The Hodgepodge: The Two Best WRs in College Football Might Be Freshmen, Alabama Bests Georgia in an Instant-classic and Kentucky Upsets Ole Miss

By Garrick Hodge on September 30, 2024 at 11:35 am
Ryan Williams
Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
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Welcome to The Hodgepodge.

This was the best weekend of college football so far this year. Almost half of the games on the Week 5 slate were decided by one possession, a team ranked in the top 10 got taken down by an unranked foe and we had the game of the year in the still-young season.

Of course, Ohio State’s contest was none of those things, as it was a very ho-hum 38-7 victory against Michigan State. It wasn’t perfect, as the Spartans moved the ball effectively early on the Buckeyes’ defense before turning the ball over at will. Will Howard also had a few turnover-worthy throws (one actually turned into a turnover), which will be coaching points in an otherwise solid performance. Still, it’s hard to complain too much about a 31-point conference win on the road.

Ohio State spotlight of the week: Jeremiah Smith

Jeremiah Smith began his Ohio State career with so much hype that he faced expectations of producing like a third-year player as a true freshman. Somehow, he’s outpaced all of those. 

The stats tell you Smith caught five passes for 83 yards and a touchdown and rushed for another 19-yard score. Your eyes tell you he’s making plays that humans aren’t supposed to be capable of.

Smith made two outstanding one-handed grabs on one drive, the first coming on a play where he was practically blinded by a Michigan State defensive back grabbing his facemask.

He became Devin Brown’s best friend on the second snag. Brown had to enter the game for one play late in the first half because Howard got the wind knocked out of him, and Smith ensured that play counted as a touchdown in the box score after he extended his arm on a slightly off-target throw to secure the score heard round East Lansing on Saturday. 

Four games into Jeremiah Smith’s career, the interwebs are full of takes that he’s already on par with Marvin Harrison Jr. Half of my brain wants to say slow down and let things play out a little more, but the other half can’t disagree with that assessment at all. 

Either way, Smith is going to shatter every freshman receiving record at this pace and it sure seems like we’re witnessing the beginning of the greatest Ohio State wide receiver career in program history.

Alabama bests Georgia in instant classic

A little inside baseball for you guys. When Ryan Day took his seat for his postgame press conference, Alabama led Georgia by three scores. When the final Ohio State player left the podium and the Buckeyes beat finally returned to their phones, we all practically gasped in unison. 

Georgia had erased a 30-7 Alabama halftime lead and had taken a 34-33 lead over the Crimson Tide. 

As we made our way back to the press box, Alabama’s own alien true freshman wide receiver did this, and the Crimson Tide re-took a 41-34 lead.

Moments later, Georgia quarterback Carson Beck threw his third interception of the game, securing a victory for Alabama. The legendary Crimson Tide coach may have retired but Kirby Smart’s boogeyman remains the same, as he fell to 1-6 in his career against Alabama with the loss. Georgia also had its 42-game regular season win streak snapped and trailed by 20-plus points for the first time since its 2021 SEC Championship game loss to Alabama. 

On the Alabama front, most of the talk centered on Ryan Williams, who caught six passes for 177 yards and the go-ahead score. Like Smith, there’s no denying Williams is special. Inevitably, the two freshman phenoms started to get compared to each other, and while maybe we can have that discussion another day, it’s OK to just appreciate that both players are freaks of nature and special talents for the sport without comparing them side-by-side every few minutes. 

Also, Williams mania kind of overshadowed how awesome Jalen Milroe was. Milroe has evolved into a better quarterback in four games in the Kalen DeBoer regime than he was with Saban a year ago, as he completed 27 of 33 passes for 374 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while also running for 117 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns. He’s likely the Heisman frontrunner one-third of the way through the season and has the Crimson Tide in contention for another SEC title.

Last point on Georgia/Alabama: No matter which side of the aisle you’re on with the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, you probably felt validated after that game. 

The anti-expansion crowd erupted and said ‘See, this would have meant so much more if it essentially put Georgia’s playoff hopes on life support.’ The pro-expansion crowd claimed ‘This was the game of the year in college football and you’re going to see more meaningful games just like this later in the year.’

I side with the latter point.

