Anybody else prepared for chaos in Week 5? We’ll see mass adjustments mirrored in Sunday’s new rankings as soon as this epic slate of video games inside the highest 25 are over — and we have remaining picks and predictions for all of them.
Alabama-Georgia highlights the schedule in a primetime SEC showdown, whereas Oregon-Penn State, LSU-Ole Miss, Ohio State-Washington characterize a trio of matchups involving at the least one elite staff with Faculty Soccer Playoff aspirations.
Guess this week’s school soccer video games at BetMGM Sportsbook, the place new customers rise up to $1,500 in bonus bets again if their first soccer wager would not win. Click on right here:
And watch out for upsets this weekend. Florida State‘s Friday evening journey to Charlottesville to tackle Virginia is one to observe within the ACC forward of the Seminoles’ Oct. 4 battle towards fellow unbeaten Miami.
Final week’s outcomes: Brad Crawford (9-1 straight, 5-5 ATS); Chris Hummer (9-1, 4-6 ATS). I am nonetheless offended over Oklahoma‘s last-minute security at Auburn to cowl. The Tigers play on the highway was the suitable decide, nevertheless it did not land. Taking Texas Tech on the moneyline was a very good name for each of us, together with the Miami cowl towards Florida.
Season totals: Crawford (29-11 straight, 24-16 ATS); Hummer (32-8; 18-22).
For readability, these traces had been taken from FanDuel Sportsbook on Sept. 22. New customers at FanDuel Sportsbook get $300 in bonus bets with a profitable $5 wager. Click on right here:
No. 8 Florida State at Virginia
Hummer (Virginia +6.5): I actually want I may get this line at seven, which it is already creeped to in a number of books. However I just like the Cavs ATS on this matchup. Virginia’s O-line is a little bit of a weak spot after a sequence of accidents, however Chandler Morris and UVA’s offense are going to place up factors regardless. The query I’ve is whether or not Virginia’s run protection can maintain up. That unit’s been good to this point (forty third nationally in yards allowed per carry), and I believe it is ok to assist push a canopy over the road. … Florida State 27, Virginia 21.
Crawford (Florida State -6.5): This one’s harmful for the unbeaten Seminoles. Virginia is likely one of the most improved soccer groups within the ACC with Chandler Morris at quarterback and the Cavaliers get the uncommon Friday evening alternative at residence to take down a playoff menace. They’ve all the time bought a pair of ballcarriers averaging higher than 6 yards per carry. Doubtlessly Florida State’s best recreation up thus far, I just like the Seminoles if you may get something at 7 or beneath. … Florida State 31, Virginia 23.
Hummer (TCU+2.5): I have been excessive on TCU all season. That is not altering in Tempe, the place I believe the Horned Frogs make a press release about being probably the greatest groups within the Huge 12. The matchup to observe on this recreation is Jordyn Tyson towards the TCU secondary (in all probability Channing Canada most frequently). The Solar Devils are remarkably reliant on Tyson within the cross recreation (his 47 targets are 34 greater than another receiver on the staff), and TCU goes to shade protection his approach. That is been a very good Horned Frog secondary to this point. Josh Hoover throws for lots of yards towards a susceptible Solar Devils secondary, and TCU will get the win. … TCU 31, Arizona State 28.
Crawford (TCU +2.5): Nonetheless unsure what to make of the Solar Devils at this level. They gained their Huge 12 opener over Baylor on the sport’s remaining play, however have not seemed fairly as explosive as a staff in comparison with final yr’s convention title staff. Raleek Brown is transferring (372 yards dashing), however he is going have to interrupt tackles towards a rush protection within the high half of the Huge 12. Josh Hoover has 1,000 yards passing and 11 touchdowns within the three video games and he’ll add to his whole right here with an enormous highway win. … TCU 30, Arizona State 27.
Hummer (Arkansas +5.5): Take the over. These groups have allowed factors in bunches early this season, and I count on that to proceed. It will be attention-grabbing to see how Arkansas responds after back-to-back devastating losses. Sam Pittman very a lot enters the week on the recent seat, and a win is desperately wanted to chill issues down. This recreation comes down to 2 issues: 1. Can Arkansas cease the run? The Razorbacks rank 113th nationally in defensive dashing success charge, which is a matter towards Jeremiah Love. 2. Can Notre Dame’s walking-wounded secondary decelerate Taylen Inexperienced? He is been electrical to this point this yr averaging 9.5 yards per try. The worth on this one is Arkansas ATS. … Notre Dame 38, Arkansas 34.
