FAVORITE TEAMS

10) #15 OREGON STATE AT CAL

7PM PT/10PM ET [PAC-12 NETWORK]

Oregon State must tread lightly. Their offense must prepare for Cal’s defense that’s good against the run. If running backs Damien Martinez and Deshaun Fenwick can’t get going, it’s up to DJ Uiagalelei to carve them out. Their defense’s focus is stopping Jaydn Ott from getting out in the open and force the quarterback’s hand. The Beavers should get it done, but it won’t be a cakewalk in Cal Berkeley.

MY PICK: OREGON STATE

9) MARYLAND AT #4 OHIO STATE

9AM PT/12PM ET [FOX]

Maryland has yet to defeat Ohio State after eight all-time meetings. They had a couple of chances in 2018 and last season. Taulia Tagovailoa’s playing very well and may be as close to being the best option to help take down the Buckeyes. The Buckeyes had a week off after an impressive win against Notre Dame. It was needed to figure out their offense and hope they have everything settled. It’s likely a slow start, but once one team gets going, it should influence the other. However, Ohio State’s defense is the main reason for the team winning this matchup that likely puts them on upset alert.

MY PICK: OHIO STATE

8) MARSHALL AT NC STATE

11AM PT/2PM ET [CW NETWORK]

Marshall played some good football, which is why they’re 4-0 thus far. They set an example with an upset win over Virginia Tech two weeks ago. However, they travel to play NC State, who’s tough on defense with linebacker Payton Wilson and has a quarterback in Brennan Armstrong. Armstrong can assault defenses with his arm and legs; however, he’s carried offenses in the past that either makes or breaks games. He’s thrown more interceptions than touchdowns this season (6 INTs to 5 TDs). He’s also the leading rusher, which is good against Marshall’s run defense but also a problem if he makes a mistake. If it’s all on the quarterback, Marshall’s defense could exploit it.

MY PICK: MARSHALL

7) #20 KENTUCKY AT #1 GEORGIA

4PM PT/7PM ET [ESPN]

Georgia’s had some inconsistencies since the season started. They have their defense and their best offensive player in Brock Bowers with contributors across the offense, but they’ll be mightily tested against one of the better defenses in the nation. Kentucky seems ready for the moment, but can their offense outplay Georgia’s? It might start out that way, but the Dawgs eventually overwhelm Kentucky quarterback Devin Leary.

MY PICK: GEORGIA

6) #13 WASHINGTON STATE AT UCLA

12PM PT/3PM ET [PAC-12 NETWORK]

Washington State played one road game the entire month of September. They travel again for their first test at Los Angeles. UCLA’s been iffy on offense with a new backfield, but their defense finds ways to keep the game close. This is Washington State’s first test against that gritty defense. Washington State should escape with a win because of better quarterback play, but it won’t be easy defeating the Bruins in the Rose Bowl stadium.

MY PICK: WASHINGTON STATE

5) #24 FRESNO STATE AT WYOMING

5PM PT/8PM ET [FOX]

Fresno State and Wyoming looked good and are one of the few Mountain West teams making a statement for a conference championship appearance. Wyoming upset Texas Tech and ran with the ‘Horns for three quarters. Quarterback Andrew Peasley is a tough dual threat quarterback who will do anything to put his team in winning position. Fresno State cleaned house against Purdue in a shootout and Arizona State in a shutout. Quarterback Mikey Keene’s the bright spot after Jake Haener left for the NFL and threw for 14 touchdowns. Keene’s assisted running backs Elijah Gilliam and Malik Sherrod after combining for 565 and six touchdowns. As good as Fresno State is as an undefeated team, they’re in for a trap game against Wyoming. It wasn’t an easy place to play in the past two meetings, so it could be a long evening. Fresno was resilient before and has enough talent to overcome a hostile environment in Laramie.

