2025 College Football Rankings: Ole Miss, Alabama Soar; LSU Tumbles

RJ Young

FOX Sports National College Football Analyst

It had been nearly five years since any program walked into Sanford Stadium and walked out with a win. Alabama, however, had won nine of its last 10 games against Georgia. Something had to give — and it did. Kalen DeBoer’s Crimson Tide snapped Georgia’s 33-game home winning streak that spanned two national titles and two SEC championships.

DeBoer, who earlier this season lost to then-unranked Florida State, rode his first-year starting quarterback Ty Simpson to another victory over Georgia. While his record against unranked teams hasn’t been stellar, DeBoer earned a signature win against a top-five opponent for the second straight year. He also remains undefeated against the best team in the SEC outside of Tuscaloosa.

Now, after Week 5, Alabama sits tied atop the SEC standings, undefeated in conference play, and knowing it has a team capable of reaching the College Football Playoff.

Here is a look at my Top 25 rankings following Week 5 of the college football season:

Week 5 result: Defeated Washington, 24-6

Ohio State’s defense dominated a Washington offense that never reached the end zone. The Buckeyes allowed just six points — the same number of times they sacked Huskies QB Demond Williams — in a devastating reminder that elite defense travels, even across two time zones.