College Football Week 5 Game Predictions
Notre Dame heads into week five in a different situation than it did through the first four weeks. After dropping a game to Ohio State last week the Fighting Irish are no longer in control of their own destiny. That means each week Notre Dame will need some help if it's going to end the season with a trip to the College Football Playoff. Whether it's a higher ranked team losing or a Irish opponent winning, there will need to be a lot more scoreboard watching for Notre Dame faithful.
There are three games that Irish Breakdown will be keeping a close eye on this weekend with this in mind.
#10 UTAH (4-0) at #19 OREGON STATE (3-1)
Gametime: Friday - 9:00 PM ET
Network: FS1
Line: Oregon State -4.5, O/U: 44
A case could be made that the Pac 12 has been the best conference in college football this season, and the league has multiple teams that are legitimate playoff teams. For Notre Dame, they need the league to beat itself up a bit. Utah is one of five unbeaten teams remaining in the league, and the Utes are the back-to-back Pac 12 champs.
Oregon State was knocked from the realm of the unbeaten a week ago, and it would be good for Notre Dame if Utah is knocked off this week as well.
Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Oregon State 24, Utah 17
Oregon State ran into a buzzsaw last week at Washington State, but the Beavers battled until the end. They will bounce back this weekend against a Utah offense that has struggled mightily so far this season.
Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Utah 27, Oregon State 17
Irish fans will continue to keep their eye on the Utes for some very obvious reasons. I like their offense when fully healthy and the jury is still out as to if Cam Rising will play this week. I still like Utah on the road in this one.
Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Oregon State 24, Utah 21
The PAC 12 conference is very talented, and incredibly deep. Utah has been struggling offensively and it comes back to hurt them this week. Oregon State avenges their loss to Washington State from this past week.
Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Utah 24, Oregon State 20
Utah is 4-0 without Cam Rising. They’ve done it with their defense and they should be able to pressure DJ Uiagalelei, who’s thrown three interceptions the last two weeks, into some mistakes.
Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Oregon State 17, Utah 14
After dropping a close one last week against Washington State, the Beavers must hold serve at home in this one. Head coach Jonathan Smith has built Oregon State in Utah's image, and Utah's inability to throw the ball - especially if QB Cam Rising is unable to play again - tips this one to the Beavers in a slugfest.
#8 USC (4-0) at COLORADO (3-1)
Gametime: Saturday - 12:00 PM ET
Network: Fox
Line: USC -21.5, O/U: 73.5
Notre Dame has a chance to knock USC out of the realm of the unbeatens when they face off on October 14th. The higher USC is ranked the better it is for Notre Dame, so the Trojans beating Colorado this weekend would provide Notre Dame's resume with a boost.
Bryan Driskell, Publisher - USC 59, Colorado 31
I think Colorado will score more this week than it did last week against Oregon, but the Trojans should still roll. While the battle between QBs Caleb Williams (USC) and Shedeur Sanders should be entertaining, Colorado's defense isn't close to being good enough to keep USC's points down.
Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - USC 45, Colorado 10
I do have to say I love the fact that we are even predicting this game since Coach Sanders is coaching at Colorado. This one will look very similar to last week for the Buffs. USC will win big in this one. The scoreboard will be firing on all cylinders for the visitors.
Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - USC 56, Colorado 24
Colorado got exposed last week defensively against Oregon. That shouldn’t change against Caleb Williams and the high powered Trojan offense. The Buffaloes manage a better offensive output in this one but not enough to prevent the lopsided affair.
Sean Stires, Staff Writer - USC 45, Colorado 32
Yes, USC struggled last week against Arizona State, but Caleb Williams still totaled five touchdowns for the second time this season. The Buffaloes will score a little more this week, but it won’t be enough to keep up with the Trojans.
Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Colorado 45, USC 42
Coach Prime and the Buffaloes were served a dose of reality in Autzen Stadium last weekend by a physical Oregon team, but come back home against a USC team they match up well with. The Trojans are 72nd nationally in total defense and just gave up 28 points to a Drew Pyne-led Arizona State team that has been beset by injuries. This will be a shootout and you know Colorado will be up for this game. Give me some Coach Prime magic with a heavy dose of Shedeur Sanders to Jimmy Horn Jr.
#13 LSU (3-1) at #20 OLE MISS (3-1)
Gametime: Saturday - 6:00 PM ET
Network: ESPN
Line: LSU -2.5, O/U: 67
The worst case scenario for Notre Dame is that the SEC and the Big Ten have a pair of a 1-loss teams. No team in the SEC West is unbeaten, and the Irish need losses to continue to mount for top teams in the West. Ole Miss is going to lose another game, so the Irish need the Rebels to bounce back this week and hand LSU its second loss of the season, which would all but eliminate the Tigers from playoff consideration.
Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Ole Miss 34, LSU 31
LSU's offense has been rolling for much of the season, but Ole Miss has the kind of pass rush to create havoc. Ole Miss's struggling ground game will finally get going and the Rebels win what will be an entertaining contest.
Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - LSU 31, Ole Miss 27
As much as I would love for Ole Miss to hand the Fighting Brian Kellys their second loss of the season I just have a hard time seeing it this week. The Rebels have the defense to get it done but I am not sold on the offense. If they can convert third downs they can keep it really close and get it to the end where LSU will make questionable calls down the stretch. That is their only hope.
Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - LSU 27, Ole Miss 24
Ole Miss feels due for an upset one of these days but not in this one. LSU is the more talented team and that ultimately wins out. This game will be determined by timely explosive plays, brought to you by Tiger pass catcher Malik Nabers.
Sean Stires, Staff Writer - LSU 35, Ole Miss 32
I fell for Lane Kiffin’s pregame talk last week and then the Rebels laid an egg in a predictable loss to Alabama. I won’t get fooled again.
Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Ole Miss 27, LSU 24
Ole Miss dropped a disappointing game last week against a wounded Alabama team but rebounds at home against LSU. Despite being associated with the spread offense, Lane Kiffin's teams have been built around the running game. LSU ranks 12th in the SEC in rushing defense, and though this Ole Miss team hasn't been great on the ground yet, they break out in this one.
SEASON RESULTS
Andrew McDonough - 13-2
Bryan Driskell - 10-5
Ryan Roberts - 10-5
Vince DeDario - 10-5
Sean Stires - 10-5
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