- Ole Miss gets a bye: The Rebels move from outside the field into the top four after their win over then-No. 4 LSU.
- Indiana and Alabama join the bracket as well: Both the Hoosiers and Crimson Tide are now in the 12-team field after big wins this past weekend.
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It’s never too early to start projecting the College Football Playoff. Before the games kick off in a massive Week 6, here’s what PFF’s updated bracket would look like based on our top-25 for the week.
Byes
1. Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State is back in the top spot after holding the most efficient offense in college football, Washington, to just 4.6 yards per play in a 24-6 victory. The Buckeyes have only given up 5.5 points per game so far and only allowed 13 points combined to Texas and Washington.
2. Oregon Ducks
Oregon vaults up to No. 2 following a 30-24 double overtime victory over third-ranked Penn State on Saturday night. Dante Moore became the new Heisman favorite following the victory, posting an 80.1 PFF passing grade with three big-time throws in the White Out.
3. Miami (FL) Hurricanes
Miami was off this past weekend and resumes play in Week 6 against No. 18 Florida State.
4. Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss goes from outside the top 10 to No. 4 following a 24-19 win over the previous fourth-ranked team in LSU. Trinidad Chambliss continued his scorching hot start to the season by earning an 83.0 overall PFF grade. The former Division II player’s 90.2 grade on the season is third among all quarterbacks in the country.
First Round
5. Texas A&M Aggies vs. 12. Memphis Tigers
Texas A&M moves into the top five following a 16-10 victory over Auburn. The Aggies held the Tigers to just 3.6 yards per play in the win, with star linebacker Taurean York posting an 83.8 PFF grade. Texas A&M takes on Mississippi State this week, a team that just took Tennessee to overtime.
Although Memphis is no longer ranked in the PFF top 25, the Tigers remain the leaders for the Group of Five playoff spot. Memphis handled business this past weekend with a 55-26 victory over FAU, rushing for 322 yards and averaging 7.5 yards per carry.
6. Oklahoma Sooners vs. 11. Texas Tech Red Raiders
Oklahoma had a bye this past weekend and battles Kent State in Week 6. It’s the Sooners’ first game without star quarterback John Mateer as he recovers from hand surgery.
Texas Tech was off this past weekend and is back in action this weekend against an undefeated Houston squad.
7. Indiana Hoosiers vs. 10. LSU Tigers
Indiana moves into the top 10 following a 20-15 road victory over Iowa. The Hawkeyes entered the week with easily the best offensive line grade in the country (97.1), but could only muster a 48.0 PFF run-blocking grade against the Hoosiers’ elite defensive front.
LSU moves down a few spots after its loss to then-No. 13 Ole Miss. Garrett Nussmeier compiled just a 61.2 PFF passing grade in the loss, while the Tigers only rushed for 65 yards as a team. LSU is off this week before taking on South Carolina next week.
Alabama is back in the top 10 after a 24-21 victory over then-fifth-ranked Georgia. The Crimson Tide secured an elite 93.5 PFF pass-blocking grade in the game. Quarterback Ty Simpson took advantage of his clean pockets, posting an 84.8 PFF passing grade in such situations. Alabama hosts ESPN’s College GameDay this week against No. 16 Vanderbilt.
Georgia moved down a handful of spots after its loss to Alabama. The Bulldogs also gave Gunner Stockton clean pockets, generating a 91.3 PFF pass-blocking grade in the loss. But, the difference in the game was that Stockton couldn’t capitalize on them, posting just a 68.4 passing grade when kept clean.
