College football winners and losers from Week 5 include Ohio State, Oregon

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College football winners and losers from Week 5 include Ohio State, Oregon

Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Sat, Sep 27, 2025 ·

8 min read

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Facing a borderline Top 25 opponent in one of the unfriendliest environments in the Bowl Subdivision, No. 1 Ohio State combined superb red-zone defense and a solid, error-free game from quarterback Julian Sayin to beat Washington 24-6 .

The Huskies scored just a pair of field goals on three trips inside the Buckeyes ' 20-yard line, including a crucial turnover on downs late in the first half.

That was the turning point: Leading 3-0, Washingto had advanced to the Ohio State 18-yard line before a sack on second down crippled the drive. A failed fake field goal gave things back to Buckeyes, which went 73 yards in 10 plays to take a 7-3 lead into halftime.

The loss snapped the Huskies' 22-game home winning streak dating to former coach Kalen DeBoer's debut in 2022.

Sayin completed 22 of 28 attempts for 208 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. The redshirt freshman is now hitting on an FBS-best 78.8% of his throws.

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Amid legitimate questions about the health of the defensive line following a rash of offseason departures, the Buckeyes' defense aced this first road trip of the regular season by holding the Huskies to 61 yards on 30 carries with nine tackles for loss. Ohio State also had six sacks.

The defending national champions are building a blueprint that has successfully papered over some apparent flaws, including the rebuilt defensive front and a receiver corps that lacks reliability beyond superstar sophomore Jeremiah Smith.

In fact, the most positive development from the first month of the regular season is the play of the defense under new coordinator Matt Patricia. The Buckeyes have allowed just two touchdowns through four games, one with under four minutes to go in the opener against No. 7 Texas and the second on a defensive breakdown last Saturday against Ohio.

The offense might have some work to do. OSU averaged 9.5 yards per play against Grambling and Ohio but just 4.7 yards per snap against Texas and Washington. But there are elite building blocks in Smith, Sayin and true freshman running back Bo Jackson, who ran for 80 yards on 17 carries on Saturday.

Ohio State, Mississippi and LSU lead college football's biggest winners and losers:

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning reacts after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang, James Lang-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) reacts with quarterback Dante Moore (5) after scoring a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O'Haren, Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)

Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq hurdles over Penn State cornerback Audavion Collins as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
(Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard, Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Fireworks explode over Beaver Stadium during the National Anthem as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
(Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard, Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) runs out of the pocket as Oregon Ducks linebacker Jerry Mixon (54) chases during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang, James Lang-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Amare Campbell (24) reacts after tackling Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang, James Lang-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) is tackled by Oregon Ducks linebacker Kamar Mothudi (33) and linebacker Teitum Tuioti (44) during the second quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang, James Lang-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions fans cheer during the first half of a White-Out game against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang, James Lang-Imagn Images)

Oregon wide receiver Dakorien Moore hauls in a reception as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
(Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard, Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Oregon outside linebacker Matayo Uiagalelei brings down Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
(Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard, Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

The Duck wanders the sideline as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
(Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard, Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Penn State fans cheer as the Oregon Ducks face the Penn State Nittany Lions on Sept. 27, 2025, at Beaver Stadium in University Park, Pennsylvania.
(Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard, Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) throws during the second quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang, James Lang-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks running back Jordon Davison (0) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O'Haren, Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks wide receiver Gary Bryant Jr. (2), wide receiver Malik Benson (4) react after a touchdown during overtime against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images
(Matthew O'Haren, Matthew O'Haren-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin and quarterback Drew Allar (15) react after losing to the Oregon Ducks at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang, James Lang-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning greets Penn State Nittany Lions head coach James Franklin following a win over the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang, James Lang-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) reacts after defeating the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images
(James Lang, James Lang-Imagn Images)

