Week 5 of the college football season reaffirmed established information:
∎ Kirby Smart can’t beat Alabama.
∎ James Franklin can’t beat the best teams on his schedule.
∎ LSU can’t move the ball.
∎ Sam Pittman entered the season as a fired-coach-in-waiting.
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The weekend also re-established Alabama as a top-10 team, and reaffirmed field stormings are theatrical, but dangerous.
Here’s what else lingers on my mind after an eventful weekend of ranked showdowns:
1 / 19
Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) celebrates with tight end Josh Cuevas (80) after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter at Sanford Stadium.
1 / 19
Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) celebrates with tight end Josh Cuevas (80) after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter at Sanford Stadium.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Isaiah Horton (1) celebrates with offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) after scoring a touchdown against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second quarter at Sanford Stadium.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson (0) reacts after a fumble recovery against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Sanford Stadium.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Deontae Lawson (0) reacts after a fumble recovery against the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Sanford Stadium.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Edric Hill (94) tackles Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) in the first half at Sanford Stadium.
6 / 19
Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor (74) runs against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second quarter at Sanford Stadium.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs mascot Uga XI on the field before the start of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart on the sideline during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs running back Chauncey Bowens (33) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
10 / 19
Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
The Georgia Bulldogs take the field before the start of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton (14) throws the ball during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Fan light up the stands while the Georgia Bulldogs take the field before the start of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Colbie Young (8) goes in to score a touchdown during the first half of a NCAA college football game against Alabama in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, September 27, 2025.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Germie Bernard (5) runs against Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Ellis Robinson IV (1) and defensive back KJ Bolden (4) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Chauncey Bowens (33) runs against Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Domani Jackson (1) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Josh McCray (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the third quarter at Sanford Stadium.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Chris Cole (9) and linebacker Quintavius Johnson (33) and defensive back KJ Bolden (4) celebrate in the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson (15) passes against the Georgia Bulldogs in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
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Check out the best photos from No. 16 Alabama’s big road win over No. 3 Georgia
Sep 27, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) makes a catch against Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Daylen Everette (6) in the second half at Sanford Stadium.
Is Alabama football back?
If Alabama wants full adoration after beating Georgia, then it must beat Vanderbilt and Missouri. I’ll believe Alabama is ‘back,’ once the Crimson Tide show consistency, something never previously attained in the Kalen DeBoer tenure.
Remember, the Tide got up for the big games last season, too. They toppled Georgia. They thrashed LSU. They won the Iron Bowl. They also wilted against a pair of teams that finished the regular season 6-6.
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“We didn’t handle success last year,” DeBoer acknowledged this week.
To wit, Alabama lost to Vanderbilt a week after beating Georgia.
Seismic though this latest takedown of Georgia was, Alabama looks more like a team positioned for repeated high-wire acts, rather than the destructive Tide of yore.
Stringing together wins against Vanderbilt and Missouri on the heels of this emotional triumph would show this year’s team is not a reincarnation of last season. These next two SEC foes are the type of meat-and-potatoes opponents Alabama must beat to inspire belief it’s built to endure the rigors of an unrelenting schedule.
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Alabama has made strides since its season-opening loss to Florida State. Quarterback Ty Simpson progressed from question mark to marquee asset.
Nick Saban’s “Rat poison!” phrase became something of a laugh line, but the spirit behind it rings true. His best teams avoided the pitfalls after emotional wins.
The teams that emerge from the SEC minefield and advance to the College Football Playoff will be those that show the most consistency, and not the one-week wonders.
Which is Alabama?
Vanderbilt and Missouri will help tell us.
Is Oregon a national championship contender?
1 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
1 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
2 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) reacts with quarterback Dante Moore (5) after scoring a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
3 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq hurdles over Penn State cornerback Audavion Collins as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
4 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Fireworks explode over Beaver Stadium during the National Anthem as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
5 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs out of the pocket as Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) chases during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
6 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Amare Campbell (24) reacts after tackling Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
7 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) is tackled by Oregon Ducks linebacker Kamar Mothudi (33) and linebacker Teitum Tuioti (44) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
8 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions fans cheer during the first half of a White-Out game against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
9 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore hauls in a reception as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
10 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Oregon outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei brings down Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
11 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
The Duck wanders the sideline as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
12 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Penn State fans cheer as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
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See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws during the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
14 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
15 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
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See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (2), wide receiver Malik Benson (4) react after a touchdown during overtime against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
17 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin and quarterback Drew Allar (15) react after losing to the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
18 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning greets Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin following a win over the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
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See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) reacts after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
20 / 20
See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon’s double OT win over No. 2 Penn State
Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
What’s in the water up in Eugene that Dan Lanning keeps pumping out electric quarterbacks? From Bo Nix to Dillon Gabriel and now Dante Moore, Oregon’s cycled through one tough-as-nails competitor after another.
