2: 54 AM ET
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Designate SchlabachESPN Senior Author
- Senior college soccer creator
- Author of seven books on college soccer
- Graduate of the University of Georgia
On a Saturday by which the pause two groups within the AP and coaches’ polls didn’t play, the opposite College Football Playoff contenders on the again of Alabama and Clemson held relieve with out great drama.
Georgia, LSU, Notre Dame, Ohio Say, Oklahoma and Wisconsin every received by 24 factors or more.
Florida made the supreme assertion of Week 6 with a 24-13 victory over Auburn. The Gators’ reward is next weekend’s outing to LSU.
Listed below are the ESPN Vitality Rankings after Week 6:
1. Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0)

The Crimson Tide had the weekend off earlier than their supreme take a look at of 2019 up to now — next Saturday’s outing to Texas A&M. The Tide lead the all-time sequence 9-3, including a 4-0 myth in College Station. Alabama received last season’s meeting 45-23 at residence. Tide coach Cut Saban is 17-0 towards his ancient assistants, including a 2-0 tag towards Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher, who became his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at LSU from 2000 to 2004. Saban’s groups indulge in received these games by an average of 41-14.
Up next: at Texas A&M (Saturday, 3: 30 p.m. ET, CBS)
2. Ohio Say Buckeyes (6-0)

With out a doubt one of many worries about Ohio Say going forward became its offensive line, but the unit responded within the second quarter of a 34-10 victory over Michigan Say. After struggling towards the Spartans’ menacing defensive entrance early (OSU had 16 yards on its first 16 offensive plays), the Buckeyes settled down and had 296 yards within the second quarter, when they exploded for 24 factors. OSU had 323 rushing yards on 49 attempts. Justin Fields, who became sacked twice early and threw his first interception of the season, carried out 17 of 25 passes for 206 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in his most advanced take a look at up to now.
Up next: at Northwestern (Oct. 18, 8: 30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1)
3. Georgia Bulldogs (5-0)

Tennessee quarterback Brian Maurer and his receivers gashed Georgia’s defense for great plays early. No longer so great within the second half, on the opposite hand. Georgia’s defense allowed easiest 104 yards after halftime, and linebacker Tae Crowder scooped up a fumble and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown as the Bulldogs pulled away for a 43-14 victory on the toll road. The Bulldogs had three sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Georgia has received eight of the previous 10 towards the Volunteers. The Bulldogs triumphed within the two most most modern games at Neyland Stadium by a blended receive of 84-14. One sore space: UGA had 11 penalties for 107 yards.
Up next: vs. South Carolina (Saturday, noon ET, ESPN)
4. LSU Tigers (5-0)

LSU’s offensive renaissance persisted Saturday, as the Tigers piled up 610 yards in a 42-6 rout of Utah Say. Joe Burrow grew to turn out to be the first LSU quarterback to throw for more than 300 yards in four consecutive games; he had 344 yards and five touchdowns on 27-for-38 passing towards the Aggies. Burrow already has 22 touchdown passes this season, which is five more than the Tigers had in every of the old two seasons and 10 more than they had in 2016. He wants easiest six more TD tosses to tie the college single-season myth of 28 space by JaMarcus Russell (2006) and Matt Mauck (2003).
Up next: vs. Florida (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
5. Clemson Tigers (5-0)

The Tigers also were slothful Saturday, they usually wished the extra apply time to get their offense again in rhythm. While the offense has without warning struggled now and again, Clemson’s defense has been gorgeous spacious. The Tigers has held every of their first five opponents below 300 yards of offense; Ohio Say is the most productive other FBS program to attain that. No topic losing four initiating defensive linemen and two linebackers from last season’s national championship squad, the Tigers are pressuring opposing quarterbacks 47% of the time, which is the fourth-very best tag within the FBS.
Up next: vs. Florida Say (Saturday, 3: 30 p.m. ET, ABC)
6. Oklahoma Sooners (5-0)

Whether it became on story of infamous weather, a sparse crowd, their opponent or wanting ahead to next weekend’s showdown towards Texas within the Crimson River Contention, the Sooners a little bit lackadaisical in a 45-20 victory at Kansas on Saturday. If a 25-point recall is notion to be a letdown, Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley presumably would recollect it per week. Jalen Hurts threw for 228 yards with two touchdowns and ran for 56 yards with two more rankings. He’s to blame for 21 touchdowns this season, which is tied with Kyler Murray (2018) for the most by an OU player by the first five games within the previous 15 years, in line with be taught from ESPN Stats & Data.
Up next: vs. Texas in Dallas (Saturday, noon ET, Fox)
7. Wisconsin Badgers (5-0)