MY PICK: FRESNO STATE

4) #23 LSU AT #21 MISSOURI

9AM PT/12PM ET [ESPN]

This is the Battle of the Tigers where no one expected one Tiger to oddly be undefeated while the other has two losses after September. LSU is a good offensive team led by quarterback Jayden Daniels. He, running back Logan Diggs, and receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. will push a defense to the limit. However, their defense isn’t great this season. They performed well twice against Grambling State and Mississippi State. Otherwise, they allowed around 44 points per game in three games with the secondary being a major concern. Missouri played gritty and their last four games proved they’re not an easy out. Quarterback Brady Cook made improvements and has yet to throw an interception. Luther Burden III, Theo Wease Jr., and a deep backfield are pretty dang dangerous with the ball in their hands. The last time these two met in Columbia, Missouri during COVID season, it was a shootout. Missouri outscored them last time and it looks like they can do it again against a bad LSU secondary. The Tigers are also 0-2 against ranked opponents this season, and it likely continues.

MY PICK: MISSOURI

3) #10 NOTRE DAME AT #25 LOUISVILLE

4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [ABC]

Notre Dame appears in their third straight primetime game and second straight ABC game. They struck gold with that much attention and must be grateful with Sam Hartman being a great addition. He’s done about everything to either put the Irish in winning position or win outright. Not only is the offense in good hands with him, but the team’s also in good hands with this nasty defense. They allowed one 20-point game all season and make the offense work for every yard and force turnovers. Louisville’s undefeated for the first time going into October since 2016 when Lamar Jackson played. Quarterback Jack Plummer finally got his opportunity with coach Jeff Brohm after playing a bit under him at Purdue. He worked out well this season, but the contributions from running back Jawhar Jordan and leading receiver Jamari Thrash were huge. Defense was also tough for some opposing offenses and made an impact when it came down to it. They have a set of defensive playmakers led by Dezmond Tell and Jarvis Brownlee Jr. As I previously stated about Notre Dame’s third straight primetime game, this trend concluded in road teams winning in crazy fashion. I’m not sure if it’ll end that way for them and Ohio State, but Notre Dame should win another primetime road game.

MY PICK: NOTRE DAME

2) #11 ALABAMA AT TEXAS A&M

12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [CBS]

The last two meetings were the best. It came down to the final possession, and A&M could’ve been 2-0 against Bama if they finished the Tide off last season. Both are trying to solidify their offensive identity, which makes for another great matchup. Nick Saban believes in quarterback Jalen Milroe, but hopefully they utilize the run game to open up passes for him. Texas A&M lost quarterback Conner Weigman for the season, but backup QB Max Johnson is as good and should be a difference maker in the passing game. The Aggies have a run game to match Alabama and make their lives difficult. It should be another one possession game and both could be in the 20s by game’s end. A&M may have one last chance at trying to control the SEC West before Texas and Oklahoma arrives next season. Unfortunately, Alabama has more urgency should triumph over the Aggies for the second straight season.

MY PICK: ALABAMA

1) #12 OKLAHOMA VS. #3 TEXAS (DALLAS)

9AM PT/12PM ET [ABC]

This is the last Red River Rivalry…in the Big 12 conference, but it’s the biggest moment for both sides. Nothing else matters except this game because so much is on the line for the Sooners and Longhorns. Oklahoma is supposedly improved defensively, allowing a surprising 10.8 points per game. They have names representing a new-look OU defense, including Jaren Kanek, Danny Stutsman, and Billy Bowman. The offense will have a healthy quarterback Dillon Gabriel available this time after being out last year with an injury. Texas has all the confidence in the world to run the tables in the Big 12, especially after a big win in Tuscaloosa last month. The offense goes through Quinn Ewers, and he has pass catchers across the depth chart for days. Defense has playmakers that plan to stifle some of Gabriel’s receivers while putting the pressure on the quarterback. I sense the Longhorns are the favorites, which is fair because their roster is seemingly better and beating Alabama is a big deal. However, I’m picking Oklahoma. I’m expecting them to bring it on offense and put a hurting on defense (hopefully🙏) for 60 minutes of the game. Let’s hope the game ends in great fashion with a one-possession finish.

MY PICK: OKLAHOMA

WEEK 5 RESULTS: 8-2

TOTAL RESULTS: 20-10

That’s a bit better but I could improve on that. I’m proud of the Notre Dame pick, but not happy about Riley Leonard’s injury. It was an intense game and very hard to watch with his injury. Hope he’s ok and I still wish him a speedy recovery. He’s a very awesome player and dude to watch.