College Football Rankings: Spartan Avenue’s Week 5 Top 25

Sep 26, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Dak Prescott (15) throws a pass against the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. The Bulldogs beat the Tigers 17-9. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

Why are we keeping the Oregon Ducks in the Top 25 after a 62-20 thrashing at the hands of Utah at home? As difficult as it is to see, the Ducks still have immense amounts of talent and there aren’t many deserving teams who fit into the No. 25 spot. Let’s just say that Michigan was actually very close to snagging this spot from the Ducks.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 most intriguing freshmen

On the same note as Oregon, the Arizona Wildcats were obliterated on their home turf Saturday night by the UCLA Bruins. Star sophomore quarterback Anu Solomon was knocked out of the game with a head injury, but running back Nick Wilson kept the Wildcats in the game on the ground, rushing for 136 yards. Arizona is just too talented to leave out of the Top 25 after one tough loss.

A new addition to the Top 25, the Cal Golden Bears are in rare territory. Just a couple of years ago, this team was considered one of the worst in the nation, not just the Pac-12, and wins were at a premium. Junior quarterback Jared Goff has turned things around for this program and the future first-round NFL Draft pick passed for 342 yards and two touchdowns in a week four win over Washington.

Oklahoma State has been flirting with danger all season long and it took a muffed punt by Texas this week to keep the unbeaten streak alive to start the season for the Cowboys. It’s hard to really tell what type of team Oklahoma State is just yet, but until the Cowboys lose a game, you can’t keep them out of the rankings.

Traveling to Auburn to take on the Tigers in week four, there was really no telling which team the Mississippi State Bulldogs would be facing. With a new starting quarterback, Sean White, for the Tigers, it was unclear whether that would mean a tougher opponent or an easier win. Mississippi State marched into Jordan-Hare Stadium and stole a win behind Dak Prescott’s 270 yards and two touchdowns.

Next: No. 20 West Virginia - No. 16 Oklahoma