The week five schedule is loaded with great games, including four matchups between ranked opponents.
Here is a list of thoughts, observations, and stats to pay attention to this weekend.
- It’ll be interesting to see if the offenses or defenses control the Louisville – Clemson matchup. While most of the media attention surrounding this game is about the offenses, it’s worth mentioning that both defenses are among the best in the country. The Cardinal D ranks 13th nationally in total defense, 7th in sacks, 10th in tackles for a loss, and 8th in third down conversion percentage. The Tigers rank 3rd in total defense, 13th in sacks, 5th in tackles for loss, and 4th in third down conversion percentage.
- On the other hand, Louisville has the most explosive offense in the nation, averaging 9.03 yards per play. Lamar Jackson (9.93) and Brandon Radcliff (9.28) both rank in the top 5 in yards per play as well. Both players have the ability to take one to the house every time they touch the ball, especially when the Cardinals run the read option like they did against Florida State.
- Although we haven’t seen the Clemson offense put together a perfect game this season, it’s important to note that Deshaun Watson is 137 for 227 (60.5%) for 1,603 yards with 12 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 9 career games against ranked opponents. In addition, he averaged 362.2 yards total offense versus ranked foes last season.
- Wisconsin – Michigan is the most intriguing game of the weekend. While everyone expected the Wolverines to be undefeated at this point in the season, few thought that the Badgers would be, given their tough early season slate. However, Wisconsin put the rest of the Big Ten on notice that it’s a contender to win the B1G this season with its impressive 30-6 win over Michigan State.
- One key matchup to watch in this contest is the battle between the Badger run defense and the Michigan ground game. The Wisconsin D is one of the toughest units to run against, as it allows just 80.5 yards per game and 3.19 per carry. It will have its hands full against the Wolverine rushing attack, which averages 5.41 yards per carry.
- The other thing to watch for is the duel between the Michigan defense and Wisconsin quarterback Alex Hornibrook. The Wolverine D is one of the stingiest in the nation, allowing just 4.32 yards per play. However, Hornibrook was rock solid in his first career start, completing 16 of 26 passes for 195 yards (7.95 yard per attempt) against a solid Michigan State defense that only gives up 4.89 yards per play.
- Stanford – Washington is easily the most under-appreciated game of the weekend. Even though it pits two top 10 teams against each other, this contest won’t get the respect it deserves because it kicks off Friday night at 9 pm.
- That’s a shame because it features one of the most intriguing position battles of the weekend, as Christian McCaffery (145.33 rushing yards per game, 211.7 all-purpose yards per game) takes on a Washington defense that’s allowing just 4.32 yards per play.
- The flip side of that matchup is equally entertaining. The Husky offense is one of the most underrated units in the country, averaging 7.10 yards per play, which ranks 10th nationally. I’m curious to see how it will fare against a Cardinal D that is 8th in scoring defense and 32nd in total defense.
- The Tennessee – Georgia game will be the most informative contest of the weekend, given how both teams fared last weekend. It’ll be interesting to see if the Volunteers pick up where they left off in the second half against Florida or if they struggle in the first half as they’ve done practically all season. Likewise, we will find out whether UGA’s blowout loss against Ole Miss was just an aberration or a sign of things to come.
- For Georgia to win, it must get a big effort out of Jacob Eason. Although he carried the team to victory against Missouri two weeks ago, Eason struggled against Ole Miss completing just 16 of 36 passes for 137 yards. He’ll need to turn in a big performance to open up things for the Bulldog ground game, which faces a Tennessee defense that’s allowing just 3.79 yards per carry.
- Similarly, Tennessee will need to do a better job of throwing on third down to beat Georgia. On the season, the Vols are completing just 47.2% of their throws on third down, with only 12 of those 17 completions netting a first down. That’s not going to cut it against a Bulldog defense that’s only allowing ranked opponents to convert 22.2% of their third down chances.
- Keep an eye on the North Carolina – Florida State contest this weekend. The quarterback duel between Mitch Trubisky and Deondre Francois will be one of the test best matchups of the season.
- Was Notre Dame’s struggles on defense a matter of X’s and O’s or Jimmy’s and Joe’s? We’ll find out Saturday when the Irish face Syracuse in the Carrier Dome. The Notre Dame D — led by new coordinator Greg Hudson — faces the monumental task of stopping Orange QB Eric Dungey, who ranks 8th nationally in passing yards per game with 341.8.
- This weekend’s upset special is Utah over Cal (the Bears are a two-point favorite). The Ute defense is one of the most dangerous in the nation, ranking 20th in interceptions, 4th in turnovers gained, and 2nd in sacks. Utah also proved last weekend that it has enough firepower to win a shootout if it needs to with the way it rallied back to defeat USC. Look for Kyle Whittingham’s team to move to 5-0 behind a solid performance on both sides of the ball.
