The first 2023 college football power rankings for October includes a drop of a couple of spots for USC.
1. Georgia Bulldogs (5-0) | Last week: 1
Carson Beck and All-American tight end Brock Bowers (eight receptions, 157 yards, one touchdown) came up clutch in Georgia’s tight road win over Auburn to remain unbeaten. Hosting star quarterback Devin Leary and Kentucky this Saturday night will be another SEC challenge for the Dawgs.
2. Michigan Wolverines (5-0) | Last week: 2
Roman Wilson caught both of J.J. McCarthy’s touchdown passes—including a highlight grab in the end zone—as Michigan rolled to a 45-7 win at Nebraska. With their ability to play top-notch defense, the balance of the Wolverines really stands out.
3. Texas Longhorns (5-0) | Last week: 3
Kansas stuck around in the first half, but Texas separated in the final 30 minutes and racked up 661 yards of total offense in their 40-14 victory. The Longhorns defense did a nice job of getting off the field, forcing the Jayhawks to a combined 0/10 on third and fourth downs.
4. Florida State (4-0) | Last week: 4
Following the bye week, the Seminoles now have three consecutive home games in the ACC against Virginia Tech, Syracuse, and No. 19 Duke.
5. Ohio State Buckeyes (4-0) | Last week: 5
The Buckeyes also had an off week following a hard-fought ranked road win. Hopefully star receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. was able to get closer to 100% health after getting banged up a bit through the first four games.
6. Penn State Nittany Lions (5-0) | Last week: 7 (+1)
Quietly, Penn State is the nation’s active leader in consecutive games with 30+ points (12). They now have a week off before facing UMass, with Ohio State on deck.
7. Oregon Ducks (5-0) | Last week: 8 (+1)
Stanford controlled the ball in the first quarter and had a 3-0 lead after the Ducks had just three plays on offense, but Bo Nix and Oregon turned it on to rack up 42 points over the final three frames. Oregon now has off before a massive top-ten Pac-12 matchup with Washington.
8. USC Trojans (5-0) | Last week: 6 (-2)
Caleb Williams threw six touchdowns in USC’s 48-41 win at Colorado, but as Lincoln Riley told FOX’s Jenny Taft after the game, others around the Heisman winner must step up. Of course, the question is the defense, which had played better this season but had a rough time defending Shedeur Sanders and the Buffaloes late in the game.
9. Washington Huskies (5-0) | Last week: 9
12 penalties for 125 yards is not going to make head coach Kalen DeBoer happy, but a 14-0 fourth quarter keyed a 31-24 road win versus Arizona. Again, the Oregon-Washington matchup a week from Saturday is obviously one to circle.
10. Alabama Crimson Tide (4-1) | Last week: 10
Alabama is starting to look more like most expected entering the year, forcing three interceptions of Will Rogers while the Crimson Tide offense took care of the ball and controlled the game. Bama next faces fellow 4-1 Texas A&M for the lead in the SEC West.