Aside from Mississippi State, which had an impressive victory at LSU, there wasn't a lot of upward movement in the latest CFB 24/7 Top 25 Power Rankings. However, things are starting to get very interesting in the top 10 as just nine points separate first and fourth place, and only 32 between first and seventh.
1. Florida State
Points: 169 (5 first-place votes)
W-L: 3-0
Previous ranking: 1
The skinny: No Jameis Winston, no problem? Well, not really. FSU had to work overtime, but the Seminoles got the win over Clemson. The rest of the ACC looks like easy pickings the rest of the way.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- at N.C. State; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Wake Forest; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Syracuse; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Notre Dame; Thursday, Oct. 30 -- at Louisville; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Virginia; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Miami (Fla.); Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Boston College; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Florida
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Notre Dame)
2. Oregon
Points: 164 (1 first-place vote)
W-L: 4-0
Previous ranking: 2
Skinny What was expected to be an easy victory on the Palouse instead turned out to be a nail-biter. But if you're in a nail-biter, it sure is nice to have Marcus Mariota on your side.
Remaining schedule: Thursday, Oct. 2 -- vs. Arizona; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at UCLA; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Washington; Friday, Oct. 24 -- at California; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Stanford; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Utah; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Colorado; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Oregon State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (UCLA, Stanford)
3. Alabama
Points: 161
W-L: 4-0
Previous ranking: T-3
The skinny: WR Amari Cooper isn't really open on every play; it just seems that he is. (Well, actually, he might be open on every play.) The Tide is off this week, then plays four of its next five on the road.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Ole Miss; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Arkansas; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Texas A&M; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at Tennessee; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at LSU; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Mississippi State; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Western Carolina; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Auburn
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 5 (Ole Miss, Texas A&M, LSU, Auburn, Mississippi St.)
4. Oklahoma
Points: 160 (1 first-place vote)
W-L: 4-0
Previous ranking: T-3
The skinny: Oklahoma's defense had some problems in the first half with West Virginia on Saturday night. But there really weren't any problems in the second half, and the Sooners cruised to a nice win.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at TCU; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Texas; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Kansas State; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Iowa State; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Baylor; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Texas Tech; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Kansas; Saturday, Dec. 6 -- vs. Oklahoma State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Baylor, Oklahoma St.)
5. Auburn
Points: 147
W-L: 3-0
Previous ranking: 5
The skinny: The up-tempo Tigers grinded it out Thursday night to escape Manhattan (Kansas, that is) with a win over Kansas State. That game showed that the Tigers really miss workhorse TB Tre Mason.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Louisiana Tech; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. LSU; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Mississippi State; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. South Carolina; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Ole Miss; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Texas A&M; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Georgia; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Samford; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Alabama
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 7 (LSU, Mississippi St., South Carolina, Ole Miss, Texas A&M, Georgia, Alabama)
6. Texas A&M
Points: 140
W-L: 4-0
Previous ranking: 7
Skinny: Kenny Hill and the Aggies crushed outmanned SMU on Saturday. But A&M's next four opponents (Arkansas, Mississippi State, Mississippi and Alabama) are a combined 14-1.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Arkansas; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Mississippi State; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Ole Miss; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Alabama; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Louisiana-Monroe; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Auburn; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Missouri; Thursday, Nov. 27 -- vs. LSU
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 5 (Mississippi St., Ole Miss, Alabama, Auburn, LSU)
7. Baylor
Points: 137
W-L: 3-0
Previous ranking: 6
The skinny: The Bears didn't play Saturday. Truth be told, they really haven't played yet this season, as the opponents have been SMU, Northwestern State (La.) and Buffalo. And they play at Iowa State this week.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- at Iowa State; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Texas; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. TCU; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at West Virginia; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Kansas; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Oklahoma; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Oklahoma State; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Texas Tech; Saturday, Dec. 6 -- vs. Kansas State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Oklahoma, Oklahoma St.)
8. Notre Dame
Points: 122
W-L: 3-0
Previous ranking: 9
The skinny: How good are the Irish? We're not going to know for another two weeks: They play Syracuse this week, but then play host to Stanford on Oct. 4.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- at Syracuse; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Stanford; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. North Carolina; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Florida State; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Navy; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Arizona State; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Northwestern; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Louisville; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at USC
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 4 (Stanford, Florida State, Arizona State, USC)
9. Michigan State
Points: 114
W-L: 2-1
Previous ranking: 10
The skinny: The Spartans yawned their way to a 73-14 blowout of woeful Eastern Michigan. They finish off their non-conference schedule by playing host to Wyoming this week.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Wyoming; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Nebraska; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Purdue; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Indiana; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Michigan; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Ohio State; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Maryland; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Rutgers; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Penn State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Nebraska, Ohio State)
10. UCLA
Points: 105
W-L: 3-0
Previous ranking: 11
The skinny: The Bruins have one big advantage over Arizona State going into Thursday night's Pac-12 South showdown with the Sun Devils: QB Brett Hundley should be available to play despite a hyperextended elbow.