Wisconsin’s defense pitched a 48-0 shutout over Kent Say on Saturday, and the Badgers are on ride to be one in every of the most statistically dominant devices in Gigantic Ten historic previous. Wisconsin has allowed easiest 29 factors in five games — the fewest because it surrendered 26 within the first five games in 2004 — and it posted its third shutout of the season, tying the college myth for a single season space in 1937. The Badgers are the first Gigantic Ten crew to indulge in three shutouts within the first five games for the reason that 1973 Michigan squad. Kent Say managed easiest 124 yards of offense — 64 passing and 60 rushing.
Up next: vs. Michigan Say (Saturday, 3: 30 p.m. ET)
8. Florida Gators (6-0)

Georgia could perhaps presumably not waltz to the SEC championship sport. Florida’s defense made rather an announcement in its 24-13 recall over Auburn on Saturday, forcing four turnovers with three sacks. The Gators indulge in allowed easiest 16 factors in four residence games this season. The Gators made their half of mistakes, turning the ball over four times (losing fumbles on three consecutive possessions) and failing to procure a vital down on a pretend punt from their 34-yard line. But quarterback Kyle Trask showed some toughness by getting again from a sprained knee to discontinuance 19 of 31 passes for 234 yards and two touchdowns.
Up next: at LSU (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
9. Notre Dame Battling Irish (4-1)

The Irish passing sport rolled towards overmatched Bowling Green, as Ian Book grew to turn out to be the first Notre Dame quarterback to throw five touchdowns (to four assorted avid gamers) within the first half for the length of a 52-0 shutout. Book also joined Brady Quinn (2005) as the most productive Irish avid gamers with more than one games with five touchdown passes within the same season. The Irish posted their first shutout in more than five years; the old one became a 31-0 victory over Michigan on Sept. 6, 2014. They are about to face their most advanced two-sport stretch supreme — at residence towards Southern California on Saturday and at Michigan on Oct. 26.
Up next: vs. USC (Saturday, 7: 30 p.m. ET, NBC)
10. Texas Longhorns (4-1)

Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger warned us that the “horns down” hand indicators for the length of West Virginia’s 42-41 recall in Austin last season would not be forgotten. Ehlinger delivered on his promise Saturday, as he threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for 2 more in a 42-31 recall over the Mountaineers. Texas’ banged-up defense surrendered more than 30 factors for the third time this season. But the Longhorns intercepted Austin Kendall four times, held the Mountaineers to easiest 96 rushing yards and restricted them to 4-for-14 on third down.
Up next: vs. Oklahoma in Dallas (Saturday, noon ET, Fox)
11. Penn Say Nittany Lions (5-0)

The Nittany Lions jumped on a depleted Purdue crew early and then took their foot off the pedal in a 35-7 recall. Penn Say scored touchdowns on every of its first four possessions for a 28-0 lead, but it scored easiest over again, on Noah Cain‘s 2-yard bustle with 5: 44 to play within the contest. That became good sufficient towards the Boilermakers, who played with out quarterback Elijah Sindelar and well-known person vast receiver Rondale Moore. Penn Say’s defense had 10 sacks, which became one insecure of the college single-sport myth.
Up next: at Iowa (Saturday, 7: 30 p.m. ET, ABC)
12. Auburn Tigers (5-1)

After a promising originate to his Auburn occupation, freshman quarterback Bo Nix‘s formative years showed within the 24-13 loss at Florida. Nix carried out easiest 11 of 27 passes for 145 yards with one touchdown and three interceptions. The Gators rattled him with stress early and in most cases; he became 0-for-5 with two sacks when below duress. He’s now easiest 8-for-38 when passing below stress this season, in line with ESPN Stats & Data knowledge. Nix carried out easiest 4 of 17 passes on attempts of longer than 5 yards towards the Gators. The Tigers get an off week to merely tackle their offensive miscues.
Up next: at Arkansas (Oct. 19, TBD)
13. Oregon Ducks (4-1)

