Strengths, weaknesses and rankings for all 22 remaining undefeated CFB teams - ESPN
You know it's a good party when no one wants to leave. While we had 16 remaining college football unbeatens at this point last season, we're holding steady at 22 in 2023. Only five fell in Week 5, and while we'll miss you, Duke, Georgia State, Kansas, Syracuse and Utah, the party continues.
Five of the remaining 22 teams are idle in Week 6, but things could still thin out a decent amount. We've got three unbeaten-versus-unbeaten matchups to look forward to — Oklahoma-Texas, Kentucky-Georgia and Maryland-Ohio State — and SP+ projects an average of 6.6 unbeatens to fall. But while this party is still together, let's do what we do: Let's rank them! Let's also discuss their biggest statistical strengths and weaknesses to date.
SP+ and FPI rankings: first and eighth
SP+ strength of schedule to date: 112th
What the Wolverines did in Week 5: def. Nebraska 45-7
Last week's ranking: 4
Biggest statistical strength: The most efficient defense in the country. It's nice to have that to fall back on, isn't it? The Wolverines rank first in success rate allowed (percentage of time an offense is gaining 50% of necessary yards on first down, 70% on second and 100% on third and fourth), first in points allowed per drive and, even once you've adjusted for a weak strength of schedule, second in defensive SP+. The moment you get the ball against them, you're behind schedule.
Biggest statistical weakness: We don't know what happens when they have to act with urgency. I guess that's less of a weakness and more of an absence of known strength. Still, the passing game hasn't been very aggressive (because it hasn't had to be), the big plays aren't particularly big and while the Wolverines have been great on third down, they're also waiting until t