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Ranking the 27 undefeated college football teams
ESPN PLUS $ MATERIALAt this point last season, we were down to 21 unbeaten college football teams. This fall, a few more have decided to stick around.
Following an intense weekend with huge headliners -- Ohio State over Notre Dame, Florida State over Clemson, Utah over UCLA by a little, Oregon over Colorado by a lot -- 27 teams head into Week 5 with huge aspirations and no blemishes. And with only one unbeaten-versus-unbeaten matchup on the docket (Kansas at Texas) and six unbeaten teams idle, this list could remain pretty large for another week. Of this week's 21 active unbeatens, SP+ projects them to win an average of 15.3 games.
20.
Kansas Jayhawks (4-0)
SP+ and FPI rankings: 40th and 51st
SP+ strength of schedule to date: 96th
What the Jayhawks did in Week 4: defeated BYU 38-27
Last week's ranking: 32
Why they're ranked here: The defense remains untrustworthy, but it's a step ahead of last year's unit. The offense, meanwhile, remains an absolute delight. The Jayhawks get extreme efficiency from their passing game (second in passing success rate) and explosiveness from their run game -- Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw Jr.: 157.3 yards per game at 7.0 yards per carry. They are 4-0 for the second straight year, though getting to 5-0 will require a big upset in Austin. Surely that couldn't happen, right?
Next big test: Week 5 at Texas.
21.
Maryland Terrapins (4-0)
SP+ and FPI rankings: 33rd and 30th
SP+ strength of schedule to date: 119th
What the Terrapins did in Week 4: defeated Michigan State 31-9
Last week's ranking: 23
Why they're ranked here: I'm still learning to trust Mike Locksley's Terps. They're top 15 in both points and points allowed per drive, and they've won each of four games (against mostly awful opposition) by at least 18. But they played one good defense (Michigan State's), slipped from 6.9 yards per play to 5.4 and currently 115th in rushing success rate allowed despite not playing against any good running teams. Those feel like red flags.
Next big test: Week 6 at Ohio State.
22.
Air Force Falcons (4-0)
SP+ and FPI rankings: 42nd and 58th
SP+ strength of schedule to date: 131st
What the Falcons did in Week 4: defeated San José State 45-20
Last week's ranking: 33
Why they're ranked here: This looks like one of Troy Calhoun's best Air Force teams, which is saying something considering the Falcons have won double-digit games five times in nine years. They are ruthlessly efficient on offense, their defense erases all big-play opportunities and SP+ projects them as at least two-touchdown favorites in each of the next seven games. We might be talking about the favorite for the Group of Five's New Year's Six bowl slot here.
Next big test: Week 13 at Boise State.
23.
Fresno State Bulldogs (4-0)
SP+ and FPI rankings: 44th and 44th
SP+ strength of schedule to date: 129th
What the Bulldogs did in Week 4: defeated Kent State 53-10
Last week's ranking: 36
Why they're ranked here: There's at least a slight chance that the Mountain West championship game might feature dueling 12-0 teams. Jeff Tedford's Bulldogs force three-and-outs 44% of the time (ninth in FBS) and force two turnovers per game (third), while Mikey Keene helms an efficient passing game with five players on pace for 30-plus catches. Plus, they're one of only four teams (alongside Ohio State, Florida State and Texas) to have beaten two P5 teams on the road.
Next big test: Week 6 at Wyoming.
24.
Liberty Flames (4-0)
SP+ and FPI rankings: 51st and 60th
SP+ strength of schedule to date: 133rd
What the Flames did in Week 4: defeated FIU 38-6
Last week's ranking: 35
Why they're ranked here: Granted, all four of Liberty's opponents to date rank between 103rd and 126th in SP+. But Jamey Chadwell's Flames have still beaten the spread in all four games, and by an average of 14 points. Kaidon Salter is on pace for 2,700 passing yards and 1,000 (non-sack) rushing yards in 12 games, and the pass defense is dynamic. They are projected favorites of at least nine points in every remaining game.
Next big test: Week 7 at Jacksonville State.
25.
James Madison Dukes (4-0)
SP+ and FPI rankings: 62nd and 78th
SP+ strength of schedule to date: 124th
What the Dukes did in Week 4: defeated Utah State 45-38
Last week's ranking: 37
Why they're ranked here: Some teams have a flair for the dramatic. Down 11, JMU scored the last 12 points in a 1-point win over Virginia, then made two huge, late stops in a 2-point win over Troy and three late stops in a 7-point win over Utah State. The offense comes and goes, but the defense is a constant. And if the Dukes were eligible for the Sun Belt title, they'd quite possibly be the favorites at this point.
Next big test: Week 5 vs. South Alabama.
26.
Georgia State Panthers (4-0)
SP+ and FPI rankings: 72nd and 74th
SP+ strength of schedule to date: 115th
What the Panthers did in Week 4: defeated Coastal Carolina 30-17
Last week's ranking: 39
Why they're ranked here: After a Week 1 wake-up call against Rhode Island, the Panthers have ignited, winning their past three games by an average of 15.7 points and beating projections by 11.1. Thursday's win over Coastal Carolina turned them into a genuine Sun Belt contender, and with upcoming home games against Troy and Marshall, they could be the front-runner by mid-October. Learn Robert Lewis' name: The junior receiver has five touchdowns and is averaging 19.3 yards per catch.
Next big test: Week 5 vs. Troy.
27.
Marshall Thundering Herd (3-0)
SP+ and FPI rankings: 71st and 57th
SP+ strength of schedule to date: 122nd
What the Thundering Herd did in Week 4: defeated Virginia Tech 24-17
Last week's ranking: 38
Why they're ranked here: Life in the Sun Belt: Including a road trip to a disappointing thus far NC State, seven of Marshall's last nine regular-season games are projected within one touchdown. The good news is, there are no sure losses! Every game's winnable. The bad news is, almost every game is losable. It's going to be awfully hard to remain unbeaten, even with an aggressive and exciting defense and the wonder that is Rasheen Ali in the backfield.
Next big test: Week 6 at NC State.