In the not-so-distant previous, Oregon establish not indulge in had a possibility to recall if its offense struggled. But Mario Cristobal continues to transform the Ducks trusty into a bodily crew, they usually were able to conquer a plethora of first-half mistakes to flee with a 17-7 recall versus California. The Ducks had three turnovers within the first two quarters and trailed 7-0 at halftime. Then the Oregon defense opened the second half with four consecutive three-and-outs and an interception. The Ducks’ main rusher, CJ Verdell, left within the first half with a fair ankle hurt, and initiating defensive discontinuance Gus Cumberlander be troubled his knee slack.
Up next: vs. Colorado (Friday, 10 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1)
14. Utah Utes (4-1)

The Utes bought the week off after their 38-13 victory over Washington Say on Sept. 28, and the initiating date could perhaps presumably not indulge in reach at a greater time. Working again Zack Moss is anticipated again for Saturday’s sport at Oregon Say, after not playing towards the Cougars on story of a shoulder hurt. And a foot hurt had been bothering quarterback Tyler Huntley. In the period in-between, junior slot receiver Britain Covey, who became getting again from a torn ACL that took place in last season’s Pac-12 championship sport, suffered swelling, and he is anticipated to redshirt after playing in easiest four games in 2019. He had beforehand been troubled by persisted swelling and be troubled.
Up next: at Oregon Say (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, Pac-12)
15. Boise Say Broncos (5-0)

After being examined by Florida Say and Marshall to originate the season, the Broncos indulge in rolled by their previous three games, including a 38-13 victory at UNLV on Saturday night time. It figures to get more advanced over the next two weeks, on the opposite hand, with games looming towards Hawai’i at residence and then BYU on the toll road. The Broncos were amongst the least penalized groups within the FBS earlier than Saturday night time, when they had 10 for 130 yards. Two 15-yard fouls helped UNLV receive its easiest touchdown. The coolest news: The Broncos bought again two key pieces for UNLV when safety DeAndre Pierce and fair contend with John Ojukwu returned for the first time for the reason that opener at FSU.
Up next: vs. Hawai’i (Saturday, 10: 15 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
16. Michigan Wolverines (4-1)

The Wolverines in a roundabout procedure received a sport that mattered, taking down Iowa 10-3 at residence, they usually can thank their defense for the victory. Michigan’s D yielded easiest 1 rushing yard, in dapper section due to eight sacks, and allowed Iowa’s working backs to average easiest 3.2 yards per elevate. Michigan’s offense aloof left plenty to be desired, although, as the Wolverines didn’t receive within the supreme 51½ minutes and converted four Iowa turnovers into easiest three factors. Michigan had easiest 147 passing yards on 26 attempts and went 3-for-13 on third down.
Up next: at Illinois (Saturday, noon ET, ABC)
17. Arizona Say Sun Devils (4-1)

The Sun Devils needs to be better equipped after their bye week to protect Washington Say’s flow-happy offense after three key defensive avid gamers were able to get better from lingering injuries. Senior center linebacker Kobe Williams, who had began 30 consecutive games earlier than missing a 24-17 recall at California on Sept. 27, had surgical treatment last week to repair a broken center finger on his fair hand. Security Cam Phillips (dislocated elbow) and cornerback Scamper Lucas (wrist) are also expected to play towards the Cougars, who had an initiating date as nicely after losing consecutive games towards UCLA and Utah.
Up next: vs. Washington Say (Saturday, 3: 30 p.m. ET, Pac-12)
18. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (5-0)

The Demon Deacons, who also had a bye, were one in every of the most productive tales in college soccer up to now this season. They’ve received seven consecutive games going again to the supreme two of 2018, tying the longest winning trek in college historic previous, also done by the 1944 squad. They’re 5-0 for the first time since 2006, when they went 11-2, received the ACC and played within the Orange Bowl. The Demon Deacons indulge in received their previous two games towards Louisville — 42-32 at residence in 2017 and 56-35 on the toll road in 2018.
Up next: vs. Louisville (Saturday, 7: 30 p.m. ET, ACC Community)
19. Baylor Bears (5-0)

