Unpredictable upsets and SEC showdowns in college football
30.09.2023 posted by Admin
In the aftermath of an exciting week featuring six clashes between highly ranked college football teams, Week 5 presents a slightly less thrilling schedule. Nevertheless, these weeks often surprise us with unexpected upsets that can reshape the entire season, especially since many top teams are entering only their second conference games.
The Big Ten is missing a standout game this week, as the only ranked teams in action are heavy favorites with spreads of 18 points or more in their respective matchups. Meanwhile, the 22nd-ranked Florida Gators face the Kentucky Wildcats, and it's a rare sight to see Florida as an underdog in this SEC East showdown. Additionally, the oldest rivalry in the Deep South pits the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs as a two-touchdown favorite against the Auburn Tigers.
Colorado, after dropping from the undefeated ranks and the top 25 rankings last weekend, faces another significant challenge as they host the 8th-ranked USC Trojans. The key question here is whether Colorado's newfound home-field advantage can overcome the offensive firepower led by Caleb Williams and the Trojans.
The 3rd-ranked Texas Longhorns aim to continue their strong start to the season as they face the 24th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks, who are also undefeated, with Texas being a 16.5-point road favorite. Meanwhile, the 11th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish seek redemption after a heartbreaking last-second loss last week when they visit the 17th-ranked Duke Blue Devils in the evening.
Stay tuned with CBS Sports throughout Saturday for comprehensive college football coverage, starting from the opening kickoff. Let's delve into our expert predictions for the most intriguing games in Week 5.
No. 22 Florida at Kentucky
Kickoff at Noon | Watch on ESPN or fubo (Free trial available) -- These two teams appear evenly matched on paper, making it difficult to confidently pick a winner, either straight up or against the spread. Florida boasts a more impressive win against Tennessee but struggled to finish drives against Charlotte, one of the FBS's weaker teams. Kentucky, on the other hand, hasn't faced any noteworthy opponents yet (sorry, Vanderbilt), making it challenging to gauge their true strength. What's certain is that it will be a tough battle for both teams to move the ball, given their defensive prowess and deliberate offensive approaches. Betting on the under seems wise, considering these factors. Prediction: Under 44 (-110) -- Will Backus
No. 8 USC at Colorado
Kickoff at Noon | Watch on Fox or fubo (Free trial available) -- Although it's a substantial point spread, we anticipate a high-scoring game. USC boasts one of the nation's most potent offenses, while Colorado has struggled to halt their opponents. Colorado's pass rush is virtually non-existent, and if you give Caleb Williams and USC's talented wide receivers time, they'll capitalize on big plays. On the defensive side, USC has shown improvement but remains average at best. They have a tendency to miss tackles, leading to significant gains for their opponents. Expect Colorado to have more success on offense this week compared to their performance against Oregon on the road. Prediction: Over 73.5 -- Tom Fornelli
No. 1 Georgia at Auburn
Kickoff at 3:30 p.m. | Watch on CBS, Paramount+ with Showtime, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App -- Georgia faces Auburn at the right moment, as Auburn's offense has struggled to make any progress, even against an empty field, let alone against the Bulldogs' talented squad. Kirby Smart won't be threatened by Auburn's offensive capabilities, so expect a conservative game plan to prevent Auburn's defense from making game-changing plays. The Bulldogs will gradually wear down Auburn's defense and likely bolster their stats in the fourth quarter. Prediction: Georgia -14.5 -- Barrett Sallee
No. 3 Texas at No. 24 Kansas
Kickoff at 3:30 p.m. | Watch on ABC or fubo (Free trial available) -- Texas has proven itself as a serious national contender, but Kansas presents a unique challenge. Kansas has built its game plan around compensating for deficiencies in line play, and their opportunistic defense can keep them in the game, even when facing a three-score deficit against Texas, who tends to go on scoring runs. Prediction: Kansas +16.5 -- Shehan Jeyarajah
No. 11 Notre Dame at No. 17 Duke
Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. | Watch on ABC or fubo (Free trial available) -- While leaning towards a Notre Dame victory, especially given the trends in ACC matchups, it's important to note that Notre Dame's strength in the trenches matches their 29-game winning streak against ACC opponents. However, the spread is a bit too wide for a potentially low-scoring game, which is why we favor betting on the total points scored. Prediction: Under 54 -- Chip Patterson
The Big Ten is missing a standout game this week, as the only ranked teams in action are heavy favorites with spreads of 18 points or more in their respective matchups. Meanwhile, the 22nd-ranked Florida Gators face the Kentucky Wildcats, and it's a rare sight to see Florida as an underdog in this SEC East showdown. Additionally, the oldest rivalry in the Deep South pits the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs as a two-touchdown favorite against the Auburn Tigers.
