2014 College Football Power Rankings: Top 5 National Title Contenders

2014 College Football Power Rankings: Top 5 National Title Contenders: On the heels of one of the most upset-happy weekends in recent memory, the college football playoff picture has undergone a major shuffle. Pac-12 powerhouses Oregon and UCLA both went down, Big 12 frontrunner Oklahoma lost, and previously undefeated SEC heavyweights Alabama and Texas A&M also fell. Needless to say, the hierarchy in the college football world has suddenly changed, and several surprise contenders have emerged as potential championship contenders. Of course, the rankings are certain to change in the coming weeks, especially with so many highly-ranked SEC teams all set to play each other, but in the meantime, here is how I see the top teams in the country stacking up heading into Week 7 of the college football season.

1. Mississippi State Bulldogs

Quarterback Dak Prescott has emerged as one of the Heisman frontrunners, and the Bulldogs have knocked off back-to-back top-10 opponents, abusing LSU in “Death Valley” and punishing Texas A&M on both sides of the ball. Mississippi State currently owns a top-15 rushing attack, a top-15 scoring offense and a top-25 scoring defense. The remaining schedule is rough with a home game against Auburn and road games against Alabama and Ole Miss, but two convincing wins over top-10 opponents has the Bulldogs in the No. 1 spot for now.

2. Auburn Tigers

The Tigers won’t have to wait long to prove they deserve to be in the top spot as they head to Starkville this weekend to face Mississippi State. Auburn already has a couple of quality wins under its belt with a road win over Kansas State and a destruction of LSU this past weekend, and the ground game looks as potent as ever. Led by dual-threat quarterback Nick Marshall, the Tigers currently rank in the top 15 nationally in rushing and scoring. The defense has also looked stout, and the unit is allowing the ninth-fewest points in the country. With five of Auburn’s seven remaining games coming against teams currently ranked in the top 15, the Tigers will have every opportunity to prove they are the nation’s best.

3. Florida State Seminoles

It hasn’t exactly been pretty, but the defending champs are still undefeated. The Seminoles’ defense in particular has looked suspect, and the ground game hasn’t been nearly as dominant as it was a year ago despite an experienced offensive line. That being said, quarterback Jameis Winston is at the helm of a top-15 passing attack and top-25 scoring offense. Plus, the Oklahoma State victory is looking better by the week, and Florida State’s victory over Clemson without Winston was respectable, as well. A showdown with Notre Dame is looming, and until somebody actually knocks off the Seminoles, they can’t be counted out.

4. Ole Miss Rebels

Knocking off Alabama was huge for the program as a whole, and it also makes the Rebels a legit contender in the SEC. The victory over the Crimson Tide also validated Ole Miss’ talented defense as one of the best units in the country. The Rebels currently rank second in the country in scoring defense, allowing just 10.2 points per game. They also held Alabama’s vaunted ground game to just 3.8 yards per attempt. Bo Wallace gives the Rebels an experienced quarterback to run the offense, and if he continues to take care of the ball, the defense could do the rest. A road game with Texas A&M is the next big test for the Rebels, but they will be the home team against Auburn and Mississippi State. Ole Miss has a chance to have a special season.

5. TCU Horned Frogs

All of a sudden, this weekend’s showdown with Baylor has become extremely important. After knocking off Oklahoma last weekend, the Horned Frogs can put themselves in the driver’s seat in the Big 12 with a win over the Bears on the road. In fact, TCU would have a legit shot at running the table if it can defeat Baylor. The defense held its own against a tough Sooners’ offense, and more importantly, the Horned Frogs’ offense was able to move the ball against an excellent Oklahoma defense. Quarterback Trevone Boykin has emerged as a dual-threat weapon, and the Horned Frogs have emerged as a potential playoff team.