COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS AND GAMES TO WATCH FOR WEEK 5

Last Week: 14-3 (82%)
Total: 47-16 (75%)

So how the “games to watch” portion works is the “quick picks” are games that you should watch if those games at the bottom in bigger font turn into a blowout. Basically at noon the “big font” game is Texas v Oklahoma State, if that turns into a blowout switch to the “smaller font” game which is Miami v Georgia Tech.

#14Miami (FL) (3-0) @ Georgia Tech (3-1) – 12PM ET, ESPN2

The Pick: Miami 27-17

North Carolina (3-1) @ #12Florida State (3-1) – 3:30PM ET, ESPN

The Pick: Florida State 38-28

Oklahoma (1-2) @ #21TCU (3-1) – 5PM ET, FOX

The Pick: Oklahoma 35-34

#18Utah (4-0) @ California (2-2) – 6PM ET, PAC12 NETWORK

The Pick: Cal 35-34

Missouri (2-2) @ LSU (2-2) – 7:30PM ET, SEC NETWORK

The Pick: LSU 31-14

#17Michigan State (2-1) @ Indiana (2-1) – 8PM ET, BIG TEN NETWORK

The Pick: Michigan State 34-17

Arizona State (4-0) @ USC (1-3) – 8:30PM ET, FOX

The Pick: Arizona State 34-31

#7Stanford (3-0) @ #10Washington (4-0) – 9PM ET, ESPN (Friday)

Washington played Arizona last week, and they almost blew it. Now, cut Washington some slack, Arizona is a team that every year wins a game they shouldn’t (e.g. #10 Utah in 2015, #2 Oregon in 2014, #5 Oregon in 2013, #9 USC in 2012, #9 Iowa in 2010). But both teams were arguably outplayed last week, as Stanford barley escaped against UCLA. As for this week, the crowd at Husky Stadium should be electric, this is arguably the biggest game played there in decades. Stanford likes to beat teams at the line of scrimmage, but the Washington lines are good enough that they can slow down Stanford, and the Huskies will be able to spread the field with their speed advantage. I’ve got Washington, 31-21.

The Pick: Washington 31-21

#22Texas (2-1) @ Oklahoma State (2-2) – 12PM ET, ABC

Oklahoma State’s offense kind of fell flat last week against Baylor in a 35-24 loss. Another loss here would mean the Cowboys would start 0-2 in conference play, effectively eliminating them from the Big 12 title chase. If the Oklahoma State that knocked out Pittsburgh a couple weeks back comes to play, this game could get serious. For Texas, they are coming off of a surprising loss to Cal, something no one expected after Texas’ win over Notre Dame in the season opener, a win that doesn’t look as sexy now that the Fighting Irish lost to Duke. I like Shane Beuchele, and he should be able to throw around over a weak Oklahoma State defense. Desperate teams at home are always dangerous, but coming off of a bye, I think Texas will walk away from this one as the winner.

The Pick: Texas 34-27

#11Tennessee (4-0) @ #25Georgia (3-1) – 3:30PM ET, CBS

I dropped Georgia out of my top 25 this week (which you can find here
–> http://www.crazysportsdude.com/my-college-football-top-25playoff-predictions-after-week-4/ ) because of their 45-14 blowout loss to Ole Miss and the fact that they had won their last two games by an average of 1.5 points. Those two games… Missouri and NICHOLLS, you have probably never heard of Nicholls, but Georgia could only win by 2. Now, nothing lights a fire under a team like a blowout loss, and this game is at home, so I expect Georgia to feed off of the home crowd energy, and jump out to a 14-3 lead at halftime, but the talent and experience of the Vols will carry Tennessee to a big second half, and eventually, a win.

The Pick: Tennessee 24-21

#8Wisconsin (4-0) @ #4Michigan (4-0) – 3:30PM ET, ABC

Our second of three top 10 vs top 10 matchups this week features Wisconsin, a team that is coming off of a big win last week over Michigan State, traveling to the Big House to take on #4 Michigan. This is the first real defense that Michigan has played. The Wolverines have averaged 52 points per game, but those have been over teams like UCF and Hawaii. The fact is, Michigan is basically untested, and the only real test they had was Colorado, and if it wasn’t for an injury some could argue Colorado would’ve won. But Wisconsin doesn’t have the pass defense to stop Michigan’s offense, and if the Wolverines take an early lead with the crowd on their side, I find it hard to think Wisconsin will be able to come back with a mediocre pass offense. I’ve got Michigan.

The Pick: Michigan 27-17

#3Louisville (4-0) @ #5Clemson (4-0) – 8PM ET, ABC

Just realized something, ABC has the best game to watch at noon, 3:30, and 8. You might as well not flip the channel all day. Anyway, here we go, the game of the week. Louisville, led by Heisman contender frontrunner Lamar Jackson and an outstanding pass rush travel down to Death Valley to face last year’s ACC Champion and National Runner-Up the Clemson Tigers. Who would’ve imagined before the season started that Louisville would actually be favored in this game, but after clobbering Florida State by 43, this is the result you get. Clemson’s offense has looked downright atrocious compared to last year so far, and Louisville is white hot. But Clemson is coming off of a win over Georgia Tech, which is almost like two weeks to prepare for Lamar Jackson as Georgia Tech and Louisville run similar offenses with mobile quarterbacks, and Clemson’s defense did well last week, pitching a shut out vs the Yellow Jackets. I don’t think Clemson will shut Louisville out, but I do think that they will slow them down enough the Deshsaun Watson and the Clemson offense will be able to get rolling. I’ve got Clemson.

The Pick: Clemson 37-35

Oregon (2-2) @ Washington State (1-2) – 9:30PM ET, PAC12 NETWORK

While this game might not have the biggest playoff implications, but it certainly should be a fun game to watch. Two teams that average 40+ points per game, there will be no defense in this one. Both teams have two losses already but each loss, by both teams have been by three points exactly. Coincidence? I don’t know, but I do know that Oregon’s star Running Back, Royce Freeman will probably run for 150 yards in this game, and while Oregon QB Dakota Prukop might not be the most flashy, he’s only thrown one interception so far this season. For Washington State, Luke Faulk will probably throw for around 400 yards, but it won’t be enough, I’ve got Oregon in a shootout.

The Pick: Oregon 42-41