Bleacher Report's College Football Ultimate Guide to Week 5
Do nothing on Saturday. This is not meant to be a threat, but rather a friendly alert from your College Football Viewership Ambassador.
By locking yourself in front of a large flat screen and a full fridge, you're doing far more than most. You are observing the proper protocol for weekends of this magnitude.
Week 5 demands the utmost devotion. It has everything one looks for in a robust lineup of games: midweek intrigue, landscape-shifting matchups, fascinating scheme clashes and a lovely slate of undercard tussles.
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The primary focus will certainly be on Notre Dame-Clemson and Alabama-Georgia. That's understandable and not wrong. But don't zero in exclusively on these high-profile moments and forget the rest. This lineup is deep, and with the season of unpredictability upon us, things could get predictability strange.
What can you expect in Week 5? Let's explore the games, identify the teams trending upward and rank the sport's most untackleable players. (Hint: One of them is named Leonard Fournette, because any list without him would be deemed void.)
The Buffet: Previewing the Top 5 Games of the Week
5. West Virginia at Oklahoma (Saturday, 12 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1)
This game will not be discussed enough this week, although don't let that temper the interest between two teams that are still being processed and dissected. West Virginia and Oklahoma could very well deliver the most entertaining game of Week 5.
The Mountaineers manhandled Maryland in Week 4, outgaining the Terps 601-326 in total yardage. The final score, 45-6, probably could have been worse. In fact, up 38-0 deep in the third quarter, West Virginia called (and executed) a fake punt. Perhaps that 37-0 loss to Maryland a season ago was still fresh in their minds.
"We rectified that in the first half," WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen told reporters after the game. Well, don't expect a Christmas card from the Edsalls now, buddy.
Oklahoma, meanwhile, enjoyed a bye following its 52-38 victory over Tulsa in Week 3. Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 487 yards and scored six touchdowns in that matchup. Bigger yet, he has looked fabulous all year. Mayfield has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and found the end zone 14 times thus far.
The Sooners will be a deserving favorite, although the Mountaineers should not be taken lightly. This is a team deeper than its offense and quarterback Skyler Howard.
4. Ole Miss at Florida (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
I'll be the first to admit it: Back in May, I did not believe that these two teams would be a combined 8-0 entering Week 5. Both have exceeded expectations thus far in unique ways.
Ole Miss is now a team being discussed with purpose for the College Football Playoff. Florida isn't there just yet—and probably won't reach that threshold this season—although there is something to be said about what the Gators are accomplishing.
Florida's come-from-behind victory over Tennessee last Saturday was capped off by Antonio Callaway's 63-yard touchdown on fourth down in the fourth quarter—a play that didn't feel real live. It was very real.
The prize for Florida following the win is one of the nation's hottest programs. No, Ole Miss did not look like an elite team against Vanderbilt in Week 4, although we'll give it a mulligan after beating Alabama the previous week. (In the business, they call that a hangover.)
Playing a team that is already offensively challenged, Robert Nkemdiche and the Ole Miss defense will make life difficult for Florida. However, if the Gators can continue to hang around—and if the defense can continue to look like the elite group that it is—perhaps the magic carpet will levitate a little longer.
3. Texas Tech at Baylor (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2)
Oh, this poor scoreboard. This poor, poor scoreboard. It stands absolutely no chance. There is no saving it this week—not with these two offenses. Actually, perhaps we should start worrying about ourselves. Baylor and Texas Tech are about to play a football game that could open up a wormhole and change the universe
Just last weekend, Texas Tech nearly upset TCU. In fact, it took one magnificent tipped ball in the end zone to give the Horned Frogs the 55-52 win at the very end. The entire closing sequence was nothing short of madness. The underdog nearly had it.
"The older Gary Patterson is just glad we won by three points," TCU's head coach told reporters after the game. Oh, indeed.
The Red Raiders are clearly better than we thought. Regardless of what happens next, this much is clear. The concern in this particular game, however, is the health of quarterback Pat Mahomes. Despite finishing the game on Saturday, it was clear that Mahomes was not right. He hurt his leg earlier in the game, and he simply was not himself after that.
To beat Baylor, Texas Tech needs its quarterback. It's simple, really.
After the Bears dismantled Rice, that much is clear. Quarterback Seth Russell completed just 12 passes on Saturday. Six of these 12 completions went for touchdowns, and he still threw for 277 yards on just 16 throws. It was startling production, even for this offense. Right now, it's clicking on all cylinders.
Baylor is going to score a lot—probably more than Texas Tech. The Red Raiders will score plenty, too. This game may take eight hours.
2. Alabama at Georgia (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)
History could be made in this particular matchup before foot meets leather in Athens. Unless something drastically changes, Alabama will be an underdog for the first time since the 2009 SEC Championship Game against Florida.
