Ranking all 15 undefeated college football teams entering Week 6: Worst to first

We are getting closer to the halfway mark of the college football season, and 15 undefeated teams remain. There are five weeks in the books, and as the season marches on, the pressure increases for teams trying to make the College Football Playoff.

Every week features some major action in college football, and a lot of that action has revolved around these 15 teams.

Here is how we ranked all 15 undefeated teams from worst to first.

MORE: College football overreactions after Week 5: Mike Norvell’s hot seat is cooling

15-11: Pitt loses a star

Oct 2, 2026; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers tight end Carson Kent (86) and Pittsburgh Panthers wide receiver Cataurus Hicks (3) celebrate a touchdown during the fourth quarter at Lane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bishop-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

• 15: James Madison
• 14: North Dakota State
• 13: Duke
• 12: Nebraska
• 11: Pitt

After making the College Football Playoff last season, James Madison hasn’t missed a beat. Bob Chesney left for UCLA, but the Dukes have a top-10 offense and defense, along with a 5-0 record. The competition hasn’t been great, but James Madison did beat San Diego State this season 26-13.

In North Dakota State’s first season at the FBS level, the Bison look dangerous. Previously known as a top FCS program, the Bison have the No. 1-ranked scoring defense in the country, tied with Miami, allowing just 9.8 points per game. A showdown with UNLV this week has a lot of playoff implications.

Duke is one quarterback away from skyrocketing up this list. After losing Darian Mensah to Miami, many wrote the Blue Devils off. But running back Nate Sheppard has been great and averages 161 rushing yards per game to lead the nation. Duke has wins over Illinois and Stanford.

Nebraska hasn’t really played anyone yet, but the offense has been electric. The Cornhuskers recently scored 48 points against Maryland, and transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea has been as advertised. Games against Indiana and Oregon loom, so we will learn a lot about how good the Huskers are.

Pitt would be ranked a lot higher here, but the quarterback Mason Heintschel was just lost for the season. The Panthers barely got past Virginia Tech, with many questioning whether the Hokies’ late field goal was good or not. Pitt could still win a few more before it plays Miami.

10-6: Utah’s the Big 12’s most complete team

Sep 26, 2026; Ames, Iowa, USA; Iowa State Cyclones linebacker Sullivan Schlimgen (7) looks to tackle Utah Utes quarterback Devon Dampier (4) at Jack Trice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

• 10: UCLA
• 9: Texas Tech
• 8: BYU
• 7: Utah
• 6: Indiana

If Bob Chesney can coach at James Madison, just imagine what he can do at a place like UCLA. We are seeing it. The Bruins have the No. 6 scoring offense in the country, and running back Wayne Knight, a JMU transfer, has 445 yards and nine scores in the early going.

Texas Tech could’ve slid down behind UCLA, but the Red Raiders do have a win over ranked Houston. Their offense is not good and Will Hammond has struggled with turnovers. The Red Raiders are very beatable, and it would be shocking to see them back in the playoff.

BYU has the No. 17 scoring defense, but it’s hard to forget that the Cougars’ offense had trouble scoring against a 2-3 TCU team this past weekend. Bear Bachmeier is a solid quarterback, but he managed to throw for just 62 yards in the game. BYU could have some offensive issues.

Utah feels like the most complete team in the wide-open Big 12. The Utes have the No. 12 offense and No. 3 defense, and while they have yet to play a ranked team, they’re doing what is expected. Utah will eventually play both BYU and Houston, which will have serious conference ramifications.

Indiana is the top undefeated team in the Big Ten, but it’s hard to tell if the Hoosiers are the best in the entire conference. Josh Hoover was finally asked to throw the ball in the Hoosiers’ win over Rutgers, passing for 252 yards and four scores. He has yet to throw an interception, which is huge for the Indiana offense.

5-1: Georgia on top

Oct 3, 2026; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) tries to score against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

• 5: Alabama
• 4: Notre Dame
• 3: Miami
• 2: Texas
• 1: Georgia

Alabama has the No. 2 scoring offense, and quarterback Keelon Russell has the Tide rolling. Alabama’s defense is also coming up big by registering 13 total takeaways, with eight of them being interceptions. A Week 6 game against Georgia will really challenge both sides of the ball.

All Notre Dame is doing is taking care of business, but the Fighting Irish fall to our No. 4 spot. Notre Dame did struggle closing the door against North Carolina this past weekend, winning 37-26, but C.J. Carr has 13 touchdowns to one interception. Barring something crazy, the Irish will be a tough test in the playoff.

Miami is tied with Alabama for having the second-ranked passing offense, and Duke transfer Darian Mensah has been phenomenal at quarterback. He leads the nation with an 84.2% completion rate. Mensah has yet to throw an interception, and Miami is currently running over the ACC.

Texas has two big wins this season over Ohio State and Tennessee, but there is something about the Longhorns that makes you wonder just how good they are. It feels like the Texas offense has yet to put together a complete game, and while Arch Manning is full of talent, he’s still trying to put it all together.

Georgia is doing nothing but running over anyone it faces. The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 257-67 this season, and Gunner Stockton is dealing at quarterback. He has thrown for 1,049 yards, 13 touchdowns, and just one interception. Star running back Nate Frazier has been banged up, but it doesn’t matter; Georgia has too much firepower.

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