No. 1 Alabama (6-0)
Up next: vs. Arkansas (Oct. 19) Circle the date: vs. No. 6 LSU (Nov. 9)Worth noting: Alabama’s defense has found its groove. The Crimson Tide have allowed just one touchdown through their last four games, and they’ll welcome Bret Bielema to the SEC. The Razorbacks haven’t won in Tuscaloosa since 2003.
No. 2 Oregon (6-0)
Up next: vs. Washington State (Oct. 19)Circle the date: at No. 13 Stanford (Nov. 7)Worth noting: Oregon’s high-powered attack averages 58.3 points per game and is a cut above the rest in the race for No. 2. Marcus Mariota, who has 25 total TDs, continues his amazing season.
No. 3 Clemson (6-0)
Up next: vs. No. 5 Florida State (Oct. 19)Circle the date: vs. No. 5 Florida State (Oct. 19)Worth noting: The showdown with the Seminoles is so much bigger than the former “Bowden Bowls.” Tajh Boyd is 16-1 at home as a starter and Clemson has won the last five at home against Florida State.
No. 4 Ohio State (6-0)
Up next: vs. Iowa (Oct. 19)Circle the date: at Michigan (Nov. 30)Worth noting: The Buckeyes are the lone unbeaten team left in the Big Ten. Iowa hasn’t won in Columbus since 1991, so Braxton Miller and Co. should be able to protect and 18-game win streak.
No. 5 Florida State (5-0)
Up next: at No. 3 Clemson (Oct. 19)Circle the date: at No. 3 Clemson (Oct. 19)Worth noting: Freshman Jameis Winston is working on a Heisman Trophy campaign. Want to know the last Florida State quarterback to win at Clemson? Try Chris Rix in 2001.
No. 8 Louisville (6-0)
Up next: vs. Central Florida (Oct. 18)Circle the date: vs. Central Florida (Oct. 18)Worth noting: Teddy Bridgewater struggled at times without top receiver DeVante Parker, who didn’t play against Rutgers because of a shoulder injury. Parker’s health against Central Florida remains a question mark.
No. 9 UCLA (5-0)
Up next: at No. 13 Stanford (Oct. 19)Circle the date: at No. 13 Stanford (Oct. 19)Worth noting: Brett Hundley was contained by Stanford last season. He averaged 219 passing yards and 68 rushing yards with two TDs, but he also had two interceptions.
No. 10 Miami, Fla. (5-0)
Up next: at North Carolina (Oct. 17)Circle the date: at No. 5 Florida State (Nov. 2)Worth noting: Stephen Morris passed for 155 yards with two interceptions in an 18-14 loss to the Tar Heels last year. He’ll need to be better on Thursday night.
No. 12 Baylor (5-0)
Up next: vs. Iowa State (Oct. 19) Circle the date: vs. No. 18 Oklahoma (Nov. 7)Worth noting: Bryce Petty and the Bears survived a scare at Kansas State last week. Iowa State has won two of the last three meetings with Baylor, but the two wins were in Ames.
No. 14 Missouri (6-0)
Up next: vs. No. 22 Florida (Oct. 19)Circle the date: No. 22 Florida (Oct. 19)Worth noting: Freshman quarterback Maty Mauk is on the spot with James Franklin (shoulder) lost for the season, but at least the next two SEC East contenders (Florida, South Carolina) are coming to Columbia.
No. 16 Texas Tech (6-0)
Up next: at West Virginia (Oct. 19) Circle the date: at No. 18 Oklahoma (Oct. 26)Worth noting: Davis Webb passed for 418 yards and three TDs in place of Baker Mayfield against Iowa State last week. Now comes the challenge of not peeking ahead to Oklahoma at Morgantown.
No. 17 Fresno State (5-0)
Up next: vs. UNLV (Oct. 19)Circle the date: at San Jose State (Nov. 29)Worth noting: Derek Carr and the Bulldogs are a potential BCS buster, but their next four opponents are .500 or better.
No. 23 Northern Illinois (6-0)
Up next: at Central Michigan (Oct. 19)Circle the date: at Toledo (Nov. 20)Worth noting: Northern Illinois and Central Michigan have combined for six of the last eight MAC championships. Jordan Lynch and Co. could be in for a test on the road.
Houston (5-0)
Up next: vs. BYU (Oct. 19)Circle the date: at No. 8 Louisville (Nov. 16)Worth noting: John O’Korn won’t be confused with Houston’s Heisman Trophy contenders of the late 1980s, but his 11:1 TD:INT ratio is keeping the Cougars in business.
