The College Five: Week Five

Week five is upon us, I sit at 12-8 with my picks and - again - am looking for a near perfect week of predictions for a change to get back to my week one, winning ways. These are the top five games to watch in college and why to watch them complete with predictions.

5 - (7) Georgia Bulldogs vs. Tennessee Volunteers, Saturday 12:30 pm

The Bulldogs are the team to beat in the SEC right now - apart from the ever present Alabama - because of their wins over Notre Dame and Mississippi State. Jake Fromm has taken over the Bulldogs offense and with the backing of Sony Michel and Nick Chubb, this offense has proven nearly impossible to slow down. Backed by a ruthless defense that only lets up 11.5 points per game and 97.5 rushing yards. The team will take away the ground attack and get to the quarterback.

Prediction: Georgia wins 35-17

4 - (24) Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. (13) Auburn Tigers, Saturday 3:00 pm

The emotional rollercoaster that is Bulldogs football has been on quite the trip. They were the flavor of the early season after the big upset against LSU. Then they were trounced by Georgia and their stock fell through the floor. Now the team needs a bounce back win. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, the Tigers have a stout defense that has racked up 12 sacks this season. The Tigers defense eats up the Bulldogs on another disappointing road trip for Mississippi State.

Prediction: Auburn wins 28-10

3 - (5) USC Trojans vs. (16) Washington State Cougars, Friday 7:30 pm

Upset alert! The Cougars beat USC in the upset at home! Both teams give up points and while the Trojans quarterback Sam Darnold was all the rage in preseason but Cougars quarterback Luke Falk has been the one putting on a show. Falk has 1,378 yards and 14 touchdowns with only one pick while Darnold has thrown for 1,225 yards and nine touchdowns, racking up seven interceptions in the process. This will be a quarterback duel, but the underrated story is the better quarterback is actually in Cougars red.

Prediction: Washington State wins 41-30

2 - Ole’ Miss Rebels vs. Alabama Crimson Tide, Saturday 6:00 pm

The Rebels have not looked great this season, letting up 25 points per game and losing to Cal in the first real football of the season for the SEC team. Now they have to face Alabama on the road and go through the buzz saw that is the Tide’s defense. However, the Rebels still have averaged 36 points per game and the reason this is high on my list, is crazy plays and Hail Mary’s go the Rebels’ way in these games. This is a trap game for Alabama, especially with how poorly quarterback Jalen Hurts has thrown the ball this season.

Prediction: Alabama wins 35-28

1 - (2) Clemson Tigers vs. (12) Virginia Tech Hokies, Saturday at 5:00 pm

At home, against a great quarterback, the Tigers fall. The Josh Jackson hype train is breaking away from the station as the second year man takes on his fifth start in what has been an impressive opening act. Jackson has 1,127 yards passing and 11 touchdowns, along with 144 yards on the ground and another score. While Louisville and Lamar Jackson had trouble against the Tigers defense, the Hokies have the advantage of actually having an offensive line and a balanced offense that averages 289 passing yards and 218.3 rushing yards per game. This is the game and this is the quarterback to take them down.

Prediction: Virginia Tech wins 35-31