College football overreactions after Week 5: Mike Norvell’s hot seat is cooling

College football overreactions after Week 5: Mike Norvell’s hot seat is cooling

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College football overreactions after Week 5: Mike Norvell’s hot seat is cooling

The Missouri Tigers are college football‘s biggest winner from Week 5 action. The Tigers took down the hottest team in the country, the Florida Gators, and saw themselves jump up the rankings.

But there were some other winners, and certainly some losers, from the weekend. Michigan suffered its second loss in a row and the Kyle Whittingham era has gotten off to a terrible start. The Iowa Hawkeyes were blitzed by Ohio State, while hosting the Buckeyes for College GameDay.

With Week 5 in the rearview mirror, let’s take a look at some overreactions.

MORE: Stock up, stock down from college football Week 5: Missouri topples America’s hottest team

Alabama is playing like the best in the SEC

NCAA Football: Alabama at Mississippi State

Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell (12) passes against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the second half at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

Things can move around in the SEC in the blink of an eye. First it was Ole Miss and then Florida, and while the only consistent beast in the conference is Georgia — Alabama looks for real. The Crimson Tide went into Mississippi State and walked out with a whopping 56-23 win over the Bulldogs.

The Alabama defense continues to do wonders. Despite a rough start early in the season, the Crimson Tide has played well and they forced four turnovers on Saturday. Quarterback Keelon Russell coninues to show why he was a former five-star and Alabama has the No. 2 scoring ofense in the nation.

Alabama will play Georgia this weekend, and while both of these programs should be College Football Playoff teams, there is a lot riding on the line this Saturday.

Mike Norvell’s hot seat is cooling

NCAA Football: Virginia at Florida State

Oct 3, 2026; Tallahassee, Florida, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) runs for a touchdown as head coach Mike Norvell cheers on the sidelines during the second half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Doak S. Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Myers-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

In all reality, Mike Norvell’s hot seat likely isn’t cooling, but he has saved himself another week. In fact, his Seminoles looked like a good football team against Virginia on Saturday. The Seminoles took down the Cavaliers, 38-7.

Quarterback Ashton Daniels ran for 136 yards and five scores on the ground, and the Seminoles’ defense was too much for Virginia. FSU has won two in a row, and is just a few plays away from being 4-1 on the season. That opening-season loss to SMU looms large, but the Seminoles have a lot to play for.

Florida State’s next game at Louisville suddenly doesn’t feel like an impossible task after the Cardinals dropped their third game of the season on Saturday. Another win could really have Norvell’s hot seat cooling and momentum building.

Arizona/Baylor belong in wide-open Big 12 talk

NCAA Football: Baylor at Arizona State

Oct 3, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Baylor Bears quarterback DJ Lagway (2) before making a play against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the third quarter at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Anna Carrington-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

There is no conference more wide open than the Big 12. Texas Tech struggled with Colorado for most of the game, and BYU’s offense couldn’t get anything going against a 2-3 TCU team.

Utah appears to be the most complete Big 12 team, but let’s not discount either Arizona or Baylor. Both teams won big on Saturday night. The Bears took down the Sun Devils in Tempe, 55-19, and the Wildcats defeated the unbeaten Cincinnati Bearcats, 34-7.

Arizona did suffer a Week 2 loss against BYU, but the ‘Cats can control their destiny with games against both Utah and Texas Tech on the schedule.

As for Baylor, it might be smooth sailing until its final three games against Texas Tech, BYU, and Houston to end the season. Both offenses are for real and can capture magic.

Regardless of the coach, Penn State is going to Penn State

NCAA Football: Wisconsin at Penn State

Sep 26, 2026; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Matt Campbell looks on from the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at West Shore Home Field at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)

It’s probably not fair to criticize Matt Campbell this early into his Penn State tenure, but man, it really doesn’t matter who coaches the Nittany Lions. James Franklin did nothing but disappoint Penn State fans, and the Nittany Lions were expected to contend for the College Football Playoff last year.

In comes Campbell from Iowa State, and with what appeared to be the easiest Big Ten schedule, Penn State has suddenly dropped two games in a row. The Nittany Lions have now lost to both Wisconsin and Northwestern and veteran quarterback Rocco Becht hasn’t exactly answered the bell.

Penn State gets a home game against USC this weekend, and a 3-3 start is starting Campbell right in the eyes.

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