2022-23 College Football: Week 5 Review

This week featured a couple of potential conference-deciding games, a couple of Top 25 meetings in the SEC, and saw some major shake-ups among some of the country's best teams. While there were some good games, there were some huge injuries that could alter the season for some big programs. With so many ranked matchups, there were already going to be some big results, but there was a surprising number of unranked teams that came through with some huge wins. This week could define the season. 

Game of the Week- #14 Ole Miss 22, #7 Kentucky 19 (Oxford, MS)

With all the talk about Georgia and Alabama at the top of their respective divisions in the SEC, this inter-divisional meeting was a battle of contenders that flew under the radar. Kentucky has flown under the radar to a 4-0 start and a spot in the Top 10 while Ole Miss also entered undefeated and slightly disrespected. Both quarterbacks have been lighting it up to this point, but this was more of a defensive struggle. Ole Miss jumped out early, capitalizing on a missed field goal and intentional grounding in the endzone to lead 19-6 midway through the second quarter. Will Levis would find his groove late in the first half, leading a touchdown drive before the intermission to bring them within a touchdown for 30 minutes left. Levis and the Wildcats' offense would score again to tie it up before Jonathan Cruz nailed a short field goal for the Rebels to lead 22-19 through three quarters. From there, the defenses took over. The Rebels' defense bent but didn't break in the fourth quarter. After forcing a turnover on downs and a fumble, the Rebels allowed Kentucky to drive again at the end of the quarter as they looked to tie it or potentially win it. After connecting on a 51-yard pass to get to the Ole Miss 8, Levis heaved up one into the endzone that the Wildcats' receiver came down with, but an illegal motion penalty negated the potential game-winner. On the ensuing play, Levis was strip-sacked and the Rebels recovered it to put an end to the Wildcats' chances. Ole Miss ran out the final minute to move to 5-0, joining Alabama as the only other 5-0 team in the East. This loss shouldn't hurt Kentucky too much, though they had three chances to tie it and they were unable to get the job done. 

Upset of the Week- Georgia Tech 26, #24 Pittsburgh 21 (Pittsburgh, PA)

The story of the ACC Coastal and its struggles for the last several years is well-documented. While the Atlantic is known to be the division of champions, the Coastal is clearly the other one. With no team in the Coastal stepping up to take control of the division, the defending champions looked to fill the void against a Georgia Tech team that just fired its head coach and AD. Naturally, the three-touchdown underdogs came to Pittsburgh and played a solid defensive game through three quarters before outscoring the Panthers in the fourth quarter to withstand the late push. The Yellow Jackets' offense was held to three field goals through three quarters but were still playing well enough to lead 9-7 with 15 minutes left. 4:30 into the fourth quarter the lead had swollen to 19-7 and they looked firmly in control. Kedon Slovis came to life in the fourth quarter and he led the Pittsburgh offense down the field to make it 19-14 with 1:57 left and plenty of timeouts. They opted to send the kickoff down the field, but Hassan Hall ran the next play 63 yards to set up a touchdown run for quarterback Jeff Sims that would be enough to win it. Slovis and the Panthers would add another touchdown to make it close, but it wasn't enough to avoid the upset. It doesn't take Pittsburgh out of the race in the Coastal, but it doesn't lead to much confidence with the way North Carolina has been playing. For Georgia Tech, this is one of their biggest wins in recent memory and looks to put behind an era that wasn't very good for the program. 

Other Notable Games

#1 Georgia 26, Missouri 22 (Columbia, MO)

Playing the way they did against Kent State is one thing, but this was a concerning effort for the Bulldogs on the road. Missouri held a 16-6 lead at the break and the offense for Georgia didn't show up until the fourth quarter of the game. After the Tigers made it 22-12 with a field goal early in the fourth quarter, Georgia started to play the game, rattling off consecutive touchdown drives to take the lead with 4:03 left. The defense held it down to get the win, but we were minutes away from the college football world being turned upside down.

#5 Clemson 30, #10 NC State 20 (Clemson, SC)

While I won't outright say that the Atlantic has been decided, it sure seems Clemson has it on lock. After speculating that DJ Uiagalelei wouldn't be able to handle the pressure, he's rattled off two brilliant performances against the two biggest tests he's going to face in the ACC. He threw for 209, ran for 73 more, and scored three touchdowns. The Clemson defense held Devin Leary in check and the Wolfpack couldn't run the ball. Clemson played exactly how we expected them to and would now need a huge setback to fall from their top spot. 

