College football rankings: Danny Kanell releases updated top 12 with new No. 1 after Week 5

Following an exciting Week 5 in college football, Danny Kanell has overhauled his Top 12 rankings. These 12 teams could be the ones with College Football Playoff potential through five weeks.

Kanell’s rankings this week look a bit different from last week, which was expected give the amount of high-profile matchups on Saturday. Here are some notable differences:

LSU, Florida State and Georgia have fallen out after all suffering losses. Alabama does not make an appearance despite beating the Bulldogs on the road. That has led the way for the likes of Indiana, Missouri and Iowa State to join the list. Iowa State was in Kanell’s rankings after Week 3 but was omitted during Week 4.

Additionally, his rankings include a new No. 1 team. Miami had previously held that distinction for the last two weeks. Find out who topped the list below, and who fell in behind:

1. Ohio State Buckeyes (+3)

Ohio State is Kanell’s top dog after Week 5. The Buckeyes were idle in Week 4 and came back on Saturday with a road trip to Washington. Many believed the Huskies could give Ohio State a run for its money. However, the Buckeyes took care of Washington 24-6 and are the new No. 1 in his eyes.

The Buckeyes are eyeing a second-straight national championship bid, and each week Ohio State has proven why its worthy of the top spot in the rankings. They’ll host Minnesota next weekend.

2. Oregon Ducks (+1)

Oregon’s 30-24 win over Penn State was the most impressive win of the week. The top-10 matchup saw the Ducks call game defensively following an interception by DB Dillon Thieneman in double overtime.

The Ducks are now 4-0 and head into their bye week ahead of its home stand against Indiana — who is also on Kanell’s list. After that, the hardest part of Oregon’s schedule will be behind them.

3. Miami Hurricanes (-2)

Miami held Kanell’s top spot for the last two weeks, and for good reason. The Hurricanes are 4-0 and haven’t been in a tight game late since Week 1’s 27-24 win over Notre Dame.

They enjoyed a bye week during Week 5, but return this week against Florida State. As it stands, the Hurricanes won’t play another ranked team for the rest of the regular season which bodes well for its CFP hopes.

4. Ole Miss Rebels (+2)

Ole Miss’ 24-19 win over LSU not only knocked the Tigers out of Kanell’s rankings, but also catapulted the Rebels into being considered as a serious CFP contender. The Rebels have found a star under center in DII transfer Trinidad Chambliss, and have all the momentum in the world following its 3-0 start to SEC play.

Looking ahead, the Rebels are idle during Week 6 before rounding out its non-conference schedule against Washington State on Oct. 11. Ole Miss still has to play Georgia and Oklahoma down the stretch.

5. Indiana Hoosiers (NR)

Indiana was taken to its limit by Iowa on Saturday, but QB Fernando Mendoza connected with Elijah Sarratt with less than two minutes remaining in regulation. In the end, the Hoosiers would escape Kinnick Stadium with a 20-15 win.

The victory propels Indiana to a 5-0 start to the season. The Hoosiers will take Week 6 off before returning to the field on Oct. 11 on the road at Oregon, which would be a signature victory for head coach Curt Cignetti and staff if won.

6. Texas A&M Aggies (+4)

After three weeks of scoring 40 or more points, Texas A&M’s Week 5 matchup against Auburn was dominated by defense. Defeating the Tigers 16-10, the Aggies are now 4-0 under second-year head coach Mike Elko.

The Aggies will play a 4-1 Mississippi State team that took Tennessee to overtime next weekend. Matchups against LSU, Missouri and Texas are still on the schedule during the regular season.

7. Oklahoma Sooners (-5)

Oklahoma took the biggest hit in Kanell’s rankings. However, it isn’t because of anything the Sooners did on the field.

OU took its bye on Saturday and will play Kent State when it returns. However, star QB John Mateer is out with a hand injury after having successful surgery during the week. He’s expected to return sometime during the regular season, but with the Red River Rivalry looming, Oklahoma’s season could take a turn for the worse if backup Michael Hawkins Jr. can’t rise to the occasion.

8. Vanderbilt Commodores (+1)

Utah State put up a solid fight against Vanderbilt on Saturday, but in the end the Commodores pulled away in the second half to earn the 55-35 victory. Vanderbilt is now 5-0 and is headed to Tuscaloosa for a massive showdown against Alabama.

Things will only get tougher for Vanderbilt from here. After Alabama, the Commodores will play LSU, Missouri and Texas three weeks in a row. They also round out their schedule on the road vs. Tennessee.

9. Texas Tech Red Raiders (+2)

The Red Raiders jumped up two spots in Kanell’s rankings despite being out on their bye. Still, Texas Tech is 4-0 and have all the momentum (and money) in the world heading into a pivotal stretch in their schedule.

Before going on their bye, the Red Raiders dispatched Utah 34-10 on the road to open play in the Big 12. Next up for Texas Tech is a matchup against undefeated Houston on the road.

10. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+2)

Georgia Tech is 5-0 for the first time since 2014 after coming back to defeat Wake Forest 30-29 in overtime. The Yellow Jackets trailed 20-3 during the second half, but managed to tie the game in the final seconds of regulation with a 33-yard field goal. After scoring a touchdown during the first drive of overtime, it was Georgia Tech’s defense to win the game for the Yellow Jackets.

They’ll be idle next weekend, but as it stands, Georgia Tech won’t play another ranked team until its regular season finale against Georgia at home. First, the Yellow Jackets host Virginia Tech when they return from their bye week.

11. Missouri Tigers (NR)

Missouri has looked the part through five weeks, and it’s paying off in Kanell’s rankings. Most recently defeating UMass 42-6, the Tigers, like several teams on this list, won’t play during Week 6. When they return, Alabama will roll into town.

QB Beau Pribula is completing over 75% of his passing attempts for 1,203 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. Meanwhile, RB Ahmad Hardy already has 103 carries for 730 yards and nine touchdowns to his credit on the ground.

12. Iowa State Cyclones (NR)

Iowa State fell out of Kanell’s rankings while it was on a bye during Week 5. After a 39-14 win over Arizona on Saturday, they Cyclones have reappeared on the tail-end of the analyst’s list.

The Cyclones ultimately fell one win short of the CFP last season, but Iowa State has a couple more matchups against ranked opponents dow the stretch (BYU, TCU). Iowa State should be favored in almost all of their games coming up.