Welcome back to my yearly Top 10 + A Few series. It’s my first time writing this for the 2023 season, and it comes moments after a frantic Week 5 that featured so many good games and a few photo finishes across the country. 

My top 25 ain’t the normal cup of joe you look to sip on and spit out when looking at other voters’ polls across the country. You’ll spit the coffee out because I keep things real and do much more than just look at a box score, see the results of a game, and rank. We aren’t here to do that. So get ready to look at my top 10 and a select few other teams (my full top 25 will be tweeted).

I take everything into account. Results of a game, how previous opponents fared against other teams, evaluating how a team looks, the holes in a team, keeping upcoming games on my mind, and how I project them to do the rest of the season, among some other unnamed things because I simply can’t list everything. Much like the Krabby Patty, I’m going to keep this secret formula safe!

I also have no fear of moving teams up a bunch or down a bunch so don’t trip. Let things play out! It’s also optimal to point out that consistency is so important in these rankings. In my honest opinion, you shouldn’t want to put out a poll that has so much turnover week to week with teams dropping in and out of the top 25.

1. Washington (Last Week – 1)

Coming into the season I ranked UDub at No. 4. I moved the Huskies up to No. 1 last week and they’ll stay here after an uninspiring win at Arizona. Us Pac-12 diehards were very prepared for the Huskies to sleepwalk in Tucson, so this result isn’t too surprising to those in the know. This Huskies passing attack is the best in the nation, and it’s fueled by brilliant minds in Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb. I love what this team has to offer on offense and the solid defense to back it up.

Next Game: vs. Oregon (October 14)

2. Oregon (LW – 4)

Oregon makes a quick jump up to No. 2 for several reasons. The Pac-12 is the best conference in the sport, and the second-best team in said conference is the Ducks. With Penn State becoming underwhelming every week and Georgia playing with its food every Saturday, change needed to be made. The Ducks can compete against the best thanks to stellar and aggressive coaching, really good trenches on both sides of the ball, and an offense that can score quicker than a hiccup.

Next Game: at Washington (October 14)

3. Georgia (LW – 3)

Coming into the season, I predicted the toughest regular season game for Georgia would be at Auburn. That ended up being one heck of a test, and Georgia finally showed me something. The defense came up with some key stops and adjusted to Auburn burning them on the edges with a dangerous ground game. It was the Brock Bowers show that really put the nail in the coffin as he proved to be worthy of a rating higher than 99 overall. Georgia still has question marks — most notably slow starts. This team is much too talented and well-coached to continue to waltz through first halves like they are playing Le Cordon Bleu. It’s worrisome, yet the Bulldogs play “nobody,” and this shouldn’t create a serious issue again until the SEC Championship Game.

Next Game: vs. Kentucky (October 7)

4. Texas (LW – 6)

The 17-point spread and no Jalon Daniels were pretty key signs that Texas would dominate Kansas, which it did thanks to a marvelous second half. Quinn Ewers looks to be a big game player and that’s pretty exciting. I liked how he bounced back from a horrific interception to end the first half. Next week will be a huge test for this offense as the Sooners defense has been suffocating opponents all month. I’m excited to get another chance to evaluate where this Longhorns team ranks after another key matchup.

Next Game: vs. Oklahoma (October 7)

5. Michigan (LW – 7)

Finally, we saw a complete game from Michigan. It was a team that was locked in and desperately wanted to dominate its inferior opponent. We needed to see that, and we need to continue to see that because the next four games are all against teams that don’t belong in the same sentence as you.

Next Game: at Minnesota (October 7)

6. USC (LW – 5)

The elephant in the room? USC’s defense. That offense is special, but holy smokes the defense is softer than Charmin. It doesn’t help that Alex Grinch “leads” that unit either. I’d make a change there and quickly, but we all know it won’t happen. It’s a real tale of two seasons for SC as well: the front half of the schedule is easy, the back half is a gauntlet. We’ll see how the Trojans fare against opponents of equal caliber. Again, I’m stoked to see the offense thrive and as a college football fan, hoping the defense makes some strides.

Next Game: vs. Arizona (October 7)

7. Penn State (LW – 2)

I’m pretty disappointed and disgusted with Penn State’s offense. The line has been underwhelming, and unfortunately the offense is still stuck in its ice age ways instead of letting a prolific talent like Drew Allar truly cook. The offense needs work, and the Nittany Lions will have time to get better thanks to a much-needed bye week and another bye week vs. UMass. You have two weeks to get better and get ready to showcase how good you truly are against Ohio State. It’s time for James Franklin to put down the coffee and get the best out of his offense. The Nittany Lions defense is menacing, however.

Next Game: vs. UMass (October 14)

8. Florida State (LW – 8)

I don’t really care that Florida State fans slandered my existence following my ranking of the Noles after squeaking by Clemson. The same reasons they are screaming at their TV on Saturdays are the same reasons why I’m hesitant to go all in on this team. That secondary is abysmal, but the linebackers aren’t too shabby in coverage. The middle is free; it’s always open to pass on. Maybe it’ll be fixed after this bye week. 

Next Game: vs. Virginia Tech (October 7)

9. Ohio State (LW – 10)

Still hesitant to buy in on Ohio State, but I can admit I was wrong for not moving the Buckeyes up to No. 9 following the Notre Dame win. My thing is that this team hasn’t proven anything to me yet. I knew the defense would be great, I knew the offense would struggle, I knew the offensive line would be a roller coaster, and of course we all knew the offensive play-calling would hinder the team. Following that Notre Dame win, I only learned one thing: Kyle McCord is a dawg in the clutch. I’ll feel more comfortable about moving the Buckeyes up if they look good in a win against Penn State. Until then, I’m just lower on them than the consensus, and that’s OK.

Next Game: vs. Maryland (October 7)

10. Washington State (LW – 9)

Yeah, just a quick flip here and correction to last week’s poll. Ohio State would have the upper hand in a game on a neutral site. It was a mistake for me to rank Wazzu ahead of the Buckeyes and an overreaction to another great and emotional Cougs victory. Nonetheless, I do love this team as evidenced by this ranking. I’m so in on this offense and the weapons that Cameron Ward gets to play pitch and catch with. And of course, the defense is stellar and so underrated thanks to remarkable talents in Ron Stone Jr., Chau Smith-Wade, and Jaden Hicks.

Next Game: at UCLA (October 7)

11. Alabama (LW – 17)

The win over Mississippi State was far and away the best game Alabama has played all season. While I can’t go all in yet, it was promising to see and I’m excited to see the Tide in upcoming weeks.

Next Game: at Texas A&M (October 7)

20. Miami (FL) (LW – NR)

It was a mistake by me not to rank the Canes last week. After looking deeper into things, I knew I needed to fix that.

Next Game: vs. Georgia Tech (October 7)

24. Air Force (LW – 24)

Chances are that you’re sleeping on this Air Force team. Zac Larrier conducts this offense in such an impressive way. The Falcons hit plenty of big, explosive plays and have a good defense as well. This team could contend for the Group of Five’s New Year’s Six slot.

Next Game: vs. Wyoming (October 14)

Thanks for reading this! If you hate it, sorry! Is what it is. Send any feedback to me on Twitter and I’m happy to talk ball. Just come prepared with your top 25 as well…