Week 5 saw major conference clashes across college football. TCU put its foot on Oklahoma, pushing the Sooners to 0-2 in the Big 12. Missouri pushed Georgia to the limit in a 26-22 loss, while Ole Miss handed Kentucky their first loss of the season. Clemson gained clearance in the conference race in the ACC, giving NC State their first loss. Change was in the air as Wisconsin fired coach Paul Cryst after a disappointing loss to Illinois, and Colorado let Karl Dorrell go in a move members of our staff nailed last week.
We gather the staff to prepare you for Week 6 and continued action in conference play across college football.
What Game Are You Watching?
No. 8 Tennessee at No. 25 LSU
Christian Williams - While there are plenty of appealing games on the schedule this week, none have as much draw as No. 8 Tennessee versus No. 25 LSU. The Volunteers are coming off their bye week but beat Florida in their last outing, looking like a true contender and boasting one of the most dynamic offenses in the country. LSU, meanwhile, is fresh off a win against Auburn, leaning on a formidable defense and supplementing with an effective rushing attack on offense. In two weeks, Tennessee has an opportunity to head into a home matchup as an undefeated, top-ten team against #1 Alabama. However, looking past LSU could prove a mistake, and that component alone gives this game a ton of intrigue.
Jonathan Morris - It is No. 8 Tennessee at No. 25 LSU for me. The game is a local 11:00 AM kickoff, much to the dismay of Tiger fans who won't have the luxury of playing at Death Valley at night. LSU has rebounded nicely off an opening loss to Florida State with a good start in the SEC West. They start the actual gauntlet of SEC play with the Volunteers, and a win would be massive in getting the train rolling for Head Coach Brian Kelly. As for Tennessee, they are ranked the highest they've been since 2006. They have a date with Alabama next week, which could be the most hyped game between the two in decades. This finds them in a dangerous look-ahead spot in a game in one of the most hostile environments in the country. Tennessee is coming off a bye week, so I'll be interested to see how Head Coach Josh Heupel and Heisman contender Henden Hooker come out early against an LSU defense that has looked good as of late. As for LSU, can their offense generate enough points to keep up against an exploitable Tennessee defense? There is an excellent slate of games this Saturday, and I'll be excited to start my day off with this SEC battle.
No. 17 TCU at No. 19 Kansas
Kevin Coleman - Now that conference games are in full swing, we are starting to see more great matchups throughout college football. This week there are a ton of marquee matchups around the country, but the game that everyone should be tuned into is No. 17 TCU at No. 19 Kansas. Both teams come into this game undefeated, with their sights set on a Big 12 Championship. Kansas has been a revelation this season under head coach Lance Leipold having a 5-0 record for the first time since 2009. They are led by quarterback Jalon Daniels who leads an offense averaging over forty points per game.
On the other hand, TCU's offense is averaging over forty-eight points per game and completely dominated Oklahoma last week 55-24. The winner of this game could have the inside track on a Big 12 title game appearance. Not to mention College Gameday will be live in Lawrence for the first time in school history. This game will remind people what college football is all about.
Jason Wood - I'm with Kevin on TCU heading to Kansas as the game of the week. To think ESPN College Gameday is heading to Kansas speaks volumes; this team is always at or near the bottom of the Big 12 yet is now 5-0 under Lance Leipold. Unfortunately, I think Kansas' unbeaten streak ends this week against TCU, another Big 12 contender who was completely discounted in the preseason. Kansas ranks just 55th in SP+, thanks partly to an 80th-ranked defense. TCU ranks 21st thanks to a 10th-ranked offense, and while their defense isn't great, either (53rd), it's better than Kansas' unit. Jayhawks fans need to appreciate what they've got in 2022 because Leipold is almost assuredly leaving for a major program like Nebraska or Wisconsin in 2023. I'll throw an honorable mention to Utah vs. UCLA. Both teams are ranked, and UCLA is undefeated at 5-0. But Utah is the better team and will likely get back in the Pac-12 driver's seat after a win this weekend.
Dan Hindery - The right answer is probably TCU at Kansas. Two fun offenses and a pair of unbeaten teams. It is cool to see Kansas finally having success. But if I'm being honest, it is Texas A&M traveling to Alabama. This could be like one of those car wrecks you cannot look away from because Alabama will likely pour it on if they can after all of the off-season drama between Nick Saban and Jimbo Fisher. These crazy storylines are part of what makes college football so fun.
