The College Five: Oklahoma, Stanford and More This Week

Honorable Mention - (11) Texas vs. California September 17th

Another game outside the top five because of offense. Both of these teams put up either 50 or 40 points in the first few weeks of football and now these two, quick strike offenses are facing off in Cal’s home field. Shane Buechele has thrown for over 524 yards and six touchdowns while Cal’s Davis Webb has tossed for 963 yards and nine touchdowns. There will be lots of offense but at the end of the day Texas has the better defense as Cal’s dropped the ball against San Diego State.

Prediction: Texas wins 51-45

#5 - (12) Michigan State vs. (18) Notre Dame September 17th

For both these teams this feels like a last chance to make a top four push. I know it is only week four but if either of these teams they will drop to either out side the top 20 or outside the top 25 entirely, which would lead to a hard road back into the spotlight, ranking is everything in college. Because of that, this is going to be a dog fight. Notre Dame has the edge here because they have a more complete roster and the better quarterback in DeShone Kizer who already has seven touchdown passes. I’m rolling with Kizer this week.

Prediction: Notre Dame wins 35-27

#4 - USC vs. (7) Stanford September 17th

This is a rivalry that does not disappoint and both teams have something to prove in this one. USC is out to show they are better then their performance against Alabama and Stanford is trying to put themselves in position to get into the top four. While their is a lot of great matchups in this game, which you can read about in the in-depth look, the one that might be the best on the night is USC’s top wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster vs. Stanford’s best corner Quenton Meeks. This will be a battle all night between those two and whoever wins will make a huge difference in this one.

Prediction: Stanford wins 31-24

#3 - (19) Ole’ Miss vs. (1) Alabama September 17th

Every year it seems like we go into this game thinking that their is no way Alabama can lose. And yet some how, the Rebels have had their number. Crazy plays are a standard in these games. Despite that, the Tide’s defense is very nasty this year and really gets after the quarterback. I also really like the leadership and calm that Jalen Hurts has shown thus far, even though they are facing a really good passing attack with Chad Kelly at the helm.

Prediction: Alabama wins 44-28

#2 - (10) Louisville vs. (2) Florida State September 17th

This is the first top 10 matchup of the year and it will be quite the quarterback face off as Lamar Jackson takes on Deondre Francois. The big factor in this one will be Jackson taking on a secondary fresh off losing their best player, Derwin James after he suffered a cartilage tear in his knee. Now it will be about exploiting that weakness and try to put more points on the board then the Cook, Rudolph, Francois threesome. I’m on the Lamar hype train as he sets out to prove he can ball out against real competition.

Prediction: Louisville wins 35-33

#1 - (14) Oklahoma vs. (3) Ohio State September 17th

The young Buckeyes, returning only six starters, look to crush any last hopes the Sooners have of making the playoff after their opening week loss to Houston. This will also be the first time these teams have met since 1983, which saw Ohio State winning 24-14. This time around both quarterbacks will be out to prove they are top in their conference as Baker Mayfield and JT Barrett both have been underestimated because of poor play or who the opponent was. Now both of them will look to do damage in the air and on the ground.

Prediction: Ohio State wins 31-27

Bonus Prediction: Wide receiver Curtis Samuel has 150+ yards and a touchdown.