Georgia still has to play Texas, Tennessee and Ole Miss this season, so making the playoffs isn’t guaranteed by any stretch, even though it would be surprising if it doesn’t qualify.

Ole Miss goes down

I can’t remember who first initially made this point so my apologies, but following Ole Miss’ inexplicable 20-17 loss at home to Kentucky, I saw Lane Kiffin likened to a southern James Franklin. 

To which, I’d retort at least Franklin usually wins the games he’s supposed to win, AKA taking down Illinois by 14 points on Saturday. 

Ole Miss was a popular CFP preseason choice by many pundits, but the reasoning behind the pick wasn’t because it had this unbelievably loaded roster that’s going to wreak havoc in the SEC. The Rebels were CFP darlings because it had a favorable schedule of facing Georgia, and then a heap of other conference foes it would either be favored against or be slight underdogs. 

Well, the Rebels played a cupcake non-conference schedule and then lost to the first team they played with a pulse, so not a great start to league play. Kentucky was more physical on the lines of scrimmage and limited what had been built up as an explosive Rebels offense to just 17 points and 1-of-10 on third-down conversions. 

Perhaps Kentucky should get a little credit here considering the Wildcats pushed Georgia to the brink two weeks ago, but it makes their blowout loss to South Carolina all the more confounding too. 

In the expanded playoff, this isn’t necessarily a season killer for Ole Miss, but it makes the Rebels’ margin for error razor-thin. That Oct. 12 matchup with LSU looms rather large for both programs right about now.

Finally, college kickers may be more reliable and effective than ever before but they are still college kickers, as Ole Miss found out on a game-tying field goal attempt that wasn’t even close.

And then there were 19

One-third of the way through the season, we have 19 undefeated teams remaining in the sport.

Big Ten: Ohio State, Oregon, Rutgers, Indiana, Penn State
SEC: Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, Mizzou
ACC: Miami, Duke, Pittsburgh
Big 12: BYU, Iowa State
Group of Five: Navy, Army, Liberty, UNLV, James Madison

Week Five had some fun moments

  • I still can’t get over how insane Jeremiah Smith and Ryan Williams are this young. They may be the top two wideouts in the game as true freshmen, and the other guy who has a pretty good argument for that title also plays almost every snap at cornerback for his team.
  • Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is unbelievable. Through four games, Jeanty leads the nation in rushing yards (845) and rushing touchdowns (13). He led the Broncos to a 45-24 win over Washington State thanks to a 259-yard, four-touchdown performance Saturday. In five plays shown here, he breaks double-digit tackles. Very possible he will earn a trip to New York in December and be the first running back off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft. 
  • Army and Navy are both undefeated for the first time since 1945. 
  • Something I did not expect to write in the preseason: Navy had almost as many passing yards as Alex Orji did the entire game (86) on one 77-yard pass. 
  • This is the most efficient field goal of all time considering Minnesota got it off rushing the field goal unit on the field with only 2 seconds left in the half. 
  • Miami QB Cam Ward finally came back to earth a little bit with a three-turnover day against Virginia Tech. But pulling this off late in the fourth quarter is just insane. 
  • Virginia Tech only had a chance against the Hurricanes because signal caller Kyron Drones made throws like this Friday. 
  • All aboard the Kyle Monangai and Rutgers hype train. Monangai had 132 yards and a touchdown in the Scarlet Knights’ win over Washington.
  • Travis Hunter gets a lot of the praise on Colorado’s offense and deservedly so, but this Will Sheppard catch was outstanding. 
  • Hell of an interception by UNLV defensive back Jalen Catalon. 
  • Quote of the Week goes to UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III: "I would ask that somebody reach out to the Circa CEO and ask him, with that $100,000 that he wanted to donate, give it to our offensive line please."
  • Indiana football is 5-0 for the first time since 1967. Some pretty cool things happening in Bloomington this year.
  • Micahel Hawkins Jr. got airborne for Oklahoma to secure a two-point conversion. 

