There’s no debate what the top three games in Week 5 of the NCAA college football schedule are. Three titanic matchups between top 10-ranked teams are in store this weekend, all of which featuring possible College Football Playoff contenders. Let’s take a quick look at each one, as well as the rest of the top five games that are absolutely must-watch.
College Football News and Previews
- Ohio State vs. Rutgers NCAA Football Preview - September 30, 2017
- Clemson vs. Virginia Tech NCAA Football Preview - September 30, 2017
- Arizona State vs. Stanford NCAA Football Preview - September 30, 2017
Top 5 College Football Games to Watch in Week 5
Friday, Sept. 30
#7 Stanford (+3) vs. #10 Washington (-3) – 9:00 PM ET, ESPN
Conference play has only just begun, but this matchup between Stanford and Washington will likely decide the Pac-12 North. Washington didn’t look completely convincing on the road against Arizona last week, but they still have a ton of talent – hence, their +1,600 national title odds – and they get to go home for the visit of Stanford.
Stanford superstar Christian McCaffrey is awesome, but he needs help. It remains to be seen if inconsistent Cardinal quarterback Ryan Burns can produce enough plays to pull out a win on the road against a very balanced Huskies team.
Writer’s Prediction: Washington (-3) gets the big win, 27-23.
Saturday, Oct. 1
#22 Texas (+3) vs. Oklahoma State (-3) – 12:00 NN ET, ABC
Fans of offensive football should not miss this Big 12 shootout. The Texas Longhorns have already been involved in two of the more entertaining games this season against Notre Dame and Cal, and their matchup against Oklahoma State has all the makings of another high-scoring affair.
Watch out for Cowboy receiver James Washington. The junior had a ridiculous stat line in their win against Pitt. He had nine catches for 296 yards and two touchdowns. He could conceivably have another huge game against a Texas pass defense which has been unable to stop anyone this season.
Writer’s Prediction: Oklahoma State (-3) edges it at home, 45-41.
#8 Wisconsin (+10.5) vs. #4 Michigan (-10.5) – 3:30 PM ET, ABC
If hard-nosed defense is more of your jam, this Big Ten battle between Wisconsin and Michigan is a definite must-watch. The Badgers have been one of the surprises of the season, and have already beaten two top-10-ranked teams in LSU and Michigan State with their combination of solid running and lockdown defense. They’re currently priced as +3,500 sleepers to win the national title.
That defense will face its stiffest test yet, though, as they head to the Big House to face Michigan. The Wolverines are coming off a 49-10 walloping of Penn State at home last week. And of course, they also have a terrific defensive front that can stop a one-dimensional Badgers attack in its tracks.
Writer’s Prediction: Michigan (-10.5) gets another big home win, 27-14.
#11 Tennessee (-3.5) vs. #25 Georgia (+3.5) – 3:30 PM ET, CBS
Tennessee can go a long way toward securing its SEC East lead with a win over one of its top division rivals, Georgia. Despite their undoubted talent, the Vols still haven’t completely convinced this season. To their credit, though, they were able to come back from 21 points down to snap their long losing skid over Florida last week.
Tennessee has a terrific front, one that’s capable of neutralizing Georgia’s key men, Jacob Eason and Nick Chubb. Eason was completely held in check by Ole Miss last week as the Bulldogs were battered, 45-14.
Writer’s Prediction: Tennessee (-3.5) takes this big game on the road, 27-21.
#3 Louisville (-1) vs. #5 Clemson (+1) – 8:00 PM ET, ABC
For the second time in three weeks, the marquee game of the week is in the ACC, and it involves Louisville. This time, the Cardinals go to Clemson for a game which could effectively decide the Atlantic Division title.
Louisville’s Lamar Jackson has been phenomenal this season. The sophomore quarterback has already accounted for 25 touchdowns, with five coming in the Cardinals’ 62-20 demolition of Florida State. That huge performance helped drop Jackson’s Heisman odds all the way down to -320.
However, the preseason Heisman favorite and current +800 contender Deshaun Watson can still sway some votes his way if he takes Jackson and the Cards down in Death Valley. The Tigers are finally getting their act together after a slow start, and will not take too kindly to being home underdogs.
Writer’s Prediction: Clemson (+1) claims the huge win over the Cardinals, 35-32.
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