Week 4 of the college football season delivered one of the best slates, with six matchups between ranked teams. It featured the most conference games between ranked teams in AP Poll history and brought a lot of chaos to the college football world.
However, this week’s slate doesn’t offer as much excitement as last week, with only three matchups between ranked teams. The three matchups include No. 5 Ohio State traveling to No. 14 Iowa, No. 7 Alabama playing No. 16 Mississippi State on the road, and No. 8 Florida visiting No. 25 Missouri. Six ranked teams are also on a bye week, including No. 1 Texas.
Although Week 5’s slate isn’t as loaded as last week, it still features intriguing matchups between unranked teams. Some of these matchups could affect Sunday’s AP Poll and conference races. Here are some of the best unranked matchups to watch in Week 5.
Week 5 Matchups To Watch
1. Pitt vs. Virginia Tech
An unbeaten-team battle takes place under the lights on Friday night as Pitt travels to Virginia Tech for an ACC showdown, and one team will leave with its first loss of the season.
Despite being unranked, Pitt has started strong, winning all four home games so far against Miami Ohio, UCF, Syracuse, and Bucknell. Quarterback Mason Heintschel has been effective for the Panthers, throwing 13 touchdowns on 1,191 yards and rushing one. He has had two games with six or more touchdowns, and the offense has averaged 523.8 yards per game, sixth in the country. Another reason for its success has been its defense, which has allowed 8.5 points per game and 53.3 rushing yards, ranking in the top four nationally.
As for Virginia Tech, the James Franklin era has gotten off on the right note, as the Hokies have won all their games by seven or more points and are off to their best start since 2017. Their offense has been well-balanced, with the running game accounting for 11 touchdowns, while quarterback Ethan Grunkemeyer has done a great job protecting the football. He has thrown eight touchdowns and rushed for two more without throwing an interception, although he has lost one fumble. This team has already been battle-tested this early in the season, beating Maryland and Boston College on the road.
With both teams chasing Miami in the ACC, this game has huge implications in the race to reach the ACC Championship game. Both teams also earned votes in last week’s AP Poll, so the winner will not only be in a great position to compete in the ACC race but also be ranked this Sunday. We should have a thriller on our hands come Friday night.
2. Penn State vs. Northwestern
Another big showdown on Friday night as Penn State and Northwestern look to rebound from their first losses of the season in Northwestern’s first game at their renovated stadium, Ryan Field.
The Nittany Lions fell out of the AP Poll after last week’s collapse against Wisconsin, blowing a 17-0 lead. Now, they have to win out to have any chance of possibly making the College Football Playoff. While Penn State looked good offensively in its first three games, Wisconsin exposed Penn State’s struggles without Koby Howard, as the running game failed to make an impact and quarterback Rocco Becht struggled in his first true test of the season. However, despite giving up 24 points against Wisconsin, their defense has played well: they forced a turnover each game and rank in the top 10 nationally in fewest overall and passing yards allowed, along with points per game.
As for Northwestern, this team has been impressive despite having one loss. They blew out a tough Colorado team at home 41-7 and put the defending national champions, Indiana, on the ropes, coming close to an upset in a 29-23 loss. Quarterback Aidan Chiles has been the offense’s anchor, throwing six touchdowns on 807 yards and rushing a touchdown while throwing no interceptions. The defense has also done well, holding opponents to an average of 18 points per game.
Despite being unranked, both teams gained votes in last week’s poll, so the winner has a good chance of being ranked this week. This is also a must-win for both teams as they look to avoid a second loss, which would essentially end any hope of making the Playoff for either team. With so much on the line, this game should be entertaining.
3. Michigan vs. Minnesota
Another Big Ten matchup with a lot at stake, as the Michigan Wolverines look to rebound from their first loss of the season as they go on the road to take on a Minnesota Golden Gophers team that also has one loss.
Michigan has underachieved this season, suffering its first loss last week against Iowa on the final play of the game. They also needed a controversial Hail Mary to avoid an upset against Western Michigan in its season opener. The offense has struggled to find a rhythm as quarterback Bryce Underwood has thrown five touchdowns and two interceptions on 780 yards while rushing for two touchdowns. The offense is also outside the top 85 nationally in every offensive category. However, they’ve managed three wins because of their defense, which has allowed the sixth-fewest yards per game and 14.8 points per game.
Despite one loss, Minnesota has three wins this season, including an impressive road win last week over a Washington team ranked at the beginning of the season. Their only loss has come against a ranked Mississippi State team. Quarterback Drake Lindsey has had a strong start, throwing seven touchdowns on 951 yards despite two interceptions. Like Michigan, the defense has been the biggest reason for its success, allowing 272.3 yards and 19 points per game and forcing five turnovers in the last three games.
It’s always hard to win in Minnesota, as the Golden Gophers have a .679 winning percentage over 810 home games. With both teams looking to avoid a second loss and plenty of opportunities to boost their resumes as the season goes on, Saturday’s noon game will have a huge impact in the Big Ten.
4. Baylor vs. Arizona State
To cap off Week 5’s slate, it’s a Big 12 showdown between the Baylor Bears and Arizona State Sun Devils as both teams look to establish themselves as contenders in the Big 12.
Despite one loss, Baylor has impressed in its wins this season, winning by 10 or more points. Quarterback DJ Lagway suffered an injury in the loss to Auburn, and backup quarterback Nate Bennett did a great job filling in, throwing six touchdowns for 567 yards in the wins against Prairie View and Louisiana Tech. Lagway came back last week against Colorado and led his team to victory, throwing two touchdowns. However, the defense has been the reason for its success, allowing 13 points per game, which is 16th nationally.
As for Arizona State, they have been battle-tested in their last two games, losing to Texas A&M on the road before beating Kansas in London two weeks ago, before their bye week. Despite one loss, their offense has been effective, averaging 38 points per game, led by quarterback Cutter Boley, who has thrown nine touchdowns. Wide receiver Reed Harris has been Boley’s top target, with 374 yards and five touchdowns, ranking top 20 nationally.
With both teams being 1-0 in conference play, this matchup could have major implications for the Big 12 race. A win would give either Baylor or Arizona State an important conference victory and strengthen its case as a team capable of contending in the Big 12 and potentially earning a spot in the College Football Playoff.
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