Week Five had some wacky things, too

  • We obviously have to start with the final play of Miami and Virginia Tech that gave off Fail Mary vibes. It took the officials a long time after the play was over to officially rule the Hail Mary a touchdown for Virginia Tech on a call where the officials looked like they were guessing at best, then went through a lengthy review process with half the stadium confused what the hell just happened. Of course, it was ultimately overturned and Miami narrowly escaped Virginia Tech. Full disclosure, I think I agree it was an incomplete pass. But the process was borderline unbearable and if I was a Hokies fan it would be a long time before I trust an officiating crew again. (insert tweet)
  • Hail Mary aside, there have been better ideas than trying a fake field goal up 10 late in the third quarter. 
  • Michigan should thank its lucky stars this onside kick was called offsides because it looked like a clean play to me.
  • Maryland running back Roman Hemby did a hell of a job following his lead blocker, the referee, here. 
  • Ouch. 
  • Auburn lost to Oklahoma because it threw a pick-six up by five with just more than 4 minutes remaining Saturday. 
  • They didn’t put odds out on it, but I’m not optimistic about the long-term prospects of the marriage. 
  • Not a banner day for Louisville special teams or ball security against Notre Dame. 
  • If you’re wondering what kind of season it’s been for Oklahoma State, look at how open Kansas State’s wideout is.
  • Just how they drew it up, Maryland edition.
  • Just how they drew it up, Kentucky edition. 
  • Illinois’ upset bid against Penn State ended right here.
  • Utah goes another game without Cam Rising and it cost the Utes against a scrappy Arizona team at home. One week after declaring Utah was in the Big 12 driver’s seat, I have no earthly idea who’s going to win that league because they’re all wonderfully flawed in some way, but that kind of makes that conference race fun.

Former Buckeye of the week 

Week Five former Buckeye of the week: Noah Rogers, WR, North Carolina State

There were a couple of different options we could have gone with here. But ultimately Rogers wins my subjective tiebreaker because his team isn’t very good and who knows how many other opportunities he’ll have to win it? In North Carolina State’s 24-17 win over Northern Illinois, Rogers caught two passes for 48 yards. This season, he’s caught 10 passes for 148 yards.

Past results

Week Zero former Buckeye of the week: Mason Arnold, long snapper, Florida State
Week One former Buckeye of the week: Evan Pryor, RB, Cincinnati
Week Two former Buckeye of the week: Quinn Ewers, QB, Texas
Week Three former Buckeye of the week: Mookie Cooper, WR, Missouri
Week Four former Buckeye of the week: Julian Fleming, WR, Penn State

Games of the week

Thought the late Georgia comeback might save us and give us an above .500 week, but sadly we took it on the chin a little bit in the weekend slate. This week’s slate is pretty underwhelming on paper if we’re being honest, but never count out college football’s ability to deliver when you least expect it.

Week 5 record: 3-4

Overall record: 19-16

Appointment viewing

Mizzou at Texas A&M, noon Saturday on ABC

Pick: Mizzou +1

Breakdown: This is the only matchup featuring ranked teams this week, so take it in. Mizzou has played with its food far too often so far this season and Texas A&M is even more frustrating, so this isn’t an easy game to pick. But I’ll trust Mizzou QB Brady Cook to figure it out this week and Luther Burden III to make just enough plays.

Michigan at Washington, 7:30 p.m. Saturday on NBC

Pick: Washington -2

Breakdown: If this game was in Ann Arbor, I’d probably pick Michigan. But don’t underestimate Washington’s home-field advantage here. The Huskies are maddeningly inconsistent and outgained Rutgers 521-299 last Friday, yet somehow lost the game. In a rematch of the national championship from a year ago, the coaching staff and most of the roster has changed on Washington’s end, but the desire for a revenge game from their fans sure hasn’t. With a raucous crowd, the Huskies should have enough to defeat a team that may not break 100 passing yards again the rest of the year. 

Rutgers at Nebraska, 4 p.m. Saturday on FS1

Pick: Rutgers +7.5

Breakdown: This game is crucial to both team’s hopes of earning any potential at-large spot spot to the College Football Playoff. Wait, I said that about a Rutgers vs. Nebraska game? Anyway, this has the makings of a good old-fashioned rock fight, and I like the Scarlet Knights’ chances to cover in a game like that with Kyle Monangai leading the charge.

