I think it is safe to say that Week 6 of the college football season was the most pivotal week thus far of the 2023 season, and it will be one that we look back on that shaped what we end up with in late November. The Oklahoma Sooners got revenge in the Red River Rivalry with a last-minute touchdown to hand the Texas Longhorns their first loss of the season. The Longhorns were not the only ranked team to lose, though, as Louisville knocked off Notre Dame, Georgia obliterated Kentucky and LSU beat Missouri in ranked matchups, while Fresno State, Washington State and Miami were upset by teams outside the Top 25.
Heading into this weekend of college football, we could see even more play out as we near the halfway point of 2023. There are four ranked matchups in Week 7, and several teams such as Duke, Kansas and Missouri take on upset-minded teams. But no matchup is bigger than that of the Oregon Ducks going on the road to play the Washington Huskies, as both teams are looking to take control of both the Pac-12 standings and in the polls.
And speaking of polls, before the action kicks off for Week 7, check out our updated college football power rankings:
1. Georgia Bulldogs (6-0)
(Last Week: 1)
The Georgia Bulldogs finally gave us a complete game on both sides of the ball as the back-to-back defending champs dominated Kentucky with a 51-13 win.
2. Florida State Seminoles (5-0)
(Last Week: 3)
Florida State is starting to look better; and if they can pick up wins over Syracuse and Duke, they will be in the driver's seat for making the Atlantic Coast Conference title game.
3. Michigan Wolverines (6-0)
(Last Week: 6)
The Wolverines make the jump this week because they have looked in control on both offense and defense since conference play started, and they are the deepest they have been in talent on both sides of the ball.
4. Oklahoma Sooners (6-0)
(Last Week: 14)
The Sooners had the biggest win in Week 6, as their defense forced three turnovers and Dillon Gabriel officially submitted his name as a legitimate Heisman candidate.
5. Penn State Nittany Lions (4-0)
(Last Week: 5)
Idle in Week 6, the Nittany Lions will use UMass this Saturday as a tuneup game as they prepare to take on the Ohio State Buckeyes the following Saturday.
6. Ohio State Buckeyes (5-0)
(Last Week: 4)
Honestly, the Buckeyes' win over Notre Dame does not look as good as it did a few weeks ago; and after that first-half performance against Maryland, things are not looking great in Columbus.
7. Texas Longhorns (5-1)
(Last Week: 2)
Texas had terrible defense to end the game; but thanks to their win over Alabama, the Longhorns are still in good position for the Big 12 title and the College Football Playoff.
8. Washington Huskies (5-0)
(Last Week: 8)
Huskies versus Ducks. Bo Nix versus Michael Penix Jr. Potential game of the year this Saturday in a huge Pac-12 matchup that has both conference and playoff implications.
9. Oregon Ducks (5-0)
(Last Week: 9)
See above.
10. USC Trojans (6-0)
(Last Week: 7)
Enough about QB1; he means nothing to this team because its defense is absolutely terrible. And if Arizona can do that to them (barely losing 43-41), imagine what Oregon and Washington will do.
11. North Carolina Tar Heels (5-0)
(Last Week: 12)
The Tar Heels played their best game Saturday, beating Syracuse 40-7, and solidified that they are the second-best team in the ACC.
12. Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1)
(Last Week: 10)
It is weird to say this, but Alabama just does not look all that great this season. Turnovers, penalties and inconsistent play are not what we usually see from the Tide.
13. Oregon State Beavers (5-1)
(Last Week: 15)
Oregon State's defense did not have a good game Saturday, but their offense looked great heading as they head into another Top 25 game against the UCLA Bruins this weekend.
14. Ole Miss (5-1)
(Last Week: 18)
Ole Miss enters their bye week in good shape; and aside from any upset losses, they should find themselves 8-1 when they take on Georgia in mid-November.
15. LSU Tigers (4-2)
(Last Week: 20)
Luckily for the LSU Tigers, they have a really good offense led by a really good quarterback in Jayden Daniels — because their defense is pretty freaking bad.
16. Louisville Cardinals (6-0)
(Last Week: NR)
Louisville needed a game to show that they were for real — and following their win over Notre Dame, I think it is safe to say the Cardinals are a contender in the ACC.
17. Duke Blue Devils (4-1)
(Last Week: 19)
The Duke Blue Devils' season will be on the line every game over the next five weeks, as they have three ranked opponents over that span in Florida State, Louisville and North Carolina.
18. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-2)
(Last Week: 11)
The Irish can still shoot for a 10-win season, play upset to USC, and make a New Year's Six Bowl, but it is safe to say that their playoff hopes are dead.
19. UCLA Bruins (4-1)
(Last Week: NR)
Two weeks ago, the Bruins lost to Utah; but after their bye week, they find themselves on the right side of a ranked matchup after beating Washington State 25-17.
20. Washington State Cougars (4-1)
(Last Week: 13)
The Cougars were looking to be the Cinderella of 2023. But following their loss to UCLA, Washington State looks to pick up a much-needed win over Arizona.
