Penn State’s Déjà Vu, Oregon and Alabama Triumph: Week 5 Recap

Week 5 of college football brought wild drama and more than a few surprises. Fans barely had time to catch their breath between nail-biting finishes and unexpected upsets.

The spotlight shone brightest on Oregon and Alabama, both delivering games that shook up the season. Let’s jump into the wildest moments and a few key takeaways from a weekend that really had it all.

Oregon vs. Penn State: A Double-Overtime Thriller

The matchup between No. 6 Oregon and No. 3 Penn State was a straight-up rollercoaster. For most of the game, it looked like Penn State’s coach, James Franklin, might come up short again in a big matchup.

Oregon jumped out to a 17-3 lead. Then Penn State’s Drew Allar got hot and dragged the Nittany Lions back, forcing overtime.

Oregon’s Dante Moore kept his cool, though, leading the Ducks to a wild 30-24 win in double overtime. Moore’s performance felt like a preview of bigger things to come.

Key Moments

• Drew Allar’s touchdown pass that closed the gap for Penn State.
• Dante Moore converting three huge fourth downs for Oregon.
• Moore’s game-winner to Gary Bryant Jr. in the second overtime.
• Dillon Thieneman snagging the interception to seal it for Oregon.

Want more details? The full report has you covered.

Alabama Ends Georgia’s Home Winning Streak

No. 17 Alabama went into Athens to face No. 5 Georgia and their 33-game home win streak. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama’s new head coach, rolled out a smart game plan and left with a 24-21 win.

That’s a big one for DeBoer, who’s been under the microscope as Nick Saban’s replacement. Quarterback Ty Simpson delivered in the clutch, making the plays Alabama needed.

Game Highlights

• Alabama’s offense kept Georgia’s defense off-balance all night.
• Ty Simpson threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns, completing 24 of 38 passes.
• Georgia missed on a crucial fourth-down late in the game.
• Alabama’s defense tightened up and held Georgia in check.

Ole Miss Shocks LSU

No. 13 Ole Miss pulled off a 24-19 win over No. 4 LSU, exposing some serious issues for the Tigers. LSU’s offensive line couldn’t get it together, and Garrett Nussmeier just couldn’t find a rhythm with his receivers.

Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss’s quarterback, put on a show both throwing and running. He’s definitely locked in as the Rebels’ starter now.

Key Takeaways

• Ole Miss’s offensive line gave Chambliss room to work.
• LSU struggled to get anything going on the ground.
• Chambliss racked up 314 passing yards and ran for 71 more.
• LSU really missed their starting running back, Caden Durham.

Ole Miss has a shot at the CFP, but the schedule ahead is brutal—Georgia and Oklahoma are looming.

Other Notable Games

Texas A&M vs. Auburn

No. 9 Texas A&M barely got past Auburn, winning 16-10. Their defense came up big when it mattered, even with a pile of penalties.

Auburn’s offense just couldn’t get moving, finishing with only 177 yards. Texas A&M’s ability to execute on both sides tipped the balance.

Notre Dame Dominates Arkansas

No. 22 Notre Dame finally found their groove and hammered Arkansas, 56-13. CJ Carr threw for 354 yards and four touchdowns, lighting up the scoreboard.

The Irish offense looked unstoppable for stretches, hinting at what they might be capable of down the line.

Upsets and Close Calls

Virginia Stuns Florida State

Virginia kept their momentum going under Tony Elliott, knocking off No. 8 Florida State 46-38 in double overtime. The Cavaliers’ offense, with some key transfers, looks like a legit threat in the ACC.

Indiana Escapes Iowa

No. 11 Indiana squeaked out a 20-15 win over Iowa in a tight, defensive Big Ten battle. Coach Curt Cignetti has the Hoosiers undefeated and building confidence every week.

Looking Ahead

We’re heading into the second half of the season, and a handful of teams look like real contenders for the College Football Playoff. Still, college football loves chaos—nobody can really relax just yet.

Big matchups are coming up soon. These games will shake up the rankings, and honestly, who doesn’t love a wild, last-minute finish?