Syracuse at UNLV, 9 p.m. Friday on FS1

Pick: UNLV -4.5

Breakdown: All four Friday night slates so far this season have delivered at least one awesome game. This one looks like it could be next. Kyle McCord vs. one of the favorites for the Group of Five College Football playoff spots, gotta love it. Anyhow, whatever your thoughts are on the whole Matthew Sluka NIL situation, the Runnin’ Rebels didn’t miss him at all against Fresno State. Backup signal caller Hajj-Malik Williams completed 13 of 16 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns and added 119 yards rushing with a touchdown. The Rebels should be able to put up points against Syracuse, so we’re picking Barry Odom’s crew here.

Underrated games

Texas Tech at Arizona, 11 p.m. on FOX

Pick: Arizona -4.5

Breakdown: Congrats, this officially wins the Big 12 chaos game of the week. Texas Tech looked like a disaster the first few weeks of the season, falling to Washington State and almost losing to FCS squad Abilene Christian. Yet, the Red Raiders are one of three teams to start 2-0 in league play so far. Nonetheless, I just have more trust in Arizona at home in some Big 12 after dark action. Expect a big game from Tetairoa McMillan in this one, as Texas Tech is third to last nationally in pass defense.

Ole Miss at South Carolina, 3:30 p.m. Saturday on ESPN

Pick: South Carolina +10.5

Breakdown: South Carolina has had two weeks to prepare for Ole Miss, who displayed a few weaknesses while playing the first team that’s had a pulse all season. The Gamecocks aren’t a stranger to playing conference rivals competitively at home, though perhaps part of this pick is banking on the return of Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers. Ole Miss still probably wins the game, but we’re rolling with South Carolina to keep it competitive.

SMU at Louisville, noon Saturday on ESPN

Pick: SMU +7.5

Breakdown: I think SMU has started to figure some things out offensively since its three-point loss to BYU early in the season. This contest should be a competitive contest throughout and the Cardinals may ultimately win, but if you’re giving me a touchdown cushion I’m taking it.

Hot seat tracker

Seat is red hot

Billy Napier, Florida: Gator fans had arguably their most peaceful week of the season, because they didn’t play. Napier’s seat remains the hottest in college football and the Gators face UCF at home next.

Dave Aranda, Baylor: The Bears didn’t quit against BYU and ultimately eventually fell by one possession, but we’re past the point of moral victories here. It seems like a matter of when, not if, Aranda will be fired.

Seat is probably a little warm

Mack Brown, North Carolina: A week after allowing a 70-burger to James Madison, North Carolina blows a 20-point lead and loses 21-20 to arch rival Duke. Yikes. 

Clark Lea, Vanderbilt: The Commodores were idle Saturday and now face the unenviable task of playing Alabama in Nashville.

Sam Pittman, Arkansas: A four-point road loss to Texas A&M isn’t the most unforgivable thing in the world, but four out of the next five Razorback opponents are Tennessee, LSU, Ole Miss and Texas.

Off the list for now

Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame: The Fighting Irish still have one of the worst losses suffered this season and likely have to win out to make the College Football Playoff, but beating a ranked Louisville team is enough to get Freeman off the list until further notice.

Hodgepodge Week 5 classifiers

Conference contenders: Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, Texas, Alabama, Tennessee, Miami, Clemson, (and still probably Georgia)

You play in the Big 12 and it’s wide open so what the hell does anyone know?: Utah, Iowa State, Kansas State, BYU, Colorado, Arizona, Texas Tech

At-large bid contenders: Michigan, USC, Missouri, Ole Miss, LSU

Can lose this weekend but then needs to win out to have a shot at the CFP: Iowa

Needs to win out: Notre Dame

Loveable playoff darkhorses: Indiana, Rutgers, Illinois

Group of Five playoff contenders: Boise State, Toledo, James Madison, Liberty, UNLV, Navy, Army

Could make a nice bowl game but don’t know about much else: Oklahoma, Syracuse, Nebraska, Kentucky, Texas A&M, Pittsburgh, Duke, SMU, Boston College

Will have a chance to make a bowl game at least: Washington, Minnesota, Michigan State, Maryland, Cal, TCU, South Carolina, Arizona State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, NC State, Wisconsin, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Virginia Tech, Arkansas, Stanford, Oklahoma State

It’s not looking great: Florida, Northwestern, Auburn, UCLA, Purdue, Wake Forest, Baylor, Houston, Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Florida State, Kansas

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