Crawford (Notre Dame -5.5): Are the Razorbacks a sinking ship beneath Sam Pittman or can this offense with Taylen Inexperienced generate sufficient explosives to make Marcus Freeman and the Irish pull their hair out defensively? Let’s be sincere. Notre Dame’s not an elite staff and the very fact the Irish are nonetheless ranked is extra model than brawn. They’ve given up a ton of factors by means of three video games, however they’re additionally dealing with must-win standing and it is solely Week 5. We’ll discover out extra about each groups when this one’s over. … Notre Dame 34, Arkansas 27.
Hummer (Texas A&M -6.5): This might be a troublesome matchup for Auburn with Texas A&M coming off a bye. The Tigers have struggled within the secondary this season, and the Aggies have lived on large performs within the passing recreation. I additionally actually surprise about Jackson Arnold‘s skill to assault individuals by means of the air. Auburn wants this to be a low-scoring recreation to outlive, and I believe the Aggies are explosive sufficient to make this the next scoring recreation. Had been this line at seven-plus, I would take the Tigers. However I believe the Aggies are the play. … Texas A&M 34, Auburn 27.
Crawford (Auburn +6.5): Jackson Arnold would love a re-do. Royally hosed on two whiffs from the officiating crew in final week’s loss at Oklahoma, the Tigers nonetheless had a shot to beat the Sooners had their quarterback made a pair extra profitable throws in Cam Coleman‘s path. Texas A&M’s had an additional week to organize and may present up defensively after getting gashed a number of instances in the course of the win at Notre Dame. This appears like a recreation that will likely be throughout the quantity for Auburn, maybe even a uncommon highway victory at Kyle Area. … Texas A&M 29, Auburn 24.
Hummer (LSU +1.5): Let’s begin with this: Virtually any superior statistical metric you take a look at suggests Ole Miss ought to win this recreation. The Tigers, regardless of their rating, have struggled to generate any form of constant run recreation, which makes them predictable on offense. However I am a cussed individual, and LSU was my preseason SEC championship decide. I do not love the Tigers in Oxford. I would not guess it. However I’m going to select it. LSU is the perfect protection the Rebels have seen all yr, and Garrett Nussmeier does simply sufficient to offer LSU an enormous highway win. … LSU 30, Ole Miss 27.
Crawford (Ole Miss -1.5): Possibly that is who LSU is that this season, a defense-first soccer staff that might want to get by offensively to complete within the SEC’s elite tier and attain the playoff. The unhealthy information if that is the case is Ole Miss goes to press the difficulty offensively and, unbiased of who begins Saturday’s recreation at quarterback, that is the Tigers’ hardest check thus removed from a matchup standpoint. I am unsure how a lot inventory we must always take within the victories over Clemson and Florida since these two groups are horrid. … Ole Miss 27, LSU 24.
Hummer (USC -6.5): Illinois is not almost as unhealthy as they seemed final week towards Indiana. However I nonetheless do not love this matchup for the Ilini given how banged up they’re within the secondary. A number of Illinois defensive backs exited the sport towards Indiana with accidents, and at one level this system was with out six or seven of its high DBs. Now, the staff’s finest defensive again Xavier Scott is out for the season. None of that’s excellent news towards a USC passing assault that ranks third nationally in passer ranking. That is simply an excessive amount of to beat, particularly given how inconsistent the Illini have been on offense. … USC 38, Illinois 30.
Crawford (Illinois +6.5): Operation Fade USC for the second consecutive week on this spot. I do know Michigan State was fortunately cowl the 17.5 factors in Los Angeles, nevertheless it occurred. And Illinois will not be as unhealthy because the 50-point beatdown the Illini took at Indiana. Bret Bielema could have this squad able to play and extra importantly, supply some semblance of resistance not like what his staff confirmed final trip. Luke Altmyer‘s large day helps Illinois soar again within the Huge Ten dialog after handing the Trojans their first lack of the season. … Illinois 31, USC 27.
No. 11 Indiana at Iowa
Hummer (Indiana -6.5): Let’s go excellent news, unhealthy information for Iowa. Excellent news: The Hawkeyes have averaged 42.5 factors per recreation the final two weeks. Unhealthy information: Indiana is coming to city and the Hawkeyes’ secondary is simply good (forty fifth in defensive success charge) as an alternative of elite. That is an issue as a result of Indiana’s offense is a buzzsaw. I believe the Hawkeyes are going to attempt to muck this recreation up on each snap and sluggish issues down. However Indiana is only a machine proper now. I can not see Iowa maintaining. … Indiana 31, Iowa 20.
