This week had no game on the schedule for the Irish, as they watched other teams around them fall from the ranks of the unbeaten. Auburn got dominated by Georgia, who this week actually looked like a top 4 team. Alabama was Alabama, once again handling another SEC ranked opponent in Texas A&M, while Texas, Mississippi State, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh and Memphis were all upset.
The biggest loser this week was Texas, who continues to underperform while getting the benefit of the doubt by the polls. Last week they had a miraculous 4th quarter comeback, and this week living on the edge gave them their first loss to TCU. The Longhorns dropped to No. 22 after coming into the week ninth.
None of this really matter to Notre Dame, the teams what are ahead of them all won, although they didn’t all necessarily look great doing it. The Irish finally get back on the field next weekend to face Florida State, who’s sluggish start had them on upset watch for most of the 1st half. They would later pull away, winning their first game of the year.
Around the ACC, Clemson held steady atop the Amway Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports, Miami, FL moved up one spot, North Carolina up two, Virginia Tech up five while Pittsburgh dropped out entirely.
Here is the week 5 edition of the Coach Poll, with the ACC teams in bold and last weeks rankings in parentheses.
1 Clemson (1)
2 Alabama (2)
3 Georgia (4)
3 Florida (3)
5 Notre Dame (5)
6 Ohio State (6)
7 Miami (8)
8 Penn State (10)
9 North Carolina (10)
10 Oklahoma State (19)
11 Cincinnati (15)
12 Tennessee (20)
13 Auburn (7)
14 Wisconsin (18)
15 BYU (22)
16 LSU (17)
17 Oregon (NR)
18 Virginia Tech (23)
19 Michigan (21)
20 Texas A&M (13)
21 SMU (NR)
22 Texas (9)
23 ULL (NR)
24 Iowa State (NR)
25 Central Florida (12)