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...
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Just Added Another Chapter To Ohio State History
Jaxon Smith-Njigba turned Ohio Stadium into a showcase on Saturday, piling up 11 catches for 206 yards and two touchdowns as No. 5 Ohio State handled No. 14 Iowa, 31-14. It was the kind of afternoon that reminded everyone why the Buckeyes have long been a factory for elite receivers, with Smith-Njigba producing the kind of big-play outing that can change a game in a hurry.
By the time the dust settled, Smith-Njigba had moved into first place in Ohio State history in receptions, receiving touchdowns and receiving yards, adding another line to a program record book already crowded with stars. Julian Sayin helped make it possible, completing 20 of 27 passes for 324 yards and three touchdowns without an interception, giving the Buckeyes a passing performance that kept Iowa chasing from start to finish. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Can Turn Homecoming Into A Bigger Big Ten Problem
Ohio State heads into homecoming weekend still carrying the momentum of its 31-14 win over Iowa, and Maryland is next on the schedule with the Buckeyes expected to keep rolling. The matchup gives Ohio State a chance to protect its place in the Big Ten race while also putting another conference opponent in a difficult spot on a festive weekend in Columbus.
Maryland arrives with a lot more pressure attached than the usual road trip, which is part of what makes this game worth watching beyond the spread. Mike Locksleys program has been struggling again this season, and another rough outing against Ohio State would only deepen the questions around where things are headed for the Terrapins. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Won But These Buckeye Mistakes Wont Fly Much Longer
Ohio State handled Iowa 31-14 in Big Ten play, but the win came with enough slippage to keep the postgame film session busy. The Buckeyes were still good enough to control the game, yet the offense kept running into avoidable issues, including false starts from Gabe VanSickle and Austin Siereveld and a pass interference sequence that added to the frustration around a choppy night.
The special teams side had its own blemishes, too, and the overall picture was less about the final margin than the missed chances that piled up along the way. Add in some coaching decisions and a few officiating calls that left people wondering about the standard on the field, and it was the kind of victory that still underscored how much cleaner Ohio State needs to be as the schedule moves on. [Read more 🡒]