Predicting AP Top 25 college football poll entering Week 5 of 2026 season

It was another action-packed weekend of college football, and Week 4 is in the books. College GameDay in Knoxville, Tennessee, didn’t disappoint. Volunteers quarterback Faizon Brandon left injured, but came back and almost willed Tennessee to victory. The Vols successfully landed an onside kick, but fell short, 20-17.

In other action, there were eight top-25 teams that suffered losses on the weekend. Some were considered upsets, while others weren’t. The Florida Gators took care of No. 4 Ole Miss. Iowa had a last-second touchdown to beat Michigan in Ann Arbor, and despite losing Dante Moore, Oregon was able to beat USC on the road.

The biggest upset came down in Louisville. After an impressive win over SMU, the Cardinals lost to Wake Forest and now Jeff Brohm’s team has two losses on the season. Another team whose College Football Playoff life is in jeopardy is Texas A&M, which fell to LSU. The Aggies now have two losses and can’t afford any more.

With Week 4 in the books, here’s how the AP Top 25 might look in Week 5.

MORE: Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith delivers Heisman Moment in epic Week 4 performance

No. 25 Virginia Tech

Record: 4-0

Next: vs. Pitt

No. 24 Penn State

Record: 3-1

Next: at Northwestern

No. 23 SMU

Record: 3-1

Next: vs. Boston College

No. 22 Michigan

Record: 3-1

Next: at Minnesota

No. 21 Missouri

Record: 3-1

Next: vs. Florida

No. 20 Oklahoma State

Sep 26, 2026; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; Oklahoma State Cowboys quarterback Drew Mestemaker (17) warms up prior to their game West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Record: 3-1

Next: vs. UCF (10-10-26)

No. 19 USC

Record: 4-1

Next: vs. Washington

No. 18 Tennessee

Record: 3-1

Next: vs. Auburn

No. 17 Houston

Record: 3-1

Next: vs. UCF

No. 16 Mississippi State

Record: 4-0

Next: vs. Alabama

No. 15 Oregon

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning talks to Oregon quarterback Dylan Raiola on the sideline as the Oregon Ducks face the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Sept. 12, 2026, at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma. Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Record: 3-1

Next: vs. UCLA (10-10-26)

No. 14 Iowa

Record: 4-0

Next: vs. Ohio State

No. 13 Utah

Record: 4-0

Next: vs. Kansas (10-10-26)

No. 12 Texas Tech

Record: 4-0

Next: at Colorado

No. 11 LSU

Record: 3-1

Next: vs. McNeese

No. 10 Ole Miss

Record: 3-1

Next: at Vanderbilt

No. 9 Florida

Sep 26, 2026; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Jadan Baugh (13) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Record: 4-0

Next: at Missouri

No. 8 BYU

Record: 3-0

Next: at TCU

No. 7 Alabama

Record: 4-0

Next: at Mississippi State

No. 6 Ohio State

Record: 3-1

Next: at Iowa

No. 5 Miami

Record: 4-0

Next: at Clemson

No. 4 Indiana

Sep 25, 2026; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Nick Marsh (11) celebrates with Indiana Hoosiers running back Lee Beebe Jr. (29) after a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Merchants Bank Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Record: 4-0

Next: at Rutgers

No. 3 Notre Dame

Record: 4-0

Next: at North Carolina

No. 2 Georgia

Record: 4-0

Next: vs. Vanderbilt

No. 1 Texas

Record: 4-0

Next: vs. Oklahoma (10-10-26)

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