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2025 Week 5 College Football Predictions for Every Game
Around this time every season, college football takes a hard turn. The beginning of conference play litters the calendar with meaningful games.
Week 5 is a prime example.
Saturday's action features four Top 25 matchups, highlighted by the prime-time pairing of Alabama at Georgia and Oregon at Penn State. Although the expanded College Football Playoff has reduced the intensity of single results, the significance of a marquee win remains high.
In addition, most other AP-ranked teams are playing a conference game—and a majority of those matchups are on the road, too.
This is the kind of weekend you'll need as many screens as possible.
Top Matchups for Week 3
1 of 5
No. 24 TCU (3-0) at Arizona State (3-1), Friday, 9 p.m. ET
Arizona State opened the season as the Big 12 favorite, and the Sun Devils are still a top contender. TCU, though, is making a strong case after a rout of North Carolina and quality win against SMU. Playing on the road is tough, but I'm aboard the Josh Hoover bandwagon and favor TCU's offense to pull the slight upset.
Prediction: TCU 30, Arizona State 26
No. 21 USC (4-0) at No. 23 Illinois (3-1), Noon
After an embarrassing 63-10 loss at Indiana, Illinois has a chance to get back on track opposite USC. However, it's undeniable that IU exposed a big defensive problem for the Illini—and a serious injury to star cornerback Xavier Scott isn't going to help, either.
Prediction: USC 31, Illinois 20
No. 4 LSU (4-0) at No. 13 Ole Miss (4-0), 3:30 p.m.
We don't know whether Austin Simmons (ankle) is going to start for Ole Miss, and Lane Kiffin likely won't say anything. Operating under the assumption that Trinidad Chambliss is QB1, I'm taking the Rebels. His mobility will be a critical asset against a very talented LSU secondary. When plays break down, Chambliss can create with his feet to keep drives alive and help Ole Miss snatch a massive win.
Prediction: Ole Miss 28, LSU 24
No. 6 Oregon (4-0) at No. 3 Penn State (3-0), 7:30 p.m.
A rematch of last season's Big Ten Championship Game, this is a huge narrative day. Penn State is 4-20 against Top 10 opponents in the James Franklin era, and Drew Allar historically has been mediocre (or worse) against that level of competition. At home, at night, in the White Out environment? The context is ideal for PSU. And I still believe it won't be enough to clip Oregon.
Prediction: Oregon 27, Penn State 21
No. 17 Alabama (2-1) vs. No. 5 Georgia (3-0), 7:30 p.m.
Alabama won a thrilling game clash in 2024, but little about that contest is applicable here. New quarterbacks, new venue and so on. The main question is what defenses show up in Athens. Bama looked shockingly soft in a loss at Florida State, and Tennessee put up nearly 500 yards in UGA's overtime win. I'll take Georgia to limit Bama's rushing attack and snag a valuable home triumph.
Prediction: Georgia 28, Alabama 23
Weekday Games
2 of 5
No. 8 Florida State (3-0) at Virginia (3-1), Friday, 6 p.m. ET
On paper, this should be a straightforward FSU win. Virginia gave up 216 yards and four touchdowns to NC State's rushing attack a few weeks ago, and FSU's strength is its ground game. However, a new-look UVA offense has played well and probably will be a thorn at home. Florida State survives, but it's uncomfortable.
Prediction: Florida State 31, Virginia 24
Army (1-2) at East Carolina (2-2), Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: ECU 34, Army 28
Houston (3-0) at Oregon State (0-4), Friday, 10:30 p.m.
Prediction: Houston 30, Oregon State 21
Saturday Early Games
3 of 5
No. 16 Georgia Tech (4-0) at Wake Forest (2-1), Noon
If the Deacs are unable to win at the line of scrimmage, Georgia Tech will run away—sometimes literally—in a hurry. Tech has averaged 6.8 yards per carry this season, and Wake Forest ceded 205 yards at a 4.7-yard clip to NC State two weeks ago.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, Wake Forest 20
No. 22 Notre Dame (1-2) at Arkansas (2-2), Noon
Since defense hasn't been a strength for either program, this is a giant toss-up. Notre Dame is more talented overall, but Arkansas has a dynamic QB, Taylen Green, who should frustrate a defense that hasn't generated much pressure. A bad start to the season for the Irish gets worse.
Prediction: Arkansas 34, Notre Dame 30
Utah State (3-1) at No. 18 Vanderbilt (4-0), Noon
Texas A&M didn't have a problem with Utah State in early September, yet this is a thorny team. In particular, Bryson Barnes is an efficient and dangerous dual-threat QB at his best. Vandy isn't necessarily on upset alert, but don't be surprised if Utah State hangs around into the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 41, Utah State 21
Duke (2-2) at Syracuse (3-1), Noon
Prediction: Syracuse 27, Duke 24
Louisville (3-0) at Pitt (2-1), Noon
Prediction: Louisville 28, Pitt 23
Rutgers (3-1) at Minnesota (2-1), Noon
Prediction: Minnesota 24, Rutgers 19
UCF (3-0) at Kansas State (1-3), Noon
Prediction: Kansas State 27, UCF 23
Cincinnati (2-1) at Kansas (3-1), Noon
Prediction: Kansas 31, Cincinnati 20
South Alabama (1-3) at North Texas (4-0), Noon
Prediction: North Texas 42, South Alabama 24
Bowling Green (2-2) at Ohio (2-2), Noon
Prediction: Ohio 26, Bowling Green 20
Eastern Michigan (1-3) at Central Michigan (2-2), 2 p.m.
