It's week 5 of College Football and my favorite show, College Gameday, is here in Lincoln! While I do have to miss the game for my cousin's wedding, I will have the opportunity to work with ESPN and help with the setup and production of Gameday. I'm hoping to meet some great people and learn more about how to reach my dream job of hosting the show. Nonetheless, much like Gameday, I have my own CFB predictions to make, so here's your slate of games for Week 5, enjoy!
Week 4 Prediction Results: 11-2
Overall Prediction Results: 33-18
#12 Penn State at Maryland
A Friday night rivalry game kicks off our weekend as the Nittany Lions take on the Turtles. Maryland disappeared quick after their puzzling loss to Temple a couple of weeks ago, but could rebound in a big way by upsetting Penn State. The Lions edged out Pitt a couple weeks ago, but otherwise haven't been tested. We know both teams can score, but the true question lies with defense. This will be the first time each team has faced a dynamic, high-powered offense in the 2019 season, so we could see some fireworks. Penn State will also be on the road for the first time this year, so look for the crowd to really play a factor on Sophomore QB, Sean Clifford. I haven't done well with my Friday night predictions so far, but I think Penn State might be a hidden gem in 2019 for the BIG 10. The Nittany Lions hold off a late push and beat Maryland 38-30 on the road.
Arizona State at #15 Cal
The PAC-12 after dark is always entertaining, and with teams as evenly matched as Cal and ASU, we could be in for another show. The Sun Devils are coming off a tight loss at home to the Buffalo while the Golden Bears stuffed Ole Miss on the goal line to secure their (somewhat controversial) victory. Statistically, these teams are nearly identical, both scoring in the low-twenties per game and giving up in the mid-teens on defense. There are playmakers on both sides, but the QB battle will likely be the key factor to victory. Both Daniels and Garbers have played well this season, but will be faced with a tough task from the opposing defenses. I think I'll go with Cal in this one, as they were able to shut down Jacob Eason earlier this season and will look to keep the pressure on Daniels. This one should be tight, but the Golden Bears out shine the Sun Devils for a 27-21 victory.
Minnesota at Purdue
The Boilermakers and Gophers open conference play in West Lafayette as they begin their race for the title of "BIG 10 West Surprise Team". With all eyes heavily focused on Wisconsin and potentially Nebraska and Iowa sitting behind the Badgers, Purdue and Minnesota will battle out for the number four spot in the division. Neither team has looked impressive during non-conference play, but BIG 10 games always bring a little more pop to the game. Purdue QB Elijah Sindelar has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards this season, with 369 of those going to the star wideout, Rondale Moore. Purdue's game plan has been (and always will be) to get the ball into the hands of Moore. The dynamic sophomore is nearly impossible to contain, and should have a big game in this one. Minnesota is favored, but Purdue edges them out in this one. Boilermakers 33, Gophers 28.
#18 Virginia at #10 Notre Dame
The Fightin' Irish couldn't overcome Georgia on the road last week, but look to rebound against the eighteenth ranked Cavaliers this weekend back in South Bend. Virginia had to squeeze away from Old Dominion last week, so will need to really step up their game to compete with the Irish. Bryce Perkins, QB for Virginia, is a dynamic dual threat, but struggles with turnovers in the passing game, as he has four picks already this year. He is the team's leading rusher though, so Notre Dame will need to contain him in order to prevent drives from being extended. The Irish have played well under Ian Book, who's competed nearly 62% of his passes for 828 yards, with 8 TDs and just 2 interceptions. He too has shown his dual threat ability and rushed for 145 yards and 2 TDs in 2019. The key factor to watch will be rush defense. Virginia ranks twelfth in the nation, giving up just 75 yards per game on average while the Irish rank 110th giving up 204 yards per game. The ground game will be used to wear down the opposing defense in this one, but I think Notre Dame should take this one at home. Irish win in South Bend 30-17.
#21 USC at #17 Washington
Another intriguing matchup out west features the Trojans and the Huskies. USC knocked off tenth ranked Utah last week, with third string QB Matt Fink leading the way with 3 TDs. Fink may be called on again as Slovis still goes through the concussion protocol, which means the Washington defense is licking their chops. The Huskies have recorded 10 sacks on the season thus far, and will likely bring the heat to pressure whichever young QB is out there into mistakes. On the other side of the ball, I expect Jacob Eason to continue his impressive efficiency shown thus far in 2019, and I believe he'll have a big night. Washington routes USC, attempting to make a statement for the PAC-12, with a 41-21 victory.
