Ohio State’s statement win over Iowa did more than pad the résumé. It pushed the Buckeyes into a new spot at the top of ESPN’s updated FPI rankings after Week 5, and that’s the kind of jump a fan base notices right away.
The Buckeyes handled the Hawkeyes 31-14 at home, and Jeremiah Smith was at the center of it. His latest performance added another line to Ohio State’s record book, as he now owns program marks for receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. That kind of production doesn’t just show up on a stat sheet - it changes how a team looks when the games get tighter.
Ohio State’s next stop is Maryland, but the road is about to get much steeper. The Buckeyes are set for a highly anticipated matchup with Indiana on Oct. 17, a game that now carries even more weight with Ohio State sitting at No. 1 in the FPI.
Missouri made one of the loudest moves of the week, too. The Tigers rolled past Florida 45-17, and the result sent the Gators tumbling five spots in the rankings. It was a rough turn for Florida at exactly the wrong time.
That’s where college football is now: the easy part is over. September noise is fading, the pressure is real, and every ranked team is trying to stay alive in the playoff chase. One loss can change the picture fast, and the top of the sport is starting to sort itself out in a hurry.
Here’s the ESPN FPI Top 25 before Week 6:
Ohio State (+2)
Georgia (-1)
Notre Dame (-1)
Texas
Miami
Alabama
Indiana
LSU
Oregon
Tennessee (+1)
Texas Tech (+2)
Utah
Nebraska (+1)
Texas A&M (+2)
Florida (-5)
BYU (+1)
Northwestern (+11)
Missouri (+17)
USC (-1)
Penn State (-5)
Oklahoma
Ole Miss (-3)
Pittsburgh (-1)
Auburn
Houston (+2)
In Other News...
Iowa Lost Saturday But Kinnick Still Showed What Makes This Program Different
Saturdays loss to Ohio State did not change what makes an Iowa home game feel different from so many others around college football. ESPNs College GameDay was on campus for the first time this season, and before kickoff the crew stopped at the University of Iowa Childrens Hospital, spending time with patients and families as part of a visit that fit right into the atmosphere around Kinnick Stadium.
The bigger story there has always been more than what happens on the field. The Wave remains one of the sports most recognizable traditions, and it reflects the kind of local support that has long defined Iowa football. Even on a tough afternoon, the scene around Kinnick served as a reminder that this programs connection to its community is part of the draw. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa's QB Picture Just Got More Complicated Ahead Of Washington
Iowas Week 6 depth chart added another layer to an already fluid quarterback situation heading into Washington, with Hank Brown listed as the starter even after getting banged up in the previous game. Browns status has been a talking point all week, and the release only sharpened the focus on how the Hawkeyes plan to handle the most important spot on the field.
Jeremy Hecklinski is still in the mix after stepping in and performing well in Browns place, so Iowa does have another option if the game script or Browns availability pushes it that way. The rest of the offensive picture looks a little more settled, with Kamari Moulton listed as the lead back, though the Hawkeyes are clearly still planning to rotate other running backs into the mix. [Read more 🡒]
Iowa Faces A Desperate Washington Team In A Huge Road Test
Friday night brings Iowa into a tricky Big Ten road test against Washington, a matchup that carries a different kind of urgency for both programs. The Hawkeyes are 4-1 and looking to head into their bye week at 5-1, a mark that would keep their season moving in the right direction after a strong start.
Washington, meanwhile, is the team with more immediate pressure. At 3-2, the Huskies need a win to keep their College Football Playoff hopes from slipping further, and this is only the second Big Ten meeting between the programs, with Iowa holding a 4-3 edge in the all-time series. For Iowa, it is the kind of road game that can say plenty about where this team stands in the league race. [Read more 🡒]