Prediction: CMU 31, EMU 21
Georgia Southern (2-2) at James Madison (2-1), 2 p.m.
Prediction: JMU 34, Georgia Southern 23
Arkansas State (1-3) at Louisiana-Monroe (2-1), 3 p.m.
Prediction: Arkansas State 33, ULM 27
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Saturday Afternoon Games
4 of 5
No. 1 Ohio State (3-0) at Washington (3-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
In the interest of not burying the lede, Ohio State is the winner. There are just too many injuries on the Washington defense right now. However, this is an ideal opportunity to see whether UW's offense can handle elite competition and make the Dawgs a threat to sneak into the College Football Playoff.
Prediction: Ohio State 38, Washington 24
Auburn (3-1) at No. 9 Texas A&M (3-0), 3:30 p.m.
To say Auburn's offensive line looked like Swiss cheese against Oklahoma would be disrespectful to the dairy product. Texas A&M, which has notched eight-plus tackles for loss in each contest so far, will cause plenty of headaches again.
Prediction: Texas A&M 31, Auburn 20
No. 11 Indiana (4-0) at Iowa (3-1), 3:30 p.m.
Iowa seemingly always has that nonsensical win over a visiting ranked opponent. But, uh, I'm not going to pick against Curt Cignetti after the Hoosiers put a stunning smackdown on Illinois last weekend.
Prediction: Indiana 27, Iowa 17
No. 15 Tennessee (3-1) at Mississippi State (4-0), 4:15 p.m.
All right, Mississippi State, should we believe in you? The earlier upset of Arizona State put MSU on the radar, and taking down Tennessee would send the Bulldogs soaring into the headlines. I think UT's offense ends up carrying the Vols, but Mississippi State has a real chance for a statement win.
Prediction: Tennessee 34, Mississippi State 28
Cal (3-1) at Boston College (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Cal 31, Boston College 23
UCLA (0-3) at Northwestern (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Northwestern 20, UCLA 17
Baylor (2-2) at Oklahoma State (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Baylor 34, Oklahoma State 24
Utah (3-1) at West Virginia (2-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Utah 27, WVU 20
Rice (3-1) at Navy (3-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Navy 31, Rice 14
Akron (1-3) at Toledo (2-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Toledo 38, Akron 13
San Diego State (2-1) at Northern Illinois (1-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: SDSU 23, NIU 20
Connecticut (2-2) at Buffalo (2-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Buffalo 22, UConn 17
Lindenwood (2-2) at Miami (Ohio) (0-3), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Miami 27, Lindenwood 16
Tulane (3-1) at Tulsa (2-2), 4 p.m.
Prediction: Tulane 34, Tulsa 20
New Mexico State (2-1) at New Mexico (2-1), 4 p.m.
Prediction: New Mexico 33, NMSU 23
Hawaii (3-2) at Air Force (1-2), 4:10 p.m.
Prediction: Air Force 28, Hawaii 24
Saturday Evening and Late Slate
5 of 5
Arizona (3-0) at No. 14 Iowa State (4-0), 7 p.m. ET
While the numbers are impressive for Arizona so far, Iowa State is a significant step up in competition. The physicality of ISU's blockers—which is usually the offensive line and at least two tight ends—will be a stout challenge. Throw in Arizona's penalty issues, and an upset on the road seems unlikely.
Prediction: Iowa State 24, Arizona 16
Massachusetts (0-3) at No. 20 Missouri (4-0), 7:30 p.m.
Through three games, UMass has surrendered 6.3 yards per snap in losses to Temple, Bryant and Iowa. I would not anticipate many issues for Mizzou.
Prediction: Missouri 52, UMass 10
No. 25 BYU (3-0) at Colorado (2-2), 10:15 p.m.
Which version of Kaidon Salter are we going to see? That answer will probably shape the result in Boulder. BYU hasn't been tested but should be able to contain CU's talented yet inconsistent dual-threat QB.
Prediction: BYU 31, Colorado 24
Middle Tennessee (1-3) at Kennesaw State (2-2), 6 p.m.
Prediction: Kennesaw State 28, MTSU 17
Liberty (1-3) at Old Dominion (2-1), 6 p.m.
Prediction: ODU 34, Liberty 21
Rhode Island (4-0) at Western Michigan (1-3), 6:30 p.m.
Prediction: WMU 24, Rhode Island 20
Virginia Tech (1-3) at North Carolina State (3-1), 7 p.m.
Prediction: NC State 30, Virginia Tech 23
Memphis (4-0) at Florida Atlantic (1-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Memphis 33, FAU 24
Western Kentucky (3-1) at Missouri State (2-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: WKU 34, Missouri State 27
Jacksonville State (2-2) at Southern Miss (2-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Southern Miss 30, Jax State 28
San Jose State (1-2) at Stanford (1-3), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Stanford 26, SJSU 21
Washington State (2-2) at Colorado State (1-2), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: CSU 31, Washington State 23
Appalachian State (2-1) at Boise State (2-1), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Boise State 35, App State 24
Kentucky (2-1) at South Carolina (2-2), 7:45 p.m.
Prediction: South Carolina 27, Kentucky 20
Marshall (2-2) at Louisiana (1-3), 8 p.m.
Prediction: Marshall 24, Louisiana 21
Louisiana Tech (3-1) at UTEP (1-3), 9 p.m.
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 28, UTEP 23
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