2021 College Football Week 5 Top Five Performers
What a difference a week can make.
Coming off a big victory in week four against Texas A&M, Arkansas learned they still have a long way to go, if they want to beat teams like Georgia. The once undefeated Ole Miss Rebels found out no matter how good their record may be, they still cannot beat Alabama. What about Notre Dame losing to Cincinnati? Was the Fighting Irish for real or were they a mirage all along? This question also applies to Oregon, who lost in overtime to the unranked Stanford Cardinals.
With college football, as good as one team may seem one week, they can easily crash back to reality by a team that is greater than them or in the case of Oregon, a team they should have beaten.
This week should also be recognized as the week of the running back, as several of them put together incredible performances. Here are those we have selected in our top five for week five.
1. Kenny Pickett - Quarterback - Pittsburgh
Stats vs. Georgia Tech: 23 completions, 389 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 63.9 completion%
Kenny Pickett and his high-powered Panthers offense put on a clinic against Georgia Tech's defense. Most impressive was the ease with which he broke down their defense with pinpoint throws to his talented receivers. In case you have not been paying attention, the Panthers offense is arguably the nation's most potent unit. In five games this season, they have scored 262 points, while averaging over 52 points per game. Pickett has proven worthy of being in the Heisman discussion after the body of work he has put forth so far this season.
2. Bijan Robinson - Running back - Texas
Stats vs. TCU: 35 carries, 216 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 6.2 yards/carry
There are few running backs who possess the type of speed, elusiveness, and vision of Bijan Robinson. In this game, the Horned Frogs defense has little answers on how to take him down. Before the first half ended, Robinson had accumulated 100 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. Late in the game, with his team only up by five, it was only fitting that Robinson's first down would seal the game for the Longhorns. It is becoming clear when the offense runs through him, it generally results in wins. If he continues to perform at this level, there is no question he would be worthy of becoming the favorite for this year's Heisman Trophy.
3. Chase Brown - Running back - Illinois
Stats vs. Charlotte: 26 carries, 257 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, 9.9 yards/carry
When your quarterback only needs 78 passing yards to win a game, this is when you know how good your running back really is. Chase Brown has always been the heart, and soul of the Fighting Illini offense; this game only confirmed it, as he carried them on his back. If the Illini wants a chance at playing for the Big Ten title, it will certainly run through Brown.
4. Tyler Allgeier - Running back - BYU
Stats vs. Utah State: 22 carries, 218 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns, 9.9 yards/carry
When you think of the top running backs in college football today, the name
Tyler Allgeier should definitely be on your list. Friday night, Allgeier ran wild over Utah State's defense. They even went as far as stacking the box; Allgeier still managed to get his yards. To put his performance into perspective, he had 10 times the rushing yards that the Aggies did that night.
5. Anthony Cook - Defensive back - Texas
Stats vs. TCU: 8 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, sack, forced fumble, and fumble recovered
Cook was impactful for the Longhorns defense from the opening whistle. His
sack/forced fumble play on quarterback Max Duggan early in the third quarter, was a deflating blow to the Horned Frogs offense, who were only a few yards away from the Longhorns red zone. Cook has hit the trifecta so far this season; no passing touchdowns allowed in coverage, no missed tackles, and holds the highest tackling grade on the team, according to Pro Football Focus.
Honorable Mentions:
QB Hank Bachmeier - Boise State
LB David Ojabo - Michigan
WR Drake London - USC
QB Will Rogers - Mississppi State
QB Nkosi Perry - Florida Atlantic
DL Myles Murphy - Clemson
QB CJ Stroud - Ohio State
WR Jaquarii Roberson - Wake Forest
WR Kayshon Boutte - LSU
RB Brian Robinson jr. - Alabama
LB Will Anderson jr. - Alabama
RB Jaylen Warren - Oklahoma State
RB Tiyon Evans - Tennessee
DL D'anthony Jones - Houston
QB D'Wan Mathis - Temple
WR Ricky Pearsall - Arizona State
WR Taysir Mack - Pittsburgh
DE Mandy Alonso - Virginia