Week 5 College Football Predictions

Tuesday
Southern Mississippi (+3.5) at Central Florida: George O'Leary's Golden Knights are coming off a surprising bowl run a year ago, but have yet to show me any of that spark that they displayed last year. Even with the game at home, I'm going with Southern Miss.
Southern Mississippi 28 Central Florida 21

Thursday
BYU at TCU (+5): With the game being at home, I'm going to go with the Horned Frogs, but BYU will give them a run for it. They've played in close games all year, except for their 38-0 thrashing of Utah State last week.
TCU 24 BYU 21

Auburn (+14) at South Carolina: Star tailback Kenny Irons should be back in the lineup for the Tigers which should be enough to vault them over the two touchdown spread.
Auburn 24 South Carolina 10

Friday
Rutgers (+5.5) at South Florida: The 4-0 Scarlet Knights better not look past the Bulls, who are 3-1 and coming off a 13-7 loss to Kansas. This should make for a solid Friday night ball game, but I'm going with Schiano's squad.
Rutgers 24 South Florida 17

Saturday
Kansas at Nebraska (+19.5): This is a game of payback for the Huskers who were defeated handily by the Jayhawks a year ago. The KU defense will keep it closer than the spread indicates, but with the game in Lincoln, the Huskers should pull this one out.
Nebraska 24 Kansas 10

Kansas State at Baylor (+3): It's odd to say that Baylor and Kansas State are now on a level-playing field. If the game was played in Manhattan, I'd probably go with the Wildcats, but with it being in Waco, I'm going with Baylor in a tightly knit battle from start to finish.
Baylor 17 Kansas State 14

Colorado at Missouri (+14): I hate to ever use the term "letdown week" for an 0-4 club, but after leading Georgia in Athens for 59 minutes and 14 seconds a week ago only to lose it at the very end, I think I can use that term in this odd scenario.
Missouri 24 Colorado 10

Texas Tech at Texas A&M (+1): I'm not too confident in picking either team, with the Red Raiders coming off a 12-3 loss to TCU and then a blowout win over a Middle School team. TAMU had luck and bad coaching on their side two weeks ago in their 28-24 win over Army. With the game at College Station, I'm going to have to go with the Aggies. But, honestly, I wouldn't put any money on either club.
Texas A&M 35 Texas Tech 31

Ohio State (+6.5) at Iowa: Both clubs may have been looking ahead last week in their conference wins over Penn State and Illinois. While I would never put money down on a team that Kirk Ferentz coaches against. The same would hold true when it comes to Jim Tressel. Even though Troy Smith was somewhat average a week ago, he tends to make his presence most known in big games and this qualifies as just that.
Ohio State 28 Iowa 17

Northwestern at Penn State (+16): Northwestern appears to be a team that can be pesky, but may have problems winning many this year. The same trend should continue in Happy Valley.
Penn State 24 Northwestern 10

Wisconsin (+10) at Indiana: Even though I haven't been thoroughly impressed with the BAH-gers this year, I'll have to go with them on the road in Bloomington.
Wisconsin 28 Indiana 14

Illinois at Michigan State (+26.5): The Spartans couldn't have picked a better opponent to rebound from their devastating choke job against Notre Dame.
Michigan State 28 Illinois 7

Houston at Miami (Florida) (+15): If this game was played in Houston, I might contemplate about going with the Cougars, but, with it in the Orange Bowl, I'll have to go with the 'Canes. But, if they lose this one, Coker better start packing his bags.
Miami (Florida) 35 Houston 21

Toledo at Pittsburgh (+14): Toledo could give Pitt a tough time for three quarters, but I can't see them pulling it out in the end.
Pittsburgh 38 Toledo 28

Virginia (+6) at Duke: Call me crazy. I don't believe I've ever done this in college football, but I'm picking Duke to win a game against an ACC opponent!
Duke 17 Virginia 14

