“College GameDay” panelist Kirk Herbstreit went on the “Nonstop” podcast with Joey Galloway to discuss who he thinks are the top five college football teams. The Georgia Bulldogs (6-1) were nowhere to be found, not making Herbstreit’s top five.
Record has some effect on the rankings and the Alabama Crimson Tide the only team that has a loss in Herbstreit’s rankings, and Georgia lost to the Crimson Tide 27-24.
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However, the Bulldogs defeated the then No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers and No. 5 Ole Miss Rebels. They’re the only team in the top 25 to defeat two top-15 opponents, outside of Alabama. Unlike Alabama, Georgia has not lost to an unranked foe.
Ohio State and Indiana make up the first two teams in Herbstreit’s rankings, and the Big Ten looks like it could be a two-team race between the Buckeyes and the Hoosiers. Texas A&M remains undefeated and enters as the No. 3 team. “It’s like 1A and 1B for me,” Herbstreit said when describing Ohio State and Indiana.
The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets surprisingly ranked at No. 4. The Yellow Jackets are the top team in the ACC with Miami losing to Louisville. However, they’re the only team in the top five that doesn’t have a ranked win, although the Georgia Bulldogs are the only ranked opponent on Georgia Tech’s schedule.
“I love Georgia Tech! When I sent it to Jake and I put ‘GT’ and he said ‘You meant Georgia, right?’ and I said no,” Herbstreit said.
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We think that Herbstreit is vastly overrating Georgia Tech, like much of the media. The Yellow Jackets are a contender to win the ACC, but who is their best win this season? Georgia Tech has five wins over Power Four opponents this season and none of them have under three losses. Their best win probably came at home against Clemson, who is a having a disastrous season. Georgia Tech drew an easy schedule this year and has a perfect record, but is not a top-five team.
Alabama rounds out the rankings at No. 5. The Crimson Tide are arguably the most battle-tested team in the league, with wins against No. 5 Georgia, No. 10 Vanderbilt, No. 15 Missouri, and No. 17 Tennessee.
Kirk Herbstreit’s top 5 rankings before Week 9
Ohio State Buckeyes running back CJ Donaldson Jr. (12) runs the ball during the game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin.
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Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0)
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Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-0)
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This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: Georgia Bulldogs not included in Kirk Herbstreit’s top 5 before Week 9