Colorado, after dropping from the undefeated ranks and the top 25 rankings last weekend, faces another significant challenge as they host the 8th-ranked USC Trojans. The key question here is whether Colorado's newfound home-field advantage can overcome the offensive firepower led by Caleb Williams and the Trojans.
The 3rd-ranked Texas Longhorns aim to continue their strong start to the season as they face the 24th-ranked Kansas Jayhawks, who are also undefeated, with Texas being a 16.5-point road favorite. Meanwhile, the 11th-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish seek redemption after a heartbreaking last-second loss last week when they visit the 17th-ranked Duke Blue Devils in the evening.
Stay tuned with CBS Sports throughout Saturday for comprehensive college football coverage, starting from the opening kickoff. Let's delve into our expert predictions for the most intriguing games in Week 5.
No. 22 Florida at Kentucky
Kickoff at Noon | Watch on ESPN or fubo (Free trial available) -- These two teams appear evenly matched on paper, making it difficult to confidently pick a winner, either straight up or against the spread. Florida boasts a more impressive win against Tennessee but struggled to finish drives against Charlotte, one of the FBS's weaker teams. Kentucky, on the other hand, hasn't faced any noteworthy opponents yet (sorry, Vanderbilt), making it challenging to gauge their true strength. What's certain is that it will be a tough battle for both teams to move the ball, given their defensive prowess and deliberate offensive approaches. Betting on the under seems wise, considering these factors. Prediction: Under 44 (-110) -- Will Backus
No. 8 USC at Colorado
Kickoff at Noon | Watch on Fox or fubo (Free trial available) -- Although it's a substantial point spread, we anticipate a high-scoring game. USC boasts one of the nation's most potent offenses, while Colorado has struggled to halt their opponents. Colorado's pass rush is virtually non-existent, and if you give Caleb Williams and USC's talented wide receivers time, they'll capitalize on big plays. On the defensive side, USC has shown improvement but remains average at best. They have a tendency to miss tackles, leading to significant gains for their opponents. Expect Colorado to have more success on offense this week compared to their performance against Oregon on the road. Prediction: Over 73.5 -- Tom Fornelli
No. 1 Georgia at Auburn
Kickoff at 3:30 p.m. | Watch on CBS, Paramount+ with Showtime, CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App -- Georgia faces Auburn at the right moment, as Auburn's offense has struggled to make any progress, even against an empty field, let alone against the Bulldogs' talented squad. Kirby Smart won't be threatened by Auburn's offensive capabilities, so expect a conservative game plan to prevent Auburn's defense from making game-changing plays. The Bulldogs will gradually wear down Auburn's defense and likely bolster their stats in the fourth quarter. Prediction: Georgia -14.5 -- Barrett Sallee
No. 3 Texas at No. 24 Kansas
Kickoff at 3:30 p.m. | Watch on ABC or fubo (Free trial available) -- Texas has proven itself as a serious national contender, but Kansas presents a unique challenge. Kansas has built its game plan around compensating for deficiencies in line play, and their opportunistic defense can keep them in the game, even when facing a three-score deficit against Texas, who tends to go on scoring runs. Prediction: Kansas +16.5 -- Shehan Jeyarajah
No. 11 Notre Dame at No. 17 Duke
Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. | Watch on ABC or fubo (Free trial available) -- While leaning towards a Notre Dame victory, especially given the trends in ACC matchups, it's important to note that Notre Dame's strength in the trenches matches their 29-game winning streak against ACC opponents. However, the spread is a bit too wide for a potentially low-scoring game, which is why we favor betting on the total points scored. Prediction: Under 54 -- Chip Patterson