College Football Week 5: Predicting the Outcomes of Every Top 25 Game

Zack Cook
Host · Writer
No. 8 Oregon Ducks (-24.5) vs. UCLA Bruins
We're finally starting to see this version of the Oregon Ducks click. This is a matchup on paper that they should dominate, and that's exactly what we're expecting from Dan Lanning's program.
Prediction: Oregon 41, UCLA 15
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Virginia Tech Hokies vs. No. 7 Miami Hurricanes (-18.5)
The Miami Hurricanes look like a real national title contender, which isn't something we were sold on heading into the season. They continue their undefeated and dominant ways at home against Virginia Tech.
Prediction: Miami 38, Virginia Tech 18
No. 22 BYU Cougars vs. Baylor Bears (-3.5)
It's easy to be bullish about the BYU Cougars with what we've seen from them early on. Don't sleep on the Baylor Bears, though. This team is going to cause the Cougars plenty of trouble on Saturday.
Prediction: Baylor 25, BYU 21
Kentucky Wildcats vs. No. 6 Ole Miss Rebels (-17.5)
Just like how the Kentucky Wildcats gave the Georgia Bulldogs trouble two weeks ago, they do the exact same thing here against Ole Miss. The Wildcats defensive line and pressure keeps them in this contest.
Prediction: Ole Miss 28, Kentucky 17
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. No. 12 Michigan Wolverines (-9.5)
The Michigan Wolverines showed us in Week 4 that the demise of their defense was premature. The offense is still concerning, but the Golden Gophers are going to have problems creating offense of their own here.
Prediction: Michigan 22, Minnesota 10
No. 20 Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. No. 23 Kansas State Wildcats (-4.5)
After a dismal showing in Week 4, the Kansas State Wildcats are in dire need of a convincing bounce back victory. The Wildcats do just enough late to knock off a tough Cowboys squad.
Prediction: Kansas State 28, Oklahoma State 23
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. No. 24 Texas A&M Aggies (-3.5)
The Aggies defense has the chance to have a big time performance in this SEC clash. The spread is tight for a reason, and the Razorbacks are able to hang around, but not enough to cover the number.
Prediction: Texas A&M 28, Arkansas 24
No. 15 Louisville Cardinals vs. No. 16 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-6.5)
There's a lot on the line in this clash between Louisville and Notre Dame this week. The Fighting Irish have the better roster, but the Cardinals are sneaky good and can cover.
Prediction: Notre Dame 25, Louisville 21
No. 21 Oklahoma Sooners (-2.5) vs. Auburn Tigers
This line feels slightly suspicious to me. It's hard to get a gauge on this Oklahoma Sooners team, and we're not trusting them to go on the road to Auburn with a true freshman quarterback.
Prediction: Auburn 25, Oklahoma 23
Wisconsin Badgers vs. No. 13 USC Trojans (-15.5)
Although the USC Trojans are coming off a tough loss in Michigan, the Wisconsin Badgers simply aren't in the same league. The Trojans bounce back in a big way in Week 5.
Prediction: USC 34, Wisconsin 15
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Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. No. 1 Texas Longhorns (-38.5)
With the domination that we've continued to see from the Texas Longhorns on a weekly basis, there's really no reason to even consider the Bulldogs to cover the number here.
Prediction: Texas 52, Mississippi State 10
No. 18 Iowa State Cyclones (-13.5) vs. Houston Cougars
The Houston Cougars have some element of a strong defense, but the Iowa State Cyclones should give them fits with how they run their offense. The Cyclones winning ways continue on the road.
Prediction: Iowa State 26, Houston 12
Stanford Cardinal vs. No. 17 Clemson Tigers (-21.5)
It's hard not to be impressed with the version of the Clemson Tigers that we've seen over their last two games. The Tigers have found another gear on offense, and that continues against Stanford.
Prediction: Clemson 41, Stanford 17
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No. 19 Illinois Fighting Illini vs. No. 9 Penn State Nittany Lions (-17.5)
Maybe the oddsmakers know something we don't here, but this feels like too many points for Penn State. The Illinois Fighting Illini continue to look strong, and they have the pieces to pull out a late cover.
Prediction: Penn State 31, Illinois 20
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No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (-23.5) vs. Michigan State Spartans
The level of competition hasn't been there for Ohio State yet. Still, they've looked every bit the part of a national title contender. The Buckeyes pull away in the second half against the Spartans on the road.
Prediction: Ohio State 38, Michigan State 13
No.2 Georgia Bulldogs (-2.5) vs. No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide
Although the Crimson Tide had the clear edge over the Bulldogs with Nick Saban at the helm, we're convinced there will be a shift of power this time around. The Bulldogs defensive line gives the Crimson Tide enough trouble to pick up the road victory.
Prediction: Georgia 28, Alabama 25
South Alabama Jaguars vs. No. 14 LSU Tigers (-21.5)
We've continued to wait for the LSU Tigers to really pop this season. Although that hasn't really transpired yet, this is a great matchup for them to really put some of their SEC competitors on notice.
Prediction: LSU 42, South Alabama 19
Washington State Cougars vs. No. 25 Boise State Broncos (-7.5)
There's a lot to like about the direction Boise State's headed in, but the same can be said about Washington State. The Cougars are perennially underrated, and we'll happy take the hook the oddsmakers are giving us.
Prediction: Boise State 37, Washington State 31
Arizona Wildcats vs. No. 10 Utah Utes (-12.5)
The Utah Utes look like a team that's on a mission after a Week 4 victory over Oklahoma State. The Utes continue rolling at home in this clash against the Arizona Wildcats.
Prediction: Utah 31, Arizona 18
No. 8 Oregon Ducks (-24.5) vs. UCLA Bruins
We're finally starting to see this version of the Oregon Ducks click. This is a matchup on paper that they should dominate, and that's exactly what we're expecting from Dan Lanning's program.
Prediction: Oregon 41, UCLA 15
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Virginia Tech Hokies vs. No. 7 Miami Hurricanes (-18.5)
The Miami Hurricanes look like a real national title contender, which isn't something we were sold on heading into the season. They continue their undefeated and dominant ways at home against Virginia Tech.
Prediction: Miami 38, Virginia Tech 18
