The top of the Coaches Poll had to be shuffled after Week 6, and the fallout started with Texas tumbling from No. 1.
The Longhorns couldn’t get past Oklahoma, and Arch Manning’s two interceptions directly set up the Sooners’ game-winning points. That left the coaches with the week’s biggest call: who should take over the top spot heading into Week 7. One team stands out above the rest.
Texas fell five spots to No. 6, a drop that was not nearly as severe as the loss itself might have suggested. Still, the defeat to unranked Oklahoma left fresh questions hanging over Manning’s development and whether this offense is ready to truly contend.
There was even more movement just behind the Longhorns. LSU slid 11 spots after Lane Kiffin walked off a road field as a loser for the second time, and the result has left his playoff ambitions in tatters. The coach is now 13-13 on the road at both LSU and Ole Miss.
Oregon took the harshest hit of the week among the major names, falling 12 places after a second loss. The Ducks are still in the poll, but the margin for error is shrinking fast, especially with a road trip to Ohio State looming in a few weeks.
The biggest jump came from UCLA, which moved up 10 spots after edging Oregon 17-15 on the road in a messy game that could have been more one-sided if the Bruins had cleaned up their mistakes. Even so, a win is a win, and the schedule ahead gives them a workable path in the playoff race.
Boise State also moved into the rankings, finally earning the coaches’ attention after a strong road showing at Fresno State, powered in particular by a solid rushing attack.
Wake Forest is back in the national rankings as well, thanks to a 5-1 start that includes a dominant win at NC State. The Deacons also gave Miami its toughest test of the season.
Several teams fell out after short stays in the poll. Florida, which has bounced all over the rankings in recent weeks, is now unranked after a second straight blowout loss that is prompting a sudden reassessment of the Jon Sumrall regime.
Duke dropped out after a three-point loss to Georgia Tech, with a missed field goal proving costly. Pittsburgh also disappeared from the rankings after losing to North Carolina, a defeat that came with the absence of quarterback Mason Heintschel proving too much to overcome.
Among the teams receiving votes, Northwestern led the way with 107. Arizona followed with 92, Nebraska had 74, Oklahoma 50, Wisconsin 39, Duke 35, James Madison 33, Florida 32, Pittsburgh 25, New Mexico 16, UTSA 10, Baylor 9, Memphis 6, Oregon State 2 and North Carolina 1.
In Other News...
UCLA Suddenly Has A New Offensive Question After Stunning Oregon Win
UCLAs 17-15 upset of Oregon in Eugene gave the Bruins a long-awaited breakthrough, their first win there since 2004, and it came with the kind of defensive backbone that can change a seasons mood in a hurry. Cornerbacks Scooter Jackson and TaShawn James helped make life miserable for the Ducks, while receiver Morgan emerged as the most dependable option in a passing game that never really found its comfort zone.
The victory, though, left UCLA with a fresh offensive question to sort through in the days ahead after the quarterback situation shifted in the second half and the Bruins had to lean on Ty Dieffenbach in difficult circumstances. He settled in well enough to keep the game moving, but with the starters status now part of the conversation and the passing attack still searching for consistency, UCLAs next step may depend as much on how it handles that position as on the confidence this win should provide. [Read more 🡒]
UCLAs Oregon Win May Have Created A Massive QB Problem
UCLAs win over Oregon came with a painful price, and it may change the shape of the season at the most important position on the field. Nico Iamaleava, who has been the Bruins starting quarterback, is expected to miss the rest of the year after suffering a knee injury in the game, leaving the staff to sort through a suddenly thin depth chart at quarterback.
Madden Iamaleava and Ty Dieffenbach are the names to watch as UCLA looks for its next starter, and the Bruins are also waiting on injury updates for Roderick Pleasant and Tao Johnson. Dieffenbach already saw action in the second half against Oregon, which at least gives UCLA a live in-game reference as it tries to figure out what comes next for an offense that just lost its centerpiece. [Read more 🡒]
UCLA Just Exposed A Huge Oregon Problem Fans Will Love
UCLAs win over Oregon did more than hand the Ducks another ugly result, it pulled back the curtain on a program that arrived with preseason heavyweight expectations and is now trying to steady itself after tumbling out of the rankings. The offense was the main culprit in the loss, with turnovers and inconsistency overshadowing a defense that has at least gotten a better recent stretch from tackle AMauri Washington and a punting game that has been solid whenever Bailey Ettridge has been asked to work.
The bigger concern is the quarterback situation, because Oregons path forward is far less clear than it was a few weeks ago. Dante Moores status remains uncertain after the concussion issue, and Dylan Raiolas first start did not provide much relief against UCLA, leaving the Ducks searching for answers while running back Jordon Davison continues to score without yet breaking through for a 100-yard rushing game this season. [Read more 🡒]