Wake Forrest at Boston College
Yes, I know there's no ACC team that really matters in College Football outside of Clemson right now, but this should still be an entertaining one to watch. The Demon Deacons are undefeated in 2019, and bring a high powered offense into Boston to take on the Eagles. Wake averages over 530 yards per game, including more than 200 on the ground. BC gives up nearly 440 on average per game, so there's potential for a lot of yards and points in this one, I would expect a barn-burner. However, they do not have an AJ Dillion on their team, which means they have to worry about stopping the powerful Junior running back for the Eagles. Dillon has been up to his usual dominance, rushing for 468 yards with 6 TDs on the season while averaging 4.7 yards per carry. Wake has been good, but they haven't played a team with this much talent. Boston College wins at home 44-33.
Washington State at #19 Utah
While both teams try to recover from devastating losses to the teams from LA last week, they square off against each other. Utah's stellar defense was torched by the Trojans' third string QB last week, and now they host Washington State QB Anthony Gordon, who just threw for a school record 9 TDs... and lost. There will be plenty of yards and points in this game, as both offenses are loaded with talent. The key factor in a shootout game is turnovers. Wazzu had 6 last week alone and the Utes have only lost the ball twice all season. I think their defense will force some mistakes from Gordon and company yet again, allowing Utah to beat the Cougars at home. Utes 40, Cougars 35.
#5 Ohio State at Nebraska
The Buckeyes roll into Lincoln having played very little competition so far this season, while the Huskers have not looked like the advertised competition they were expected to be. I opened the season predicting Nebraska would finish with an 8-4 record, having the Buckeyes as one of those losses. In order to pull this upset in Memorial Stadium, Nebraska will need to play their best game of the season. Mistakes in a game like this will be amplified more than before, and Ohio State is not a team you want to give extra possessions. Justin Fields has been making his Heisman campaign known, especially after scoring SIX touchdowns in a quarter last week... in a freaking quarter!!! The Buckeye offense has so many weapons, so the Blackshirts will be tested in all directions. JK Dobbins leads the rushing attack with nearly 500 yards, while Fields has yet to throw an interception to his 13 TDs on the season, completing just under 70% of his passes. Adrian Martinez has not looked like the star everyone expected in 2019, but he often plays well in the big games. He'll need to release the ball quicker in this game, especially when Ohio State brings the blitz. Nebraska needs to get the ball to JD Spielman and Wandale Robinson on the edge if they have any hope in this game. There are points and yards to be had in this one, especially because Ohio State has yet to face an offense of this caliber. Unfortunately for Husker fans, the Nebraska offense hasn't lived up to that caliber yet. Under the lights is always fun at Memorial, but I fear my predictions will be true this time around. Ohio State romps the Huskers 52-27.
Now for some Quick Hit Predictions on other games around the nation:
#24 Kansas State at Oklahoma State- The Wildcats travel to Stillwater to take on the Pokes in a battle for third-best in the Big XII. Both teams score in the mid 40s, but the Wildcats' defense is the key factor here. They're averaging just 256 yards given up per game and will look to clamp down on the Pokes. This just seems like a game they'll sneak away with. K-State wins 34-25.
Texas Tech at #6 Oklahoma- After a week off, the Sooners are ready to kick off conference play with the Red Raiders of Tech. Both teams love their fast paced, high powered offense, so we should see plenty of fireworks. However, no fireworks are brighter than the ones from Lincoln Riley's offense and Jalen Hurts. Sooners Boom with a 56-31.
Indiana at #25 Michigan State- Sparty romped Northwestern last weekend, and host the Hoosiers this year. Indiana has looked good outside of their game against Ohio State, but I'm not sure how much of a match they are in this one. This could be one of those games where Michigan State flops, but I like Sparty to win big again. Michigan State 36, Indiana 17.
Northwestern at #8 Wisconsin- The Hunter Johnson experiment has not worked well thus far for Northwestern as the Freshman QB has thrown 4 interceptions compared to just 1 TD. Wisconsin should have no problem rolling in this one. Badgers run away quickly with this one, 49-14.
Thank you for reading my week 5 Predictions. Enjoy your football weekend and GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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