Remaining schedule: Thursday, Sept. 25 -- at Arizona State; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Utah; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Oregon; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at California; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at Colorado; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Arizona; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Washington; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. USC; Friday, Nov. 28 -- vs. Stanford
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 4 (Arizona State, Oregon, USC, Stanford)
11. Arizona State
Points: 93
W-L: 3-0
Previous ranking: 13
The skinny: The Sun Devils welcome in UCLA for a huge Pac-12 South game Thursday night. Alas, starting QB Taylor Kelly will miss the game with a foot injury.
Remaining schedule: Thursday, Sept. 25 -- vs. UCLA; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at USC; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Stanford; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at Washington; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Utah; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Notre Dame; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Oregon State; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Washington State; Friday, Nov. 28 -- at Arizona
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 4 (UCLA, USC, Stanford, Notre Dame)
12. Georgia
Points: 91
W-L: 2-1
Previous ranking: 14
The skinny: The Bulldogs toyed with Troy on Saturday. Their next seven games, though, are against SEC foes.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 20 -- vs. Troy; Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Tennessee; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Vanderbilt; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Missouri; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Arkansas; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Florida; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Kentucky; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Auburn; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Charleston Southern; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Georgia Tech
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Auburn)
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13. Ole Miss
Points: 89
W-L: 3-0
Previous ranking: 12
The skinny: The Rebels have a date with Memphis this week, but you have to excuse them if they're already looking ahead. Mississippi plays host to Alabama on Oct. 4, then travels to Texas A&M the next week.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Memphis; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Alabama; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Texas A&M; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Tennessee; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at LSU; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Auburn; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Presbyterian; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at Arkansas; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Mississippi State
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 5 (Alabama, Texas A&M, LSU, Auburn, Mississippi St.)
14. Stanford
Points: 87
W-L: 2-1
Previous ranking: 15
The skinny: Coming off a bye, the Cardinal face back-to-back tough road games in their next two weeks -- at Washington and at Notre Dame. Indeed, four of the next six are on the road, and they also go to Arizona State and Oregon in that stretch.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- at Washington; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Notre Dame; Friday, Oct. 10 -- vs. Washington State; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Arizona State; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Oregon State; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Oregon; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Utah; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at California; Friday, Nov. 28 -- at UCLA
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 4 (Notre Dame, Arizona State, Oregon, UCLA)
15. South Carolina
Points: 70
W-L: 3-1
Previous ranking: 17
The skinny: The Gamecocks surrendered two TDs on kickoff returns but still eased past Vanderbilt. They get Missouri this week in a key SEC East contest.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Missouri; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Kentucky; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Furman; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at Auburn; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Tennessee; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Florida; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. South Alabama; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Clemson
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Auburn, Clemson)
16. Mississippi St.
Points: 66
W-L: 4-0
Previous ranking: NR
The skinny: The physical Bulldogs snapped a 14-game losing streak to LSU by winning in Death Valley on Saturday night. QB Dak Prescott is a good one, and he showed off his talents against LSU.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Texas A&M; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Auburn; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at Kentucky; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Arkansas; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. UT-Martin; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Alabama; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Vanderbilt; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- at Ole Miss
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 4 (Texas A&M, Auburn, Alabama, Ole Miss)
17. LSU
Points: 56
W-L: 3-1
Previous ranking: 8
The skinny: The Tigers' defense was shredded by Mississippi State QB Dak Prescott - - and suddenly there are questions about this team.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. New Mexico State; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Auburn; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Florida; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Kentucky; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Ole Miss; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- vs. Alabama; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Arkansas; Thursday, Nov. 27 -- at Texas A&M
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 4 (Auburn, Ole Miss, Alabama, Texas A&M)
18. BYU
Points: 52
W-L: 4-0
Previous ranking: 18
The skinny: QB Taysom Hill and the Cougars beat a tough Virginia team on Saturday. A 12-0 regular-season looks extremely possible.
