US LBM Coaches Poll college football ranking prediction after Week 5 losses in top 10

There will be a big shakeup in the new US LBM Coaches Poll after losses by four teams in last week’s top eight, though there will be no change at the top after Ohio State held off Washington.

Both teams that might’ve had an argument for replacing the Buckeyes suffered conference losses: No. 3 Georgia lost 24-21 to Alabama and No. 2 Penn State fell 30-24 in overtime to Oregon.

While the win in Happy Valley might be the best by any team this season, that won’t be enough to lift the Ducks from last week’s No. 5 to the top spot in the Top 25.

One team that won’t stay in the top 10 is Florida State, which lost in overtime at Florida State. That paves the way for Mississippi to rise in the rankings after its defeat of No. 4 LSU.

Where these teams fall in the remade rankings is the poll’s biggest question. LSU is now 4-1 with a sputtering offense. Penn State dropped to 3-1 after an uninspiring non-conference season. What do voters do with 3-1 Georgia given how the Bulldogs’ win against Tennessee took a hit with the Volunteers’ narrow victory at Mississippi State?

Here’s how the top 10 should look when the US LBM Coaches Poll is released later on Sunday:

1. Ohio State (4-0)

The Buckeyes passed their first road test of the year by beating Washington 24-6. One big factor in the win was Ohio State’s red-zone defense, which held the Huskies to six points on three trips inside the 20-yard line. The defending national champions are beginning to develop a blueprint for staying atop the FBS, and the play from Julian Sayin should continute to improve.

2. Oregon (5-0)

The Ducks will be the new No. 2, rising three spots after its stirring defeat of Penn State and losses by both Georgia and LSU. Quarterback Dante Moore was terrific against the Nittany Lions in what was his first real test as the starter, completing 29 of 39 attempts with three touchdowns and no turnovers.

Oregon running back Jayden Limar carries the ball during his team’s game against Penn State at Beaver Stadium.

3. Miami (4-0)

Off on Saturday, the Hurricanes next take on Florida State in a matchup that lost some sheen with the Seminoles falling in overtime at Virginia. That loss will dump FSU down the Top 25 after rising to No. 8 in last week’s rankings, though Miami will still have a shot at earning a third ranked win on the year.

4. Penn State (3-1)

Given what happened across the top eight, it’s reasonable to think the Nittany Lions could drop only two spots after the overtime loss. But this offense is in real trouble. The concerns after non-conference games against Nevada, Villanova and Florida International are now rooted in reality after the Nittany Lions managed just 276 yards on 60 plays against Oregon, with a big chunk coming on a pair of touchdown drives in the fourth quarter to force overtime.

5. Texas (3-1)

Winning three in a row after dropping the opener to Ohio State has Texas in better shape heading into a crucial October featuring four games away from home. After traveling to Florida, the Longhorns face Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl before road games against Kentucky and Mississippi State. October will provide a better picture of how good this team is.

6. Mississippi (5-0)

Look for the Rebels to rocket as high as No. 6 after beating LSU 24-19 behind 385 yards of offense from quarterback Trinidad Chambliss. The team’s biggest issue might be a brewing quarterback controversy between Chambliss and Austin Simmons, the starter entering the year. But the win on Saturday puts Ole Miss in prime position for the playoff just five games into the year.

7. Georgia (3-1)

Two losses in as many years to Alabama and coach Kalen DeBoer has the Bulldogs facing an early hole in the topsy-turvy SEC. Georgia was able to settle things down in the second half but dug itself into a big hole early against Ty Simpson and the Crimson Tide offense. And a couple of missed opportunities in the second half caused a rare home defeat for Kirby Smart’s team.

8. Texas A&M (4-0)

It was a little tighter than expected given how A&M dominated the game, but a 16-10 win against Auburn did feature a great performance from a defense that had struggled through three games. That this unit is starting to round into form under coach Mike Elko is a very good sign for the Aggies as SEC play heats up.

9. Oklahoma (4-0)

This was a good time for the Sooners’ off week. For one, getting more time to self-scout and prepare is always a positive, especially with the Red River Rivalry coming on Oct. 11. But this was an even bigger plus given quarterback John Mateer’s hand injury, which could sideline him for a month. The extra time gives coordinator Ben Arbuckle, backup quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. and the offense a better chance to get on the same page before meeting lowly Kent State on Saturday.

10. LSU (4-1)

Where LSU lands is one of the biggest questions in this week’s poll. On one hand, the Tigers were No. 4, and after a loss at the Rebels would seem unlikely to take too far a tumble. But LSU made its name on a 17-10 win against Clemson that means very little given how Dabo Swinney’s team has dropped toward the bottom of the ACC. The other option in this spot is Indiana, which stayed unbeaten with a 20-15 win at Iowa.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football coaches poll ranking prediction after Week 5

Source link