Blog Article
What We’re Watchin’ Saturday – Week 5 Edition
Early Games
Kentucky at 6 Ole Miss
Game Time: Noon Eastern/9:00 AM Pacific
TV: ABC, ESPN+
Ole Miss is on fire; the Rebels are hotter than a two-dollar pistol. They’re lighting it up, leading the FBS in passing yards, total offense, scoring offense, and scoring defense. Dart’s slinging it like a gunslinger, and the Rebels are putting up video game numbers. But, let’s be honest, they’ve been playing a bunch of cupcakes. That changes this Saturday. Kentucky had Georgia on the ropes, and now they’re coming for Ole Miss. Can Kentucky slow down the Rebels’ high-octane offense? Or will Jaxson Dart and his crew keep this train rolling? This SEC showdown is about to get wild.
20 Oklahoma State at 23 Kansas State
Game Time: Noon Eastern/9:00 AM Pacific
TV: ESPN
We’ve got a Big 12 showdown brewing. Oklahoma State and Kansas State had their eyes on the prize, a Big 12 crown, and a shot at the Playoff. But now, one of them will be limping out of this weekend with two conference losses. Oklahoma State stumbled at home against Utah, and K-State got embarrassed by BYU. This isn’t just another game; this one has some serious stakes. Neither team wants to fall behind in this Big 12 title race dogfight. Keep your eyes on the quarterbacks. Bowman got yanked against Utah before leading a comeback that fell short, and Johnson threw up a couple of ducks against BYU. Who’s going to step up and lead their team to victory?
Afternoon Games
15 Louisville @ 16 Notre Dame
Game Time: 3:30 PM Eastern/12:30 PM Pacific
TV: Peacock
Louisville just passed their first real test against Georgia Tech. They got some help from their defense and special teams, and that Alabama transfer, Ja’Corey Brooks, looks like a highlight reel waiting to happen. Shough’s been sharp under center, but let’s be real: they only got two offensive touchdowns against GT. And they haven’t faced a defense like Notre Dame’s yet. This Irish defense is tough, and it is among the top 20 in the country. Louisville’s defense isn’t too shabby either, and Notre Dame’s offense has been sputtering except for that one trip to Purdue. Right now, Louisville looks like the more balanced team. A win on the road puts them in the conversation with the big boys, Miami and Clemson. For Notre Dame, it’s simple: win and stay on the Playoff path; lose, and that dream might be dead. This one is a slugfest.
Fresno State at UNLV
Game Time: 3:30 PM Eastern/12:30 PM Pacific
TV: FS1
Hold onto your hats because we’ve got an actual soap opera brewing in Vegas. Undefeated UNLV is in the spotlight, but not for the reasons they’d like. Their star quarterback, Matthew Sluka, is out, redshirting and hitting the transfer portal. A lot of controversy surrounds NIL deals, conference realignment, and a potential Group of 5 Playoff spot. Now, UNLV has to tune out all the noise and focus on the field. They’ve got a new quarterback, likely that FCS transfer Hajj-Malik Williams, and they’re facing a tough Fresno State team that gave Michigan a run for their money. This isn’t just a football game; it’s a full-blown drama.
Evening Games
2 Georgia at 4 Alabama
Game Time: 7:30 PM Eastern/4:30 PM Pacific
TV: ABC, ESPN+
This is it. The big one. Top-five showdown, SEC on SEC crime, Georgia versus Alabama. We haven’t seen these two Titans clash in the regular season since 2020. Since then, it’s been all neutral-site showdowns: SEC championships, National Championships. In those recent meetings, Bama’s got the edge, but Georgia walked away with the biggest prize, the natty. This time, the stakes are different; the Alabama coach is different, but the talent and the bad blood? That’s all still there. Can Georgia’s defense corral Jalen Milroe? Can DeBoer snag his first signature win as the head honcho in Tuscaloosa? There will be plenty of other big games this season, especially in the SEC. Heck, neither of these teams is even the top dog in their conference right now. But whoever wins this one? They’re going to be sitting pretty come Sunday morning. And the journey to get there? That’s going to be one hell of a show.
19 Illinois at 9 Penn State
Game Time: 7:30 PM Eastern/4:30 PM Pacific
TV: NBC
Illinois may not be flashy, but they’re getting it done. Efficient and opportunistic, they’re cashing in when they get in the red zone and winning the turnover battle. Altmyer’s been steady under center, making smart throws and keeping the ball out of harm’s way. But this trip to Happy Valley? That’s going to be their biggest test yet. Penn State just steamrolled Kent State, but let’s be honest, that was a tune-up game. Their offense looks much better under the new OC, and Allar’s been slinging it. But against Illinois, they have to protect the football. If they can do that and get the W, you’ll hear a lot more Playoff talk coming out of State College. This is a good old-fashioned Big Ten slugfest.
Night Game
Arizona at 10 Utah
Game Time: 10:15 PM Eastern/7:15 PM Pacific
TV: ESPN
Utah looks like the top dog in the new Big 12 after that road win against Oklahoma State. And they did it without their star quarterback, Cam Rising. We’ll see if he’s back this week, but who knows with that hand injury? Luckily for Utah, freshman Isaac Wilson has been holding down the fort with help from Micah Bernard, who’s been tearing it up on the ground.
Arizona, on the other hand, is looking a little lost under new coach Brett Brennan. They got smacked around by Kansas State and had a bye week to figure things out. They need to find their groove fast. If Fifita and McMillan can get hot, this game might get interesting. But if Utah’s defense keeps rolling, it could be a long night for the Wildcats.
