Week 5’s 3 BIG Games with BIG Playoff Ramifications
Shelbie Warr/Fansided
Week 4 had plenty of big Playoff-defining games. However, week 5 has 3 top 15 matchups that will most definitely affect this year's Playoff outlook. If you have nothing going on this Saturday, these games should be on your radar as means of entertainment. For now, let's break down these three games and see what would happen if either team won as far as each team's post-season aspirations go.
Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports
#7 Cincinnati Bearcats at #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (2:30 ET on NBC)
This matchup will be played in front of a huge crowd in South Bend, Indiana. There are high stakes for both of these teams coming into this game. The Bearcats have their only shot to really impress the CFP ranking committee while the Irish (most likely) play their last ranked team this season. Cincinnati’s QB Desmond Ridder comes in with 748 yards and 7 touchdowns through three games. On the flip side, Notre Dame’s QB Jack Coan comes in with 986 yards and 9 touchdowns. Though the offenses will be intriguing to watch, both defenses will have to step to the plate if they want their team’s to be victorious.
If Cincinnati wins :
This puts the Bearcats in position to become the first group 5 team to make the Playoff. They would need to win out here, but with a huge win in South Bend, these Bearcats could send shockwaves to the Playoff committee. Ridder will need to play like his usual self if not better against this Notre Dame defense who performed quite well against #18 Wisconsin. If the Bearcats want to control their destiny for a College Football Playoff bid, then this game needs to be won and if possible, won convincingly.
If Notre Dame wins :
This win would be constructive to the Fighting Irish if they want to return to the Playoff. They would have to win out because the rest of their schedule is pretty weak compared to their first 5 games. Jack Coan will have to play better than he has all season, and the Notre Dame defense will have to play the same or better than they did against Wisconsin against a much superior offense in Cincinnati. An advantage that the Irish have come into this is that this game is being played in South Bend. The crowd will have to be loud as ever if they want to give the Irish the boost they need to beat the Bearcats.
Joe Vitale/ UGA Wire
#8 Arkansas Razorbacks at #2 Georgia Bulldogs ( 12:00 ET on ESPN )
After Arkansas' tremendous win over #7 Texas A&M in Arlington, they proved to the nation that they fit in the top 10. The difficult part about the matter was that this was the first of many tests for them. Arkansas finds themselves playing #2 Georgia this week and plays currently ranked #12 Ole Miss and #22 Auburn in the weeks to come. To top it all off, they play #1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. In other words, the Razorbacks have a razor-sharp schedule ahead of them. The Razorbacks have found success in their offense through K.J. Jefferson at QB and their RB Trelon Smith. They have combined for well over 1000 yards in total offense. On the other side, Georgia has looked great. Ever since their low-scoring game against Clemson, they have exploded on offense. J.T. Daniels has racked up 567 passing yards with 5 touchdowns through games (he missed the UAB game) and has made his team into what is known as the second-best team in the land. They have a tough road ahead of where they want to be but are in a great position at home this week to take a big win.
If Arkansas wins :
The Razorbacks put the nation on notice that their team is up there with Bama and company. For the Pigs to win 2 straight top 10 battles would be incredible for this program and will most likely at the least put them in a New Year's 6 bowl in the postseason. If the Razorbacks want to win, K.J. Jefferson's comparisons to Heisman Cam Newton will have to be on full display if not more. The Arkansas defense will have to continue being dominant by stopping the run which is something Georgia likes to do. If they can also keep this Georgia offense under 21 points like they have been doing, it could mean a win for the Pigs.
If Georgia wins :
The Bulldogs continue to show why they are where they are in the polls. They have a few more tests ahead of them, but a win of this caliber could send shockwaves to the committee and they might consider putting Georgia above Bama in the first rankings come November 2nd. If they want to win, they must rally on that loud crowd, keep up the offensive tempo and continue to be dominant on defense. These Bulldogs have proven themselves as one of the best, once again, they have an opportunity to show it again.
Alabama Athletics
#12 Ole Miss Rebels at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama's squad this year is looking up. With Freshman QB Bryce Young's incredible performance and Head Coach Nick Saban just doing his thing, as usual, the Tide are well on their way to shore, which is a spot in the Playoff. These Rebels out of Ole Miss though could make things difficult though. They have been one of the more surprising teams out of the SEC West. It's all due to their high-powered offense behind QB Matt Corral who has thrown 997 yards and 9 touchdowns through only 3 games! If he and his Rebels want to win, he's going to have to keep it up. Regardless, this game will have plenty of scoring and might be close.
If Ole Miss wins :
The Rebels will have to pull everything out of their bag if they want to leave Tuscolosa victorious. Matt Corral is already getting an eye from the Heisman. So why not have the best game of his career against the best team in the country? His receivers will have to be on board and will have to help Corral with yards after the catch. Expect trick plays and risks from Ole Miss. They will have to catch this talented Alabama team off-balance if they want to do damage. A win could put this team in the Playoff if they finish the rest of their schedule strong, but they will have to give everything they got.
If Alabama wins :
Like Georgia, the Crimson Tide will just prove to us once again why they are the best. The media is hyping this game to be an upset but Alabama has a way most of the time of shutting down those critics. For them to get the job done Saturday is to light up the scoreboard as much as they can while finding a solution for Matt Corral and the Ole Miss offense, in which no team has found the answer yet. This win could help the morale of the team even more than it has and will prep them for what's to come for the Tide to defend their title.
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