NCAA College Football Week 5 Picks - Late Games
NCAA Week 5 Late Games
All times Eastern
3:30 #1 Clemson (-26 1/2, 61) at North Carolina - The Tar Heels got off to a fast 2-0 start with wins over South Carolina and Miami, but cooled off quickly, losing to Wake Forest, 24-18, and Appalachian State, 34-31.
NC QB Sam Howell has been sacked 15 times already, and that stat should have the aggressive Clemson defenders licking their chops. The Tiger defense is what Clemson is all about, as QB Trevor Lawrence hasn't really played well, throwing seven TD passes but also five picks. Their running game is somewhat devastating, however.
Clemson should score at least 35 points. North Carolina will be lucky to find the end zone twice, which could be enough if their defense holds up, though it probably won't. Could be ugly.
Coin Flip: North Carolina
Prediction: Tigers 38 Tar Heels 10
Notre Dame comes off a tough loss to Georgia, in a well-played, 23-17, loss to the Bulldogs. They weren't supposed to beat Georgia and didn't. The Irish look good, but not yet great, dependent on Ian Book and RB Tony Jones Jr. for offense. If Virginia can bottle up Jones, the Irish may find themselves in a bit of trouble.
Coin Flip: Virginia
Prediction: Cavaliers 30 Fighting Irish 27
The Huskies had a hiccup in a 20-19 loss to Cal, but they've bounced back with a vengeance, whipping Hawaii, 52-20, and BYU, last week, 45-19, a major win. This could be one of the more entertaining games of the weekend as USC is no pushover.
Coin Flip: Washington
Prediction: Huskies 30 Trojans 27
Boston College is 3-1, but was burned badly by Kansas in week three, coming up on the losing end of a 48-24 score. Their defense is OK, as is their offense, but Wake could make this very one-sided.
Coin Flip: Boston College
Prediction: Demon Deacons 38 Eagles 24
The Bulldogs are 3-1, and haven't produced much in the way of offense, except for workhorse RB Kylin Hill (551 yards on 91 carries). They're 3-1, with a week two loss to Kansas State (31-24), but they followed up with a solid effort over Kentucky in a 28-13 victory last week. Both teams are physical and defensive-minded, which could produce an upset or a close call for Auburn.
Coin Flip: Mississippi State
Prediction: Tigers 24 Bulldogs 19
The Cowboys dropped to 3-1, losing at Texas last week, 36-30, in their third road game of the season. Back on home turf, their offense may explode and the fans will be 100% behind them. RB Chuba Hubbard (642 yards rushing) is a load, and Tylan Wallace (20 receptions, 473 yards) is NFL-caliber on the receiving end of Spencer Sanders throws.
Coin Flip: Kansas State
Prediction: Cowboys 41 Wildcats 28
3-1 Nebraska has a good team, but an OT loss at Colorado (34-31) and last week's squeaker at Illinois (42-38) say defense is an issue, and that's not a good thing against the Buckeyes. Blowout city. Multiple turnovers.
Coin Flip: Ohio State
Prediction: Buckeyes 48 Cornhuskers 17
3-1 Utah was shocked by USC, at home, 30-23, last week, proving that the PAC-12 is loaded with quality and parity. In a game that easily could go either way, maybe the Cougars will find a way in the final seconds to overcome.
Coin Flip: Washington State
Prediction: Cougars 32 Utes 30
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Week 5 Early Games
3:30 pm #18 Virginia at #10 Notre Dame (-12 1/2, 48 1/2) - This should be a swell game, as Virginia is 4-0, including wins over Pittsburgh (30-14) and Florida State (31-24). Their offense goes in spurts, the passing game their strength.
3:30 pm #21 USC at #17 Washington (-10, 59 1/2) - USC QB Kedon Slovis is questionable (concussion), and if he's unable to go, the Trojans will be at a disadvantage, though Matt Fink threw for 351 yards in an heroic effort in their win over Utah (30-23) last week. USC's defense is also sneaky good.
3:30 Wake Forest (-6 1/2, 69 1/2) at Boston College - A good match-up in the ACC, but 4-0 Wake Forest looks like the real deal, with a 71 point scoring differential. QB Jamie Newman has thrown for 1278 yards and has 12 TDs and just two picks. The Deacons' trio of running backs tends to wear out defenses.
7:00 pm Mississippi State at #7 Auburn (-10 1/2, 46 1/2) - The 4-0 Tigers are like a battleship on a seek-and-destroy mission. They're well-prepared week to week and have a devastatingly effective defensive unit. Thus far, they've proven themselves against Oregon and Texas A&M, both ranked teams.
7:00 pm #24 Kansas State at Oklahoma State (-5, 60) - Interesting meeting in the Big 12, with two teams which seem to be a step behind Texas and Oklahoma. The 3-0 Wildcats have been a pleasant surprise to their fans, beating Mississippi State in week three, 31-24, after two blowout tuneups.
7:30 #5 Ohio State (-17 1/2, 67) at Nebraska - Getting a feeling that Ohio State may be a little bit underrated by the oddsmakers, coaches, fans, sportswriters and just about everybody outside of the state of Ohio. After winning their opener against Florida Atlantic, 45-21, they shut out Cincinnati (42-0), ripped Indiana (51-10) and destroyed Miami (OH), 76-5. They're a wrecking crew with talent on both sides of the ball.
10:00 pm Washington State at #19 Utah (-5, 56 1/2) - The Utes best be careful, as the Cougars' offense will just keep coming, as in last week's track meet, 67-63, loss to UCLA. Washington State can be defensed, as witnessed by Houston's 31-24 losing effort.