Winners

Oregon

The No. 5 Ducks seemed on the verge of pulling away from No. 2 Penn State with the score 17-3 with 12:25 remaining in regulation. The Nittany Lions responded, though, scoring 14 unanswered points behind quarterback Drew Allar to force overtime. In the second extra frame, the Ducks picked off Allar to seal a 30-24 win that should vault them to No. 2 in the Coaches Poll. While PSU can point to the comeback as something to build on, Oregon can tout the maybe the best win by any team in the country in the year's opening month. Even more than that, the way the Ducks handled the environment in Beaver Stadium suggests they're built to manage the pressures of making another run at the Big Ten crown. The game's biggest star was sophomore quarterback Dante Moore , who hit on 29 of 39 attempts with three touchdowns and no turnovers.

Kalen DeBoer

An ugly 2024 season by Alabama's recent standards and a loss to No. 8 Florida State in the season opener had DeBoer in some pretty dire straits quickly into his second year as Nick Saban's successor. The 24-21 win against No. 3 Georgia puts his tenure back on track and reestablishes the No. 16 Crimson Tide as a team to watch in the SEC. Clearly a different quarterback since Week 1, Simpson carved up the Bulldogs in the first half and finished 24 of 38 for 276 yards and a pair of scores. The trick for Alabama will be avoiding the post-Georgia meltdown of last season, which saw the Tide go 5-4 after beating the Bulldogs to end September.

Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) and offensive lineman Diego Pounds (61) react after a touchdown during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) and tight end Dae'Quan Wright (8) react after a touchdown during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Nic Anderson (4) and tight end Bauer Sharp (10) react after Anderson’s touchdown catch during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly reacts during the first quarter against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Aaron Anderson (1) runs after a catch as Mississippi Rebels linebacker Tahj Chambers (26) attempts to make the tackle during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin looks on during a time out during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) runs the ball during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) reacts with wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling (1) and wide receiver Harrison Wallace III (2) after Lee’s touchdown during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

Sep 27, 2025; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cayden Lee (19) reacts after his touchdown during the second quarter at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin reacts to an official during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) carries the ball during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)

Ole Miss linebacker TJ Dottery (6) celebrates during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)

LSU head coach Brian Kelly crouches on the sidelines during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) passes the ball during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) looks into the stands after failing to get a first down during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) passes the ball during a college football game between Ole Miss and LSU at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss., on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.
(Ayrton Breckenridge/Clarion Ledger)

Mississippi

No. 11 Mississippi is set to rocket up the US LBM Coaches Poll after beating No. 4 LSU 24-19 behind 385 yards of total offense from backup quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, one of the breakout stars from the regular season's first month. After the Tigers scored with 5:04 left to make it a single-possession game, Chambliss keyed an 11-play drive that included a game-sealing fourth-down conversion on a 20-yard completion. The Rebels still have road trips against No. 3 Georgia and No. 10 Oklahoma on the docket but are in terrific position to make the College Football Playoff.

Indiana

No. 12 Indiana broke a late tie against Iowa with a 49-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Fernando Mendoza and won 20-15 to take another step toward a return trip to the playoff. After blitzing No. 23 Illinois in last weekend's 63-10 win, the Hoosiers had to grind out 337 yards on 5.4 yards per play against the upset-minded Hawkeyes, who have dropped two games against ranked competition by a combined eight points.

Diego Pavia

No. 20 Vanderbilt has never had a player win the Heisman Trophy or even come particularly close, unless you count center Carl Hinkle's seventh-place finish in 1937. But after leading the Commodores to a 5-0 start for the second time in 80 years, senior quarterback Diego Pavia has to be counted among the award's top contenders. Pavia ran for 79 yards and a score, threw for 321 yards through the air and tied a program record with five touchdown passes in the Commodores' 55-35 win against Utah State.

Cincinnati

The Bearcats seem to have gotten on track in a must-win season for coach Scott Satterfield. After losing 20-17 to Nebraska in the opener, Cincinnati captured a third win in a row by beating Kansas 37-34 on the road. This was a quarterback battle: Jalon Daniels had 445 passing yards and four touchdowns for the Jayhawks and Brendan Sorsby threw for 388 yards and two scores for the Bearcats, highlighted by three huge completions to set up the game-winning touchdown run with 29 seconds left.

Losers

James Franklin

Another loss to a top-five opponent won't help Franklin's status with a frustrated fan base, which routinely booed the Nittany Lions' sputtering offense and even unleased a smattering of "Fire Franklin" chants in the second half. A key season already has its early drama: Penn State has not looked good through four games, period, and does not resemble a team capable of winning the Big Ten, let alone the national championship. No coach in the country has as much job security but will face as much pressure the rest of the regular season.

LSU

Give credit to the Rebels' defense and the Tigers' miserable offense, which finished with a season-low 254 yards and has yet to gain more than 365 yards in four games against FBS competition. Brian Kelly asked after some grumbling over a 20-10 win against Florida earlier this month: What do you want? Well, a real offense that takes advantage of quarterback Garrett Nussmeier would be a start. LSU built its reputation on a 17-10 win against Clemson that has since become meaningless, so it's beyond time to reexamine the Tigers' place in the Top 25 and the SEC power rankings.

Auburn

Auburn's offense was swallowed up by No. 9 Texas A&M in a 16-10 loss that dropped the Tigers to 0-2 in the SEC and reignites the pressure on embattled coach Hugh Freeze. While Auburn had multiple shots at taking the lead in the fourth quarter, the final score is a little misleading: A&M outgained the Tigers by 259 yards and didn't allow a third-down conversion on 12 attempts just two weeks after giving up 40 points in a narrow win against No. 21 Notre Dame. Transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold threw for 124 yards on 3.9 yards per pass to continue his hit-or-miss start to the regular season.

Sam Pittman

Pittman is inching ahead of Florida's Billy Napier as the Power Four coach next on the chopping block after Arkansas fell behind 42-13 at halftime and suffered a humiliating 56-13 loss in Fayetteville to Notre Dame. One of the largest crowds in Razorback Stadium witnessed the program's eighth-largest margin of defeat at home and largest since losing 52-3 to Alabama in 2020. This is the team's third setback in a row, following more competitive losses to Memphis and Mississippi, and things don't get any easier with No. 15 Tennessee and Texas A&M up next.

Southern California

No. 22 Southern California's 34-32 loss to No. 23 Illinois was a pure, Lincoln Riley-era loss featuring a dynamic offense and continued failures on defense, including a late breakdown that set up the game-winning field goal as time expired. The Trojans gained 490 yards on 6.3 yards per play and converted 12 of 19 chances on third and fourth down but gave 502 yards and had zero answers for quarterback Luke Altmyer, who averaged 12.6 yards per attempt with two passing touchdowns, one score on the ground and a fourth as a receiver.

Rutgers

Rutgers' bowl hopes took a substantial hit after losing 31-28 to Minnesota to open 0-2 in Big Ten play. The Scarlet Knights led 14-0 early in the second quarter and 28-24 more than midway through the fourth but gave up a short Drake Lindsey touchdown pass with 3:24 to play, one of three on the day for the redshirt freshman. This was a must-have win given what's ahead: Rutgers still takes on Ohio State, No. 2 Penn State and No. 4 Oregon, along with Washington and Illinois on the road.

(This story was updated to change a video).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: College football Week 5 winners, losers include Ohio State, Oregon

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F1 São Paulo GP 2026 – Practice 1

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

See the best photos from No. 5 Oregon's double OT win over No. 2 Penn State

Winners

Oregon

Kalen DeBoer

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

See best photos from No. 4 LSU vs No. 11 Ole Miss in Week 5 SEC football

Mississippi

Indiana

Diego Pavia

Cincinnati

Losers

James Franklin

LSU

Auburn

Sam Pittman

Southern California

Rutgers