2023-24 College Football: Week 5 Review

There was so much action this weekend that I couldn't narrow down which games I wanted to talk about. Between heartbreak on Tobacco Road, a shootout in Oxford, a scare for #1, and more, Week 5 provided fun from start to finish. I might declare that it was the best Saturday of the season. There were no dull moments at any point in the day. It was unadulterated fun, and it was all ours. 

Game of the Day- #20 Ole Miss 55, #13 LSU 49 (Oxford, MS)

There's something about a high-scoring game that makes everyone go crazy. Two of the nation's most electric offenses battled in Mississippi on Saturday, and the end result was incredible. The action was non-stop. Ole Miss took advantage of an early fumble by Jayden Daniels to take a 21-7 lead in the first quarter. Both teams traded points in the second quarter, so by halftime, Ole Miss' lead was down to three points, 31-28. Momentum swung heavily in LSU's favor in the third quarter. The Tigers took their first lead after scoring on their opening drive in the third quarter, and after holding Ole Miss to a field goal, Logan Diggs' second touchdown of the game made it 42-34 heading into the fourth quarter. The Rebels got back within two points on a Quinshon Judkins run but failed to convert on the two-point attempt. Daniels threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game a few minutes later, making it a nine-point game as time slowly started to tick away. Ole Miss found the endzone again with 5:08 left, shrinking the deficit to two points again, and they'd get the ball back with just over two minutes left to try and win the game. Though they needed a field goal to win it, the Rebels went for the whole thing, pulling ahead with 39 seconds left on Jaxson Dart's fourth touchdown pass of the game, and the two-point conversion made it 55-49, with LSU still having a chance to win it. In the end, Ole Miss' defense bent, but it didn't break. They fought off the comeback attempt, handing LSU its second loss of the season. Daniels finished the night with 513 total yards and five touchdowns. Dart didn't do poorly either, finishing with 439 yards and five touchdowns. Both teams combined for over 1,300 total yards of offense. 

Upset of the Day- Bowling Green 38, Georgia Tech 27 (Atlanta, GA)

When you're a Power 5 school, there's an expectation that you beat teams outside of the Power 5. Still, it never ceases to amaze me how challenging that task is. Georgia Tech opened as a 21-point favorite at home against Bowling Green. While the score might indicate it was somewhat close, it wasn't. After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, Bowling Green scored 38 unanswered points. The Yellow Jackets made it appear close by scoring two touchdowns before the end of the game, but they were simply embarrassed by the Falcons. 

Other Notable Games

#11 Notre Dame 21, #17 Duke 14 (Durham, NC)

You learn a lot from heartbreak. Right now, that's the only way to describe how Duke feels. Last week, that was how Notre Dame felt. With everyone interested in how they'd bounce back, they put together a respectable first half. A successful fake punt helped to set up an opening touchdown on their first drive, and they'd hold a 10-0 lead at halftime. Meanwhile, Duke couldn't find any cohesion on offense. They missed two field goals and threw an interception, failing to capitalize on the chances they were given. In the second half, the Blue Devils flipped the script. After allowing an early field goal, Duke drove down the field and broke the shutout on a short run by Jordan Waters. Early in the fourth quarter, the lead was Duke's on a beautifully-designed touchdown pass by Riley Leonard. It looked like Duke was going to complete the upset. Unfortunately, Sam Hartman has a ton of experience. On 4th & 16, Hartman scrambled to pick up a first down, putting Notre Dame in prime position to kick the go-ahead field goal. Instead, Audric Estime broke a 30-yard touchdown run with 31 seconds left to put the Irish back ahead. The jubilance would continue as they forced a fumble in the final seconds, icing a tough win for Notre Dame on the road. 

#5 USC 48, Colorado 41 (Boulder, CO)

If I were to judge this game solely on the first half, I would've sung USC's praises as loud as possible. For 30 minutes, they looked like the best team in America. Caleb Williams threw four first-half touchdowns, and the Trojans dominated both sides of the ball, leading 34-14 at the break. In the second half, the Trojans showed they were human. Williams threw two more touchdowns, but the defense started giving up big plays, allowing Shedeur Sanders and Colorado to stay in the game. All of a sudden, Colorado began to close the gap. With 11:55 left in the game, the lead was down to 14 points. If not for terrible clock management, there was a legitimate shot Colorado would've tied this game. Instead, it took them forever to march down the field, cutting the deficit to seven points with 1:43 left and no timeouts remaining. They needed to recover an onside kick to have a chance, but they were unable to do so, allowing USC to hold on. Williams proved why he's the best quarterback in college football, tying his career-high with six touchdowns, but this game did give me pause about where I have them listed in my rankings. 