Crawford (Indiana -6.5): Heavy cash goes to return in on the Hoosiers right here, I can simply really feel it. After final week’s 63-point eruption towards Illinois, Curt Cignetti’s staff is not sneaking up on anybody the remainder of the best way. That was the time to go heavy on Indiana, not right here, on the highway towards the Hawkeyes. No blowouts are taking place at Kinnick Stadium, however I am unsure Iowa has the firepower to get the upset. … Indiana 31, Iowa 24.
3:30 p.m. ET on CBS, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports activities App, Paramount+ Premium:
Hummer (Washington +8.5): Even with Texas on the schedule, this journey to Seattle could be Ohio State’s hardest recreation of the season to this point. Demond Williams Jr. is amongst my favourite QBs to observe within the nation. He is an explosive runner and an extremely environment friendly passer (73.5% on completions). The Huskies offense is nicely schemed and working again Jonah Coleman and receiver Denzel Boston are among the many finest at their place within the nation. If there is a hesitation level for the Huskies going into this week it is that they’ve simply been OK defensively. However they do have the expertise at nook to at the least hold with Ohio State’s receivers. The Buckeyes win this recreation. However it’s shut. … Ohio State 27, Washington 24.
Crawford (Ohio State -8.5): Comply with the streaks on this one. Ryan Day is 48-0 towards Huge Ten groups not named Michigan or Oregon and has an unblemished mark at Ohio State coming off a bye week. That is unhealthy information for Washington. The Huskies defend their residence turf nicely and the Demond Williams Jr. and Jonah Coleman pairing will transfer the soccer, however not sufficient to beat a few of the explosiveness the Buckeyes will produce once they have possession. … Ohio State 38, Washington 24.
Hummer (Alabama +3): Should you can ignore Alabama’s Week 1 effort, there is a robust argument the Tide ought to be favored on this recreation. Georgia’s defensive entrance is not what it has been in recent times — 79th in strain charge — and the secondary was carved up towards Tennessee. That is benefit Alabama given what the passing offense has seemed just like the final three weeks. However that Week 1 recreation towards FSU did occur, and I nonetheless have an enormous hesitancy about what Bama’s O-line and cross recreation appear like towards related competitors. I believe this can be a true tossup recreation. However provided that UGA is at residence and has a passing offense I belief a tad extra, I will go together with the Bulldogs to win. … Georgia 28, Alabama 27.
Crawford (Georgia -3): Are we going to see the Alabama that steamrolled its final two opponents or the Crimson Tide staff that paled as compared from a physicality standpoint at Florida State? The seemingly reply is someplace in between the 2. Georgia’s fortunate to be unbeaten proper now given how a lot its protection was torched at Tennessee. Ty Simpson‘s been terrific at quarterback for the Crimson Tide and he will make performs. The query is, what number of? In probably the greatest video games of the weekend, Georgia holds on at residence. … Georgia 31, Alabama 27.
No. 6 Oregon at No. 3 Penn State
Hummer (Penn State -3.5): Penn State by 3.5 is an attention-grabbing line given how Oregon’s seemed early this season. However I just like the Nittany Lions on this one. Oregon’s been good to this point up entrance on each side of the ball. However there are indicators of some cracks (98th in strain charge on protection; forty seventh in PFF’s run block grade) that might be uncovered towards the elite groups of the game. Penn State is that up entrance on each side of the ball. Do I fear a bit about Drew Allar‘s less-than-stellar begin? Positive. However matchups like this are gained up entrance, and I believe the Nittany Lions have a slight benefit in that space. Plus, they’re enjoying at residence. Joyful Valley goes to be rocking. … Penn State 28, Oregon 24.
Crawford (Oregon +3.5): Neither of those squads have performed comparable competitors but, so Saturday evening inside Beaver Stadium will likely be telling. Nevertheless, based mostly on what we have seen, there’s one staff with a transparent edge at quarterback if it comes down to creating a throw or two within the fourth quarter to prevail. I belief Dan Lanning on this spot by the slightest of margins over James Franklin, so I will be brave and take the Geese on the cash line with the offense producing an extended landing late to beat the Nittany Lions. … Oregon 27, Penn State 23.