#2 Alabama 49, #20 Arkansas 26 (Fayetteville, AR)

The game's action will be secondary to the news surrounding Bryce Young leaving the game in the second quarter. Jalen Milroe was forced into action and he was playing well at the end of the first half, throwing and running for a touchdown. Arkansas would score at the end of the first half to make it 28-7. When the Razorbacks came out in the second half, they took the game by storm, scoring 16 points in the third quarter to make it 28-23, but Jahmyr Gibbs rattled off two 70+-yard touchdown runs, finishing with 206 yards to run away with the game at the end of the day.  

TCU 55, #18 Oklahoma 24 (Fort Worth, TX)

This was an absolutely terrible effort from the Oklahoma Sooners, especially from their defense. TCU controlled the game from the very beginning, putting up 27 points in just the first quarter. Oklahoma quarterback Dillon Gabriel would exit the game in the second quarter after a very late hit as he was sliding and while it didn't change the game because it was already out of hand, it was still extremely scary. Max Duggan carved up the Sooners' defense for over 400 total yards and five total touchdowns to remain undefeated and likely put an end to anything big for Oklahoma. 

#9 Oklahoma State 36, #16 Baylor 25 (Waco, TX)

With Oklahoma falling for the second time, this championship rematch from a year ago felt like a battle to determine the front-runner for the conference. After weeks of me being concerned about whether this Cowboys team is legitimate, they proved they were by storming into Waco and beating the Bears. While Sanders didn't light up the Bears, he certainly played very well. They came out of the gate pretty hot and were able to hold off Baylor's push in the third quarter to stay atop the conference. This win could really define their season as they aim to win the Big 12. 

#22 Wake Forest 31, #23 Florida State 21 (Tallahassee, FL)

In another battle in the ACC Atlantic, these two teams were riding very different feelings after last week. Wake Forest lost a heartbreaker to Clemson at home, while Florida State tried to assert they were back by moving to 4-0 with a blowout win over Boston College. These two were evenly matched pretty much all afternoon, even when Wake Forest jumped ahead 28-7. Jordan Travis put up better numbers than Sam Hartman did, but in the end, it was the Demon Deacons that got the better of the Seminoles to temporarily halt their return to prominence. 

UCLA 40, #15 Washington 32 (Los Angeles, CA)

While this game didn't take place during the Saturday slate, it was great for UCLA to get a huge win on a big stage. Washington had looked to be one of the more consistent teams in the PAC-12, but they ran into a solid Bruins team that put them in their place. Dorian Thompson-Robinson threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns while running for another 53 yards and a touchdown and Zach Charbonnet ran for 124 and a touchdown. The Huskies' offense really tried to stay in it and keep them undefeated, but the defense couldn't stop the Bruins and it cost them their perfect season. 

Mississippi State 42, #17 Texas A&M 24 (Starkville, MS)

What happens when you put a good quarterback that can put up huge numbers against a team that struggles to score? Exactly what happened in Starkville. Will Rogers threw two touchdowns in the first half and I really think that served as the real difference maker in the game. While the Aggies tried to scratch and claw their way back into this game, too many mistakes hindered their progress. The Bulldogs returned a blocked kick for a touchdown and returned an interception for a touchdown to give the Aggies their second loss as Mississippi State picked up a major win.

My Top 25

1. Ohio State (5-0, W 49-10 Rutgers) (+1)

While I'll concede that Ohio State hasn't played anyone yet, they've been the most consistent offense in the country thus far. Miyan Williams ran for five touchdowns to make it an easy day for Stroud.

2. Alabama (5-0, W 49-26 #20 Arkansas) (+1)

Questions will surround the status of Bryce Young with this injury and whether they'll be able to get it done in the SEC. As long as they have a stellar defense and can run the ball, this team will be fine.

3. Georgia (5-0, W 26-22 Missouri) (-2)

This might be a slight over-exaggeration since they won but I don't think there's any other way to react. The offense couldn't get it going and the defense has looked beatable for two weeks now.

4. Michigan (5-0, W 27-14 Iowa) (-)

Blake Corum continues to try and make a case that he should be considered for the Heisman. He had another 100+-yard game as the Wolverines earned another conference win by surviving Iowa. 

