Who is on upset alert this week? We are breaking down the best games of Week 5.
J. Harris, Boston Mountain Publishing
Friday, September 30, 2022, 4:14 PM
Week 5, Top Matchups of the Weekend: Preview and Predictions
Week 5 has all the makings to create shock in the college football world with some playoff hopefuls playing in some huge games. There will be teams who find themselves with no chance to make the playoffs after this week, and there will be teams that boost themselves into the national conversation out of nowhere. Overall, this should be a great weekend with some amazing games on tap in college football.
Two games featured play tonight on ESPN starting at 7/6 (c).
Sidenote: Due to Hurricane Ian, there will be games played on Sunday and the SMU vs UCF game was just recently moved to Wednesday night on ESPN2.
(7) Kentucky (4-0) @ (14) Ole Miss (4-0): 12/11:00 (c) ESPN
Starting off the Saturday slate we have a Top 15 matchup between two cross division SEC teams. These teams don't match up every year which makes this even more exciting. Ole Miss has been in the Top 25 all year, and fan turnout has been the topic of conversation from Coach Lane Kiffin this week. He has complained about the low turnout and the fans leaving early in his press conferences of late. Kentucky has played in the Swamp and came out victorious in a big early season matchup. The winner here will be a huge threat in the SEC and maybe even the playoffs. We know what to expect out of Kentucky, but Ole Miss on the other hand has not played the same level of competition.
Prediction: Kentucky
(9) Oklahoma State (4-0) @ (16) Baylor (3-1): 3:30/2:30 (c) FOX
The 3:30/2:30(c) time slot this weekend is just stacked and if you have 3 tv’s you are going to have a great watch party this weekend. Oklahoma State will travel to play the Baylor Bears in Waco Satuday afternoon. Baylor's only loss was to a good BYU team on the road a couple weeks ago, so they are very much still a contender in the BIG 12. Oklahoma State has been able to put a lot of points on the board, but at times their defense has struggled a bit. I believe that the offense lead by Drew Sanders is too much for most teams including this Baylor team.
Prediction: Oklahoma State
(22) Wake Forest (3-1) @ (23) Florida State (4-0): 3:30/2:30 (c) ABC
The ACC has two great matchups this weekend. In this one we are going to find out how good the Seminoles really are as they take on a legitimate Wake Forest team who just took (5) Clemson to the wire last week. Florida State has looked average with some poor moments in some of their games this year and good for them they have not played the competition in which it really mattered. With that being said, I truly believe they will get exposed by this Wake Forest team in dominant fashion.
Prediction: Wake Forest
(2) Alabama (4-0) @ (20) Arkansas (3-1): 3:30/2:30 (c) CBS
CBS is showcasing the Crimson Tide rolling into Fayetteville to take on the Razorbacks in a big Top 25 showdown that will have major SEC West implications on the line. Arkansas lost last week at a neutral site to division foe Texas A&M with a last second missed kick (The Oink Doink). As for Bama, they dominated Vanderbilt just like everyone else on their schedule, except Texas which was in Austin. Arkansas' biggest weakness has been the secondary all year, lucky for them Alabama has had trouble stretching the ball vertically so far this year. Alabama is led by Heisman winner Bryce Young, but they have struggled on the road these past two years. With all that said, I'm not sure what Arkansas team is going to show up this week, so I believe Alabama is the safe pick, but if Arkansas comes and plays to their potential it could come down to the wire.
Prediction: Alabama
Tulane (3-1) @ Houston (2-2): Tonight 7/6 (c) ESPN
To kick off the weekend slate, we have a solid matchup between two mid majors tonight on ESPN. The reason this game makes the list is because I truly believe this will be a thriller. High Scoring potential type game, fun for the eyes. The kind of game that will have your heart going even if you're not a fan of these programs. Tulane has one loss on the year coming against a very good Southern Miss team, but this is the same Tulane team that beat Kansas State two weeks ago, so they are very dangerous. Houston has lost two games coming against Texas Tech and Kansas to date. Houston has some talent, and they had some hype coming into the 2022 season. As a team, they are tired of losing and will come in hot and ready to win tonight at home.
Prediction - Houston
(15) Washington (4-0) @ UCLA (4-0): Tonight 10:30/9:30 (c) ESPN
Two 4-0 programs going at it on a Friday night. PAC 12 after dark. This game is going to be one to watch. Will it be low scoring, high scoring? No matter what, one of these teams are coming out 5-0 and will be called to the national spotlight. Based on previous matchups, UCLA has not impressed me as much as Washinton has and I believe Washington has the upper hand on the Bruins.
Prediction - Washington
Upset pick of the week
(10) NC State (4-0) @ (5) Clemson (4-0): 7:30/6:30 (c) ABC
A huge Top 10 matchup to end this thrilling day of amazing games. Will North Carolina State be able to pull off another upset against Clemson two years in a row? Will Clemson be able to play competitively in back-to-back weeks? I don't think so. I think NC State will pull off a huge upset and take the Tigers out of the picture to win the ACC and make the playoffs. Leary and his Wolfpack will shock Death Valley Stadium. Watch this game Saturday night, it will be worth it.
Prediction: NC State
Check out this week's team rankings here:
BMPReport.com Week 5 Team Rankings 1-30
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