The biggest game of the season (so far) is coming up.
On Saturday night, No. 2 Georgia will play No. 4 Alabama in the first top-five matchup of the season. This is the last of four ranked matches for a loaded week 5.
But the biggest result of the day may have occurred early Saturday morning. Kentucky faced No. 6 Ole Miss in Oxford, and in a back-and-forth game, they outscored the Rebels 20-17, but were forced to make a field goal to tie the game.
Later in the day, No. 21 Oklahoma picked No. 6 to score its first SEC win with a come-from-behind victory over Auburn. While Colorado defeated UCF on the road, No. 16 Notre Dame also picked up an important win over No. 15 Louisville.
Here are the biggest matches left. Let’s take a closer look at all the actions below.
Time: 7:30pm | TV: NBC | Line: Penn State -18 | Total: 47.5
Illinois defeated previously undefeated Nebraska in overtime in Week 4, marking the third time since 1951 that Illinois has won its first four games. A big reason for that is the improved play of former Ole Miss QB Luke Altmaier. Can he keep it up against Penn State on the road? Against the Nittany Lions, opposing quarterbacks averaged just 144 yards per game.
Time: 7:30pm | TV: ABC | Line: Georgia -1.5 | Total: 48.5
This matchup of teams that make the playoffs every year features two Heisman candidates at quarterback. No quarterback has scored more touchdowns per game than Alabama’s Jalen Milroe, but Carson Beck spent much of the offseason as a candidate for the award. Beck’s 2024 season has yet to live up to the Heisman hype, but it wouldn’t be one bit of a surprise if Beck had a big game.
Time: 10pm | TV: FS1 | Line: Boise State -7.5 | Total: 64.5
Washington State is off to a 4-0 start, including wins over Texas Tech and Washington, and is on the precipice of the AP Top 25, anchored by QB John Matthia. However, the Cougars’ defense is allowing nearly 5 yards per carry. That’s a mouth-watering statistic for Boise State running back Ashton Giunty, who leads the nation with an average of 10.5 yards per carry. There’s a reason he’s the non-QB with the best Heisman odds (+2000) at BetMGM.
Live129 update
Saturday, September 28, 2024 18:53 PDT
Back from halftime, Georgia starts with the ball but isn’t going anywhere.
A long punt after a sack on 3rd.
Can the Bulldogs accomplish something in this game?
Saturday, September 28, 2024 18:43 PDT
PSU forces a punt
Beaver Stadium is in turmoil right now, and Illinois hasn’t been able to find its rhythm. That possession at the end of the first half seemed to change the course of the game.
This will be Penn State’s ball near midfield.
Saturday, September 28, 2024, 6:35pm (Pacific Daylight Time)
Penn State Touchdown!
Illinois and Penn State got back together in the second half, and the Nittany Lions came out strong in the restart, driving 74 yards in 12 plays, culminating in a 4-yard run by Nicholas Singleton to take the lead.
Saturday, September 28, 2024 18:29 PDT
Halftime: Alabama 30, Georgia 7
In the first half, Alabama had complete control, and just before entering the locker room, there was a lot of shoving between the players. Bama called for an unsportsmanlike penalty to be enforced in the third quarter.
There was a bit of a fuss between the teams as they exited the field at halftime, including DeBoer running from the opposite sideline to weave between the groups. pic.twitter.com/BtCRFzhgmo
โ Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 29, 2024
Saturday, September 28, 2024 18:20 PDT
Alabama is safe!
Once again, Georgia is unable to capitalize on its aggressive play. CJ Depres bobbled a pass from Jalen Milroe and the Bulldogs got an interception.
A few plays later, Georgia QB Carson Beck was charged with intentionally grounding out of his own end zone. Safety by rules. The Tide now leads 30-7 with two more points.
Saturday, September 28, 2024 18:11 PDT
Halftime: Illinois 7, Penn State 7
The Illini will likely be upset after losing the ball late in the second half. They have a chance to go into the break up 14-7. In fact, the score remained tied and PSU got the ball first in the second half.
Saturday, September 28, 2024 18:11 PDT
Alabama gets another INT!
It was a painful sequence for Georgia, where the defense just made a big stop on 4th-and-1.
Carson Beck threw an interception to Jihad Campbell on the next play, and Bama got back on track.
Here are two picks for Beck, who is having a rough day so far.
Saturday, September 28, 2024 18:03 PDT
One-handed TD catch alert!
Meanwhile, Jeremiah Smith is doing something like this tonight at Ohio State.
Saturday, September 28, 2024 18:01 PDT
Things to carry in case of disaster in Illinois
Oh my god. The Illini continued to steal the ball all the way to the goal line before being disastrous on possession. The shotgun bullet flew high, but I managed to retrieve it. However, Illinois continued to fall back with penalties and eventually settled for a 45-yard field goal attempt, which David Olano missed.
Bret Bielema and co won’t be happy with how that ownership ended. There was less than a minute left in the first half.
Saturday, September 28, 2024, 5:55pm (Pacific Daylight Time)
Georgia is joining us!
It was a much-needed score for the Bulldogs.
Trevor Etienne scored from seven yards left, giving Alabama a 28-7 lead.
Saturday, September 28, 2024, 5:45 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time)
Nick Saban loves this…we think so.
The former University of Alabama coach maintains a professional attitude. After all, he’s part of the media now.
Saturday, September 28, 2024 17:41 PDT
Alabama scores again!
Jaylen Milroe’s 36-yard touchdown run across the sideline begins the rout in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama 28, Georgia 0, early in the second quarter. Who saw this coming?
Saturday, September 28, 2024 17:37 PDT
PSU misses FG
After a long drive put the Nittany Lions within range for a 40-yard field goal, PSU kicker Sandor Sahaidak missed the goal to left.
The game was still tied 7-7 with five minutes left in the first half.
Saturday, September 28, 2024 17:26 PDT
Another Alabama TD!
Jermie Bernard had an interception for a 7-yard touchdown run.
Alabama leads Georgia 21-0. It’s only the first quarter.
Saturday, September 28, 2024, 5:25 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time)
Alabama interception!
Bama’s Domani Jackson targets Georgia QB Carson Beck with a short pass into the flat.
This was Georgia State’s first turnover of the season and the Tide couldn’t have had a better star!
Saturday, September 28, 2024 17:23 PDT
Meanwhile, the Illini Lions and Nittany Lions are trading punts after scoring back-to-back points to start the game in Happy Valley.
Penn State returned the ball to its own 7-yard line with just under 11 minutes left in the second half.
Saturday, September 28, 2024 17:17 PDT
Alabama touchdown!
Jalen Milroe dropped a perfect pass to Jam Miller for a 16-yard score to cap an 84-yard drive.
It was a great start for the Tide, who quickly took a 14-0 lead against Georgia.
Saturday, September 28, 2024 17:12 PDT
Georgia has to punt on its first drive after an offensive pass interference penalty against Dominique Lovett halts its momentum. It seemed like he had clearly pushed Lovett away.
Saturday, September 28, 2024, 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time)
Alabama starts with a TD!
QB Jalen Milroe scores it himself from 7 yards out. This was the first TD allowed by Georgia this season, and it was just one drive for Bama.
Saturday, September 28, 2024 4:56pm PDT
Penn State Touchdown!
Tyler Warren ran into the end zone for a 3-yard score. It was a great answer for the Nittany Lions to tie the game.
Penn State 7, Illinois 7. 1st quarter