Wyoming at Syracuse (+6): Wyoming has found a way to lose close games this year and this should be no exception, as the Orange have surprised a few (including me) with their improvements from a year ago.
Syracuse 21 Wyoming 14

Louisiana Tech at Clemson (+33.5): There isn't a team in the ACC that's playing better than Clemson.
Clemson 49 Louisiana Tech 14

Navy at UConn (+3.5): UConn's solid defense should keep the score low, but Navy's option offense will score just enough for the victory.
Navy 17 UConn 10

Rice at Army (+10): With the somber mood entering the game for Rice following the death of a player on the squad, it'll be very difficult to goto West Point and be very competitive.
Army 28 Rice 10

Bowling Green at Ohio (+6): Bowling Green has not looked like the Bowling Green of the past few years and Ohio has played better than expected (by me, at least). With the game at home, I'm definitely going with Frank Solich's Bobcats.
Ohio 28 Bowling Green 21

New Mexico at Air Force (+11): New Mexico has been up and down so far this season. With the game in Colorado Springs and having more trust in Fisher DeBerry than his opponent, I'm going with the Falcons at home in this one.
Air Force 28 New Mexico 21

Purdue at Notre Dame (+16.5): Expect a lot of scoring in this one. The Irish better be careful. Will they have a letdown after their come-from-behind shocker against Michigan State a week ago? Purdue has played better as the season has progressed, beating Minnesota a week ago. While I don't predict the Boilers will play the part of the spoiler, I wouldn't count them out either.
Notre Dame 35 Purdue 28

Idaho (+3.5) at Utah State: Coach Erickson finally wins a game against a Division I-A team. I can't tell you how many points Utah State has scored this year, but can tell you they've been shut out in at least three of four games and that's not a good recipe for winning no matter who you're playing.
Idaho 17 Utah State 7

Boise State at Utah (+3.5): This will be a tough one, but until I see Ian Johnson, Jarod Zabransky, and the Broncos lose a game, I'm going to stick with them here.
Boise State 28 Utah 24

USC (+16) at Washington State: With receiver Dwayne Jarrett being questionable and the game in Pullman, it may be closer than the "experts" think, but the Trojans should come away with the victory in the end.
USC 28 Washington State 21

Cal (+10.5) at Oregon State: Da Bears (the college version) are rolling along following a 49-21 blowout win over Arizona State. If they can do that to the Sundevils, one can only imagine what they could do to the Beavers.
Cal 42 Oregon State 7

Stanford at UCLA (+22.5): Is UCLA that good? No, but Stanford is that bad. Heck, they lost to San Jose State. Ouch. Walt Harris better watch out, or the sad Spartans of SJSU may take over for the Cardinal as the 10th team in the Pac 10 if he's not careful.
UCLA 35 Stanford 3

Alabama at Florida (+13.5): The Tide will keep the score down a bit, but not enough to overtake the Gator's high-flying offensive attack.
Florida 24 Alabama 10

Miami (Ohio) at Cincinnati (+8): The Bearcats go from Columbus to Blacksburg to Cincinnati to take on Miami (no, not the good one). They played Ohio State tough for a half and Virginia Tech for three quarters. If they play similar ball, they should have their way with Miami.
Cincinnati 28 Miami (Ohio) 10

Central Michigan at Kentucky (+6.5): After battling Boston College and Michigan, the Chippewas have pulled off two straight to even their record at 2-2. If they can compete against Boston College for 60 minutes, I like their chances against Kentucky.
Central Michigan 28 Kentucky 24

San Diego State (+2) at San Jose State: San Diego State hasn't played up to their potential yet, but should have enough to beat the Spartans.
San Diego State 35 San Jose State 28

Northern Illinois (+6.5) at Ball State: Even though I've been less than impressed with the Huskies thus far, I give them the edge in this one.
Northern Illinois 28 Ball State 17

