College football never really sits still, does it? Week 5 is shaping up to be a wild ride, packed with big matchups and a real shot at some upsets.
Matt Youmans, the sports betting guy you probably know, has his best bets lined up for this week. He’s got thoughts on everything from Ohio State’s tricky road test to Washington’s wild offense, and even the chess match between LSU and Stanford.
If you’re looking for a guide for your bets or just want to sound smarter at the bar, let’s jump into these picks for Week 5.
Ohio State vs. Washington: A Clash of Titans
Ohio State, sitting at the top of the rankings, heads out to face unranked Washington. The Buckeyes are 8.5-point favorites with freshman QB Julian Sayin at the helm.
That ranking? It’s mostly riding on last year’s championship. Their play so far hasn’t exactly wowed anyone. They barely scraped by Texas in their opener, and Sayin’s offense only managed 203 total yards. Not exactly fireworks.
Washington’s Offensive Firepower
Washington, meanwhile, is lighting up the scoreboard—second in the nation, averaging 55.7 points. Demond Williams Jr., their sophomore quarterback, is just on fire: 73.5% completion rate, 778 yards, six touchdowns, zero picks.
Plus, Williams can run—220 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Sure, they’ve faced some soft defenses, but their attack is going to push Ohio State’s top-ranked defense, which is only giving up 5.3 points per game. Something’s got to give.
Best Bet: Washington +8.5
USC vs. Illinois: A Battle of Resilience
USC is leading the Big Ten and now has to travel to Illinois. They’re dealing with the classic body-clock struggle after a late game in LA last week.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava has been sharp—nine touchdown passes, no interceptions. Ja’Kobi Lane, their star receiver, should be back from injury too.
Illinois’ Redemption
Illinois was a Top 10 team before getting absolutely smoked by Indiana, 63-10. Now, they’ve got a shot to bounce back and show they’re not just a fluke.
Best Bet: Illinois +7
LSU vs. Ole Miss: Defensive Prowess vs. Offensive Versatility
LSU has flipped the script this season. Their defense is suddenly a force, only allowing 9.3 points per game. The offense, though? Kinda stuck in the mud, which could be a problem against Ole Miss.
Lane Kiffin’s got options at quarterback. Trinidad Chambliss has stepped up since Austin Simmons got hurt, throwing for 660 yards and running for 174 in just two starts. He looks legit.
Best Bet: Mississippi -1.5
San Diego State vs. Northern Illinois: A Classic Letdown Spot
San Diego State just crushed California, 34-0, but now they’re hitting the road. That’s where things usually get dicey for them—they lost by 23 at Washington State not long ago.
Northern Illinois isn’t quite the giant-killer they were last year, but they’ll lean on their ground game and try to grind this one out at home.
Best Bet: Northern Illinois +2.5
Indiana vs. Iowa: A Potential Upset
Indiana’s coach, Curt Cignetti, has a crazy record as a favorite: 15-0 straight up, 12-3 against the spread. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza is even in the Heisman conversation—14 touchdowns, no picks.
Still, after a big win over Illinois, the Hoosiers might be due for a letdown. Iowa’s QB Mark Gronowski will try to pounce on that.
Best Bet: Iowa +8
Air Force vs. Hawaii: High-Scoring Showdown
Liam Szarka led Air Force to an offensive explosion last week, but their defense? Still a bit of a question mark. Hawaii’s been struggling to run the ball and they’re playing for the sixth week in a row, now at altitude in Colorado Springs. Yikes.
Best Bets: Air Force -6.5 and Over 53.5 (half-unit each)
Stanford vs. San Jose State: Ground Game Dominance
Stanford’s got Ben Gulbranson managing things at quarterback, and Micah Ford powering the run game. San Jose State just hasn’t lived up to expectations.
The Cardinal’s offensive line should give them the edge here, plain and simple.
Best Bet: Stanford -3
Penn State vs. Oregon: Coaching and Defense
Penn State came in with a lot of hype, but honestly, they’ve underdelivered. James Franklin’s record against Top 5 teams? Not great. Oregon, with Dante Moore at quarterback, is about to face their toughest road test yet.
This one feels like a defensive slugfest, maybe decided by a single field goal.
Best Bets: Oregon +3.5 and Under 52.5 (half-unit each)
Georgia vs. Alabama: Home Advantage
Georgia’s Gunner Stockton has shown real maturity lately. He’s helped the Bulldogs extend their home winning streak to 33 games.
Alabama, after bouncing back from a rough start, is heading into Athens. It’s a tough place to play, no doubt.
This matchup matters a lot for Georgia coach Kirby Smart. He’s had his share of struggles against Alabama before, so there’s a bit of pressure here.
Best Bet: Georgia -2.5
Want more analysis or some betting tips? Check out Matt Youmans’ Week 5 College Football Best Bets.
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