College Football Picks: Best Week 5 Games

Back with another stacked weekend of title eliminator games. We’re in October now so if a team has national title aspirations, it’s time to show it. Conference play is now in full swing and there aren’t many cupcake games left. Some of our top 25 have the week off but a lot of them are getting tested. Let’s hope I can improve on my 82-15 (84.5 percent) record on the season. Here’s how this weekend will go:

No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 7 Florida

The winner here takes control of the SEC race but the loser will probably get their chance at revenge in the SEC championship. Alabama is coming off a hard-fought comeback win last week at Arkansas and things don’t get easier with the Gators coming to town. Alabama 27, Florida 20

No. 2 Ohio State at Illinois

The Illini hang around the first quarter but Ohio State wants to send a message so they’re going to blow Illinois out. Ohio State 41, Illinois 13

No. 3 Boise State at New Mexico State

I have some buddies who are NMSU grads...they don’t want to watch this. Boise is trying to destroy everyone in their path on the way to the BCS championship game. Boise State 56, New Mexico State 7

No. 4 Oregon vs. No. 14 Stanford

This is the toughest game of the weekend for me to pick. I really like Stanford. They are solid on both sides of the ball and have an outstanding QB. Oregon has tremendous speed and Autzen Stadium is as loud as it gets in college football. Oregon’s turnovers concern me. Stanford is too good for Oregon to get by winning with multiple turnovers. This is a coin-flip game for me. Oregon 34, Stanford 30

No. 5 TCU at Colorado State

The Rams aren’t very good and TCU will be out for style points. TCU will wreck havoc in the CSU backfield all day. This gets ugly. TCU 52, Colorado State 10

No. 6 Oklahoma vs. Texas

The Sooners have been up and down this year. Texas just looked awful last week so they’ll be looking for a big bounce back this week. I think it’s a defensive battle. Oklahoma 20, Texas 16

No. 8 Utah IDLE

No. 9 Nebraska IDLE

No. 10 Arizona IDLE

No. 11 Miami at Clemson

Kyle Parker leads a good Clemson squad this year that faces an improving Hurricanes defense. I’m going to trust Jacory Harris won’t throw this one away for Miami. Miami 28, Clemson 21

No. 12 LSU vs. Tennessee

LSU’s defense has looked great the past couple of weeks. They are one of the best in the country and Tennessee’s offense has just been too up and down while the Tigers offense hasn’t been. LSU 28, Tennessee 6

No. 13 Auburn vs. UL-Monroe

Auburn is coming off three straight physical wins so this game hits at the right time. Gene Chizik’s crew will get a lead and get the starters some rest as they cruise to a W. Auburn 35, UL-Monroe 10

No. 15 Iowa vs. No. 18 Penn State

These two always seem to battle to a close outcome. This year should be no different and I’ll take Iowa at home. Iowa 24, Penn State 20

No. 16 Wisconsin at Michigan State

While Michigan State’s defense has good stats against the run so far, they haven’t come close to seeing what they’ll face on Saturday from the Badgers. The huge line of Wisconsin opens enough holes to get them a big road win in Big Ten play. Wisconsin 27, Michigan State 24

No. 17 Arkansas IDLE

No. 19 South Carolina IDLE

No. 20 Michigan at Indiana

Indiana is terrible against the run. That’s awful news when you’re facing Denard Robinson. Michigan 49, Indiana 24

No. 21 N.C. State vs. Virginia Tech

N.C. State has been one of the surprises in the early going this year. Russell Wilson has played tremendous for them and he’ll help them upset VA Tech this week. N.C. State 27, Virginia Tech 23

No. 22 USC vs. Washington

Two former Pete Carroll assistants battle in this one. Jake Locker looks to get back on track and win a big road game for his team. USC looks for revenge after being upset at UW last year. USC has the better QB so I’m going with them. USC 34, Washington 31

No. 23 Air Force vs. Navy

I thought this would be Navy’s toughest game of the year in the preseason and Air Force has looked good so far while Navy has struggled. You know this will be a gritty game with both teams leaving everything on the field. It goes to the Falcons. Air Force 27, Navy 17

No. 24 West Virginia IDLE

No. 25 Oregon State vs. Arizona State

The James Rodgers injury concerns me for the Beavers. ASU has to improve their ball control after the ridiculous number of turnovers they had against Oregon last week. This one goes to the wire. Oregon State 30, Arizona State 28

The three bonus picks for this week:

Georgia at Colorado

A.J. Green returns for Georgia and has a huge game. I think he’ll go over 150 yards receiving with two touchdowns. Georgia gets back on the winning track. Georgia 31, Colorado 20

Wyoming at Toledo

Toledo is an improving team and Wyoming’s got to travel across the country for this one. Not a good combo for the Cowboys. Toledo 30, Wyoming 17

Kentucky at Mississippi

Not sure what you’re going to get from either team week to week. Both have a lot of playmakers on offense so I expect this to be a back-and-forth game with each team matching the other point for point. Mississippi 42, Kentucky 38