Major upsets have already shown up through the first few weeks. With several key matchups in college football Week 5, will there be more shake up in major conferences? Let’s take a look at this week’s games to watch.
South Carolina vs. Florida
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: Noon ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Florida -18.5
Florida looked strong out of the gate with an impressive win against Ole Miss. South Carolina also looked improved from last year albeit in a loss to Tennessee. Both teams will face a step up in competition on the defensive side of the ball, but with playmakers like Kyle Pitts and Shi Smith on the field, points will still be found. At this point, Florida simply has more talent at key positions on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, which will get the Gators another double-digit win. Kyle Trask continues to roll and so will the Gators.
Prediction: Florida wins 44-27
TCU vs. Texas
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: Noon ET
TV: FOX
Spread: Texas -13
Texas had a scare with Texas Tech last week but came out of it with a win and some questions answered on offense. The Longhorns will continue to lean on Sam Ehlinger but seem to have a plethora of receivers and a nice one-two punch at running back to help take some weight off Ehlinger. TCU meanwhile has plenty of questions after a poor showing on defense against Iowa State. Typically a calling card for TCU, its defense was shredded by Iowa State on the ground giving up over 200 rushing yards to the Cyclones. Texas will surely look to exploit that weakness and grind out a victory in what is sure to be a tough interstate battle.
Prediction: Texas wins 37-31
Texas A&M vs. Alabama
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Spread: Alabama -16.5
Texas A&M was a lot of people’s darkhorse picks as a team that would emerge to contend with heavyweights Alabama, Auburn and LSU in the SEC West. The Aggies struggled with perennial basement dwellers Vanderbilt last week and now must sharpen up significantly if they hope to compete with Alabama. The Crimson Tide seemed to coast through most of their game against Missouri and likely will have another gear to shift into Saturday when they see their first true test of the season against A&M. Look for Alabama’s defense clamp down on an inconsistent Aggie offense. The Tide rolls in this one in what will be a statement early season win.
Prediction: Alabama wins 41-23
North Carolina vs. Boston College
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: UNC -13.5
The hype train is still running for North Carolina, but with two weeks off some of that luster has faded. Nonetheless, the Tar Heels’ offense is still dangerous as ever with Sam Howell, Dazz Newsome and Dyami Brown leading an attack that will challenge a still unproven Boston College unit. The Eagles’ defense will try to hold up but will need help from the offense, which thus far has done well running the ball and chewing up clock behind a strong offensive line in its two wins this year. If North Carolina can put some points up early and force Boston College into throwing, this game could get ugly. However, the Tar Heels have a tendency of slow starts and will likely play this one tight until the fourth quarter where they will pull away for a double-digit win.
Prediction: North Carolina wins 31-20
Memphis vs. SMU
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
Spread: Memphis -1.5
A huge matchup for the AAC in recent years, Memphis and SMU meet again in what looks to be another shootout in the making. Memphis senior quarterback Brady White leads a balanced attack against an SMU defense that looked a bit leaky especially against the run this year. SMU will also lean on a senior quarterback with Shane Buechele looking to top last year’s performance where he threw for over 450 yards and three touchdowns. This one will come down to the defenses and who can string multiple stops together first. Memphis has the better defensive athletes and will get a few key stops throughout the game that will be the difference in this high scoring affair.
Prediction: Memphis wins 48-38
Oklahoma vs Iowa State
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Oklahoma -6.5
Oklahoma and Iowa State enter this game with both their seasons hanging in the balance. Coaches Lincoln Riley and Matt Campbell are two of the best leaders in college football and should have their teams ready for what could determine a trip to the Big12 Championship at the end of the year. Quarterbacks Brock Purdy and Spencer Rattler will both need to improve and do it quickly if either team hopes to be more consistent on offense. While Purdy is the veteran player, Riley is the better coach and will likely have Rattler playing better in what will only be his third college start. Expect a close one with a couple of turnovers on both sides, but the stronger offense of Oklahoma coming through for the win.
Prediction: Oklahoma wins 41-35
Auburn vs. Georgia
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: UGA -6.5
The deep south’s oldest rivalry gears up for another round with Georgia and Auburn looking to build on last week’s performances. The biggest question surrounding this game will be who plays quarterback for Georgia after both Stetson Bennett and D’Wan Mathis saw time last week. Both teams have strong defenses and will challenge the offensive signal callers every step of the way. Auburn faced a tough defense in its matchup against Kentucky last week and still put points up, which should translate in another tough match up this week. Expect a low-scoring game with several lead changes along the way. Ultimately it will be the battle tested Tigers that come up with the win in this one.
Prediction: Auburn wins 27-23
Photo courtesy of FloridaGators.com
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