Kyle Bellefeuil - I'm going to pile on here and say No. 17 TCU at No. 19 Kansas. There are quite a few good games this week, but it's hard not to be attracted to this exciting matchup. What Lance Leipold has done with this Kansas team is truly astonishing. Kansas sits at 5-0 after a hard-fought 14-11 victory over Iowa State last Saturday and gets another tough foe in 4-0 TCU this weekend. TCU is coming off a dominant 55-24 victory over Oklahoma at home and will be looking to get another statement win on the road this week. This sets up to be a fun Big 12 battle between two potent offenses. Get the popcorn ready.
What Player Are You Watching?
RB Kendre Miller, TCU
Christian Williams - Miller has rapidly boosted his draft stock early in 2022, and a matchup against the 19th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks gives him a chance to continue trending upward. Miller split time with Zach Evans in 2021 but displayed an array of skills that NFL backs often possess. His blend of vision, footwork, and burst consistently gives him big-play potential. That has translated to the field over the last two weeks, as he accumulated 278 yards on 30 carries and added three scores to build on his resume. Kansas' run defense provides him with his toughest test, and a big performance could launch him into consideration as a day-two prospect.
Kevin Coleman - Since we highlighted the Kansas-TCU game as one of the best in the country, we may as well highlight a player from that game to watch. TCU running back Kendre Miller was a prospect that Christian and I highlighted early on last offseason on our show as a potential riser in the 2023 class. The 6-foot-0 and 220-pound running back has taken ahold of that TCU backfield and is quickly rising up NFL draft boards. Miller has rushed for 287 yards in the last two games on thirty carries and three touchdowns. He is a powerful runner and exhibits excellent speed in the open field. He is a player that all dynasty managers should be keeping an eye on as the season progresses. If TCU wants to beat Kansas this week, he'll need to have a big game.
QB Hendon Hooker, Tennessee
Jason Wood - I want to get eyes on Hendon Hooker against LSU. Hooker is creeping up the Heisman favorites as he looks like a totally different player at Tennessee under Josh Heupel versus the inaccurate automaton at Virginia Tech. Although LSU isn't a contender this year, Brian Kelly has the defense playing well (13th SP+), and this should be one of the tougher tests Hooker has faced as a Volunteer. He's completing 72% of passes for an astounding 10.6 yards per attempt. If he can shred the rival Tigers, expect his NFL draft stock to catch fire.
RB Devon Achane, Texas A&M
Dan Hindery - I am excited to see Texas A&M running back Devon Achane against an elite Alabama defense. He is going to be a fascinating prospect to follow because we have not really had anyone with his specific skill set enter the draft in recent years. He is short and a bit undersized but can absolutely fly. In fact, he might be as fast as any running back to enter the league since Chris Johnson. Seeing how well he can hold up against this almost NFL-caliber Crimson Tide defense will be fun.
EDGE Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Kyle Bellefeuil - I will be watching UCLA edge rusher, Laiatu Latu, as the No. 18 Bruins take on No. 11 Utah at home on Saturday. Latu started his career at Washington but suffered an unfortunate neck injury that caused him to medically retire and miss the last two seasons. This offseason, Latu transferred to UCLA and gained medical clearance to continue his football career. Not only is Latu playing again, but he's been doing so at a high level. Currently, Latu is second in the nation with six sacks after getting home for one against his former Washington team last Friday night. The Bruin defense will need another big performance out of Latu against the Utes, and I'll be tuning in to see if he can deliver.
WR Jacob Cowing, Arizona
Jonathan Morris - I'm excited to watch Arizona wide receiver Jacob Cowing, and I hope we get to see him go head-to-head with Oregon cornerback and future first-round pick Christian Gonzalez pending on how Oregon chooses to defend Cowing. A former 2-star recruit and UTEP transfer, Cowing is garnering national attention, and rightfully so. Cowing has emerged as one of the most dominant slot receivers in college football. He has 40 catches for 566 yards and seven touchdowns in five games. This will be his toughest test so far, and it'll be a lot of fun to end the Saturday slate by seeing if Cowing can continue his dominant season against a stout Oregon defensive backfield.