Matt Rhule’s noteworthy work at Baylor persisted as the Bears received 31-12 at Kansas Say for their first toll road victory in Gigantic 12 play in two years. Baylor’s defense became over again the adaptation, as it had six sacks and 15 tackles for loss — the most in a Gigantic 12 sport by the Bears in more than a decade. One field: Quarterback Charlie Brewer exited with an undisclosed hurt with about 11 minutes supreme within the fourth quarter. Rhule didn’t indulge in a straight away update on his place of dwelling. The Bears could perhaps presumably be ranked of their next four games earlier than Oklahoma and Texas reach to Waco, Texas, in November.
Up next: vs. Texas Tech (Saturday, 4 p.m. ET, TBD)
20. Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1)

Iowa had turned the ball over once in its first four games, which became tied with Oregon Say for fewest within the FBS. The Hawkeyes weren’t nearly about as stable with the soccer in a 10-3 loss at Michigan, throwing three interceptions and losing one fumble. The Hawkeyes also surrendered eight sacks in what became a miserable offensive performance on the Gigantic Dwelling. The Hawkeyes had a few chances to tie the game slack, but penalties and other miscues thwarted these possessions. It can perhaps perhaps presumably not get any more uncomplicated at residence towards Penn Say next weekend.
Up next: vs. Penn Say (Saturday, 7: 30 p.m. ET, ABC)
21. Virginia Cavaliers (4-1)

The Cavaliers had a further week to leap again from their 35-20 loss at Notre Dame on Sept. 28. There were plenty of mistakes to merely, after Virginia had five turnovers and surrendered eight sacks, including five within the third quarter. The Battling Irish scored 28 factors off Virginia turnovers, after its opponents had scored easiest 10 factors off turnovers within the first four games blended. The Cavs indulge in dropped four of their previous six games towards upcoming opponent Miami, but they received 16-13 at residence in 2018.
Up next: at Miami (Friday, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN)
22. SMU Mustangs (6-0)

The Mustangs were one in every of the most productive tales of the season, and their noteworthy turnaround below Sonny Dykes persisted in dramatic model with a 43-37 recall over Tulsa in three overtimes on Saturday night time. SMU rallied from a 21-point deficit within the fourth quarter and received within the third OT on Shane Buechele‘s 25-yard touchdown flow to James Proche. The Mustangs are 6-0 for the first time since 1982, when they done 11-0-1 with Eric Dickerson and Craig James. The comeback matched the second-supreme in college historic previous; SMU also rallied from 21 again towards Baylor in 1975.
Up next: vs. Temple (Oct. 19, TBD)
23. Cincinnati Bearcats (4-1)

The Bearcats clamped down on UCF’s excessive-scoring offense to pull off a 27-24 victory on Friday night time to recall early withhold watch over of the American Athletic Convention East bound. The victory ended UCF’s trek of 19 consecutive wins over AAC foes, and it snapped the Knights’ string of scoring no decrease than 30 factors in 31 consecutive games, which became the longest such trek within the FBS since 1936. The Bearcats compelled four turnovers and restricted UCF to easiest 3.0 yards per elevate. The Bearcats indulge in recovered nicely from an early 42-0 loss at Ohio Say.
Up next: at Houston (Saturday, 3: 30 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
24. Memphis Tigers (5-0)

The Tigers have not played the most onerous time table up to now, but they’ve a few quality wins over Ole Stoop over and Navy. They even indulge in an unprecedented working again, Kenny Gainwell, who grew to turn out to be the first Memphis freshman to bustle for 100 yards or more in three straight games. He had 209 yards — on easiest 14 carries — in a 52-33 victory over UL Monroe on Saturday, the very supreme total by a freshman in college historic previous. Memphis’ defense did resign 575 yards of offense to the Warhawks.
Up next: at Temple (Saturday, noon ET, ESPN2)
25. Minnesota Golden Gophers (5-0)

After wanting a quartet of slim escapes to get by September unscathed, the Golden Gophers could perhaps presumably in a roundabout procedure relax in a 40-17 recall over Illinois on Saturday. Minnesota’s time table hasn’t been mountainous, and its performances have not been overly impressive — it beat FCS foe South Dakota Say 28-21 and struggling Georgia Southern 35-32 — but there’s also something to be stated for understanding the appropriate technique to recall. The Gophers are 5-0 for the first time since 2004.
Up next: vs. Nebraska (Saturday, 7: 30 p.m. ET)




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