After last-second thrills, ranked foes loom for Florida, Iowa and Mississippi State
Iowa wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (2) celebrates his 16-yard touchdown reception against Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Week 5 arrives with a dose of suspense: Can No. 8 Florida, No. 14 Iowa and No. 16 Mississippi State avoid letdowns after stirring wins and keep their feel-good seasons rolling?
The Gators, after a blowout of then-Nov. 4 Mississippi, visit No. 25 Missouri and will try to continue their resurgence under first-year coach Jon Sumrall. The last three Florida-Missouri games have been decided by a touchdown or less, and the Tigers have won the past two in Columbia by a combined three points.
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After last-second thrills, ranked foes loom for Florida, Iowa and Mississippi State
Iowa wide receiver Reece Vander Zee (2) celebrates his 16-yard touchdown reception against Michigan during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
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By The Associated Press
Week 5 arrives with a dose of suspense: Can No. 8 Florida, No. 14 Iowa and No. 16 Mississippi State avoid letdowns after stirring wins and keep their feel-good seasons rolling?
The Gators, after a blowout of then-Nov. 4 Mississippi, visit No. 25 Missouri and will try to continue their resurgence under first-year coach Jon Sumrall. The last three Florida-Missouri games have been decided by a touchdown or less, and the Tigers have won the past two in Columbia by a combined three points.
The Hawkeyes, after beating Michigan on the final play at the Big House, are big underdogs at home against No. 5 Ohio State. The Bulldogs host No. 7 Alabama with a chance for their first 3-0 start in Southeastern Conference play since 2014 after rallying to beat Missouri.
There are also Heisman Trophy nuances to watch, with Florida quarterback Jadan Baugh, Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and and more in the mix.
SEC and Big Ten share the main stage
Mississippi State is the first ranked opponent of the year for Alabama and the cowbells will be out in Starkville for a showcase of sophomore quarterbacks: the Bulldogs' Kamario Taylor and Keelon Russell of the Crimson Tide, both in their first year as starters.
Russell has completed 71% of his passes for 1,129 yards with eight touchdowns and two interceptions. Taylor has completed 69% for 1,192 yards with 14 TDs and two INTs. His passing touchdowns are tied for most in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Mississippi State leads the SEC in yards per game (533.3) and ranks fourth in points per game (43). It has lost 11 straight against top-10 opponents.
The Buckeyes enter the teeth of their schedule with three of their next four games on the road, starting with Iowa.
The Hawkeyes will be playing with confidence but they gave up six pass plays of 20-plus yards to Michigan and will have their hands full, like every other defense, trying to cover Smith, who had four touchdown catches to match a program single-game record in a 42-19 victory over Illinois. He leads the FBS with 154.3 yards receiving per game.
No. 4 Miami pays a visit to Clemson on Saturday night.
The Hurricanes are rolling as the league’s preseason favorite behind quarterback Darian Mensah — leading the country in completion percentage at 88.7% — and top receiver Malachi Toney (No. 3 in the Bowl Subdivision at 141 yards per game).
In the Big 12, Cincinnati will try to improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2021 with a visit to Arizona, where Noah Fifita has already thrown for 11 touchdowns to increase his career total to 84, most among active FBS quarterbacks.
Since a 28-17 loss at BYU, the Wildcats have come back from early deficits of 10-0 to Northern Illinois and 14-0 at Washington State to win both games by double digits.
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