That's 72 games—a miraculous run—for those keeping score at home.
There's a reason Alabama is poised to assume this unfamiliar role. No, Nick Saban's team isn't suddenly bad, but it certainly doesn't have the same dominant look about it in its current state. The Crimson Tide handled Louisiana Monroe just fine at home, although questions across the offense—particularly at quarterback—still exist.
Georgia entered the season with similar queries, although early returns on graduate transfer Greyson Lambert have been promising. In the past two games, Lambert has connected on 33 of his 35 throws. Granted, it came against South Carolina and Southern University, but it's also far better than the alternative.
If watching large running backs make hopeful tacklers look unfortunate in their efforts is your fancy, this is your spot. Nick Chubb and Derrick Henry are each poised to put on a show. More on them in a bit.
This game always means quite a bit for both teams, and 2015 is no exception. Let's see what underdog Alabama has in store.
1. Notre Dame at Clemson (Saturday, 8 p.m. ET, ABC)
I circled this game back in the middle of January. It was clear then—before a run of injuries reshaped the matchup entirely—that this would be one of the most meaningful and entertaining moments of the season. Things look mighty different now, although the basic theme hasn't changed.
This will almost certainly be glorious. It's also incredibly important for both teams.
Without its starting quarterback, running back, tight end and multiple key defensive contributors, Notre Dame has looked far more than serviceable. The Irish were pushed by Massachusetts longer than expected in Week 5, although they eventually pulled away to the tune of 62-27.
Safety-turned-wide receiver-turned-running back C.J. Prosise was brilliant for Notre Dame yet again—just like he's been all year. And surprise, surprise, wideout Will Fuller scored another touchdown. This offense, even without so many pieces, is still so dangerous.
Clemson enjoyed a well-timed bye week after barely getting by Louisville on the road during Week 3. With wideout Mike Williams out due to injury, the offense has yet to really click.
The same can be said more directly about quarterback Deshaun Watson, who will eventually be a superstar. It's simply a matter of time and staying healthy. This stage might be just the time to confirm such a conclusion.
The winner of this game, despite the bumpy journeys to arrive here, will add a lovely win to the resume. Seriously, don't mess around here. Do everything possible to watch this game.
The Factory of Sadness Bowl
Arkansas at Tennessee (Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2)
It wasn't supposed to be like this. This particular Week 5 showdown was supposed to feature two teams nestled comfortably in the Top 25. Perhaps one (or both) would be playing well and inching closer to the top.
It was supposed to be an early College Football Playoff elimination game—a game that could catapult one lucky winner. Then the season happened.
Tennessee lost back-to-back heartbreakers to Oklahoma and Florida—games it controlled for nearly the entire duration. Arkansas is coming off its own heartbreaking loss to Texas A&M after losing to both Toledo and Texas Tech in the previous weeks.
The message board servers for these two programs are barely holding up. They are tired and in need of water.
Now these two get to play, and the end result is a matchup between two fanbases that could really use a hug. Or maybe just a drink. Or maybe both.
The "Could Things Really Get This Weird?" Game of the Week
Ohio State at Indiana (Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2)
Things got weird last year for a while. They got really weird in 2012. For a game so incredibly lopsided, Ohio State and Indiana have produced a handful of fascinating finishes.
Indiana enters Week 5 undefeated, which is a statement that is true and also strange to type. Ohio State enters Week 5 undefeated, which is very true but also deserving of some fine print.
The Buckeyes played better against Western Michigan in Week 4, although they've yet to look as dominant as anticipated—particularly on offense.
While the talent gap between these two teams is significant, would you be at all shocked to see Kevin Wilson's team push Urban Meyer to the brink once more?
(Probably, if we're being honest. But keep an eye on it anyway. History says so.)
Dedicated Fan of the Week
Here's an Internet friend who is flying 1,000 miles to watch two average teams play football in bad weather. Celebrate him accordingly.
"i am traveling 1000 miles to watch virginia tech play pitt in the rain, ama https://t.co/QruHJ6hUyT
— furrer4heisman (@furrer4heisman) September 29, 2015"
The Blacksburg, Virginia, forecast for Saturday's Virginia Tech-Pittsburgh game does not look promising, thanks to a tropical storm hovering in the distance. (We hope this thing misses all land entirely, although it is likely going to rain hard.)
When you sit down to watch this Saturday's glorious slate of games from the comfort of your couch or warm stadium seat, I want you to think about this man. I want you to think about the miles traveled, the weather that will likely alter his day and the likelihood of doing these things to watch a football game that may not be all that easy on the eyes.
This is wonderful dedication. Some might call it insanity. Here, we celebrate the thin line being walked.
