College football fans are in for a treat as Week 5 of the 2025 season kicks off on Saturday, September 27, with a lineup that promises drama, rivalry, and high-stakes clashes across the nation. With four ranked matchups, a host of compelling storylines, and some of the sport’s most storied programs squaring off, this weekend could prove pivotal as the playoff picture begins to take shape.
The headline act is a Big Ten showdown that has everyone buzzing: No. 6 Oregon travels east to face No. 3 Penn State in a rematch of last season’s conference title game. Both teams have championship ambitions, but the stakes are especially high for the Nittany Lions, who haven’t claimed a league crown in nearly a decade. Beaver Stadium will be rocking with a famous “White Out” atmosphere, ratcheting up the pressure on the Ducks, who have so far cruised through a relatively soft schedule. All eyes will be on Oregon quarterback Dante Moore, who’s answered critics early, but Penn State’s defense presents a different beast entirely. This prime-time clash, set for 7:30 p.m. Eastern on NBC, could define both teams’ seasons.
The Southeastern Conference, never short on intrigue, boasts two headliners of its own. No. 13 Ole Miss welcomes No. 4 LSU to Oxford in a game that could shake up the SEC West. LSU’s defense, under second-year coordinator Blake Baker, has been the team’s backbone, even as the offense struggles to find its rhythm. The Rebels, meanwhile, have turned to quarterback Trinidad Chambliss after an injury to Austin Simmons, and Chambliss has looked every bit the Heisman contender. With both teams eyeing a path to Atlanta, this 3:30 p.m. Eastern matchup on ABC is must-see TV.
Later that evening, all eyes shift to Athens, Georgia, where No. 5 Georgia seeks revenge against No. 17 Alabama in a game loaded with history and playoff implications. Georgia, coming off a wild 44-41 win over Tennessee, hosts Alabama at Sanford Stadium for the first time since 2015. For head coach Kirby Smart, it’s a particularly meaningful occasion—his first time facing Alabama at home as Georgia’s head coach. The Bulldogs are slight favorites, but the Crimson Tide have momentum after bouncing back from an ugly Week 1 loss to Florida State.
Kickoff is set for 7:37 p.m. Eastern on ABC, and the atmosphere promises to be electric. Georgia is pulling out all the stops, distributing LED wristbands to 65,000 fans to light up the night. The broadcast team of Chris Fowler, Kirk Herbstreit, and Holly Rowe will be on hand to capture every moment for viewers at home. For those streaming, the game is available via the WatchESPN app, though a subscription is required.
Coach Kirby Smart isn’t underestimating the challenge. He heaped praise on Alabama’s quarterback Ty, saying, “He’s probably the hottest quarterback right now in all of college football. His two last outings, I don’t know that I’ve seen a new completion—the ball does not hit the ground. He’s been accurate, he’s been quick with the ball. They’re really hard to defend because of their skill. They’ve got tremendous skill receivers, backs, tight ends, but you’ve got to have a trigger guy that can get those guys the ball and they do. And he’s seeing the field.”
Smart also reflected on the advantage of playing at home in Athens, noting, “Being at home is an advantage. Just as I say going on the road is hard. Going on the road last year to play the games we played, hard. Going to Tennessee a couple weeks ago was hard. Playing at home, it helps. The atmosphere helps, the crowd noise helps, being familiar with your surroundings and all that stuff helps. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to go play football, and it comes down to matchups, it comes down to who blocks and tackles the best, who executes and does things in the key moments of the game. So certainly glad it’s at home, but we’ve still got to play well.”
Elsewhere, the top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes hit the road for the first time this season, taking on Washington at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on CBS. Ohio State has already logged a statement win over Texas and boasts a defense that hasn’t missed a beat despite offseason departures. Quarterback Julian Sayin has looked poised, distributing the ball to what many consider the best receiving corps in the country. But Husky Stadium is a notoriously tough venue, and Washington’s offensive trio—quarterback Demond Williams, running back Jonah Coleman, and wide receiver Denzel Boston—are more than capable of testing the Buckeyes’ mettle.
Meanwhile, No. 21 USC travels to face No. 23 Illinois in a noon kickoff on Fox. The Trojans have quietly handled business so far, but Illinois, once a top-10 team, is desperate to right the ship after a rough start to Big Ten play. Over on ABC at noon, No. 22 Notre Dame faces Arkansas. The Fighting Irish have endured two narrow losses to ranked opponents, putting them in a precarious position early in the season, while Arkansas is looking to salvage pride after being knocked out of playoff contention.
In the Big 12, Oklahoma State hosts Baylor in a matchup that’s taken on added intrigue. The Cowboys, now 1-2 after a disappointing home loss to Tulsa, parted ways with longtime head coach Mike Gundy. Interim leadership will be tested immediately against a Baylor squad that sits at 2-2 following a tight loss to Arizona State. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Central on ESPN2, with Lowell Galindo and Aaron Murray on the call and Lauren Sisler reporting from the sidelines. The odds favor Baylor by 20.5 points, and the over/under is set at 58.5, according to BetMGM as of September 26.
Other notable games fill out a packed Saturday slate. No. 16 Georgia Tech visits Wake Forest at noon on ESPN, while Auburn faces No. 9 Texas A&M at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN. No. 11 Indiana travels to Iowa for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff on Peacock, and Rice meets Navy at the same time on CBS Sports Network. The afternoon continues with No. 15 Tennessee at Mississippi State at 4:15 p.m. Eastern on SEC Network. In the evening, Arizona challenges No. 14 Iowa State at 7 p.m. on ESPN, and the nightcap sees No. 25 BYU head to Colorado at 10:15 p.m. on ESPN.
With so many crucial matchups on tap, Week 5 is shaping up to be a turning point in the 2025 college football season. As the action unfolds, fans around the country will be glued to their screens, hoping to witness the next big upset, breakout star, or unforgettable moment. Whether it’s a White Out in Happy Valley, a revenge mission in Athens, or a coaching shakeup in Stillwater, Saturday’s games promise to deliver all the thrills that make college football truly special.
As the dust settles late Saturday night, the playoff race will come into sharper focus, and new storylines will emerge. For now, all that’s left is to sit back, tune in, and enjoy the ride—because in college football, anything can happen.
