the Longhorns pull away from Mississippi State for a 35-13 victory. The Bulldogs had some success with controlling the pace of the game and establishing the ground attack (150 yards), but Texas' defense settled in to allow just one drive in the second half to go beyond 15 yards.
3. Ohio State (4-0)
Last Week: 3
Week 5 Result: Defeated Michigan State
Ohio State's domination of Michigan State continued with a 38-7 win on Saturday night. The Buckeyes have won nine in a row over the Spartans, with each of the last five coming by 29 or more points. Coach Ryan Day's defense allowed only 60 yards in the second half, while receiver Jeremiah Smith added more highlights to his standout freshman season by catching five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown.
4. Tennessee (4-0)
Last Week: 4
Week 5 Result: Off Week
The Volunteers were off on Saturday. Coach Josh Heupel's team returns to action at Arkansas next week. This will be the Volunteers' first trip to Fayetteville since '20.
5. Georgia (3-1)
Last Week: 2
Week 5 Result: Lost to Alabama
Saturday night's showdown at Alabama quickly turned into a first-half dud with Georgia falling behind 30-7 at halftime. However, the Bulldogs rallied after quarterback Carson Beck (439 yards) shook off a poor start to take a 34-33 lead in the fourth quarter. However, after the Crimson Tide took the lead again, Beck tossed his third interception of the night with less than a minute left, dropping Georgia to its first loss of the season. The Bulldogs should rebound in the coming weeks, but coach Kirby Smart's team also has plenty to work on if they want to return to the SEC Championship Game in December.
6. Oregon (4-0)
Last Week: 7
Week 5 Result: Defeated UCLA
Saturday night's meeting against UCLA was never in doubt, as the Ducks cruised to an early lead and eventually won 34-13. After a slow start, coach Dan Lanning's team seems to get better each week on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel turned in another efficient night (280 yards and three scores), and Oregon's defense limited the Bruins to only 172 total yards.
7. Miami (5-0)
Last Week: 8
Week 5 Result: Defeated Virginia Tech
In a wild Friday night matchup that included a controversial ending, the Hurricanes rallied for a 38-34 victory over Virginia Tech. Quarterback Cam Ward continued his hot start to the season with several highlight reel plays and finished with 400 total yards and five overall scores. Although the defense struggled (six yards a play allowed), coach Mario Cristobal's group got a couple of timely stops in the second half to give Ward a chance to lead the comeback.
8. Penn State (4-0)
Last Week: 9
Week 5 Result: Defeated Illinois
The one-two punch of running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen combined for 196 rushing yards and two touchdowns to lead the way in Penn State's 21-7 victory over Illinois. After allowing the Fighting Illini to score a touchdown on an 11-play, 75-yard drive in the first quarter, the Nittany Lions' defense limited Illinois to just 144 yards the rest of the game.
9. Missouri (4-0)
Last Week: 11
Week 5 Result: Off Week
Missouri was off in Week 5 and will return to action next Saturday at Texas A&M. The off week came at a good time for the Tigers, as the offense and quarterback Brady Cook need to find its big-play ability before the showdown in College Station.
10. Michigan (4-1)
Last Week: 12
Week 5 Result: Defeated Minnesota
Minnesota scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to make things interesting, but Michigan held on for a 27-24 victory. The Golden Gophers outgained the Wolverines 296 to 241, but coach Sherrone Moore's squad again leaned on a punishing ground game behind running back Kalel Mullings (111 yards), and the defense recorded five sacks to aid in the win.
11. Notre Dame (4-1)
Last Week : 13
Week 5 Result: Defeated Louisville
The Fighting Irish were outgained 395 to 280, but coach Marcus Freeman's team made more than enough plays to beat Louisville 31-24. The defense limited the Cardinals to one fourth-down conversion on five attempts, forced two takeaways, and generated seven tackles for a loss. Quarterback Riley Leonard connected on a few big plays through the air and added 52 yards and a score on the ground to lead the way on offense.
12. USC (3-1)
Last Week: 14
Week 5 Result: Defeated Wisconsin
For the second week in a row, USC was a second-half team. But instead of falling short like the team did against Michigan, coach Lincoln Riley's squad pulled away for a 38-21 final over Wisconsin to earn the program's first Big Ten victory. After allowing 203 yards in the first half, the Trojans allowed only 82 over the final two quarters. Also, quarterback Miller Moss (30 of 45 for 308 yards and three scores) was sharp, with receiver Ja'Kobi Lane (10 catches) locked in as the No. 1 target.
13. Ole Miss (4-1)
Last Week: 5
Week 5 Result: Lost to Kentucky
The Rebels failed their first high-profile test of the '24 season in a 20-17 loss to Kentucky. Ole Miss never got its ground game on track (92 yards), and quarterback Jaxson Dart struggled to find clean pockets against a standout Wildcats' front. Although the Rebels didn't give up a ton of yards (336), Kentucky controlled the pace, won the physical battle, and connected on a clutch 63-yard pass in the fourth quarter to move into position for the game-winning touchdown.