#1 Georgia 27, Auburn 20 (Auburn, AL)

Through four weeks, the Georgia Bulldogs hadn't faced much competition. They faced South Carolina at home, and while it wasn't an easy game, it was played in Athens, so home-field advantage helped. This game against Auburn was their first road test of the season. By all accounts, it didn't go to plan. Auburn jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, but the Bulldogs rallied to tie the game by halftime. Both sides found the endzone in the third quarter, setting up the fourth quarter with the game tied at 17. Georgia grabbed its first lead on a field goal early in the final quarter, but Auburn responded, tying the game with 6:21 left. Big players step up in big situations. Enter Brock Bowers. Georgia's Swiss Army Knife caught a pass and scampered 40 yards to the endzone with 2:52 remaining to put Georgia back in front. From there, the defense did its job. Auburn could not find a response, allowing the Bulldogs to escape with a road victory that wasn't easy. 

Kentucky 33, #22 Florida 14 (Lexington, KY)

You know you had an easy day when your quarterback only threw for 69 yards, and you still blew your opponent out. Kentucky spent all afternoon running the ball down Florida's throat, and they had no answer. Ray Davis was the star of the show. By halftime, Davis already had over 200 total yards and three touchdowns. By the end of the game, he finished with 289 yards, 280 of it on the ground, and four touchdowns as the Wildcats decimated the Gators.

#19 Oregon State 21, #10 Utah 7 (Corvallis, OR)

My concerns about Utah's offense without Cam Rising finally materialized. On a weird Friday night game between ranked opponents, Oregon State stood tall. They controlled the game the entire night, holding Utah to 198 yards on offense. DJ Uiagalelei didn't have the prettiest game, but he was just good enough to lead the Beavers to a victory. This was a good sign for Oregon State after coming so close against Washington State last week. 

#3 Texas 40, #24 Kansas 14 (Austin, TX)

While I can't say this game completely got me on the Texas hype train, it certainly left an impression. This game was close at halftime, with Texas holding a slim 13-7 lead over the Jayhawks. In the second half, the Longhorns exploded, outscoring Kansas 27-7, and finished the game with over 660 total yards. Quinn Ewers threw for a touchdown and ran for two more. Jonathan Brooks ran for over 200 yards and two touchdowns. The Texas defense didn't allow Kansas to find its groove, running away with the game to stay unbeaten. This puts Texas in a great position before their big battle next weekend. 

Baylor 36, UCF 35 (Orlando, FL)

When you hold a huge lead over any team, it's probably best you don't go on social media talking about how easy it is. At halftime, UCF led Baylor 28-7, and their lead grew to 35-7 early in the third quarter. Every social media account connected to UCF seemed overly confident they'd be able to win this game. By the start of the fourth quarter, Baylor only managed a field goal, making it 35-10 with 15 minutes left. Slowly, the Bears started finding their rhythm. A six-yard run and a two-point conversion made it 35-18. Then, a touchdown pass by Blake Shapen and another two-point conversion made it 35-26. All of a sudden, it's a nine-point game. The biggest moment of the game came on a fumbled snap that Baylor returned 72 yards for a touchdown, bringing them within two points at 35-33. With 1:21 left, the Bears would complete the comeback, knocking a 25-yard field goal through the uprights to take a 36-35. UCF tried their best to win it, but a 59-yard field goal attempt would fall short as Baylor completed the largest comeback in program history. 

What We Learned About Each Power 5 Conference in Week 5

ACC- Riley Leonard's ankle injury at the end of Duke's loss to Notre Dame could shake up the ACC Championship picture. Duke's defense is legit and will be a problem to face, but if Leonard misses a lot of time, it could put Duke in a tough spot. Teams like North Carolina, Miami, and Louisville are set to benefit from this. Speaking of the Cardinals, their comeback win over NC State was impressive, though the Wolfpack have primarily disappointed this season. Clemson avoided the dreaded 0-3 start in conference play, handing Syracuse its first loss.

Big Ten- While quite a powerhouse, Michigan's win over Nebraska was impressive. Penn State struggled in the first half against Northwestern before turning it on in the second half to blow them out. Maryland also had a convincing conference win to move to 2-0, setting up a big game next weekend with Ohio State, who was idle. In the West, it remains a mess. Wisconsin didn't play, so they sit atop a group of 1-1 teams that, if we're being honest, don't stand a chance against whoever wins the East. It feels boring, but hopefully, Penn State can beat either Michigan or Ohio State to create some chaos. 

