Dramatic Finishes in College Football Week #5, and the New Poll Rankings

Big games and big closing moments were the rule this weekend as we had reached a point where expert opinions on the schools had solidified – and then the schools promptly went out and obliterated those experts. Between upsets and victories that were struggles, there were a number of instances where the firm assessments got tossed out with the after-party recyclables.

Three teams in the top 10 lost, and two others had wins secured only in the final minute. This means that realignment in the poll was expected, speculating which teams will need a conference victory to see the post-season begins and – yes – talk of Notre Dame making the playoffs is happening (of course.) But first, some curiosities.

• There was high drama during the week when UNLV’s quarterback Matthew Sluka said he was stepping down and would redshirt the rest of the season because the school had only paid out $3,000 after allegedly agreeing to a NIL commitment to pay him $100,000. The rebels went with Hajj-Malik Williams who promptly tossed three touchdowns and led the undefeated Rebels to a 59-14 win over Fresno State. UNLV may be asking Sluka for a refund. 

• Boise State has a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate in Ashton Jaenty, who ran for 259 yards and four touchdowns. It was the second time he gained over 250 this year and he has another 197-yard performance as well.

• How disappointing has it been in Kansas? Yesterday saw them lose to TCU 38-27. The Jayhawks began the year as a ranked team and have been the favorite so far in every game this season. They sport a 1-4 record.

• Remember when FSU was behaving like the bullies in the ACC, threatening to leave and dictating who was permitted into their B-List club? One of the schools they originally opposed joining the conference was SMU, and the Mustangs just pasted the Seminoles 42-16.

• The armed forces are turning heads this season, as both Navy and Army have opened the year with undefeated schedules. Army has done this with a unique record. After defeating Temple on Saturday this follows victories over Rice and Florida Atlantic, meaning the Golden Knights are now 3-0 against teams named The Owls.

• Feel sympathy for the announcers. Taking unwatchable to new lows, Nebraska and Purdue played to a halftime score of 0-0. Combined the teams had 11 drives resulting in seven punts, three missed field goals by the Cornhuskers, and mercifully the clock running out on the final possession.

• The Oklahoma Sooners overcame a bad omen at the start of the game. As the players were coming out onto the field, an Auburn cheerleader wiped out one player.

Best defensive play by the Tigers on Saturday?
Watch an Auburn cheerleader wipeout a Sooner as they are leaving the tunnel. pic.twitter.com/PWYPls1d58

— Brad Slager: A Folksy Coach & Joyful As a K-Hive! (@MartiniShark) September 29, 2024

Alabama 41 – Georgia 34

The marquee game of the week did not disappoint. Alabama started of with such a blistering start it looked to be a mismatch. After opening a 28-0 lead you could hear the keyboard clatter from sports journos writing about the demise of the overrated Bulldogs during halftime. Then Carson Beck decided to play. The Georgia QB rallied the team and they managed to squeeze out a one-point lead with under two minutes remaining. It lasted exactly 13 seconds. On Alabama’s next possession 17-year-old receiver Ryan Williams, who had a 177-yard 2-TD night, scorched the Dawgs with a 75-yard score, and even this was not the end. Georgia drove down with time running out but Beck was picked off in the end zone to seal the victory.

Kentucky 20 – Ole Miss 17

Credit to the Kentucky defense for shutting down this high-flying Rebels offense, as Kaxson Dart only had a decent game and Ole Miss managed a respectable 353 yards of offense when gaining over 600 has been the norm. The Wildcats sustained long drives and even while the Rebels’ quick-strike nature usually means lessened time on the field, Kentucky doubled the time of possession that kept Dart & Co. off the field. On a 4th-and-7 play Brock Vandegriff hit Barion Brown for a 63-yard strike that led to the winning score with minutes to play. This all came down to a last-gasp drive that ended with a missed field goal.

Miami 38 – Virginia Tech 34

The Hurricane defense was exposed at home as they had to play catch-up to the Hokies most of the game. Cam Ward had another sterling game, throwing for yet another 300-yrads+ and four touchdowns, mitigated by a pair of interceptions. He gave Miami the lead with two strikes in the final nine minutes, and the whole game came down to a disputed Hail Mary by Tech. No fewer than eight players mobbed in the end zone, Miami came away with the ball but the ruling was a touchdown catch. A lengthy replay ultimately led to the call of the ball never being controlled and ruled incomplete.

Michigan 27 – Minnesota 24

The Wolverines had no passing game at all, as QB Alex Orji managed just ten completions for 86 yards. They ground out a steady lead until the Gophers broke through with three touchdowns in the 4th, and appeared set for the upset when they recovered an onside kick. The officials ultimately ruled the play had been offsides, though replay makes this call very dubious.

Arizona 23 – Utah 10

The tenth-ranked Utes defense did about well as expected, but lacking QB Cam Rising meant they had to rely on freshman Isaac Wilson who was effective at times and costly in others. Utah did not find the end zone until the 4th quarter, struggling all game when in the Red Zone. 

Notre Dame 31 – Louisville 24

Early rains led to Louisville having its first turnovers of the year, staking the Irish to a 21-7 1st quarter lead that they managed to hold onto throughout the game. A late touchdown and final drive by the Cardinals led to a 4th-1 that was pushed back by a Delay of Game penalty and then an incomplete pass to deliver a home victory.

Here is the new AP Top-25 poll.

1. Alabama

2. Texas

3. Ohio State

4. Tennessee

5. Georgia

6. Oregon

7. Penn State

8. Miami

9. Missouri

10. Michigan

11. USC

12. Ole Miss

13. LSU

14. Notre Dame

15. Clemson

16. Iowa State

17. Brigham Young

18. Utah

19. Oklahoma

20. Kansas State

21. Boise State

22. Louisville

23. Indiana

24. Illinois

25. (Tie) Texas A&M / UNLV