ESPN College Gameday 2022: Week 5 Schedule, Location, Predictions and More
ESPN's College GameDay is headed back to Clemson for the first time in two years.
The Tigers are on a roll and finally starting to look like a team that could challenge for the CFP National Championship again, which is why the popular college football kickoff show is back at Memorial Stadium.
The three-time national champion Tigers (4-0) will play host to N.C. State and hope to remain undefeated.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Rece Davis will host the show at Bowman Field, and it will air at 9 a.m. ET on ESPN and ESPNU.
In addition to the big game in Death Valley, there are some other marquee matchups on the schedule for Week 5, including No. 2 Alabama versus No. 20 Arkansas, No. 1 Georgia traveling to Missouri, and Iowa hosting No. 4 Michigan.
This week's guest picker is still a mystery, but fans are clamoring for someone with strong ties to Clemson.
Here's the latest look at the schedule for the Top 25 teams for Week 5, as well as predictions for each game, including a closer look at Clemson vs. NC State.
Week 5 Top 25 Schedule, Predictions
Friday, Sept. 30 (all times ET)
No. 15 Washington at UCLA, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Saturday, Oct. 1
No. 4 Michigan at Iowa, 12 p.m., Fox
No. 7 Kentucky at No. 14 Ole Miss, 12 p.m., ESPN
No. 18 Oklahoma at TCU, 12 p.m., ABC
Purdue at No. 21 Minnesota, 12 p.m., ESPN2
Texas Tech at No. 25 Kansas State, 12 p.m., Big 12/ESPN+
Oregon State at No. 12 Utah, 2 p.m., Pac-12 Network
No. 2 Alabama at No. 20 Arkansas, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Rutgers at No. 3 Ohio State, 3:30 p.m., Big Ten Network
No. 9 Oklahoma State at No. 16 Baylor, 3:30 p.m., Fox
Northwestern at No. 11 Penn State, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
No. 22 Wake Forest at No. 23 Florida State, 3:30 p.m., ABC
The Citadel at Appalachian State, 3:30 p.m., ESPN+
No. 17 Texas A&M at Mississippi State, 4 p.m., SEC Network
No. 1 Georgia at Missouri, 7:30 p.m., SEC Network
No. 10 NC State at No. 5 Clemson, 7:30 p.m., ABC
Georgia Tech at No. 24 Pitt, 8 p.m., ACC Network
Arizona State at No. 6 USC, 10:30 p.m., ESPN
Stanford at No. 13 Oregon, 11 p.m., FS1
*Picks in bold.
NC State vs. Clemson Preview
In college football, there's nothing like a great rematch, which is why the contest between Clemson and NC State is the highlight of Week 5.
The last time these two teams faced each other, the Wolfpack emerged victorious after toppling the Tigers in a 27-21 overtime thriller a year ago.
What really got to the Clemson players, though, was NC State head coach Dave Doeren lighting a celebratory cigar and holding up a red Solo cup.
That image seems to be burned into the Tigers players' memories and they are definitely using it as motivation ahead of Saturday's game at Frank Howard Field.
"One hundred percent, we want the revenge," Walker Parks said, per the Associated Press. "Want to win the division and want to win the conference."
Outside of the desire to avenge last year's loss, Clemson is coming in better prepared than the last time it faced the Wolfpack in Carter-Finley Stadium.
Most importantly, third-year quarterback DJ Uiagalelei already has 10 touchdowns this season, one more than his total number in 2021.
"He’s just in a different place," Dabo Swinney said. "He’s very confident and playing with a lot of joy. He was not very confident last year."
The Tigers' confidence might also come from the oddsmakers, who have them coming out on top on Saturday.
It would be a signature win for Clemson, as both teams are ranked in the Top 10.
As for NC State, if it can pull off another upset, it could aid its quest to get more national attention and make the College Football Playoff.
"We're not intimidated,” Doeren said, per Dan Wetzel of Yahoo Sports. “We’re excited."
"Our guys are very confident," he added. "If they play the way that they practiced and make the plays they need to make and strain for as long as it takes, they can win."
Stormy weather caused by the effects of Hurricane Ian might be an issue during the game, but the team that can play its best despite the conditions should get the victory.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
