The primetime slate during Week 5 was the kind of stuff that helps voters get a better picture for the national landscape. At one point there were a half-dozen games going on at once with ranked teams in the mix, and three of those games were between ranked teams. After all that action to wrap up a busy day for the top 25, the new college football rankings are going to get an update.
One of the most significant adjustments will be the arrival of Notre Dame to the table of national title contenders. The Irish welcomed both Michigan and Stanford to Notre Dame Stadium this year and walked away from bthwith wins. Now 5-0 and surging with Ian Book entrenched as the new starting quarterback, this year's team is starting to look like one that can make a run at the program's first College Football Playoff appearance.
We still have a few weeks before the CFP Selection Committee starts unveiling its rankings, but it's no secret that we don't see too much differing of opinion at the top of the rankings between the committee and the equally human voters who make up the AP Top 25. How voters react to the Irish will be a preview into what the selection committee might think when comparing Notre Dame against the likes of Alabama, Georgia, Ohio State and Clemson. Given the style points -- looking explosive on offense and relentless on defense against a good Stanford team -- I think the AP voters will move Notre Dame to No. 5 in the poll.
But pointing to Notre Dame as a playoff contender is as much to do with the schedule remaining as the body of work or profile to this point. The product on the field has been impressive, so much so that it looks like there are very few teams left on the schedule that will be considered less than a touchdown underdogs to this Irish team. If this recent quality of play continues, Notre Dame could be one of the last undefeated teams in the country and very much in the playoff race. For now, they'll make a jump in the rankings.
Here's how we think the new AP Top 25 will look on Sunday:
1. AL
2. UGA
3. OSU
4. Clem
5. ND - We weren't expecting to see the Irish look as dominant as they did, and while it's worth considering that Stanford ran out of gas that would also be a nod to the incredible depth on display from Notre Dame's defense. Book was great, Dexter Williams looks explosive in his return, and this team is ready to start putting together a playoff argument after Saturday's win.
6. LSU
7. OU
8. WVU
9. PSU
10. UK
11. UW
12. STAN
13. UCF
14. AUB
15. MICH
16. WIS
17. MIA
18. TEX
19. UF
20. ORE
21. MSU
22. CU
23. BSU
24. USF
25. BYU