Besides Georgia, Alabama, and Ohio St, who is your pick as a national championship contender?
USC
Christian Williams - While it's fun to pretend there are other teams with a chance at the national title, no team has stepped up and arrived as a clear contender thus far in 2022. Clemson and Michigan have shown signs of improvement, but getting on the field with the likes of Georgia, Alabama, or Ohio State would show a different story. USC has the offense with the most upside and could potentially enter a shootout with one of the three teams, but their Swiss cheese defense has left Pac-12 teams in games the last two weeks. College football has been a three-team race for the last few years, and at this point in 2022, this year doesn't seem different.
Michigan
Kevin Coleman - The best team in the country right now is the Ohio State Buckeyes. They are playing great football and haven't even been at full strength this season. In the last two games, the Georgia Bulldogs have struggled against two powerhouse teams Kent State and the Missouri Tigers. Alabama's Bryce Young is injured and a future unknown for an offense that has struggled mightily this season, yet those three teams are far better than any other team in the country. If I had to pick a team that could have a chance against any of those teams, it would be Michigan. Michigan has the most complete team out of anyone not ranked in the top three and has one of the best offensive lines in college football. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy gives them a dynamic offensive weapon that they didn't have last season, and running back Blake Corum is one of the best backs in the country. They also have an underrated wide receiver room. If Michigan's defense can start playing better, especially up front, they could beat any team in the country.
Jason Wood - I'm with my colleagues because the real answer is "no one." Those three teams are the only units in the country with top-10 offenses and defenses nationally. Alabama is No.2 in SP+ on both offense and defense, and Georgia sits at No. 4 in both categories. Ohio State has the No. 1 offense, despite having some of its key pieces out of action, and ranks 8th defensively. You might be able to beat one of those teams on a perfect day, but you're not beating two of them.
Clemson is undefeated, and D.J. Uiagalelei looks much improved from last year, but the offense is still sporadic, and that defense can only carry them so far. They're 4th offensively in SP+ and rank just outside the Top 10 (11th) defensively. Clemson could win the ACC and make the playoff, but they would be an easy out for a healthy Alabama, Georgia, or Ohio State, in my view. If I had to pick a team, it would be Michigan.
Dan Hindery - It is Michigan for me, almost by default. The Wolverines went to Kinnick Stadium and ran all over Iowa last week, which is impressive. The defense has not been tested yet, and they lost some stars from last season's unit, so there is still much for them to prove, but they have fewer questions than anyone else. Clemson's offense consists mainly of throwing up contested jump balls and hoping their wide receivers can either come down with it or draw a flag. Tennessee and Ole Miss have the offenses to compete with the top teams, but I am not sold that either has the defensive talent to pull off multiple upsets. USC and Oklahoma State look like the class of the Pac-12 and Big 12, respectively. Neither of those conferences has proven capable of competing with the elite of the SEC and Big 10.
Kyle Bellefeuil - Michigan would be my pick here, although I don't have a ton of conviction about it right now. I think Michigan has what it takes on both sides of the ball, but their defense needs to continue to improve if they're going to run with the big dogs. Offensively, they feature a legit rushing attack with their stout offensive line and star running back Blake Corum. Their passing attack is no slouch either, with J.J. McCarthy, Ronnie Bell, Roman Wilson, and company. They might not be ready right now, but this team has a chance to develop into a true contender. However, if they're going to contend with rival Ohio State, they have some things to clean up.
Clemson
Jonathan Morris - I wish I could go ahead and choose no one for this answer. I think it is that cut and dry this year. As in years past, we are again staring at three contenders, with the fourth being distant. If I had to choose, I would say Clemson. From a talent perspective, Clemson matches up the best with the three juggernauts, and with Head Coach Dabo Swinney being someone who has been in the big game before, I would give the Tigers the edge over the other longshots. Clemson's defense has disappointed but is still one of the most talented groups on paper. If the defense can correct some things, and QB D.J. Uiagalelei can find the best version of himself, they could be a tough matchup in the college football playoff. Pair this with a cupcake schedule going forward, and they end up as the easy 4th choice.