Week 5 Kansas Jayhawk Viewing Guide

Despite the recent struggles of your Kansas Jayhawks , the college football world continues apace. This week, we have some tempting matchups for your TV viewing pleasure. And when I say tempting, I mean biggest games of the season so far, hands down.

20 Oklahoma State at 23 Kansas State, 11:00AM ESPN

After both teams stumbled against the Utah schools last week, this weekend suddenly brings a must win game for either of these programs if they hope to compete for a conference title. The risk of going 0-2 to start the conference slate is real so I expect to see an intense and dramatic football game in Manhattan in what is easily the best early matchup of the weekend.

15 Louisville at 16 Notre Dame, 2:30PM Peacock

I know, I know. This is the exact time slot of the crucial TCU/Kansas game, but maybe you’ll get to see a dramatic end to this ranked matchup when the KU game is over. Notre Dame is favored by almost a touchdown, but they’ve been prone to upsets at home before which both coaches will be fully aware of. Notre Dame does the majority of their damage on the ground while Louisville QB Tyler Shoiugh has done work through the air, throwing eight touchdowns and no picks so we could see a contrast in styles in this one.

2 Georgia at 4 Alabama, 6:30PM ABC

Obviously, this is the big game of the weekend. Bryant-Denny Stadium will be rocking and the Vegas odds have this game almost as close as it can get at a two point spread in favor of the Bulldogs. Fun fact, this is the highest ranked matchup in the month of September in seven seasons. To add to the intrigue, both teams have had a week off prior to this matchup so you know that there will be some twists and turns and tricks in this one. Or maybe the coaches will have overthought things. Any way you slice it, your TV will likely be tuned into this monster clash if you’re a college football fan.

19 Illinois at 9 Penn State, 6:30PM NBC

But if you’re more interested in the nation’s other mega conference, perhaps a matchup of the Fighting Illini and Nittany Lions will fit the bill. The surprising Illini are undefeated but are facing easily their biggest task of the season- going into Happy Valley as 18 point underdogs. I will be interested to see what Andy Kotelnicki has up his offensive play calling sleeve for Penn State and then I will be immediately sad.

Arizona at 10 Utah, 9:15PM ESPN

Things are bound to get weird in these late west coast games, but now Big XII fans have a reason to stay up and watch the madness. Will Utah take a commanding (depending on other results) lead in the conference? Will Arizona bounce back and make the league a minefield for perspective winners? Will the mountain air go to everyone’s heads? Stay up late and find out.