The Five: Miami Takes the Crown as Utah Crashes the Party in College Football's The Five
BYU’s stay was short, Ohio State slips despite a bye, and Miami takes over the top spot in this week’s college football rankings.
College football never misses an opportunity to remind us that last week’s heroes can become this week’s afterthoughts.
BYU learned that lesson the hard way. After taking down Notre Dame in Provo, the Cougars found themselves on the wrong end of an upset against UCF. Their stay in The Five was short, sweet, and apparently nonrefundable.
With BYU out and Utah making its entrance, the rankings look a little different this week. Miami takes over the top spot, Ohio State slides to No. 2, and Georgia and Notre Dame get a week to regroup. Let’s get into this week’s Five.
No. 1 — Miami Hurricanes: The New Kings of The Five
Miami takes the top spot after handling Pitt 52–23. That’s how you make a statement. The Hurricanes didn’t just scrape by or escape with a win. They put 52 points on the board and took care of business.
There’s a difference between winning and looking like a team capable of controlling a game. Miami delivered the kind of performance that makes a case for the top spot, and this week, the Hurricanes get the crown.
Of course, being No. 1 comes with a target on your back. Everybody wants to knock off the team sitting at the top, and Miami now has to prove it can handle that pressure.
For now, the Canes are on top. The rest of the country can take a number.
No. 2 — Ohio State Buckeyes: A Bye Week, but Still Questions
Ohio State didn’t take the field this week, but the Buckeyes still slide to No. 2.
The biggest concern remains the quarterback situation moving forward. The Buckeyes have the talent to compete with just about anybody in the country, but talent alone doesn’t guarantee a championship.
At some point, the quarterback play has to provide confidence that this team can handle the biggest moments of the season. The margin for error gets awfully small when the competition gets tougher.
Ohio State has the roster. Ohio State has the expectations. Now the question is whether the quarterback situation will help the Buckeyes meet those expectations—or become the thing that holds them back.
A week off gives them time to prepare. It doesn’t make the questions disappear.
No. 3 — Georgia Bulldogs: Time to Regroup
Georgia spent the week on bye after its loss to Auburn, leaving one big question hanging over Athens: How will the Bulldogs respond?
Nobody is pretending Georgia suddenly forgot how to play football. The talent is still there, and one loss doesn’t erase everything this team is capable of accomplishing.
But losses have a way of changing the conversation, especially when a program is expected to compete at the highest level every season.
The bye week gives Georgia an opportunity to regroup, make adjustments, and prepare for the next challenge. Now comes the important part: turning that extra time into a response on the field.
Was the Auburn loss a wake-up call, or a warning sign? Georgia will have to answer that question the next time it plays.
No. 4 — Notre Dame Fighting Irish: A Week Off to Reset
Notre Dame also had the week off, giving the Fighting Irish time to regroup after their loss to BYU. That defeat still matters. A bye week doesn’t erase it, and sitting at No. 4 means Notre Dame remains in the conversation, but there’s work to do.
The Irish have the opportunity to use this time to evaluate what went wrong and get ready for the challenges ahead. The talent is there, but eventually, potential has to turn into results.
Notre Dame doesn’t need to panic over one loss. It does need to show that the setback was something the team learned from rather than a preview of what’s to come.
The next time the Irish take the field, we’ll get a better idea of where they stand.
No. 5 — Utah Utes: Welcome to The Five
Welcome to The Five, Utah. The Utes earned their spot by grinding out a tough win against a really good Houston team. It wasn’t necessarily about making a flashy statement. It was about getting the job done against quality opposition.
And that’s what earns Utah a place in this week’s rankings.
Now comes the challenge. Making the Five is one thing; staying in it is another. Utah has entered a group where every week brings another opportunity for someone to make a statement—or get knocked down a few spots. The Utes have their invitation. Now they have to prove they belong.
The Verdict: One Week Changes Everything in The Five in College Football
This week’s Five has a new leader, a new arrival, and a couple of teams with something to prove.
Miami takes the crown after its convincing win over Pitt. Ohio State drops to No. 2 despite being on bye, with quarterback questions still hanging over the Buckeyes. Georgia and Notre Dame get time to regroup, while Utah earns its place after taking down Houston.
And BYU? The Cougars went from beating Notre Dame to losing to UCF, reminding everyone that college football doesn’t care how good you looked last Saturday.
That’s the beauty of this sport. The rankings can change in a hurry, reputations can take a hit, and a team nobody was talking about can suddenly become part of the conversation.
That’s The Five. College football turns fast. And Texas? Well…
Hook ’em… or whatever.
Whether your squad is defending the top spot or fighting to climb back into the conversation, now is the time to rep your colors. Grab official jerseys, hoodies, and sideline gear for Miami, Ohio State, and every major program at Fanatics before the next kickoff.
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