Week 5 of the 2017 college football season is almost among us.
While there won’t be any top-five matchups this week (don’t worry, college football fans, there are plenty on the horizon), there will still be plenty of top 25 schools taking the field (and some against one another).
Before said top 25 schools take the field, let’s make some predictions. In the following slides, fans will, of course, find a prediction for every top 25 game in Week 5.
The Miami Hurricanes will travel on the road to take on the Duke Blue Devils on Friday. While Miami might have that No. 14 next to its name, it’s interesting to note that Duke still has a perfect 4-0 record. Nonetheless, the Hurricanes are on the verge of cracking the top 10, and I’m not going to fight that.
Winner: Miami
The USC Trojans entered the season with monster hype, as did QB Sam Darnold, who was predicted by many to take home the Heisman hardware at season’s end. Both parties, if you will, have looked shaky so far, and this squad will be going up against the Washington State Cougars on the road in Week 5. The Trojans might be the favorites, but I’m going upset city in this one thanks to the play of Luke Falk, a quarterback who already has 14 touchdown passes on the season. They can’t all be chalk, right?
Winner: Washington State
While college football can be one of the most unpredictable sports out there (upsets are always trending in this game), the Wisconsin Badgers over the Northwestern Wildcats seems like a safe pick this week. After all, the Badgers are ranked No. 10, they hold a 3-0 record and they will also be playing at home.
Winner: Wisconsin
The South Florida Bulls are not only ranked but they are undefeated at 4-0. Meanwhile, the East Carolina Pirates are just 1-3. Translation: South Florida should leave the week with a 5-0 record.
Winner: South Florida
This might not be the best offensive team the Florida Gators have ever put on the field, but no matter how good (or bad) Florida is on the offensive side of the ball, it’s always a tough team to play at the Swamp. The Vanderbilt Commodores will have to do exactly that this week.
Winner: Florida
The Penn State Nittany Lions could end up making the College Football Playoff — and then some — by the time the season is over. That more than likely means bad news for the Indiana Hoosiers, who have the tough task of playing Penn State on the road in Week 5.
Winner: Penn State
After losing to the Gators a couple of weeks ago, the Tennessee Volunteers could use a win right about now, especially since a loss in Week 5 would push the Vols to 0-2 in the SEC. Meanwhile, the Georgia Bulldogs look like serious SEC East title contenders (as expected). Either team could realistically win (we’re talking about two SEC East foes going at it), but Nick Chubb and the rest of the Bulldogs are the safe pick.
Winner: Georgia
The Louisville Cardinals are heavy favorites (even that’s an understatement) against the Murray State Racers. Plus, and this is rather important, the Cardinals are playing at home … and they have Lamar Jackson, who won the Heisman last season.
Winner: Louisville
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish might already have a loss (they suffered defeat at the hands of Georgia … by one point), but they will be playing at home against a team that already has two losses, and a team they are predicted to blow out. The upsets have to come somewhere — well, at least most of the time in this sport — but the Fighting Irish have “win” written all over them in Week 5.
Winner: Notre Dame
Now this is where things start to get really interesting, as is typically the case when top-25ers take the field against one another. Here’s what we know: The Mississippi State Bulldogs already knocked off the LSU Tigers, who were ranked No. 12 at the time, but got blown out by Georgia. The Auburn Tigers‘ lone loss came against the Clemson Tigers, a team that looks like it could make the CFP yet again, by the score of 14-6. Let’s give the edge to the Tigers since they will be playing at home.
Winner: Auburn
Some contests are just easier to pick than others. The LSU Tigers should have no problem winning at home (or that is at least the idea).
Winner: LSU
The Ohio State Buckeyes have been a powerhouse for quite some time (they’ve made two out of three College Football Playoffs as well). The same thing can’t be said about the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, who might be playing at home in this clash, but likely need a perfect effort (and a really bad outing by OSU) to pull off the big-time upset. So…
Winner: Ohio State
If you’re looking for a game-of-the-week candidate, then look no further than this clash. Two top 15 teams will be going at it, both teams are undefeated and Clemson, a favorite to make the playoff, will be playing the Virginia Tech Hokies on the road. Things should get interesting.
Winner: Clemson
When you’re ranked No. 6 and have a 4-0 record, you’re expected to win … well, just about every game. That will certainly be the case when the Washington Huskies take the field against the Oregon State Beavers on Saturday.
Winner: Washington
It would be so easy to go in the favor of the ranked team here, but let’s go upset central. For all it’s worth, the Oklahoma State Cowboys are coming off of a loss — and will be on the road in this one — and the Texas Tech Red Raiders are undefeated.
Winner: Texas Tech
While the Ole Miss Rebels have apparently been the only team capable of knocking off the Alabama Crimson Tide in the regular season in recent years, this Alabama squad is a heavy favorite in this year’s ballgame. Plus, the Crimson Tide are ranked No. 1 in the country, which we have come to expect on a yearly basis.
Winner: Alabama
The San Diego State Aztecs are 4-0, and they even have a very impressive win over the Stanford Cardinal (ranked No. 19 at the time). Plus, running back Rashaad Penny is a Heisman contender.
Winner: San Diego State