Texas stays No. 1 after Week 5 knocked out Florida, Mississippi State and Iowa, setting up a Week 6 showdown between No. 6 Alabama and No. 2 Georgia in Tuscaloosa.
Week 5 trimmed the Football Bowl Subdivision's undefeated group to 15 teams, the fewest through this point of a season since 2018. Florida, Mississippi State and Iowa all lost their unbeaten status, while Alabama, Georgia, Miami and Notre Dame stayed perfect.
The Associated Press poll now shows Texas holding at No. 1 with a 4-0 record. Georgia, Notre Dame and Miami fill the next three spots, each at 5-0. Alabama climbed to No. 6, with Indiana at No. 7 and BYU at No. 8.
Week 6 brings the games that will start separating contenders from the rest. Alabama hosts Georgia in Tuscaloosa in what is being framed as a potential shift at the top of the rankings. Texas faces Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry while trying to hold its No. 1 spot. Nebraska hosts reigning champion Indiana, and No. 13 Oregon hosts No. 21 UCLA.
With the unbeaten field narrowed, these matchups carry real weight for the College Football Playoff picture. The results this weekend should clarify which undefeated teams are built for a championship run and which were simply early beneficiaries of a soft schedule.