Week 5 Recap

Week 5 was full of surprises, comebacks, and unexpectedly close outcomes, plus a few narrative-validating games for good measure. Georgia still has an Alabama problem, Penn State still has a Top 10 problem, and Lincoln Riley’s USC is still as frustrating as ever. A pair of ranked-on-ranked matchups in the ACC and SEC await us in Week 6, while a good chunk of the Top 25 will want to take a serious look in the mirror moving forward into the heart of conference play.

Top 25 Matchups

Rankings are from AP Poll (CFP Poll after release)

Friday 10/3 :

• West Virginia @ #23 BYU, 10:30 PM, ESPN

Saturday 10/4:

12:00-3:00PM

• Kentucky @ #12 Georgia, ABC
• #14 Iowa State @ Cincinnati, ESPN2
• Wisconsin @ #20 Michigan, FOX
• #22 Illinois @ Purdue, BTN

3:30PM-6:30PM

• #7 Penn State @ UCLA, CBS
• #9 Texas @ Florida, ESPN
• #16 Vanderbilt @ #10 Alabama, ABC
• Boise State @ #21 Notre Dame, NBC
• #24 Virginia @ Louisville, ESPN2
• Kent State @ #5 Oklahoma, SECN

7:00-10:30PM

• #11 Texas Tech @ Houston, ESPN
• Minnesota @ #1 Ohio State, NBC
• #3 Miami @ #18 Florida State, ABC
• Mississippi State @ #6 Texas A&M, SECN

Most Interesting Matchups

Vanderbilt @ Alabama: If anyone had this game as a Top 20 showdown last year at this time, I’ll be asking you for lottery numbers. The Commodores have earned the respect of both the SEC and the national media, and a win in Tuscaloosa can both catapult them to unprecedented heights as well as relegate Alabama to the dreaded playoff bubble.

Boise State @ Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish have turned things around a fair bit after an 0-2 start and now welcome a Broncos team on a 3-game win streak into South Bend. Both teams have a lot of work to do to repeat last year’s playoff berth, and a loss either way could make that all but impossible for the loser.

Miami @ Florida State: The Hurricanes and Seminoles collide for the 70th time this Saturday night in Tallahassee. The former will hope to keep their undefeated season going, while the latter looks to regroup after a gut-wrenching loss. No matter what, expect tempers to be high in Doak Campbell this weekend.

Texas Tech @ Houston: The Red Raiders come into this game in a dog fight with Iowa State for pole position in the Big 12. It may not be easy for them to keep their hot start going against an undefeated Cougars team, who are looking for some more respect from the rest of the conference and poll voters.

Virginia @ Louisville: Fresh off a dramatic upset of Florida State, the newly ranked Cavaliers will look to keep that momentum up against an undefeated Cardinals team on the cusp of a breakthrough of their own.

FCS Game of the Week

Norfolk State @ Hampton, 10/4, 4PM, Monument/FloSports

Going for the local pick this week – this HBCU clash is happening right in my backyard. Mike Vick and the Spartans take on the Pirates in a cross-Tidewater football clash to decide the Battle of the Bay.

Selected Pick ATS

Last Week: 3-2 Season: 10-18 (See there we go!)

• Vanderbilt @ Alabama (-10.5)
• Boise State (+19.5) @ Notre Dame
• Miami @ Florida State (+4.5)
• Texas Tech @ Houston (+11.5)
• Virgina @ Louisville (-6.5)