Mississippi State at LSU (+31): Slyvester Croom and the Bulldogs better have enjoyed their win this past weekend against UAB, because that streak is going to come to a big halt at 1 after this game.
LSU 31 Mississippi State 3

Georgia (+17) at Ole Miss: Ole Miss has gotten clobbered by Kentucky and Wake Forest the past two weekends by the score of 58 to 17. Ouch. Now, they run into a determined and ticked off Georgia squad ready to make amends for their sub-par performance a week ago against Colorado.
Georgia 38 Ole Miss 10

Temple at Vanderbilt (+33.5): Playing against Temple? Mark that as a win for their opponent, in this case, Vandy.
Vanderbilt 31 Temple 10

Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (+9): If this game was played in Atlanta, I'd go with the Jackets, but with it being in Blacksburg, I'm taking the Hokies, not by much, though.
Virginia Tech 24 Georgia Tech 21

Akron (+3) at Kent State: I've been inaccurate in the Golden Flashes' games this year. I may be again, as I'm going with the Zips.
Akron 28 Kent State 24

Michigan (+8.5) at Minnesota: I'd watch out for this one if I was the Wolverines. Minnesota is coming back home after a disappointing conference loss to Purdue. While Michigan looked all but invincible two weeks ago against Notre Dame, they looked beatable last week against Wisconsin. It should be close, but I'm going with Michigan.
Michigan 28 Minnesota 21

Tennessee (+13) at Memphis: The 'Vols struggled early last week against Marshall. Phil Fulmer probably had a few words for the team regarding their non-conference struggles. Don't expect a close score in this one.
Tennessee 35 Memphis 10

SMU (+3) at Tulane: I can't see the Green Wave playing with as much emotion and intensity in New Orleans on Saturday as the Saints did on Monday night. The Mustangs pull it out in a close one.
SMU 28 Tulane 24

New Mexico State at UTEP (+17): UTEP has not played up to expectations thus far. I can see them winning this game, but I doubt they'll cover the spread.
UTEP 35 New Mexico State 28

Colorado State at Fresno State (+10.5): After losing two early ball games to the Pac 10, Fresno State has to rebound and focus on winning the WAC. While Colorado State plays in the Mountain West, it'd be difficult for Fresno to have much confidence going into conference play with three losses.
Fresno State 28 Colorado State 21

Nevada (+5) at UNLV: The battle of Nevada! Seriously, are there any other Division I-A teams from the state of Nevada? I can't think of any. The Pistol Offense started to click last week against Northwestern and that should carry over in this matchup against the Rebels.
Nevada 28 UNLV 21

Washington at Arizona (+3.5): Ty Willingham's crew has improved immensely in year two of his tenure. Stoops' club is improving, but in a more gradual sense. I like the Huskies to continue their winning ways in Tucson.
Washington 21 Arizona 14

Oregon (+2) at Arizona State: After witnessing the ASU defense a week ago (or lack there of), I can't help but go with the Ducks in this one.
Oregon 35 Arizona State 28

Eastern Michigan at Louisiana-Lafayette (+4.5): Do I have to pick one? I'll flip a coin. Okay, Eastern Michigan.
Eastern Michigan 24 Louisiana-Lafayette 21

Arkansas State at Florida International (+7): Florida International has lost all four games this year by a combined 11 points. They should finally win one!
Florida International 21 Arkansas State 14

Troy at UAB (+9): Should be a tough, hard fought, low-scoring game, but I'm going with the Blazers.
UAB 21 Troy 17

Middle Tennessee State at North Texas (+1.5): I should flip a coin on this one, as well. I've been disappointed thus far with North Texas, so I'm going with Middle Tennessee.
Middle Tennessee State 28 North Texas 24

Florida Atlantic at Louisiana-Monroe (+13): Along with Temple, Florida Atlantic has looked to be one of the worst teams in Division I-A.
Louisiana-Monroe 24 Florida Atlantic 10