2024 College Football Power Rankings After Week 5

Every week, I will provide an update that summarizes our College Football Power Rankings. FTN’s simulation model repeats 10,000 iterations and powers our weekly College Football Power Rankings. The rankings will update at the start of each week as the model collects additional data. If you are looking for weekly picks? Check out our CFB Betting Model which is updated every Monday for the upcoming slate of games.

Let’s take a quick look at the biggest discrepancies from the AP Top 25 to our own FTN Power Rankings. 

FTN College Football Power Rankings

Iowa State

AP Ranking: 16
FTN Power Ranking: 17
Change: +6

Iowa State moved to 4-0 on the season with a 20-0 shutout of Houston. The Cyclones rose six spots to No. 17 in our Power Rankings, up from No. 23 last week. Iowa State was our No. 46 preseason team and has risen a massive 29 spots from the opening week. The Cyclones are No. 16 in the current AP Poll, rising two spots from last week. 

Indiana

AP Ranking: 23
FTN Power Ranking: 25
Change: +6

Indiana continues to rise under the guidance of first-year head coach Curt Cignetti. The Hoosiers again cracked the 40-point barrier, defeating Maryland 42-28. Indiana is now a perfect 5-0 and rose six spots to No. 25 in our FTN Power Rankings. The Hoosiers are up a mind-blowing 49 spots from their preseason spot of No. 74. Indiana also joined the AP rankings, sitting 23rd overall. 

Nebraska

AP Ranking: NR
FTN Power Ranking: 27
Change: +11

After losing a 31-24 OT home matchup to No. 24 Illinois, the Cornhuskers responded with a solid 28-10 road win at Purdue. Nebraska vaulted back up our FTN Power Rankings a full 11 spots to No. 27, despite still remaining unranked in the AP Poll. The Cornhuskers have a massive impending Big Ten home matchup with Rutgers on Saturday, followed by two road games against ranked opponents with Indiana and Ohio State. 

SMU

AP Ranking: NR
FTN Power Ranking: 33
Change: +8

The SMU Mustangs moved to 4-1 with a 42-16 drubbing of Florida State. SMU has its first huge test of the season when it hosts No. 22 Louisville on Saturday afternoon. It is the first of three consecutive road games for Rhett Lashlee’s team.

BYU

AP Ranking: 17
FTN Power Ranking: 47
Change: +2

We continue to remain below market on the BYU Cougars, despite their perfect 5-0 record. BYU is the only team to beat the aforementioned SMU and notched a huge road win, 34-28, at Baylor. This is just one week after drubbing No. 13 Kansas State 38-9 at home. We remain skeptical of the Cougars, who host Arizona on October 12 after enjoying their upcoming bye week.