Notre Dame, Michigan Among Programs With Large Week 5 Leaps

Arkansas leaps into the Top 10 of the Week 5 AP Poll after defeating Texas A&M as 4.5 point underdogs in Week 4.
Notre Dame, Michigan, Fresno State, and Oklahoma State round out the Top 5 biggest gainers in this week’s AP Poll.

NEW YORK – As Week 5 of the NCAA football season approaches, the AP Poll highlights a handful of teams that have been improving their stock to make the college football playoffs. Five teams made notable jumps in the rankings this week, changing the playoff landscape yet again.

Notable AP Poll Jumps – Week 5

Arkansas, SEC (4-0)
Last Week: 16 – This Week: 8

Arkansas leaps into the Top 10 of the Week 5 AP Poll, an eight-slot jump and the largest of the week.

The jump comes as a result of a 20-10 victory over the then-seventh-ranked Texas A&M. Arkansas was a 4.5 point underdog with (+165) moneyline odds.

Arkansas utilized a balanced attack last week against A&M, but the running game is what carried them to victory: running back Trelon Smith shouldered most of the load, carrying the ball 17 times for 82 yards. The Razorbacks tallied 37 rushing attempts compared to 19 passing attempts.

Wide receiver Treylon Burks was the biggest playmaker for the Razorbacks, hauling in 6 receptions for 167 yards and a touchdown while also chipping in 14 yards on one carry.

Arkansas will need everything they can get out of their offense as their 11th-ranked defense (14.5 points allowed per game) tries to contain second-ranked Georgia in Week 5. The Razorbacks currently sit as 18.5-point underdogs with (+700) moneyline odds.

Notre Dame, Independent (4-0)
Last Week: 12 – This Week: 9

Notre Dame took a 3-slot jump into the Top 10 of the AP Poll after a 41-13 victory over then-18th-ranked Wisconsin as 6-point underdogs with (+175) moneyline odds.

Notre Dame dominated Wisconsin with the passing game, completing 21 of their 37 pass attempts on the day. Jack Coan was the primary signal-caller, racking up 158 yards on 29 attempts for one touchdown.

On the other hand, sophomore quarterback Drew Pyne impressed in his limited action, completing 6 of his 8 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown.

Running back Kyren Williams has been the Fighting Irish’s primary offensive weapon, accruing 244 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns on top of 11 receptions for 155 yards and 2 touchdowns out of the backfield.

Notre Dame has another tough test in Week 5 as they take on the 7th-ranked Cincinnati Bearcats at home.

Notre Dame currently sits as 2-point underdogs for their Week 5 showdown with (+105) moneyline odds.

Michigan, Big 10 (4-0)
Last Week: 19 – This Week: 14

The Michigan Wolverines made a 5-slot jump in this week’s AP Poll after defeating the Rutgers Scarlet Knights 20-13 but failing to cover the 20-point spread.

Michigan leaned heavily on the running game in Week 4, tallying 36 total carries. Blake Corum got the lion’s share of those carries, tallying 68 rushing yards on 21 attempts. Hassan Haskins was also productive, punching in two scores on 12 carries for 41 yards.

The passing game struggled against the Scarlet Knights, however, with Cade McNamara completing just 9 of his 16 passes for 163 yards. There are rumors that fellow IMG Academy alumni J.J. McCarthy will step in as the primary signal-caller at some point this week. Keep an eye on reports out of Michigan’s practices, as the offense has been much more efficient during McCarthy’s limited playing time.

Michigan is set to take on the Wisconsin Badgers in Week 5, with the Wolverines currently sitting as 1-point underdogs with (+105) moneyline odds. The Wolverines will need to get as much as they can out of their 4th-ranked defensive unit (11.8 points allowed per game) to give their offense a chance.

Fresno State, MWC (4-1)
Last Week: 22 – This Week: 18

The Fresno State Bulldogs took a 4-slot leap in the Week 5 AP Poll after improving to 4-1 with a 38-30 win over the UNLV Rebels, failing to cover as 30 point favorites.

Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener completed 30 of his 42 pass attempts for 378 yards and 5 touchdowns, leading the offense.

The Bulldogs take on the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors in another MWC showdown as 10 point favorites with (-415) moneyline odds.

Oklahoma State, Big 12 (4-0)
Last Week: Unranked – This Week: 19

Oklahoma State breaks into the Top 25 of the AP Poll in Week 5 after defeating then-25th-ranked Kansas State 31-20 in a game that saw the Cowboys as 6-point favorites with (-225) moneyline odds.

The Cowboys racked up 344 yards through the air in Week 4 behind a solid performance by junior quarterback Spencer Sanders.

Oklahoma State is set to take on the 21st-ranked Baylor Bears in Week 5, with online sportsbooks currently listing the Cowboys as 3.5-point favorites with (-180) moneyline odds.

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