Ranked 14th, Notre Dame cannot shake off its earlier loss to Northern Illinois, especially now that the Huskies have lost two out of their last three games since that surprise win in South Bend.

However, the College Football Playoff scenarios still look promising for the Fighting Irish: if they win all remaining games, they are likely to make it to the 12-team playoff.

The 31-24 win over 17th-ranked Louisville on Saturday was crucial for Notre Dame’s image. Despite a rocky start, they came back to defeat a strong ACC opponent, which was essential given the lack of other major rivals on their schedule this season.

This victory against the Cardinals might stand out as a highlight for Notre Dame as they head toward the final playoff rankings in December.

Key takeaways include a strong defensive performance, which created three turnovers and executed a crucial stop late in the game, bolstered by a mistake from Louisville on their final possession. Quarterback Riley Leonard excelled, throwing for 163 yards, running for a team-high 52 yards, and accounting for three touchdowns.

Defeating a ranked team adds Notre Dame to the list of major winners from Week 5 of the 2024 college football season.

Winners

Kansas State

After a surprising loss to No. 22 Brigham Young last week, No. 25 Kansas State bounced back with a convincing 42-20 home victory against No. 20 Oklahoma State. Displaying a well-rounded offense that accumulated 559 total yards, with 300 yards on the ground and 259 via passing, the Wildcats reaffirmed their status as a top contender in the Big 12 and a legitimate playoff candidate. Despite one confusing interception and a few missed opportunities in the passing game, quarterback Avery Johnson put up impressive numbers with 319 yards of total offense and five touchdowns. This performance positions KSU to challenge No. 10 Utah and No. 19 Iowa State for a playoff spot.

Kentucky

Unpredictable and often confusing, Kentucky is emerging as a force in the SEC. After a 25-point defeat to South Carolina and a narrow loss to Georgia two weeks ago, the team surprised many by beating No. 5 Mississippi 20-17. Trailing 17-13 with five minutes left, the Wildcats drove 83 yards in six plays for the touchdown. A significant defensive play forced the Rebels into a missed 48-yard field goal attempt with under a minute left. With their upcoming games against Vanderbilt, Florida, and Auburn, Kentucky could make their way into the Top 25 before their match against No. 6 Tennessee in October.

Southern California

After a narrow loss at No. 12 Michigan, the No. 16 Trojans rallied from a 21-10 halftime deficit to defeat Wisconsin 38-21, marking their first victory in Big Ten play. Although the strong second-half performance that nearly secured a win against Michigan didn’t transition immediately against the Badgers, who capitalized on three USC turnovers to lead at halftime, the Trojans dominated the final two quarters. They closed the game with a pick-six five minutes from the end. USC also controlled possession and effectively shut down Wisconsin’s run game, avoiding a loss that would have dashed their playoff aspirations.

UNLV

No. 23 UNLV attracted attention this week amid the controversy surrounding former quarterback Matt Sluka, who started the first three games before departing unexpectedly due to issues with his NIL deal. However, on Saturday, the team displayed no signs of missing him, cruising to a 59-14 victory over Fresno State. Backup Hajj-Malik Williams stepped up impressively, completing 13 of 16 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns, and adding 119 yards and a touchdown on the ground. This victory allows the Rebels to focus ahead, keeping them in contention among the Group of Five playoff candidates.

Losers

Mississippi

This defeat is nothing short of shocking. The Rebels, who had never lost as double-digit favorites under coach Lane Kiffin, fell victim to Kentucky’s control of the game’s tempo, leading to a potential loss that could have serious implications for their playoff hopes. They now face a critical stretch where they must win two out of three games against No. 13 LSU, No. 18 Oklahoma, and No. 1 Georgia to stay in the playoff conversation come December.

Alabama-Birmingham

The hiring of Trent Dilfer, one of the least experienced head coaches in recent FBS history, has not gone well for UAB. After posting six winning seasons prior to 2023, the team now struggles at 5-12 under Dilfer following a 41-18 defeat at home against Navy. The decision to hire Dilfer instead of more qualified candidates like former interim coach Bryant Vincent has raised concerns about UAB’s commitment to the program. They now find themselves among the weaker teams in the American Athletic Conference.

Blazers are becoming a source of mockery.

Ollie Gordon

Is anyone able to locate Oklahoma State’s All-America running back? It’s unfair to place all the blame on Gordon, who demonstrated in the initial two series against Kansas State that he remains one of the premier runners in college football. Instead, we should examine the Cowboys’ reluctance to utilize one of the country’s top talents: Gordon had 10 carries for 69 yards during those early possessions but only managed five carries for seven yards afterward. Following an impressive 128-yard performance in the season opener against South Dakota State, Gordon has accumulated just 208 yards over four games against Bowl Subdivision teams. His chances of winning any postseason awards are as bleak as the Cowboys’ playoff aspirations.

Wisconsin

The current situation of Wisconsin football can be illustrated by a crucial fourth down in USC territory during the third quarter. In need of one yard, the Badgers lined up in a shotgun formation, ran into the defensive line, and fell short. Holding a 21-17 lead at that moment, Wisconsin failed to score again. This team lacks physicality, athleticism, explosiveness, toughness, and does not resemble the identity that once characterized the program for decades. Instead, this situation reflects a team in evident decline with no clear route to regain relevance.