College Football: Week 5 showcases why the Big Three are top-tier teams

In a loaded Week 5 slate of college football games, the on-field action was a great reminder that the Big Three – Ohio State, Alabama, and Georgia – are worthy of their places at the top of the rankings. But the action also served as a notice that no one has a playoff berth until the end of the regular season.

The Ohio State Buckeyes cruised to a 49-10 win against Rutgers in their second conference game of the season.
The Ohio State Buckeyes cruised to a 49-10 win against Rutgers in their second conference game of the season.  © BEN JACKSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

Alabama and Georgia survived arguably the biggest scares of the week with uncharacteristic performances after both programs came dangerously close to losing against their unranked opponents.

The Crimson Tide finished their win against top-ranked Arkansas with their backup quarterback, true-freshman Jalen Milroe, following the injury of starter and reigning Heisman winner Bryce Young.

For more than three-quarters of action on Saturday night, it seemed as if the reigning kings of football – Georgia – had been dethroned.

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The Bulldogs' offense seemed flustered against Missouri, trailing 22-12 in the early fourth quarter.

The Dawgs inevitably ruined Mizzou's chances for an upset with a touchdown score to take the lead with 4:03 left remaining in the game.

Unable to return a score, Mizzou failed to hold their lead, and let Georgia escape victorious with a 26-22 final score, though the Bulldogs entered the game as 29-point favorites.

In their second conference play of the season, the Buckeyes were the only team of the Big Three that didn't instill panic in their fanbase on Saturday.

As the most poised of the top-ranked teams, Ohio State cruised to a 49-10 win while having some fun on the field in what many thought would turn into a WWE Smackdown main event as coaches and players scrambled around for a big dispute.

Through the ups and downs of Week 5, the Big Three's separation from other CFB teams, even those in the top 25, remains highly noticeable.

Aside from the Big Three's stellar performances, here are the most notable moments from Week 5 in college football.

UConn stuns FBS team to end 18-game losing streak

The UConn Huskies beat the Fresno State Bulldogs 19-14 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium to mark their first win against an FBS team since 2019.
The UConn Huskies beat the Fresno State Bulldogs 19-14 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium to mark their first win against an FBS team since 2019.  © Jacob Kupferman / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP

The most shocking game of Week 5 came by way of an upset that no one saw coming.

The UConn Huskies beat the Fresno State Bulldogs 19-14 at Pratt & Whitney Stadium to mark their first win against an FBS team since 2019, ending their 18-game losing streak.

Going into the game, Connecticut was a 22.5-point underdog against Fresno State.

After the defense forced a Fresno State punt with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, UConn quarterback Zion Turner and his offense came alive.

Down 14-12, the Huskies followed an impressive 40-yard haul by wide receiver Kevens Clercius, followed by an 11-yard rush and a 17-yard touchdown by receiver Devontae Houston.

In the end, UConn turned an expected blowout into quite the battle that gave Jim Mora his first FBS win as UConn's head coach.

Connecticut's next matchup will come in a road game on October 8 against the FIU Panthers.

Cover photo: BEN JACKSON / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / GETTY IMAGES VIA AFP

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