Must Bet College Football Week 5 Picks & Predictions

By the time that the college football season hits Week 5, many teamapuess will be in their conference openers, while others will be playing their second or third weeks of conference play. Several of the teams that had been highly ranked at the beginning of the season will have suffered an upset loss by now, shaking up the college football playoff picture. Here are some of the College Football Week 5 games that we think you should consider as you plan your college football betting for the coming season.

Must Bet College Football Week 5 Picks & Predictions

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USC Trojans at Washington State Cougars

When: Friday, September 29, 9:30 PM CT Where: Martin Stadium, Pullman, Washington. TV: ESPN Radio: ESPNLA 710AM (USC) / 104.3 FM (Washington State) Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold might have the best arm in all of college football. However, his defense is not the most reliable — after all, they gave up 49 points to Michigan in the Rose Bowl last year. They head north to take on a Washington State team that is looking to contend in the Pac-12 North — and who already has a track record of pulling off big upsets at home, thanks to their high-octane offense that head coach Mike Leach has made work at every stop on his resume. I think the Cougars could win this game outright, but if you can get a line that has the Trojans favored by a touchdown or more, I’d definitely jump on it and take Washington State to cover.

Iowa Hawkeyes at Michigan State Spartans

When: Saturday, September 30th. TBD Where: Spartan Stadium, East Lansing, Michigan. TV: TBA Radio: Iowa Hawkeyes Sports Network (Iowa) / Spartan Radio Network (Michigan State) It’s only been two seasons since these two teams met for the Big Ten title — with the Spartans winning and heading to the national semifinals, while the Hawkeyes took their first loss of the season. Last year was a real grind for both teams, as the Spartans took loss after loss in Big Ten play and the Hawkeyes could not follow their same grinding blueprint to victory in 2016. I see Michigan State rebounding this season and leaving Iowa behind — and winning this matchup at Spartan Stadium.

Georgia Bulldogs at Tennessee Volunteers

When: Saturday, September 30th. TBS Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN TV: TBA Radio: 750 WSB (Georgia) / 99.1 FM (Tennessee) This is one of the huge matchups in the SEC East this season. Tennessee looks to prove that their high ranking a year ago was not a fluke and that their talent will play out and make them a contender in this gauntlet of a conference. Kirby Smart looks to make a splash at the head of the Bulldogs’ program and make them more than a stepping stone for Florida on the way to the conference championship game. The Volunteers are a year ahead of the Bulldogs on the path to rebuilding, and I see them taking this huge home win.

Houston Cougars at Temple Owls

When: Saturday, September 30th. Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA TV: TBA Radio: KPRC 950 AM (Houston) / 97.5  The FANATIC (Temple) Greg Ward Jr and the Houston Cougars’ offense will be looking at redemption this season, after a couple of crippling losses knocked them out of playoff contention last year. They take on a Temple team that has a terrific running attack — but also lacks the defensive strength to contain Ward, who is a threat both with his feet and his arm. I like the Cougars to go up to Philadelphia and pull off a big conference win.

Oklahoma State Cowboys at Texas Tech Red Raiders

When: Saturday, September 30th. TBD Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA TV: TBA Radio: 93.7 FM (Oklahoma State) / 97.3 FM (Texas Tech) Of all the matchups on the Cowboys’ schedule, this might be the one that keeps them from jumping past Oklahoma and taking the top spot in the Big 12. Lubbock is an extremely difficult place for opponents to come in and win, thanks to that high-octane offense. Oklahoma State does not have the most ironclad of defenses, and if they are not wary when they head to Texas Tech, they will lose in a barnburner. If the Cowboys are favored by more than 10, I’d take the Red Raiders to cover.

Northwestern Wildcats at Wisconsin Badgers

When: Saturday, September 30th. TBD Where: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI TV: TBA Radio: 720 AM (Northwestern) / Badger Sports Network (Wisconsin) Those intrepid Wildcats had a successful 2016 record, posting a 6-6 record in the regular season and then beating Pitt in the Pinstripe Bowl, 31-24. When they hosted the Wisconsin Badgers last season, they fell, 21-7 — and Wisconsin returns with the same grinding philosophy on defense, and the commitment to a run-first offense that wears down the opposition. I’d take the Badgers to cover up to a 10- or 12-point line when the Wildcats come to town.