While week 4 was filled with multiple ranked team vs ranked team matchups, week 5 has a few teams on upset alert.
Clemson at Syracuse
For the first time since Syracuse joined the ACC, they’re the favorites in this matchup. Clemson is coming off an emotional loss to Florida State. However, the Tigers are still dangerous. It took overtime for Florida State to beat Clemson in Death Valley. Unlike Syracuse, Florida State has the talent to match Clemson in most positions. Furthermore, Florida State has a D-Line that is considered the best in college football.
For Syracuse, this will be their toughest game of the year. Out of the four victories Syracuse has, neither of those teams have a top-25 roster. Clemson, however, does in every way. It will take Syracuse having their best performance this season to win this. Granted, Syracuse is not ranked but they’re amongst the unbeaten in college football.
#24 Kansas at #3 Texas
The Texas Longhorns will be heavy favorites in this match-up. Actually, many have pegged Texas as 23 point favorites as of Monday. Anyone that truly believes that will be sadly mistaken. Kansas is currently undefeated going into Saturdays mid-day primetime game. The Jayhawks will have the most explosive offense Texas has faced this season. Although Alabama had the talent, the quarterback for Alabama held them back.
Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels can beat Texas through the air as well as through the ground. Daniels has thrown for more than 700 yards and 5 touchdowns thus far in 2023. In 2022, Daniels rushed for 419 yards on the ground.
Even so, Texas dominated the Jayhawks in last years meeting to a tune of 55-14. Former Texas running back and current Atlanta Falcons star Bijon Robinson was unstoppable. On 24 carries, Robinson rushed for 243 yards and 4 touchdowns. While Texas offense is better, it’s difficult to know if Texas could do the same without Robinson.
#11 Notre Dame at #17 Duke
The fighting Irish hard headed into another Top-25 matchup, but this time it’s against Duke. Duke is currently undefeated and look to make another huge statement. While Notre Dame is coming off an emotional loss, Duke is trending upward. The Blue Devils have a solid quarterback to go along with a stout defense.
The reason for the upset alert is because Notre Dame is going to have to get over the loss to Ohio State. The Irish defense played horrible in the final seconds of the Ohio State game. Against Duke, Notre Dame could find themselves in a similar situation.
Also, for the first time ever, College Game Day will be on hand. In what should be a sold out crowd, the Blue Devils are a very dangerous team for Notre Dame this week.
