As Week 5 of the college football season unfolds, it becomes evident that this week is pivotal in distinguishing elite teams from the merely good. The week was remarkable for teams like Oregon, Ohio State, and Ole Miss, while it proved challenging for coaches hired in 2022 with hefty buyouts, such as Brian Kelly and Lincoln Riley.
Reflecting on my time covering the Ohio State beat, the most intense moment was undoubtedly the 2014 Penn State whiteout game. As media members were ushered onto the field with just five minutes remaining, I vividly remember the fear of being trampled if the crowd stormed the field. Fortunately, a pivotal tackle by Joey Bosa prevented chaos, allowing everyone to avoid disaster. Fast forward to this past Saturday, and the Nittany Lions once again failed to capitalize on a winnable game against a strong opponent.
After a defensive struggle that saw the teams tied at 3-3, Oregon surged ahead with a 17-3 lead. However, the Nittany Lions regrouped and managed to score two touchdowns, pushing the game into overtime. The excitement was fleeting. In the overtime period, both teams exchanged touchdowns, but when Penn State had the chance to take control after Oregon failed a 2-point conversion, Drew Allar threw an interception on the very first play of the drive, sealing the game for Oregon. Instead of a jubilant field storming, the Penn State student section reacted by throwing objects at the Oregon players who taunted them—an unfortunate turn of events.
It may sound surprising, but Kirby Smart has shown vulnerability when his Georgia Bulldogs do not have the best roster in college football. While assembling a top-tier team is part of a coach's responsibilities, Smart's previous seasons raise eyebrows—especially this year, where the roster is solid but not overwhelmingly dominant. In 2016, for instance, Georgia finished with a 7-5 record, suffering losses to teams like Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech.
Although the Bulldogs have achieved significant success with national championships, it's clear that Smart has faced challenges. In 2019, a shocking double-overtime loss to a 4-8 South Carolina team highlighted the cracks in his coaching strategy. As the 2023 season progresses, Georgia’s recent performances, including a playoff-eliminating loss to Alabama, indicate that the Bulldogs may not be as invincible as they once were. With upcoming games against teams like Ole Miss and Texas, Smart’s coaching will be put to the test.
The No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes showcased a defense capable of clinching a second consecutive national championship, demonstrating their prowess against a high-scoring Washington team. Holding the Huskies to just two field goals in a commanding 24-6 victory, the Buckeyes’ defense was highlighted by the standout performances of Caden Curry and Kayden McDonald, who combined for an impressive 18 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and five sacks.
This week was also significant for Lane Kiffin, who appeared to have orchestrated a clever distraction ahead of the LSU game by announcing that his daughter was dating LSU linebacker Whit Weeks. This move proved to be a miscalculation for Weeks, as his team struggled against Ole Miss, allowing their backup quarterback to dominate the game. Following the game, Kiffin capitalized on the moment, making light of Weeks’ predicament and directing a pointed message toward Brian Kelly, who needs to focus more on improving his offense.
In a shocking turn of events, Lincoln Riley has seen his record dip to .500 after the USC Trojans lost 34-32 to Illinois on a last-second field goal. This defeat marks a troubling trend for USC, which now finds itself struggling for relevance in the national conversation after joining the Big Ten. Fans are left questioning the future of a program that was once led by a coach who achieved significant success at Oklahoma.
In a move that surprised few, Bobby Petrino has been appointed as the interim coach for Arkansas following the firing of Sam Pittman. Petrino’s return to a program that previously dismissed him raises eyebrows, especially given the tumultuous history surrounding his departure. While he has a chance to redeem himself, the lack of resources and recent performance raises doubts about whether he can reignite the program’s success.
In another coaching debacle, interim coach Frank Reich led Stanford to a narrow 30-29 victory over San Jose State, but the Cardinal's overall prospects seem bleak as they approach a potential 2-10 season. Meanwhile, UCLA’s dismal performance, resulting in a 17-14 loss to Northwestern, all but guarantees a winless season unless a miracle occurs.
The standout moment of the week belongs to Dillon Thieneman, who intercepted a pass to clinch an overtime victory at Penn State, securing his spot as the play of the week.
This week's 'Idiot of the Week' award goes to LSU linebacker Whit Weeks, who found himself in a compromising position after publicly dating Lane Kiffin’s daughter during a critical week for his team. This distraction undoubtedly impacted his performance on the field.
Another week and another controversy surrounding officiating. Wake Forest had a win snatched away due to a missed offsides call that would have allowed them to run out the clock against Georgia Tech, leaving fans frustrated and questioning the integrity of the officiating.
As we look at the scores that caught my eye this week, a variety of outcomes and unique matchups stand out, hinting at the unpredictable nature of college football this season.
