Table of Contents
Game Of The Week
It appeared that Georgia was on their way to steamroll through their schedule and reach their second national championship in as many years. In their matchup with SEC opponent Missouri this week, the Bulldogs were heavy road favorites giving 31 points. This game proved to be the opposite of what every expert predicted, as Missouri was able to do something no other team that has played Georgia this year could: score points. A pair of Harrison Mevis field goals and a Brady Cook touchdown pass put the Tigers up 16-3 toward the end of the first half. Fans at Faurot Field started to believe that Missouri could be the team to take down Georgia, and gave their Tigers a momentum boost to start the second half. Back and forth scores from both teams kept Missouri ahead 22-12 with 14 minutes remaining, but this is when momentum began to shift in Georgia’s favor, and the Bulldogs proved that they could overcome adversity. Two Georgia touchdown runs from Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards paired with defensive stops by the Bulldogs helped them escape with a 26-22 victory on the road and avoid being the victim of a major upset. This game proved that the top teams in the country can be beaten on any given week, but the best teams know hot to play through all 60 minutes and win games no matter how ugly they look.
Top Performers
Passing – Holton Ahlers, ECU – 31/41, 465 YDs, 6 TDs
Rushing – Sean Tucker, SYR – 23 CAR, 232 YDs, 3 TDs
Receiving – C.J. Johnson, ECU – 7 REC, 197 YDs, 4 TDs
Best Moment: The DTR Experience
UCLA quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson played the best game of his long career in a 40-32 upset over Washington(15) on Friday night. DTR made his presence felt early and often, leading UCLA to four straight scoring drives in the first half. He totaled 315 yards with three passing touchdowns as well as a rushing touchdown in a statement victory in the Rose Bowl. Thompson-Robinson produced multiple highlight plays headlined by a hurdle over a defender in the open field, as well as causing two Huskies to collide with each other on a touchdown run. I believe his most important play went unnoticed, coming on a tipped pass that was thought to be intercepted by a Washington defensive lineman. DTR lowered his shoulder and jarred the ball loose to keep possession with UCLA and live up to his reputation as toughest player on the team as appointed by head coach Chip Kelly.
Don’t Sleep On…Kansas
As a school synonymous with a prestigious basketball program, football at the University of Kansas is essentially an afterthought. Head coach Lance Leipold has been determined to change that narrative, as Kansas is off to a 5-0 start for the first time since 2009. This is only the second time in fourteen years that the Jayhawks have started 2-0 in conference play after a 14-11 home victory over Iowa State this week. Leipold said after the win, “We’ve only been here 16 months… but I’m so happy for [the players] because we can see what it does in the community, the stands, togetherness and these are great things to build upon.” Kansas may have gotten lucky in their victory in the form of three missed field goals from Iowa State, but a win is a win. Kansas needs to do a bit more to prove they are a top 25 team, but Leipold has shifted the culture in the locker room for the better. College GameDay also announced that they will be heading to Kansas for the first time every next week as they take on an undefeated opponent in TCU.
Not So Fast…Kentucky (7)
Kentucky entered Week 5 with the second highest rank in program history, and looked to improve on that in an SEC matchup with Ole Miss on Saturday. Kentucky came into the game as 6.5 point underdogs, possibly influenced by star linebacker J.J. Weaver being ruled out due to an arm injury. Kentucky was able to keep the game close in a difficult road environment, but could not outlast the Rebels on their final drive. Throughout the game the Wildcats missed two extra points and were penalized on a potential go ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter. When asked about the defeat, head coach Bob Stoops said, “Obviously, it was a very difficult loss… It’s just heartbreaking for our players.” I expect Kentucky to remain ranked after this week and to stay competitive behind quarterback Will Levis.
Projecting THe Top 25
- Georgia
- Alabama
- Ohio State
- Michigan
- Clemson
- USC
- Oklahoma State
- Tennessee
- Ole Miss
- Penn State
- Utah
- Oregon
- Kentucky
- BYU
- NC State
- Wake Forest
- TCU
- UCLA
- Kansas
- Washington
- Kansas State
- Syracuse
- Mississippi State
- Arkansas
- LSU
