Week five of the College Football regular season showcases some great matchups that have potential College Football Playoff determinants. In this article, I’m going to highlight some of the greatest matchups and how they can affect the rest of the season.
Maryland (4-0) vs #5 Iowa (4-0)
The Terps are one of the few undefeated teams that are still not ranked in the AP poll. They look to gain some respect from the associated press this weekend with a tough matchup against number five ranked Iowa at home. While the Terps’ strength of schedule hasn’t necessarily been elite so far, Tualia Tagovailoa looks to finally bolster this offense after a rather disappointing start to the season offensively aside from a 62-0 victory over FCS opponent Howard.
#8 Arkansas at #2 Georgia
Arkansas has been doubted in nearly every matchup they’ve had this season, and this game will be no different. Coming off a huge upset at Kyle Field last weekend against Texas A&M, the Sam Pittman led Razorbacks will try to do it again versus a much superior opponent. Georgia is the huge favorite and they’re coming off a 62-0 trouncing of Vanderbilt. Georgia features a defense filled with a baker’s dozen of 5 star athletes that has only given up 23 points in their first four matchups of the year, including a performance where they held Clemson to just three points.
#12 Ole Miss vs #1 Alabama
This game was an absolute shootout last year and ended with an absurd 111 combined points from the field, expect the same this year. The two top candidates for the Heisman thus far this season, Matt Corral and Bryce Young will duel it out in arguably the earliest matchup for Heisman contention we’ve seen in several years. Ole Miss features former Alabama assistant Lane Kiffin as their head coach, and this may be a distinct advantage for the Rebels. After the high scoring game last season, Kiffin conceded that every single play that Saban had said his defense struggled against he had written down. He continued to say that he ran every single one of those plays. The Crimson Tide will still have the advantage with all kinds of athletes and a massive home field advantage.
#7 Cincinnati vs #9 Notre Dame
Both of these teams are looking to prove themselves to the committee this weekend in a rather non-conventional matchup. Cincinnati is ranked about as high as they’ve ever been historically, and they’re a dark horse candidate to be the first non Power 5 team to make the cut of the college football playoff. Cincinnati’s quarterback Desmond Ridder is another one of those guys in the Heisman conversation, and a win against top 10 opponent Notre Dame could propel Ridder and the Bearcats closer to each of their goals. Notre Dame has all the momentum coming in, however, after an annihilation of Wisconsin last weekend where their defense looked stout against a top tier BIG 10 opponent.