5. Clemson (5-0, W 30-20 #10 NC State) (-)

The win for Clemson puts them in the driver's seat of the ACC Atlantic as they try and return to glory. The defense held strong without their star defensive tackle and an inexperienced secondary.

6. USC (5-0, W 42-25 Arizona State) (-)

Caleb Williams threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns as the transfer Trojans earned their third conference win. I still want to see this team go up against a big-time conference opponent.

7. Oklahoma State (4-0, W 36-25 #16 Baylor) (+1)

The Big 12 runs through Stillwater as they knocked off Baylor to avenge their loss for last year's conference title. Everyone is beating up each other in the Big 12, so hopefully, they can avoid that.

8. Tennessee (4-0, BYE) (-1)

There isn't much the Volunteers could do this week with no game scheduled. The only reason they fell was because of Oklahoma State's big win as they sat at home preparing for next week. 

9. Ole Miss (5-0, W 22-19 #7 Kentucky) (+8)

The Rebels' defense showed up to play to stop a high-powered Kentucky offense, allowing just one touchdown. While the offense was kept in check, there's no doubt this was a huge win for them.

10. Penn State (5-0, W 17-7 Northwestern) (+1)

This was a sloppy game from the Nittany Lions, turning the ball over five times and being held to 17 points. The good news is that the defense forced three turnovers and held Northwestern to seven points.

11. Oregon (4-1, W 45-27 Stanford) (+2)

Bo Nix is starting to look like he did during his good times at Auburn. He carved the Stanford defense for over 300 yards and four touchdowns to keep their roll going after their opening loss.

12. Utah (4-1, W 42-16 Oregon State (+4)

Cameron Rising's four touchdowns helped to pull away from the Beavers late after they kept USC close. Utah is another team in the PAC-12 that is bouncing back after an early loss with a lot of success.

13. Kentucky (4-1, L 22-19 #14 Ole Miss) (-3)

The Wildcats had plenty of opportunities to tie or win the game in Oxford but turned the ball over too many times. Will Levis was good but that one penalty at the end of the game cost them a huge win.

14. NC State (4-1, L 30-20 #5 Clemson) (-5)

It'll be another season of questioning what went wrong despite being in an excellent position to win the Atlantic. They weren't willing to take enough risks to upset Clemson in Death Valley. 

15. Wake Forest (4-1, W 31-21 #23 Florida State) (+5)

NC State's loss helps the Wake a little bit, though it doesn't help their odds to repeat in the Atlantic. This was a good rebound win on the road for Wake Forest as they vie for a New Year's Six bowl.

16. BYU (4-1, W 38-26 Utah State) (+6)

I continue to find it hard not to root for the Cougars as they win another game over Utah State. Jaren Hall is so much fun to watch and he was great in this mid-week victory in Provo.

17. Kansas State (4-1, W 37-28 Texas Tech) (+8)

A week after Adrian Martinez ran all over the Sooners, he was at it again against Texas Tech. He ran for 171 yards and three touchdowns this week while Deuce Vaughn ran for another 170 yards in the win.

18. UCLA (5-0, W 40-32 #15 Washington) (+12)

After wondering if UCLA was for real after a 4-0 start, they showed that they weren't messing around with a win over Washington. They're one step away from a bowl game with Utah visiting next week.

19. Mississippi State (4-1, W 42-24 #17 Texas A&M) (NR)

The Bulldogs throw the ball a lot and have found success through five games. Will Rogers is third in the country in passing yards while throwing 19 touchdowns, tied for the most with UNC's Drake Maye.

20. Kansas (5-0, W 14-11 Iowa State) (+6)

After just missing out last week, the Jayhawks are officially ranked after another win. They got very lucky in their win as the Cyclones missed three field goals to could've given them the win.

21. TCU (4-0, W 55-24 #18 Oklahoma) (NR)

There's no other way to describe their win other than pure dominance from start to finish. They controlled the pace of the game from the onset and handed Oklahoma their second-straight loss.

22. Washington (4-1, L 40-32 UCLA) (-4)

The Huskies were going into a tough environment against an unproven team and they fell just short. The one-possession loss will likely sting, but they still played well in the losing effort.

23. LSU (4-1, W 21-17 Auburn) (+4)

While I don't think LSU has quite figured everything out yet, this is a huge step in the right direction after a season of mediocrity. They get Tennessee next week to follow up this win over Auburn.