Big 12- The move to the Big 12 remains a tough transition for the newbies. Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF all fell to 0-2, and though BYU did pick up its first conference win, it was against the Bearcats. At the top of the conference, a lot will be decided next weekend in the Red River Rivalry. Oklahoma has yet to be challenged this season, while Texas has done their fair share of fighting. Both teams have legitimate chances of making the College Football Playoff if they win next weekend. West Virginia is still waiting in the wings on the heels of another close conference win. There's also a healthy crop of 1-1 teams in conference play that still have plenty of fight left. 

SEC- Anarchy in the SEC West continues after LSU fell to Ole Miss. Alabama is holding steady at 2-0, and Texas A&M is 1-0, but LSU and Ole Miss both have a dog in the fight. Ole Miss' performance has me feeling good about their odds against Alabama. In the East, this is the first time I've felt uncertain about Georgia at the top all season. Kentucky and Missouri's stocks continue to rise as they both remain undefeated. I'm still not counting out Tennessee, either. This is the most wide-open the SEC has felt in a while. 

PAC-12- As teams start to lose games, the frontrunners are beginning to become evident. It feels like it's a three-team race between 3-0 USC, 2-0 Oregon, and 2-0 Washington. Washington State didn't play, but their win over Oregon State looks better after the Beavers beat Utah. As we've learned about the Utes, they shouldn't be counted out, but they need Cam Rising back as soon as possible. Colorado being 0-2 doesn't surprise me, mainly since they played their two most challenging conference games right out of the gate. They have a chance to recover in the next few weeks. 

 

My Top 25

1. Michigan (5-0, W 45-7 Nebraska) (+1)

2. Georgia (5-0, W 27-20 Auburn) (-1)

3. Texas (5-0, W 40-14 #24 Kansas) (+4)

4. Ohio State (4-0, OFF) (-)

5. Florida State (4-0, OFF) (-)

6. Penn State (5-0, W 41-13 Northwestern) (-)

There is movement in my Top 6 this week, including a new #1 team. Though the SEC is looked at as the tougher conference, Michigan has been the more complete team through five weeks. I trust Michigan's offense to win a game more than I trust Georgia's, and the Michigan defense hasn't looked bad, either. I've also moved Texas to #3. Their wins over Alabama and Kansas give them a better resume than Ohio State, Florida State, or Penn State. It's still early, so there will be more movement eventually. 

7. USC (5-0, W 48-41 Colorado) (-4)

8. Washington (5-0, W 31-24 Arizona) (-)

9. Oregon (5-0, W 42-6 Stanford) (-)

10. Oklahoma (5-0, W 50-20 Iowa State) (+3)

I've been high on USC this season, but their near-collapse against Colorado has made me rethink my position. Caleb Williams is still the best player in the country, but USC's defense couldn't stop anything in the second half. They join two other PAC-12 schools that are undefeated with incredible quarterbacks. Oklahoma got a nice boost heading into this weekend's game with Texas in a battle to determine the frontrunner in the Big 12. 

11. Notre Dame (5-1, W 21-14 #17 Duke) (+3)

12. Alabama (4-1, W 40-17 Mississippi State) (-1)

The best 1-loss teams in the country are Notre Dame and Alabama. The Irish have been part of two close endings that could've gone either way, so they could easily be 4-2. Alabama has bounced back well from their loss to Texas, including a stomping of Mississippi State this weekend. They are starting to look like the Alabama teams we're used to seeing. 

13. Washington State (4-0, OFF) (+4)

14. Oregon State (4-1, W 21-7 #10 Utah) (+5)

15. Utah (4-1, L 21-7 #16 Washington State) (-5)

16. Ole Miss (4-1, W 55-49 #13 LSU) (+5)

We have another trio of PAC-12 schools lumped together. Washington State owns a head-to-head victory over Oregon State, who holds the same against Utah after this weekend. The Cougars are a sneaky team with a quarterback who won't get as much love as Caleb Williams, Michael Penix Jr., Bo Nix, Shedeur Sanders, or other gunslingers in the conference. Ole Miss moved up a few spots after knocking off LSU. 

17. North Carolina (4-0, OFF) (-1)

18. Tennessee (4-1, W 41-20 South Carolina) (-)

19. Duke (4-1, L 21-14 #11 Notre Dame) (-4)

20. Miami (4-0, OFF) (-)

21. Kentucky (5-0, W 33-14 #22 Florida) (+4)

North Carolina is unofficially the second-best team in the ACC with Duke's loss to Notre Dame, though the Blue Devils showed their current standing isn't a fluke. Duke is fortunate that Riley Leonard's injury might not be anything that keeps him out the rest of the season. Kentucky is another team moving up the rankings, though they're in for a tough test next Saturday. 

