JD PicKell: Nothing But Ball Top 10 after Week 5 of College Football

September is over, which means a full month of college football has been played all across the country and a group of teams are separating themselves from the pack. Many teams, especially those in the top 10 nationally, are starting to see their resumes fill out with key wins.

But resumes aren’t everything. After every week of the college football season, On3’s J.D. PicKell selects his Nothing But Ball Top 10, which ranks teams based on what has happened on the field. Analytics and advance statistics don’t matter in this poll. It’s all about the eye test.

Here is PicKell’s Nothing But Ball Top 10 ranking following the fifth week of the college football season, leading off with a familiar face.

1. Georgia

Georgia had to work hard to emerge victorious against Auburn but it did so with a 27-20 victory. The teams were tied at the half and with about three minutes left in the game before Brock Bowers scored the game-winning touchdown.

“I was really impressed with how they responded in the second half against Auburn,” PicKell said. “They were on the ropes, road environment, rivalry kind of game, Auburn threw the kitchen sink at them. I feel like Georgia is still ramping up. We keep wanting to judge Georgia based on last year’s team, which doesn’t totally feel fair to me. I understand there’s expectations for Georgia because they’re Georgia. But 2023, this team is very different than 2022, especially at quarterback and at offensive coordinator.”

2. Florida State

Florida State was on a bye this week after its major victory over Clemson. The Seminoles return to action versus Virginia Tech at home.

“They have the two best wins in the country in my book,” PicKell said. “I think Jordan Travis probably still doesn’t get enough love for what he’s done for that football team so far this year. Really, really excited to see what they do the rest of the way.”

3. Michigan

Michigan has yet to be challenged by a team so far this year but the Wolverines have also not put themselves in a position to be challenged. They’ve won every game by scoring at least 30 points while allowing nothing more than one touchdown. Their win over Nebraska was their largest margin of victory of the year at 38 points.

“They handled business against Nebraska,” Pickell said. “Nothing much to write home about. We’re just going to kind of keep them at three. It’s still wait-and-see mode for me with them. Know what we have with them on paper, really curious when we get a more formidable opponent out there against them.”

4. Ohio State

After its last-second victory over Notre Dame a week ago in South Bend, Ohio State was off this week. The Buckeyes next face undefeated Maryland next Saturday.

“They were on a bye his week,” PicKell said. “No reason to drop them and there was nobody in my mind that did anything to pass them. Really, really curious to what they look like after that game last weekend.”

5. Texas

Texas got itself a lucky break with Jalon Daniels not playing for Kansas. But the Jayhawks had no answers for the Jonathon Brooks in the backfield, who rushed for 217 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. Now the Red River Showdown with Oklahoma looms this upcoming weekend.

“Number five got Texas,” PicKell said. “Beat a ranked team, beat a ranked Kansas team, at home. Ultimate take your eye off the ball game for them with Oklahoma next week. Found a way to get it done in convincing fashion.”

6. Penn State

Penn State found itself in a surprising position tied at 10 at the half with Northwestern. But the Nittany Lions popped off for 31 points in the second half to blowout the Wildcats on the road. Penn State is averaging 40.6 points per game while their opponents are scoring only 9.6.

“Slow start against Northwestern, found a way to respond to adversity, strong second half,” PicKell said. “No reason to drop them.”

7. Oregon

Oregon handled business with ease once again this week with a 42-6 victory over Stanford. Bo Nix was fantastic as he threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns while the Cardinal managed only 222 yards on offense.

“At number seven, up a spot, I got Oregon,” PicKell said. “Just feel very differently about them than I do Washington. I think they can play multiple styles. I think Bo Nix has complete command of that offense. I think Dan Lanning is made of the right things and that infiltrates down to his team.”

8. USC

USC led by 27 points twice over Colorado — once in the second quarter and once in the third — before its defense started getting picked apart by Shedeur Sanders. The Buffaloes comeback fell one touchdown short as the Trojans escaped with a 48-41 victory, thanks in large part to a six-touchdown day by Caleb Williams.

“They’re down a spot for me,” PicKell said. “Caleb Williams is the best player in college football. He’s also the best defense that USC has unfortunately. You can only get into so many track meets. I was really discouraged to see the showing from their defense against Colorado, just not fitting normal things correctly on the defensive side.”

9. Washington

Washington found itself in a closer-than-expected game Saturday versus Arizona in Tuscon but the Huskies left with a 31-24 victory. Michael Penix Jr. threw for 363 yards but all four of Washington’s touchdowns came via the run game.

“I’m not as high on them as everybody else,” PicKell said. “Still waiting to see if they can play another style of football. They got pushed by an Arizona team that didn’t have their starting quarterback. I’m still worried about that defense but nonetheless still a top 10 team in the country.”

10. Notre Dame

Notre Dame had the lead for most of the day Saturday over Duke until the Blue Devils took the lead in the fourth quarter. But Sam Hartman did what the Fighting Irish hoped he could do when they brought him in and that’s lead them to victory in the fourth quarter. Audric Estimé scored the game-winning touchdown with 31 seconds left.

“At number 10, got Notre Dame,” PicKell said. “Back in the top 10, ranked win on the road after a heartbreaker last week. Love the resolve. Love Sam Hartman. They’re gonna be a force. They got the resume here to still make the College Football Playoff.”

Utah, following its loss Friday night to Oregon State, dropped out of the top 10.