14. LSU (4-1)
Last Week: 15
Week 5 Result: Defeated South Alabama
Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier threw for 409 yards and two touchdowns to help LSU easily dispatch South Alabama's upset bid in a 42-10 victory. The Jaguars entered Saturday night after scoring 87 points against Northwestern State and 48 versus Appalachian State but were held in check (333 total yards) in a solid all-around effort by the Tigers' defense.
15. Clemson (3-1)
Last Week: 16
Week 5 Result: Defeated Stanford
A solid performance on both sides of the ball helped Clemson easily dispatch Stanford 40-14 on Saturday night. The Tigers held the Cardinal to 5.1 yards a snap, forced three turnovers, and recorded 10 tackles for a loss. Quarterback Cade Klubnik threw for 255 yards and accounted for five overall scores for coach Dabo Swinney's squad. Up next is a favorable stretch - at Florida State, at Wake Forest, and Virginia - before a showdown against Louisville on Nov. 2.
16. Iowa State (4-0)
Last Week: 17
Week 5 Result: Defeated Houston
Matt Campbell became the winningest coach in Iowa State history after a 20-0 victory against Houston on Saturday night. The Cyclones pounded the Cougars for 240 rushing yards, while the defense allowed only 241 total yards.
17. BYU (5-0)
Last Week: 22
Week 5 Result: Defeated Baylor
BYU used a huge first-half effort to beat Baylor 34-28. The victory over the Bears gave the Cougars win No. 5, which matches the team's total from the '23 season.
18. Kansas State (4-1)
Last Week: 23
Week 5 Result: Defeated Oklahoma State
The Wildcats rebounded from last week's blowout loss to BYU to pound Oklahoma State 42-20. Quarterback Avery Johnson passed for 259 yards and three scores, and running back DJ Giddens powered a rushing attack that gashed the Cowboys for 300 yards on the ground.
19. Oklahoma (4-1)
Last Week: 20
Week 5 Result: Defeated Auburn
Hopes of a win at Auburn seemed bleak with the Sooners trailing 21-10 in the fourth quarter. However, a much-needed big play by quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. to receiver JJ Hester led to a touchdown drive, which was followed by an interception returned for a score by linebacker Kip Lewis. The combination of those two plays helped Oklahoma stun Auburn 27-21 for its first SEC victory.
20. Utah (4-1)
Last Week: 10
Week 5 Result: Lost to Arizona
A week after a huge road win at Oklahoma State, the Utes suffered a 23-10 loss to Arizona in Salt Lake City. Quarterback Cam Rising was out once again, and freshman Isaac Wilson (20 of 40 for 280 yards and two interceptions) was up-and-down in his place for an offense that struggled to finish drives. Utah's defense also had its hands full trying to stop the Wildcats' passing attack.
21. Texas A&M (4-1)
Last Week: 24
Week 5 Result: Defeated Arkansas
The Aggies continued their dominance over rival Arkansas with a 21-17 victory in Arlington. The win on Saturday gave Texas A&M its 12th win in 13 matchups against the Razorbacks. Coach Mike Elko's team made just enough plays with the game in the balance in the fourth quarter, including a strong effort on both lines of scrimmage.
22. Boise State (3-1)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 5 Result: Defeated Washington State
Another week, another monster performance from running back Ashton Jeanty. The Heisman Trophy candidate pounded Washington State's defense for 259 yards and four touchdowns in a 45-24 victory for Boise State.
23. Louisville (3-1)
Last Week: 18
Week 5 Result: Lost to Notre Dame
Missed opportunities and mistakes is the best way to sum up Louisville's loss at Notre Dame. Coach Jeff Brohm's squad lost three turnovers, committed six penalties, and had a drive end deep in Fighting Irish territory without points.
24. Illinois (4-1)
Last Week: 19
Week 5 Result: Lost to Penn State
The Fighting Illini gave Penn State a battle in Happy Valley but fell short in a 21-7 contest. Coach Bret Bielema's squad struggled on both lines of scrimmage, which was a huge factor in the defeat. Illinois ran for only 34 yards and surrendered 239 to the the Nittany Lions. Penn State's defense also recorded seven sacks.
25. Arizona (3-1)
Last Week: Not Ranked
Week 5 Result: Defeated Utah
The Wildcats return to the top 25 after a huge road victory against Utah. Quarterback Noah Fifita made several clutch throws, while Arizona recorded eight pass breakups and forced two takeaways in the 23-10 victory.
Up Next: Indiana, Rutgers, UNLV, Boston College, Nebraska, Iowa
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