“I Would Rather Not Tackle This Person” Power Rankings
It's worth nothing that tackling any running back at the collegiate level would be a bad idea. However, tackling the following individuals would probably be the worst idea.
3. Derrick Henry (RB, Alabama)
Statistically, Derrick Henry is doing just fine in his first season as Alabama's feature back. Through four games, Henry has tallied 422 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while averaging more than six yards per carry.
This is a solid start for a solid player, although it would be a disservice to stop there. At 242 pounds, Henry is one of the more unique running backs to ever play the position. Not simply a big back, he's more than capable of pulling away in the open field. Along those same lines, he's really not someone you ever want to meet in a random Oklahoma drill outside your office. Let's just hope it never comes to that.
2. Nick Chubb (RB, Georgia)
Last Saturday, Nick Chubb tied none other than Herschel Walker with his 12th consecutive 100-yard game at Georgia. Chubb has quietly ran for 599 yards this season. He has been as good as anticipated.
Chubb is 220 pounds, but he's fast, agile and gracefully violent. While he's currently operating in the shadows of the robot running back at the No. 1 spot, Chubb is a freak in his own right.
Fast enough to run past you; strong enough to run you over; fast and strong enough to ruin a weekend or four.
1. Leonard Fournette (RB, LSU)
Here's a startling bit of information, per Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman. In the past two games alone, Leonard Fournette has 163 yards after contact. It's worth reiterating that this is only two games. That is remarkable.
Fournette is terrifying in the most magnificent way. We can use the word "magnificent" here only because we're not tasked with bringing down a 230-pound train. Forget about being the football player I wouldn't want to tackle at just the collegiate level; he might be the most untackleable human being on the planet right now.
The Overlooked Contingent: Teams I am Cautiously Buying
Memphis
In two weeks, Memphis has allowed its opponents to throw for more than 1,000 combined yards. It has also won both of those games to stay unbeaten at 4-0, which might be how it has to be all season. The defense has issues, although the offense is cooking. And if quarterback Paxton Lynch stays healthy, this team can go places.
Ole Miss comes to town after the Tigers play USF and then get a bye. While there is work to be done if Memphis hopes to pull off the upset, the fact that we can have this conversation shows how radical the transformation has been under head coach Justin Fuente.
Florida
I can't quite put my finger on why the Gators are so intriguing. The offensive line is still a mess, and the offense as a whole comes and goes. And yet, there's something about this team—the way it has handled late situations, mainly—that generates some blind confidence.
If Florida somehow beats Ole Miss in Week 5, everything changes. And even if it doesn't, it feels like the Gators are poised to soar beyond initial expectations for the year.
NC State
The schedule, up until this point, has not been all that impressive. NC State has played Troy, Eastern Kentucky, Old Dominion and South Alabama in the first four weeks of the season—winning all four games without breaking a sweat.
This week the Wolfpack draw Louisville, which will be a significant step up in class. Behind quarterback Jacoby Brissett—who has really emerged in the past two years—they might just handle this game and then some. The offense has options, and the defense might be one of the conference's better groups. Fascinating potential here. Let's see what happens next.
Parting Shot: The Big 12 is Now Required Saturday Entertainment
Please don't take this as a way to push a conference's superiority to the forefront. That is not the goal of this text-packed infomercial for the conference that was excluded from the College Football Playoff a season ago.
Yes, the Big 12 could make a case for being the nation's premier league right now. Baylor and TCU have held up as favorites, the Horned Frogs doing so despite enduring a swell of significant injuries.
Oklahoma has looked like the team we expected to see last season. Oklahoma State, West Virginia, Texas Tech and Kansas State have all showed spunk at some point. Even Texas, drowning in losses and conspiracies over referees, has had its moments despite what the record says.
Above all, however, the Big 12 teams have been wildly entertaining. These games have been magic.
In one weekend—last weekend—we watched TCU beat Texas Tech 55-52 on a miraculous tipped touchdown reception and Oklahoma State beat Texas on what was essentially a walk-off dropped punt. That was in a few hours.
The week before, Texas mounted a miraculous comeback against Cal only to lose on a botched PAT. The week before that, Oklahoma surged past Tennessee on the road with a late, suspenseful rally.
When you combine quality offenses with not-so-quality defenses, throw in some fascinating coaching personalities and rosters that are generally full of talent, ultimately you will get fascinating, mistake-filled, offensively charged games. Oh, is it fun.
It hasn't always been perfectly played, and it won't be moving forward. But it will remain entertaining.
What does it mean for the College Football Playoff or the conference as a whole? It's really too early to tell. And right now, who really cares about that?
Having endured a robust amount of Big 12 football in the early part of the season, it seems abundantly clear that things will probably stay unpredictable until the very end. Do watch.
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