22. Missouri (5-0, W 38-21 Vanderbilt) (-)

23. Louisville (5-0, W 13-10 NC State) (+5)

24. LSU (3-2, L 55-49 #20 Ole Miss) (-12)

25. Maryland (5-0, W 44-17 Indiana) (NR)

Missouri holds steady after moving to 5-0 with a win over Vanderbilt. LSU is the week's biggest faller, dropping 12 spots to become the best 2-loss team in the country with a slim chance of making the CFP. Two new teams cracked my Top 25. I'm riding high on Louisville right now. Even though they barely beat NC State, they did it on the road by erasing a 10-0 halftime deficit to remain perfect. Maryland is the other new team, smashing Indiana to stay undefeated. They're another team near the bottom of the Top 25 with a big game ahead of them. 

The Next 5

26. Fresno State (5-0, W 27-9 Nevada) (NR)

27. Kansas State (3-1, OFF) (-3)

28. UCLA (3-1, OFF) (+1)

29. Texas A&M (4-1, W 34-22 Arkansas)

30. Iowa (4-1, W 26-16 Michigan State) (NR)

Week 6 Preview

1. #12 Oklahoma at #3 Texas (Dallas, TX)

The Red River Rivalry is known for being incredibly intense, providing us with some excellent moments. Last season, Texas broke its four-game losing streak by destroying the Sooners 49-0. The two meetings before then were decided by a touchdown, including 2020's 4OT thriller.

Prediction- #3 Texas 45, #12 Oklahoma 42

2. #20 Kentucky at #1 Georgia (Athens, GA)

Georgia remained atop the AP Poll this week, but their stranglehold is starting to loosen. An excellent way to help regain their lead would be by beating an undefeated conference opponent. Kentucky is the biggest threat to Georgia's top spot in the SEC East. 

Prediction- #1 Georgia 31, #20 Kentucky 18

3. #10 Notre Dame at #25 Louisville (Louisville, KY)

The schedule for Notre Dame isn't getting easier as they face their third straight ranked opponent when they travel to Louisville. The Cardinals have been on fire to begin the season, though they nearly faltered this week. Notre Dame needs to reestablish its offensive dominance after two lackluster weeks. 

Prediction- #10 Notre Dame 34, #25 Louisville 21

4. #23 LSU at #21 Missouri (Columbia, MO)

Just when it looked like LSU was starting to turn it around and emerge as the leader in the SEC West, they stumble. Now, they sit with two losses and seek to regain their momentum. Missouri has been a big surprise to begin the season, and they'll face their toughest test to date. 

Prediction- #23 LSU 48, #21 Missouri 27

5. Maryland at #4 Ohio State (Columbus, OH)

Coming off a bye week, the Buckeyes should be plenty rested after beating Notre Dame. They'll be tasked with their first big conference test in undefeated Maryland. Taulia Tagovailoa has the Terrapins on a tear, opening the season 5-0 convincingly. 

Prediction- #4 Ohio State 30, Maryland 20

6. Syracuse at #14 North Carolina (Chapel Hill, NC)

North Carolina was another team returning from a bye this week with a formidable opponent. Syracuse suffered its first loss of the season to Clemson, failing to halt the Tigers' offense. Drake Maye hasn't been as good in his second season, but he's been good enough to get UNC off to a 4-0 start. 

Prediction- #14 North Carolina 31, Syracuse 24

7. #11 Alabama at Texas A&M (College Station, TX)

While Alabama has dominated its all-time series with Texas A&M, College Station has given Alabama problems in the past. Their last visit was a 41-38 loss in 2021. The Crimson Tide are starting to find their footing again, while Texas A&M has rattled off four straight wins after their opening loss. 

Prediction- Texas A&M 34, #11 Alabama 31

8. #24 Fresno State at Wyoming (Laramie, WY)

Taking a break from the Power 5 conferences, Fresno State is currently positioned to be the best from the Group of 5 with its 5-0 start. After tight wins to open the season, the Bulldogs have poured it on in their last three games. Now, they'll hit the road for their first big conference test of the season against Wyoming. 

Prediction- #24 Fresno State 41, Wyoming 24

9. #13 Washington State at UCLA (Los Angeles, CA)

Cam Ward and the Cougars enjoyed a week off after besting Oregon State the week prior. They're back on the road this week to face a UCLA squad that needs to get back on track after losing to Utah. While they're on the second tier in the PAC-12, Washington State could separate from the pack this week. 

Prediction- #13 Washington State 48, UCLA 20

10. #2 Michigan at Minnesota (Minneapolis, MN)

At this stage of the season, there isn't much pressure on Michigan. They still have their two biggest games of the season later in the season, so it's all about making sure you don't slip up before then. Going on the road is always tough, so this might be one to watch for. 

Prediction- #2 Michigan 35, Minnesota 17