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.
Here are the biggest games of the day. Follow along as we break down all the action below.
No. 15 Louisville at No. 16 Notre Dame
Time: 3:30 p.m. | TV: Peacock | Line: Notre Dame -6 | Total: 45.5
The Cardinals got a statement win over the Irish a season ago at home. And it’s fair to wonder if Louisville is better this season than it was in 2023. Former Oregon and Texas Tech QB Tyler Shough has been very good so far this season, completing over 68% of his passes for eight touchdowns and no interceptions. Notre Dame is still looking to rely on Riley Leonard through the air to complement what’s been a dominant run game through four games despite injuries along the offensive line.
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.
Live21 updates
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Ole Miss up 7-3 on Kentucky
Meanwhile, the highest-ranked team in action at the moment is off to a bit of a slow start.
The No. 6 Rebels are up 7-3 but the Wildcats have made some stops and are moving the ball on the ground.
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OSU misses short FG
Oklahoma State put together another solid drive into the red zone, but this time the Cowboys come away with nothing after OSU’s Logan Ward sails the kick wide.
It’s still 7-3 Kansas State.
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Baylor gets on the board
After falling into a 21-0 hole early against BYU, the Bears scored on a designed run by QB Sawyer Robertson at the end of the first quarter.
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OSU on the move as first quarter ends
The Cowboys just converted on third-and-long thanks to this bruising catch and run by Ollie Gordon. The next play, he broke loose for 27 more yards.
Gordon has found his footing early in this one and that’s great news for Oklahoma State.
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BYU go up 21-0 in first quarter
The Cougars have added another touchdown on the road at Baylor. They’re overwhelming the Bears early in Waco.
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Oklahoma State gets a stop on the ensuing possession and will have the ball back deep in its own territory
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OSU makes field goal
The Cowboys cobbled together a decent drive on their first possession, but KSU held strong in the red zone and forced a field goal to make it 7-3.
They were clearly making a concerted effort to get Ollie Gordon early, with the star RB carrying the ball 6 times for 43 yards.
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Michigan strikes first against Minnesota
Speaking of picking up right where they left off, Kalel Mullings is on the board early for Michigan after his hero turn a week ago in a win over USC.
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BYU still rolling
The Cougars picked up right where they left off last week and are up 14-0 on Baylor on the road early.
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Touchdown K-State!
The Wildcats are on the board first after driving the length of the field on their opening drive and capping it off with an 11-yard rushing touchdown by quarterback Avery Johnson.
It was a 14-play, 75-yard drive for Kansas State and it included a fourth-down conversion at midfield.
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The Wildcats have the ball first as they try to bounce back from an embarrassing road loss at BYU last week.
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We are underway with our first wave of games!
Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State is the marquee matchup of the early window, so we’ll be following that for the most part. But we’ll also be keeping you up to date on all the action from around the country.
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What to watch: Week 5 college football viewing guide
Will we see any upsets in Week 5 of the college football season? (Mallory Bielecki/Yahoo Sports) -
Why Alabama’s Jalen Milroe is the X-factor in Alabama vs. Georgia
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UNLV, Air Force to stay in Mountain West with financial incentives amid Pac-12 realignment
Click the photo above to read the story. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images) -
Matthew Sluka leaves UNLV over $100K NIL dispute amid growing tensions in college football’s pay-for-play era
Click the photo above to read the story. (Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images) -
Auburn going back to Payton Thorne at QB for Week 5 matchup vs. No. 21 Oklahoma
Click the photo above to read the story. (Michael Chang/Getty Images) -
Hurricane Helene’s effect on college football: Appalachian State-Liberty canceled, Stanford-Clemson on track
Click the photo above to read the story. (David Jensen/Getty Images) -
Hail Mary touchdown overturned as No. 7 Miami survives against Virginia Tech in thriller
Click on the image above to read the story. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
