Duke set to deliver another statement win
Games to watch in college football’s Week 5:
No. 10 Utah (4-0, 1-0) at No. 21 Oregon State (3-1, 0-1) Friday, 9 p.m. EDT, FS1
Spread (BetMGM):
Oregon State by 3
This Pac-12 tilt highlights the pre-Saturday slate. The Beavers look to bounce back from a hard-fought road setback at Washington State, but hosting the Utes, with the league’s stingiest defense, is a tough assignment. So far, Utah hasn’t needed to put up big scores thanks to DE Jonah Elliss and his fellow stoppers who have a total of 27 tackles behind the line of scrimmage through four games. Beavers QB D.J. Uiagalelei has avoided sacks for the most part but can still be pickprone when rushed. The availability of Utah QB Cam Rising will again be a game-time determination, so LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold and the Oregon State defense must also be prepared if Nate Johnson gets another start.
Prediction: Utah coach Kyle Whittingham likes lowscoring games. This figures to be one, but this time the Beavers will do enough on their home field to get a lead and hang on, keeping their Pac-12 title hopes alive.
Oregon State, 19-13
No. 6 Southern Cal (4-0, 2-0) at Colorado (3-1, 0-1) Saturday, noon EDT, Fox
Spread (BetMGM):
USC by 21.5
The Buffaloes might be in for another reality check against the Trojans, but USC didn’t exactly dominate in its first road game of the season last week at Arizona State. Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders should have somewhat more time to breathe this week, though USC is averaging four sacks a game. On the other side, Trojans QB Caleb Williams has enjoyed excellent protection, which has helped him produce 15 scoring tosses without a pick. The CU special teams must also beware of Trojans freshman sensation Zachariah Branch, who has brought a punt and a kickoff to the house in addition to a pair of TD receptions.
Prediction: This one won’t be quite as one-sided for the Buffs, but the Trojans still have a significant talent edge.
Southern Cal, 38-21
No. 23 Florida (3-1, 1-0) at Kentucky (4-0, 1-0) Saturday, noon EDT, ESPN Spread (BetMGM):
Kentucky by 3
With conference play now in full swing, it’s time to find out if there are any true challengers to Georgia in the SEC East Division. The Gators and Wildcats square off in hopes of keeping their league records clean. The Gators followed their big win against Tennessee with a
lackluster victory against Charlotte. QB Graham Mertz and the rest of the offense will have to be much sharper on the road this week.
Doing so might not be easy against LB Trevin Wallace and the Wildcats, who are limiting opponents to just 15.5 points per game. Kentucky QB Devin Leary has been somewhat generous with the ball at times, but he might have to keep taking chances against LB Shemar James and a Gators defense that allows less than 5 yards per snap.
Prediction: Florida has been relatively mistake-free through its first four games with just one turnover. The Wildcats haven’t been as clean, and that’s what will make the difference in a tightly contested, hard-hitting affair.
Florida, 23-16
No. 1 Georgia (4-0, 1-0) at Auburn (2-1, 0-1) Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EDT, CBS Spread (BetMGM):
Georgia by 14.5
The Bulldogs take to the road to renew acquaintances with their oldest SEC rival. The Tigers dropped their league opener at Texas A&M a week ago and are still searching for answers on offense. Auburn best option might be to let QB Robby Ashford direct a more ground-heavy attack, but that won’t be viable if QB Carson Beck and TE Brock Bowers stake the Bulldogs to an early cushion.
Prediction: Unfortunately, Georgia is exactly the team one does not want to be facing when points are hard to come by. The crowd in Auburn will be revved up and the team will try its best, but UGa will have this one on ice fairly quickly.
Georgia, 28-6*
No. 24 Kansas (4-0, 1-0) at No. 5 Texas (4-0, 1-0) Saturday, 3:30 p.m. EDT, ABC Spread (BetMGM): Texas by 17.5 Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
With a huge win at Alabama in the bank and off to a solid start in the Big 12, the Longhorns look to maintain their early momentum. KU has become a tough out under third-year coach Lance Leipold’s leadership. Texas QB Quinn Ewers has been nearly flawless, making excellent use of TE Ja’Tavion Sanders and WR Xavier Worthy. The Jayhawks will counter with QB Jalon Daniels, who battled injuries early but is back at full speed. He gets plenty of help from RB Devin Neal. Prediction: Two years ago, the Jayhawks came to Austin and won a 57-56 track meet, so it’s safe to say the Longhorns won’t be caught unawares by this program. Texas, 34-28
No. 12 LSU (3-1, 2-0) at No. 20 Mississippi (3-1, 0-1) Saturday, 6 p.m. EDT, ESPN
Spread (BetMGM):
LSU by 2.5
The Bayou Bengals still have title aspirations of their own after surviving a shootout with Arkansas. Tigers QB Jayden Daniels and WR Malik Nabers have emerged as one of the nation’s top batteries, but the Rebels secondary must also watch out for WR Brian Thomas Jr., who is averaging more than 16 yards a catch. Rebels QB Jaxson Dart hasn’t been as successful with the long ball, but his mobility might serve him well against the LSU front that struggled to contain the likes of Arkansas’ K.J. Jefferson and Florida State’s Jordan Travis. Prediction: LSU was in a four-quarter fight itself last week but should still have more in the tank to put this one away down the stretch.
LSU, 38-24
No. 13 Notre Dame (4-1) at No. 16 Duke (4-0) Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EDT, ABC Spread (BetMGM):
Notre Dame by 5.5
This date has become a must-win affair for the Fighting Irish after their last-second loss to Ohio State. The Blue Devils took down Clemson and look to maximize this major opportunity with the “College GameDay” spotlight. Duke QB Riley Leonard’s arsenal includes RB Jordan Waters and WR Jalon Calhoun, but he’ll need to avoid frequent contact with Fighting Irish DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste. After a rough start against Ohio State, Sam Hartman will look to get the Notre Dame offense moving a bit quicker. RB Audric Estime can help, but the Blue Devils D-line featuring Brandon Johnson and Aeneas Peebles creates a lot of backfield havoc. Prediction: A quick turnaround for another amped-up opponent is a tough assignment, even for a team as talented as Notre Dame.
Duke, 31-27