Week 5 reactions and stock check

Week 5 has come and gone and so has a few teams who had playoff hopes. It was a wild weekend for sure, but we now are starting to get some separation and clarity on who is for real and who was only kidding.

Arkansas 0 Georgia 37 – I honestly thought the razorbacks would put up a fight, but Georgia once again proves me wrong by shutting them out. The hogs had hardly any opportunities to score on the bulldogs, as their stought defense once again came to play. Arkansas could only come up with 162 yards and 9 first downs in this game. On offense, the bulldogs don’t really have to air it out much, with or without J.T. Daniels. Zamir White and Kendall Milton scored two touchdowns each, adding a total of 4 touchdowns and 273 yards rushing. Georgia is for real and has put the nation on notice.

Cincinnati 24 vs. Notre Dame 13 -Cincy Quarterback, Desmond Riddler might be the most underrated QB in the country. He made ND’s defense look like a FCS school. The bearcats came into South Bend as the underdog and came out as the victor. The group 5 have had some really great teams since the CFP was established, but haven’t been able to impress the committee to put anyone in. That might change this year.

Florida 13 Kentucky 20 – Beating the Gators for the second time in three years might not be a trend, but it’s how you get a shot at the SEC championship. Coach Stoops has his team playing really good football, on both sides. Junior Quarterback Will Lewis only threw for 87 yards and the ground game accumulated only 137 yards, but that was enough for a team that plays great defense.

Auburn 24 LSU 19 – For all of the criticism on Auburn Quarterback Bo Nix, no one can say anything to him for at least one night, as he lead his Tigers to a come back for the ages. Nix looked like an all-star, and it helped to get Auburn a win at Tiger Stadium for the first time since 1999! Meanwhile LSU is looking for answers on defense, and oh, by the way, you take on 5-0 Kentucky this weekend.

Louisville 34 Wake Forest 37 – If I told you Wake Forest would be the gold standard in the ACC this season, you would probably laugh in my face. This team is special. They just find ways to win. Sophomore Quarterback Sam Hartman threw for 324 yards and 2 touchdowns on Saturday, helping his team hold on and defeat the Cardinals. Wake Forest is playing great football, and this is because they don’t many mistakes and are playing really good defense. They still have Clemson, NC State, Boston College, and Army to play, but all of those games are winnable.

Oregon 24 Stanford 31 – Stanford looked to be down and out, but on a 1rst and goal at the end of regulation, Tanner McKee found Elijah Higgins in the end zone to tie the game and send it to overtime. And in OT, he found John Humphreys on a 14 yard pass to upset Oregon in a game I thought the Ducks had secured the win. Lesson for Oregon– never quit on a game! This could cost them a seat at the CFP table.

Stock Check

Georgia– Stock Rising. The Bulldogs are shutting down opposing teams with great defense. This team has the potential to go all the way. I’m not real concerned about J. T. Daniels injury, they have capable backups.

Notre Dame– Stock Falling. As an independent, you have the luxury to create your own schedule, but there is a downside- it’s called losing. Notre Dame’s name can only carry it for so long. The Irish all but destroyed their playoff hopes after losing to Cincy on Saturday.

Kentucky– Stock Rising. Beating a good Florida team shows me that Coach Stoops Wildcats are a legit SEC contender. The real test comes later when they face Georgia.

Cincinnati– Stock Rising. The bearcats looked great in South Bend. Now can they continue to show everyone that they’re for real and break into the playoffs?

Michigan– Stock Rising. Big Blue defeated Wisconsin for the first time in Madison in twenty years. Head Coach Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines are looking good but they still have Sparty, Penn State, and their bitter rival Ohio State at the end of the season. Can he finally get over the hump?

Texas – Stock Rising– The Longhorns have been a different team since their loss to Arkansas. Sark has his boys playing at a high level right now. This weekend is the annual showdown with Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl. If they win that game, the Longhorns could be sitting pretty in the Big XII and a chance to play in the CFP.

San Diego State– Stock Rising– The Aztecs are 4-0 for just the second time in forty years and aren’t showing any signs of slowing down. Brady’s Hoke’s team has defeated two Pac-12 teams and are looking like the best team in the Mountain West. Can they keep it up?

Florida – Stock Falling– For the Gators, losing to Alabama was a minor setback, but losing to Kentucky could be the nail in the coffin and a shot at the SEC championship. Their only hope now is to win out in the East and hope Kentucky slips up.

Check back later this week for my write up on the Red River Shootout.