24. Syracuse (5-0, W 59-0 Wagner) (+5)

Another team in the Atlantic is having a quietly strong start and while a 59-0 win over Wagner isn't special, a 5-0 start is. They're the only undefeated team in the Atlantic other than Clemson right now.

25. Baylor (3-2, L 36-25 #9 Oklahoma State) (-10)

This loss stings because this was very winnable for the Bears at home. It puts them a little behind the top of the pack as they now need a lot of help to repeat as Big 12 champions.

The Next 5

26. Florida State (4-1, L 31-21 #22 Wake Forest) (-5)

The comeback has to be delayed for a little bit longer but there is nothing to be ashamed of in Tallahassee. They ran into an angry and experienced Wake Forest team and gave them a game.

27. Cincinnati (4-1, W 31-21 Tulsa) (+1)

They're just missing one big win to carry them into the Top 25. Playing in the AAC isn't going to help their cause since they're clearly the best team in the conference. 

28. Washington State (4-1, W 28-9 California) (NR)

The Cougars are one bad quarter away from being undefeated after their loss to Oregon last week. They came back with a good win over a bad California team and looked well-positioned to make a push.

29. North Carolina (4-1, W 41-10 Virginia Tech) (NR)

The Coastal Division looks to go through Tobacco Road with UNC leading the charge behind Drake Maye. He tore apart the Virginia Tech defense as they look to move past the Notre Dame loss.

30. Oklahoma (3-2, L 55-24 TCU) (-18)

Losing two in a row in this fashion has to sting for the group in Norman with a new regime. The defense looked lost all afternoon, allowing 55 points to a team they could've beaten.

Week 6 Preview

1. #17 TCU v. #19 Kansas (Lawrence, KS)

The Jayhawks might be the best story of the season thus far and they are now sitting here 5-0 and remain one of the few undefeated teams in the Big 12. Their opponent this week is another undefeated team coming off a huge win over Oklahoma, giving them tons of momentum for this road tilt. 

2. #11 Utah v. #18 UCLA (Pasadena, CA)

The front-runner for the PAC-12 is one of the biggest questions right now because, after USC, there are a lot of very good teams. Utah has rebounded well from their loss to Florida, while UCLA just beat Washington and seems to be the real deal as they welcome the defending champions to the Rose Bowl.

3. #8 Tennessee v. #25 LSU (Baton Rouge, LA)

Tennesse just had an extra week to prepare for a hostile environment as they try to stay in the mix in the SEC East. LSU just moved into the rankings after a close win at Jordan-Hare as they try and return to the powerhouse program we know them to be.

4. Texas v. Oklahoma (Norman, OK)

A few weeks ago, this would've been a much bigger and more meaningful matchup but since both have two losses, the Red River Rivalry feels a little exciting. The only glimmer of hope might be that Quinn Ewers could be back in the lineup for the Longhorns.

5. Florida State v. #14 NC State (Raleigh, NC)

Both teams are coming off tough ten-point losses to ranked opponents to put an end to their undefeated seasons. While no one expected Florida State to be in this position, a loss for NC State could be extremely damaging to their hopes of playing on New Year's Day.

6. Texas A&M v. #1 Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL)

The Crimson Tide is back at the top of the rankings and is now going to face questions around whether Bryce Young will be ready to go. His shoulder injury is considered to be day-to-day for now, so there is a sense of optimism that he'll be staring down the Aggies' defense on Saturday.

7. Washington State v. #6 USC (Los Angeles, CA)

While they are just outside of the rankings, the Cougars are one bad quarter away from being undefeated and making waves in the PAC-12. USC had a close call two weeks ago against Oregon State and now needs to be careful of a team coming in and surprising them.

8. #16 BYU v. Notre Dame (South Bend, IN)

After dropping their first two games, the Fighting Irish has won two straight and are coming off a bye week. BYU is so much fun to watch and I think they could cause some serious problems for Notre Dame at home this week.

9. North Carolina v. Miami (Miami, FL)

At the beginning of the season, this game could've very well decided who was going to win the Coastal Division, but Miami hasn't looked good this season. Drake Maye has emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in the conference and could find himself having another big game in Florida.

10. Purdue v. Maryland (College Park, MD)

The Big Ten seems to have its leaders in the East, blocking Maryland from being able to make any major advances in the conference. The West, on the other hand, is wide open and Purdue could find itself in a good spot with a victory this week.