2018 Week 5 Preview

How is it already week 5? So much football has happened, but now we are getting into mostly conference play. The games get a little bigger and a little more important. Also, most teams have reached that 4-game threshold to redshirt players. Clemson’s QB controversy is no more now that Kelly Bryant is transferring. Alabama is still the best by a ton and I’m not sure anyone will be able to catch them. Week 5, here we come.

Notable Games
4Ohio State at 9Penn State
This is a huge game. Both teams have played well up to this point and have been extremely successful on offense. Ohio State has faced the tougher test in TCU and also didn’t have their head coach for the first 3 games of the season. That being said, this will be a night white-out in Happy Valley. That is one of the toughest environments to play in. This game should be great. Lots of points, lots of defense and just lots of good football. I expect this one to be extremely close and the winner of this one has the best shot of any Big 10 team at making the playoff.
I am picking Ohio State

7Stanford at 8Notre Dame
This is a very interesting game. I don’t really think either of these teams should be in the top 10, but they haven’t really shown they don’t deserve it. I was extremely impressed with Stanford’s comeback last week. Notre Dame finally got a big win last week but I’m still not convinced. (I also don’t like Notre Dame and have a hard time picking them.) The new QB for the Irish looked very good last week and might be the spark they need. It’s always been hard for me to pick against David Shaw and that isn’t going to change this week.
I am picking Stanford

20BYU at 11Washington
This is an important game for Washington. While they are probably already out of the CFP race, a win against a good BYU team would be nice if they end up on the bubble. QB Jake Browning has been a little up and down this season so far. BYU has been sneaky good and has played strong. They were able to take down Wisconsin a couple weeks ago on the road, but I just don’t see them beating Washington this week. I think it will be a good game in the first half and then Washington will take control as the game progresses.
I am picking Washington

12West Virginia at 25Texas Tech
This will be an interesting game. West Virginia hasn’t really played anyone yet. Texas Tech is coming off a huge upset of Oklahoma State in Stillwater. I think that will lead to a bit of a letdown game for the Red Raiders. WVU QB Will Grier is very good and should take advantage of the Texas Tech defense. I think there will be a significant amount of points scored in this game and it has the potential to be a really fun one if the Texas Tech team from last week shows up again.
I am picking West Virginia

South Carolina at 17Kentucky
This could be one of the best games of the weekend. Kentucky had a major game last week against Mississippi State. The Wildcats clearly felt disrespected and wanted to show that they are a team to be reckoned with. Benny Snell ran for 165 yards and 4TDs and possibly started his Heisman campaign. South Carolina looked strong last weekend against Vanderbilt and should be a formidable foe for Kentucky, but I think home field advantage will be too much to overcome.
I am picking Kentucky

19Oregon at 24California
Oregon is a good football team. They lost a heartbreaker to Stanford last week. That probably could’ve been avoided if they had just taken a knee and ran out the clock. QB Justin Hebert was nearly perfect in regulation but struggled in overtime. California has a win over BYU but hasn’t had any other big wins. I haven’t had the chance to watch them play yet so I’m going to go with what I know and pick the Ducks.
I am picking Oregon

Arkansas vs Texas A&M (Arlington)
Arkansas surprised me a little last week. They didn’t get demolished by Auburn like I was sure they would. Having Dre Greenlaw and Randy Ramsey back on defense was a huge boost. The defense played great and Ty Storey was decent. The offense really struggled to move the ball. The overall vibe of the team was 100 times better. Guys were playing hard and trying to make plays and that made the game so much easier to watch. Texas A&M is a very good team and did pretty well against Alabama (the first team to cover and hold the Tide to under 50 points). I will make my yearly journey to Jerry World for this game and am hopeful I’ll get to watch the team that played last week and not the one that played North Texas.

Top 25
Louisiana at 1Alabama
Tennessee at 2Georgia
Syracuse at 3Clemson
4Ohio State at 9Penn State
Ole Miss at 5LSU
Baylor at 6Oklahoma
7Stanford at 8Notre Dame
Southern Miss at 10Auburn
20BYU at 11Washington
12West Virginia at 25Texas Tech
Pittsburgh at 13UCF
14Michigan at Northwestern
15Wisconsin BYE
North Carolina at 16Miami (Thursday)
South Carolina at 17Kentucky
18Texas at Kansas State
19Oregon at 24California
Central Michigan at 21Michigan State
Virginia Tech at 22Duke
Florida at 23Mississippi State

Other Games
Florida State at Louisville
Utah at Washington State
USC at Arizona
Toledo at Fresno State