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Moore used his dual-threat talents to squeeze the Ducks past Penn State in a daunting road environment after a cross-country flight.
The preseason hype machine told us Franklin’s Nittany Lions were the Big Ten’s option 1B candidate for the national championship, alongside Ohio State. That hype ignored the reality, to win a national championship, Franklin would need to beat a few teams of Oregon’s caliber, and his teams perpetually wilt when the spotlight shines brightest.
Sure, Penn State rallied and made for an exciting finish, but how did the game end? With a Drew Allar interception. The same way Penn State’s playoff loss to Notre Dame ended.
Never mind the NFL mock drafts. Franklin and Allar aren’t a national championship combination, but Lanning and Moore might be.
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Did Ole Miss go from underrated to overrated?
1 / 17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) and offensive lineman Diego Pounds (61) react after a touchdown during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
1 / 17
See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) and offensive lineman Diego Pounds (61) react after a touchdown during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) and tight end Dae’Quan Wright (8) react after a touchdown during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) and tight end Bauer Sharp (10) react after Anderson’s touchdown catch during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) and tight end Bauer Sharp (10) react after Anderson’s touchdown catch during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly reacts during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Aaron Anderson (1) runs after a catch as Mississippi Rebels linebacker Tahj Chambers (26) attempts to make the tackle during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin looks on during a time out during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) runs the ball during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) reacts with wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling (1) and wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (2) after Lee’s touchdown during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) reacts after his touchdown during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin reacts to an official during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) carries the ball during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Ole Miss linebacker TJ Dottery (6) celebrates during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
LSU head coach Brian Kelly crouches on the sidelines during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) passes the ball during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) looks into the stands after failing to get a first down during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
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See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football
LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) passes the ball during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
The Rebels were undervalued in preseason rankings. Voters have overcorrected. Ole Miss shot up to No. 4 in the US LBM Coaches Poll after a 24-19 win against LSU.
I’m in on the Rebels as a legit playoff contender. Their offense is punchy, and their schedule is accommodating. But, Ole Miss as the nation’s fourth-best team? I’m not there yet. How quickly we forget Ole Miss surrendered 35 points to Arkansas two weeks ago.
This was a huge moment for Lane Kiffin and his program, and the game cemented Division II transfer Trinidad Chambliss as a bona fide SEC quarterback.
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Kiffin severely outcoached Brian Kelly, and Chambliss executed at a high level.
However, this result also served as a product of LSU’s month-long inability to ignite on offense. Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier isn’t throwing with his usual zip. Either he’s playing hurt, or, well, I don’t know how to explain it, but when you combine Nussmeier’s regression with LSU’s persistent lack of a ground game, LSU’s offense is limited.
Notre Dame still can make College Football Playoff, right?
Yes, yes, and yes. Was that clear enough?
Folks, it’s Notre Dame. Do you believe the committee is going to omit the Irish if they rip off 10 straight victories and finish 10-2? Notre Dame lost to a Group of Five directional school last September, and it not only made the playoff, it hosted a game.
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Losses to Miami and Texas A&M add up to one loss to Northern Illinois. Bing, bang, bong, and the Irish are a No. 7 playoff seed again, touting a “signature” win against 8-4 Southern California, or some such thing.
Here’s the playoff pitch for the 10-2 Irish: Notre Dame’s redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr kept getting better, and the defense regrouped and improved after a bad start.
Oh, here’s the more succinct pitch: It’s Notre Dame.
The only thing that could keep 10-win Notre Dame out of a 12-team playoff would be Texas A&M tanking, after the Aggies beat the Irish in South Bend. No tanking yet for the Aggies. They’re undefeated. That’s great for Notre Dame. So is its remaining schedule.
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Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alabama beat Georgia, big deal. Go beat Vanderbilt