CFB Week 5 Predictions: Odds, Tips & Best Bets

Week 5 offers fans a glimpse of the Big Ten at its very best, with a strong Saturday card headlined by the Saturday night White Out game between the Penn State Nittany Lions and the visiting Oregon Ducks (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC), a rematch of the 2024 Big Ten Championship Game. Also garnering plenty of gambling interest is the Illinois Fighting Illini hosting the USC Trojans (Noon, FOX), the Indiana Hoosiers at the Iowa Hawkeyes (3:30 p.m. ET, Peacock), and the Ohio State Buckeyes at the Washington Huskies (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS). Not to be forgotten is the SEC showdown of the visiting Alabama Crimson Tide and revenge-seeking Georgia Bulldogs (7:45 p.m. ET, ABC). Also, the Ole Miss Rebels will host the LSU Tigers (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC) in a classic Deep South rivalry showdown.

Notable Week 5 College Football Odds

Kansas State (-6) is an intriguing price at home against UCF. The Wildcats are one of the biggest disappointments of the season, but they are coming off a bye week. Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman promised adjustments in the face of a 1-2 start. UCF is undefeated and coming off a blowout home win over North Carolina.

Oklahoma State (+20.5) is a shocking home dog to the Baylor Bears. Oklahoma State and its head coach, Mike Gundy, look outclassed and checked out. Will they circle the wagons against erratic Baylor or lay down and die?

Texas A&M (-6) catches attention for its home game against the Auburn Tigers, who are coming off a tough loss at Oklahoma but are looking improved. Will the Aggies be sluggish after having two weeks to celebrate their big win at Notre Dame?

CFB Week 5 Predictions

Week 5 features powerhouse matchups that could provide an edge to gamblers with the courage to take a stand.

Iowa Hawkeyes +7 vs. Indiana Hoosiers – The undefeated Indiana Hoosiers made it look easy last week when they obliterated the visiting and shellshocked Illinois Fighting Illini last week. Perhaps it was too easy? Gamblers wonder if it was a game in which everything went perfect for Indiana. Now comes its road opener against the Iowa Hawkeyes. Iowa is tough, resilient, unflappable, fundamentally sound, and rarely beats itself. This game has the look of a trap. Iowa makes for a compelling best bet.

Georgia Bulldogs -3 vs. Alabama Crimson Tide – Last year, the Alabama Crimson Tide blew a huge lead, only to come back at the end against the Georgia Bulldogs in one of the most unforgettable games in recent years. Now, Georgia has its shot at revenge in front of its home fans. Alabama is talented, but it is no longer the mentally tough program that it was under Nick Saban. Georgia at home in prime time, seeking revenge against its power rival, is a strong situational best bet against the college football odds.

Oregon Ducks +3.5 vs. Penn State Nittany Lions – The famed White Out game at Penn State is one of the great traditions in college football, and the matchup of Penn State hosting Oregon is one of the biggest of the season. Oregon will not be intimidated, knowing that it can beat Penn State and that it may be the better team. Oregon is the Best Bet against the casuals.

Ohio State Buckeyes -8.5 at Washington Huskies – The defending champion Ohio State Buckeyes are not a cheap play, but that could be because the oddsmakers are trying to chase away gamblers from taking the better team. Washington remains below the level that it was two years ago. Ohio State is the more talented and tougher team. Ohio State is a power play best bet.