College Football Week 5 Predictions: Ala/Ark, NC St/Clemson, UK/Miss, Okl.st/Baylor, WF/FSU, Wash/UCLA

College Football Week 5 Predictions

Week 4 gave us fans so much to talk about, whether it was the six ranked teams that lost or the plethora of entertaining games going down to the wire. On paper, Week 5 offers the best slate of games of the season thus far with five ranked versus ranked matchups. Slowly but surely, the real rankings will surface with the week we just had, and a week like this helps to separate contenders from pretenders.  Check out the top football odds.

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Marquee Matchups

#2 Alabama vs #20 Arkansas: The last time Alabama faced a point spread this close was Texas and we saw how that turned out. Arkansas comes into this important matchup losing a tough one to Texas A&M. Although we still don’t know how great both sides of the trenches for Bama are we do know the Razorbacks are banged up pretty bad, especially on defense. The Crimson Tide all the way, but I do reserve that right to say Arkansas could sneak under the large point spread.

The Pick: Alabama covers the -17 

Bet on Alabama vs Arkansas

	Spread	Moneyline	Total
	Bet Spread with Caesars	-960 Odds From Fanduel	Over 60.5 Odds from Betmgm
	See Bet365 Odds	+630 Odds from DraftKings	See Odds from Caesars

#5 Clemson vs #10 NC State: Can Clemson muster up the energy and focus it will take to beat NC State considering their coming off a dramatic double-overtime win? Will the Wolfpack finally put it all together and live up to their preseason hype? Can Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei and the Tiger offense continue to deliver like last week instead of relying on their defense? ESU almost upset NC State but to their credit, they did get a nice win over a streaking Texas Tech squad in Week 3. Last year NC State derailed Clemson beating them in overtime. This key Atlantic-ACC contest will likely be decided in the closing minutes of the 4th quarter.

The Pick: NC State +7 but Clemson will win 

Bet on NC State vs Clemson

	Spread	Moneyline	Total
	Bet Spread with Caesars	+205 Odds From Fanduel	Over 39.5 Odds from Betmgm
	See Bet365 Odds	-255 Odds from DraftKings	See Odds from Caesars

Under The Radar

#7 Kentucky vs #14 Ole Miss: With so many Marquee Matchups in week 5 this monster SEC game could go a long way for the winner. Kentucky is by far the more tested team of the two having already beat Florida in the swamp. Besides a decent Tulsa team the Rebels haven’t faced anyone of note. The funny thing is usually Kentucky loves to pound the rock but this year the Wildcats are averaging less than 100 rushing yards per game. Instead, behind veteran signal-caller in Will Levis & a top-level defense Kentucky is throwing for almost 300 yards per outing. Can Ole Miss run the ball consistently on the Kentucky defense?

The Pick: Kentucky +7

#9 Oklahoma State vs. #16 Baylor: Similar to Kentucky/Ole Miss, the Baylor Bears will look to control the clock averaging 207 yards of rushing per game. OKST can run it as well but returning starter QB Spencer Sanders & Company are putting up 348 passing yards a game. Something has to give when push comes to shove, and that just may be the Cowboys defense. As long as Baylor doesn’t repeat the 14 penalties they had in a double-overtime loss to BYU, the Bears eventually wear down Oklahoma State. This game will come down to OKST’s defense and Sanders limiting his mistakes.   Check out the top football betting sites.

The Pick: Baylor -2.5

Saturday Upset Special

Kansas keeps the good vibes going in a minor upset as a +3 home dog to Iowa State.

Hardcore Barnburners

#22 Wake Forest vs. #23 Florida State: This is an obviously meaningful ACC matchup for both teams. Can Wake turn right around and get what would be a huge road win after their nail-biting finish in a losing effort to Clemson? It appears the Seminoles have the better defense and that will likely be the difference in what should be a high-scoring affair.

The Pick: Wake Forest +7 FSU will win. 

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#15 Washington vs UCLA: This is a great PAC-12 scrap between 4-0 teams with a lot riding on the line for a early October meeting. The Huskies have come a long way already reaching their total wins of 4 from 2021, but are they ready to take the next step? Coach Chip Kelly is desperate for a high-profile victory and the Bruins have the quarterback in Dorian Thompson-Robinson to do it. This one is a 50-50 and I fully admit of being stuck on the fence.

The Pick: Washington -3 

Against The Spread

Oregon State +10.5 at UTAH

Texas Tech +8 at #25 Kansas State

(Honorable Mention: Purdue +12 at #21 Minnesota)

Quick Hits Recap

-Kansas State walked in to Norman and beat the Sooners once again. The Wildcats are the only team since 2000 to win at Oklahoma in back to back trips two separate times. (2012 & 2014, 2020 & 2022)

-Coach Chris Klieman is 3-1 against Oklahoma but 0-4 versus AP-Poll ranked opponents not including the Sooners.

-Oregon scored 22 points in under 3 minutes in a wild 4th quarter victory over Washington State 44-41.

-Crazy 2-OT win for Clemson defeating Wake Forest 51-45. Tigers QB DJ Uiagalelei threw for 423 yards and a career high 5 TD’s.

-Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman tied a single-game ACC record by throwing for 6 touchdowns in the loss.

-Tennessee has their first 4-0 start since 2016 with a win over Florida. In the victory QB Hooker piled up 461 total yards scoring 3 TD’s.

– Michigan RB Corum rushed for 243 yards on 30 carries and 2 touchdowns in a harder-than-expected 34-27 win over Maryland.

-Minnesota Gophers RB Mo Ibrahim keeps putting up 100+ rushing games giving him 13 in a row just two behind Ezekiel Elliott’s 15 consecutive games which is most since 2000.

Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio & Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio