The biggest game of the season (so far) is upon us.
No. 2 Georgia visits No. 4 Alabama in the first top-five matchup of the season on Saturday night. It’s the last of four ranked matchups during a loaded Week 5 slate.
The biggest result of the day, however, may have happened early on Saturday. Kentucky went into Oxford against No. 6 Ole Miss and stunned the Rebels, 20-17, in a back-and-forth affair that ended with a shanked field goal that would’ve tied it.
Later in the day, No. 21 Oklahoma got a late pick 6 to spark a comeback win over Auburn and earn its first SEC win. No. 16 Notre Dame also notched a key victory of its own in holding off No. 15 Louisville while Colorado blew out UCF on the road.
Here are the biggest games left. Follow along as we break down all the action below.
No. 19 Illinois at No. 9 Penn State
Time: 7:30 p.m. | TV: NBC | Line: Penn State -18 | Total: 47.5
The Illini knocked off previously undefeated Nebraska in overtime in Week 4 and it’s just the third time since 1951 that Illinois has won its first four games. A big reason for that is the improved play of former Ole Miss QB Luke Altmyer. Can he keep that up against Penn State on the road? Opposing QBs are averaging just 144 yards per game against the Nittany Lions.
No. 2 Georgia at No. 4 Alabama
Time: 7:30 p.m. | TV: ABC | Line: Georgia -1.5 | Total: 48.5
This matchup of perennial playoff teams features two Heisman contenders at quarterback. No QB is responsible for more TDs per game than Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, and Carson Beck spent much of the offseason as the favorite for the award. Beck’s 2024 season hasn’t lived up to the Heisman hype yet, but it won’t be a surprise in the slightest if Beck has a big game.
Washington State at No. 25 Boise State
Time: 10 p.m. | TV: FS1 | Line: Boise State -7.5 | Total: 64.5
Washington State is on the precipice of the AP Top 25 after a 4-0 start that includes wins over Texas Tech and Washington and QB John Mateer is slinging it. But the Cougars defense is allowing almost five yards a carry — that’s an appetizing statistic for Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty, who leads the country with an average of 10.5 yards a carry. There’s a reason he’s the non-QB with the best Heisman odds (+2000) at BetMGM.
Live121 updates
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Disaster possession for Illinois
Oh my goodness. The Illini just had a disastrous finish to a possession after they’d worked it all the way down to the goal line. A shotgun snap flew high, but they were able to recover it. But Illinois just kept going backwards with penalties and ultimately settled on a 45-yard field goal attempt, which David Olano missed.
Bret Bielema and Co. won’t be happy about how that possession ended. There’s under a minute left in the half.
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Georgia is on the board!
That was a desperately needed score for the Bulldogs.
Trevor Etienne runs it in from 7 yards out and the Alabama lead is cut to 28-7.
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Nick Saban is loving this … we think
The former Alabama coach is keeping it professional. He is, after all, a member of the media now.
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Alabama scores again!
Jalen Milroe takes it down the sideline for a 36-yard touchdown run, and the rout is ON in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama 28, Georgia 0, early 2nd quarter. Who saw this coming?
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PSU misses FG
After a lengthy drive puts the Nittany Lions in range for a 40-yard field goal attempt, PSU kicker Sander Sahaydak misses it wide left.
It’s still knotted at 7-7 with 5 minutes left in the first half.
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ANOTHER Alabama TD!
Germie Bernard cashes in on the interception with a 7-yard touchdown run.
Alabama leads Georgia 21-0. It’s still the first quarter.
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Alabama interception!
Bama’s Domani Jackson picks off Georgia QB Carson Beck on a short pass to the flat.
That’s Georgia first turnover of the season, and this could not be a better star for the Tide!
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Meanwhile, the Illini and Nittany Lions are trading punts after the back-to-back scoring drives to open the game in Happy Valley.
Penn State will have the ball back at its own 7-yard line with just under 11 minutes left in the second half.
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Touchdown Alabama!
Jalen Milroe drops a perfect pass to Jam Miller for the 16-yard score to cap an 84-yard drive.
What a start for the Tide, who quickly lead 14-0 over Georgia.
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Georgia has to punt on its first drive after an offensive pass interference penalty on Dominic Lovett halted the momentum. Looked like a clear push-off from Lovett.
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Alabama starts with a TD!
QB Jalen Milroe takes it in himself from 7 yards out. That’s the first TD Georgia has allowed this season, and it only took one drive for Bama.
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Touchdown Penn State!
Tyler Warren leaps into the end zone for a 3-yard score. Nice answer for the Nittany Lions to tie the game.
Penn State 7, Illinois 7. 1st quarter
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Georgia vs. Alabama is here!
Georgia wins the toss and defers. Alabama will start with the ball.
Here we go in the game of the year so far.
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Touchdown Illinois!
The Illini strike first and they strike fast! QB Luke Altmyer finds Carson Goda for a 4 yard touchdown.
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Final: Colorado 48, UCF 21
The Buffs left no doubt in this one, blasting the Knights on the road in impressive fashion.
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Arch Manning and No. 1 Texas roll
With Quinn Ewers missing another game with an injury, Arch Manning throws for 324 yards and two TDs as Texas comfortably beats Mississippi State its first SEC game.
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Colorado returns fumble for TD
UCF’s KJ Jefferson fumbles the ball near the goal line and Colorado’s Cam’Ron Silmon-Craig scoops it up and returns it 93 yards for a touchdown.
That’ll cap things off in Orlando.
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Colorado stops UCF at goal line
Any hope of a Knights comeback was just dashed on a tough goal line stand by the Buffs.
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Final: USC 38, Wisconsin 21
Wisconsin was up 21-10 in the third quarter before USC just absolutely blasted the Badgers, scoring the final 28 points to run away with the Big Ten win.