Remaining schedule: Friday, Oct. 3 -- vs. Utah State; Thursday, Oct. 91 -- vs. Central Florida; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Nevada; Frida, Oct. 24 -- vs. Boise State; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Middle Tennessee; Saturday, Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. UNLV; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Savannah State; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. California
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: None
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19. USC
Points: 51
W-L: 2-1
Previous ranking: 16
The skinny: The Trojans are coming off a bye, and presumably they still were trying to figure out how in the world they were outrushed 452-20 by Boston College last week. This week, it will be the secondary that gets tested when QB Sean Mannion and Oregon State come to town.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Oregon State; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Arizona State; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Arizona; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Colorado; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at Utah; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Washington State; Thursday, Nov. 13 -- vs. California; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at UCLA; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Notre Dame
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 3 (Arizona State, UCLA, Notre Dame)
20. Wisconsin
Points: 41
W-L: 2-1
Previous ranking: 20
The skinny: Melvin Gordon got back on track in a big way against an overmatched Bowling Green defense Saturday. He should run wild again this week against USF.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. South Florida; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Northwestern; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Illinois; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Maryland; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Rutgers; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Purdue; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Nebraska; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at Iowa; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Minnesota
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Nebraska)
21. Nebraska
Points: 39
W-L: 4-0
Previous ranking: 23
The skinny: Ameer Abdullah ran wild -- again -- to lead the Huskers past Miami. He has two 200-yard games this season.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Illinois; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Michigan State; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Northwestern; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Rutgers; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Purdue; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Wisconsin; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Minnesota; Friday, Nov. 28 -- at Iowa
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Michigan State, Wisconsin)
22. Ohio State
Points: 26
W-L: 2-1
Previous ranking: 21
The skinny: The secondary will get a huge test this week from QB Gunner Kiel and a productive Cincinnati passing attack. The flipside: The Buckeyes' offense should have a big day against the Bearcats' defense.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. Cincinnati; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- at Maryland; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- vs. Rutgers; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- at Penn State; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- vs. Illinois; Saturday, Nov. 8 -- at Michigan State; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Minnesota; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Indiana; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. Michigan
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (Michigan State)
23. East Carolina
Points: 23
W-L: 3-1
Previous ranking: NR
The skinny: Shane Carden and the Pirates absolutely eviscerated North Carolina on Saturday, making them 2-0 against the ACC this season. The Pirates only loss was a 10-point setback at South Carolina, a game they were in late.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. SMU; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at South Florida; Thursday, Oct. 23 -- vs. UConn; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Temple; Thursday, Nov. 13 -- at Cincinnati; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Tulane; Friday, Nov. 28 -- at Tulsa; Thursday, Dec. 4 -- vs. UCF
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: None
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24. Clemson
Points: 16
W-L: 1-2
Previous ranking: 24
The skinny: Clemson was back to being, well, Clemson on Saturday night. The Tigers had numerous opportunities to bury Florida State, but instead lost in overtime. Deshaun Watson, though, looks like a future star at quarterback.
Remaining schedule: Saturday, Sept. 27 -- vs. North Carolina; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. North Carolina St.; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- vs. Louisville; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at Boston College; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. Syracuse; Thursday, Nov. 6 -- at Wake Forest; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- at Georgia Tech; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- vs. Georgia State; Saturday, Nov. 29 -- vs. South Carolina
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 1 (South Carolina)
25. Oklahoma State
Points: 15
W-L: 2-1
Previous ranking: NR
The skinny: How seriously should we take the Cowboys as a Big 12 contender without injured starting QB J.W. Walsh? We'll find out Thursday when they play host to Texas Tech?
Remaining schedule: Thursday, Sept. 25 -- vs. Texas Tech; Saturday, Oct. 4 -- vs. Iowa State; Saturday, Oct. 11 -- at Kansas; Saturday, Oct. 18 -- at TCU; Saturday, Oct. 25 -- vs. West Virginia; Saturday, Nov. 1 -- at Kansas State; Saturday, Nov. 15 -- vs. Texas; Saturday, Nov. 22 -- at Baylor; Saturday, Dec. 6 -- at Oklahoma
Remaining CFB 24/7 top 25 opponents: 2 (Baylor, Oklahoma)
Others receiving votes:
Kansas State 14, Arizona 11, Duke 9, Boise St. 7, Washington 4, Utah 3, Penn St. 2, Arkansas 1
Voters in the College Football 24/7 Top 25 Power Rankings include: NFL Media analysts Gil Brandt, Bucky Brooks, Charles Davis and Daniel Jeremiah, and CFB 24/7 writers Bryan Fischer, Chase Goodbread and Mike Huguenin.
Follow College Football 24/7 on Twitter _@NFLCFB_.
