Week 5 didn’t just shake up the College Football Playoff picture - it blew a few holes in it.
ESPN’s latest round of CFP predictions shows just how much movement is still out there as the 2026 season approaches its midpoint. Florida, which was a unanimous pick last week, has almost completely fallen out of the conversation.
Jon Sumrall’s team now appears on only one ballot. Missouri, the team that beat up the Gators, also cracked the list with one projection.
That shuffle still leaves the SEC as the dominant force in these updated predictions, with seven teams showing up across the various ballots: Texas, Georgia, Alabama, LSU, Ole Miss, Florida and Missouri.
The top of the board remains crowded with the same heavy hitters, though the order changes depending on the voter. Texas and Georgia are the big anchors, Miami is sitting comfortably in the mix, and Notre Dame, Alabama, Indiana and Ohio State continue to pop up across multiple projections. BYU, Utah, Oregon, UCLA, Pitt, Texas Tech, North Dakota State, Florida, Missouri and Oklahoma State round out the rest of the field in different combinations.
Here’s how ESPN’s panel sorted it out this week:
Andrea Adelson had Texas at No. 1, followed by Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, Alabama, Indiana, Ohio State, BYU, Utah, LSU, Ole Miss and Boise State.
Kyle Bonagura went with Georgia first, then Notre Dame, Indiana, Miami, Texas, Ohio State, Alabama, BYU, Utah, LSU, UCLA and Boise State.
Bill Connelly placed Texas atop his bracket, with Alabama, Notre Dame, Georgia, Miami, Utah, Indiana, UCLA, Pitt, BYU, Texas Tech and North Dakota State behind it.
David Hale’s list opened with Georgia, Miami, Texas, Alabama and Notre Dame, then Ohio State, Indiana, LSU, BYU, Ole Miss, Florida and Boise State.
Eli Lederman ranked Georgia first, followed by Notre Dame, Indiana, Miami, Texas, Ohio State, Alabama, Utah, Oregon, Ole Miss, BYU and Boise State.
Max Olson started with Texas, then Georgia, Miami, Ohio State, Alabama, Notre Dame, Indiana, BYU, Oregon, LSU, UCLA and Boise State.
Adam Rittenberg had Georgia at No. 1, with Texas, Miami, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Alabama, Indiana, Utah, LSU, Oregon, BYU and Boise State completing his 12.
Alex Scarborough chose Texas first, then Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, Indiana, Ohio State, Alabama, Ole Miss, Oregon, LSU, Texas Tech and Boise State.
Mark Schlabach’s ballot featured Texas, Georgia, Miami, Notre Dame, Alabama, Ohio State, Indiana, BYU, Oregon, Ole Miss, LSU and Boise State.
Jake Trotter’s projection was the most notable for the newcomers, putting Missouri at No. 9 and Oklahoma State at No. 10. His full list was Texas, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio State, Indiana, Notre Dame, Miami, BYU, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Oregon and Boise State.
Paolo Uggetti rounded things out with Georgia, Texas, Ohio State, Alabama, Miami, Notre Dame, Indiana, BYU, Oregon, Ole Miss, UCLA and Boise State.
In Other News...
Drinkwitz Leaves Mizzou Waiting On Freshmen Discipline Decision
Missouri is still waiting on a decision involving three freshmen who were arrested on first-degree harassment charges and released on bond, with Ahmod Billins, Karsten Fiene and Trashundon Neal all remaining on the roster. None of the three has played since the Tigers Week 1 game, and the situation has left their status in limbo as the program sorts through the next steps.
Eli Drinkwitz has acknowledged the matter and said the legal process will be allowed to play out before Missouri makes any team decisions. For now, the Tigers are keeping the focus on the process rather than rushing to a discipline ruling, which means the wait continues for three players whose football futures with the program are still unresolved. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzou Freshman Lineman Faces A Frightening Health Crisis
Johnnie DJ Jones has quickly become one of the most important names around Missouri for all the wrong reasons. The freshman offensive lineman is dealing with a serious heart issue that was first noticed through initial observations and then confirmed with a second opinion, turning what began as a medical concern into something far more alarming for the Tigers program and everyone close to him.
Eli Drinkwitz said the team is rallying around Jones and his family with support and prayers as they face an incredibly difficult stretch. For Missouri, the immediate football picture has taken a back seat to Jones health, and the uncertainty hanging over a young players future is the kind of story that cuts far deeper than any game plan. [Read more 🡒]
Mizzou Freshman Lineman Faces A Far More Important Fight Than Football
Missouris season has already had plenty of attention on the line of scrimmage, but freshman offensive tackle Johnnie Jones is dealing with something far bigger than football. The program said Jones underwent initial observation before further evaluation at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., where doctors identified a significant heart issue. Coach Eli Drinkwitz disclosed the news during a press conference and said the Tigers are standing with Jones and his family through the process.
The update turns Joness immediate future into a medical fight, not a football one, and it leaves the focus on the care hes receiving away from the field. For Missouri, the concern is no longer about a young linemans development or where he might fit in the rotation, but about a player who is still at the clinic as the next steps in his treatment are sorted out. [Read more 🡒]