College Football Rankings: Week 6 AP Poll winners and losers

Week 5 brought us more upsets, blowouts, and close Saturday night games. Through five weeks, the AP Poll is beginning to take on a new identity. Although Alabama is still number 1.

The Stanford Cardinal were nearly shut out by the Washington Huskies on Friday. Florida State dropped another ACC game, this time at home.If Week 5 told us anything, it’s to always play until the final seconds. The UNC Tar Heels won on a last second field goal. The Clemson Tigers shook off a Louisville 26-0 run to overcome the odds and pull out a key victory.

As Week 6 is upon us, this week’s rankings show us which teams are climbing the AP Poll and which ones are sinking. The Miami Hurricanes have quietly climbed into the Top 10 as the Huskies round out the Top 5. Here are this week’s AP Poll winners and losers:

Losers

Stanford Cardinal

Sep 30, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Stanford Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey (5) rushes the ball against the Washington Huskies during the second half at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

The Stanford Cardinal fell eight spots to number 15 in this week’s AP Poll. The Stanford Cardinal lost in Week 5 to the Washington Huskies 44-6, it was never close from the start.

Running back Christian McCaffrey was held to 49 rushing yards and 30 receiving yards. The team finished with only 29 rushing yards before it was all said and done.

The Cardinal offense looked shell shocked and the Huskies’ defense did everything they could to contain McCaffrey. The offense went 2-12 on 3rd down conversions and only had 213 total yards of offense.

The Cardinal defense allowed 424 yards, 214 of them rushing, 22 first downs, and did not force a turnover all game. It’s back to the drawing board for Stanford, they are now 3-1 on the season.

Next Week: Washington State

Things don’t get any easier for the Cardinal next week as the Washington State Cougars come to town. The Cougars are 2-2 after running all over the Oregon Ducks last week for 280 rushing yards.

Oct 1, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles defensive coordinator Charles Kelly talks to his defense during the game against the North Carolina Tarheels at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

Florida State Seminoles

The Florida State Seminoles dropped 11 spots to number 23 in this week’s AP Poll. They are now 3-2 this season and one of three teams in the AP Top 25 with two losses.

The Seminoles lost to the North Carolina Tar Heels 37-35 on a last second field goal, snapping their 22-game home winning streak in the process. Florida State trailed 21-7 at halftime but they came back in the fourth quarter.

Quarterback Deondre Francois’s 2-yard run with 23 seconds left but the Seminoles up 35-34. But the defense could not hold, allowing the Tar Heels to drive down the field and get in field goal position.

Running back Dalvin Cook had 29 carries, 140 rushing yards and three touchdowns for the Seminoles despite the loss. They are still winless in ACC play.

Next Week: @Miami

The Seminoles travel to the Miami Hurricanes next week, they are ranked number 10 in the AP Poll. They have won the last six games against Miami.

Winners

Sep 30, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies quarterback Jake Browning (3) celebrates with wide receiver Aaron Fuller (12) after a three-yard touchdown pass from Browning to Fuller during the second half at Husky Stadium. Washington won 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

Washington Huskies

The Washington Huskies move up five spots in the AP Top 25 rankings and are now the fifth ranked team in the nation.

The Huskies set the tone early and did not allow Cardinal running back Christian McCaffrey to score all game. They handed Stanford their worst loss since 2007.

The defense forced two turnovers and had eight sacks in the game. Their ninth ranked team defense was on full display in the victory.

Quarterback Jake Browning was nearly perfect, going 15 for 21 for 210 passing yards and three touchdowns. Running back Myles Gaskin had 18 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Next Week: @Oregon

The Huskies face off against the Oregon Ducks this week as they look to go 3-0 in Pac-12 play. Washington has lost 12 straight games to Oregon.

Oct 1, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Mark Richt looks on during the third quarter against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets of the game at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Miami Hurricanes

The Miami Hurricanes have moved up four spots in this week’s poll as they come in at number 10. The Hurricanes next three opponents are ranked in the AP Top 25 as well.

Last week against the Yellow Jackets, the Miami defense forced three turnovers and allowed just 94 passing yards. The Hurricanes sacked the Yellow Jackets four times in the game in 35-21 victory.

Quarterback Brad Kaaya was 13 for 19 with 241 passing yards and a touchdown. Running back Joseph Yearby had 9 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown.

The Hurricanes have allowed just 11 points per game this season, second in the FBS.

Next Week: Florida State

The Hurricanes face the Seminoles this week and look to snap a losing streak. Miami has lost the last six games against Florida State.

Oct 1, 2016; Boise, ID, USA; Boise State Broncos wide receiver Cedrick Wilson (1) gets one foot down for a touchdown during the second half versus the Utah State Aggies at Albertsons Stadium. Boise State defeats Utah State 21-10. Mandatory Credit: Brian Losness-USA TODAY Sports

Boise State Broncos

Don’t look now but that team in blue is 4-0 and up to number 19 in this week’s AP Poll. The Boise State Broncos are getting the voters attention after their 21-10 victory over Utah State.

Running back Jeremy McNichols had 30 carries for 132 rushing yards to pace the Broncos offense. He also had six catches for 73 yards and a touchdown.

Quarterback Brett Rypien threw 163 passing yards and two touchdowns.

The Broncos defense allowed just 71 rushing yards in the game and held the Aggies to 4-19 on third down conversions.

The win gives the Broncos their first Mountain West conference victory.

Next Week: @New Mexico

Boise State travels to New Mexico to face the Lobos. The Broncos are 6-1 all time against the Lobos but lost last season’s meeting 31-24.

Oct 1, 2016; Tallahassee, FL, USA; North Carolina Tarheels kicker Nick Weiler (24) celebrates after kicking the game winning field goal against the Florida State Seminoles at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports

North Carolina Tar Heels

The North Carolina Tar Heels go from not ranked to number 17 after their upset victory over Florida State.

The Tar Heels are the only FBS team that hasn’t thrown an interception or forced one on defense. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky has thrown 175 passes without an interception.

Trubisky was 31 for 38 with 405 passing yards and three touchdowns in the Tar Heels’ upset victory but kicker Nick Weiler was the hero.

Weiler made a 54-yard field goal as time expired to give the Tar Heels their second ACC win of the season. The win puts North Carolina in a good position going forward in the ACC Coastal division.

Next Week: Virginia Tech

The Tar Heels face the Virginia Tech Hokies next week which makes for a good defensive challenge for them. North Carolina is 3-7 in their last ten meetings with Virginia Tech.