Preview and Picks for NCAA Football Week 5 

The college football schedule includes big game betting to close out Week 5 and the month of September. No. 2 Georgia at No. 4 Alabama will be the most watched and wagered game of the seasson so far with Saturday's SEC showdown at 7:30 pm ET and kickoff televised on ABC. A total of four Top 25 matchups are on the NCAA football card this week as more conference games are covered. We'll chip-in some Picks and Opinions on select games and evaluate the contests generating more betting interest. 

We had a winning Pick in Week 3 to improve to 1-1 on Top 25 picks this season, but no Top 25 Picks in Week 4 as Opinions and Leans went 2-2. However, our added picks went 1-2 with a best bet winner on Texas Tech and a very unfortunate loser on Kansas as 'Dog after blowing a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. 

Last year we went 11-7 on Top 25 Picks posted at OSGA, and added additional picks and bonus picks went 6-0 ATS. So follow along and as we dig deeper as the season moves along, I'll chip-in additional Picks on these pages at OSGA including this week below. 

The major line moves and totals continue this week, and I tweeted out the college football line moves and totals last Sunday. Many include the top teams with big betting lines. 

Check out more college football Week 4 updates with opening odds and line moves in my coverage in Forbes. Texas has taken over No. 1 ahead of Georgia, and the Big 10 is featured Friday with a Top 25 matchup between No. 22 Nebraska and No. 24 Illinois, who were both unranked to start the season.

Week 5 Top 25 Picks And Matchups

College football odds from leading online sportsbooks refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live betting. All times Eastern and betting favorites (-) listed. For bettors interested in reduced juice sportsbook options, checkout BetAnySports and Heritage Sports, which also offers cash back bonuses getting the 'most squeeze for your juice."  Odds and spreads below from BetOnline. 

Friday, Sept. 27

No. 7 Miami (-17.5) vs. Virginia Tech | 7:30 p.m. | ESPN 

Saturday, Sept. 28

No. 1 Texas (-38.5) vs. Mississippi State | 4:15 p.m. | SEC Network
No. 2 Georgia (-1) at No. 4 Alabama | 7:30 p.m. | ABC/ESPN+ 
No. 3 Ohio State (-23.5) at Michigan State | 7:30 p.m. | Peacock
No. 5 Tennessee | Bye.
No. 6 Ole Miss (-17.5) vs. Kentucky | 12 p.m. | ABC
No. 8 Oregon (-25.5) at UCLA | 11 p.m. | FOX
No. 9 Penn State (-18) vs. No. 19 Illinois | 7:30 p.m. | NBC
No. 10 Utah (-9) vs. Arizona | 10:15 p.m. | ESPN
No. 11 Missouri | Bye
No. 12 Michigan (-10) vs. Minnesota | 12 p.m. | FOX
No. 13 USC (-14.5) vs. Wisconsin | 3:30 p.m. | CBS
No. 14 LSU (-20.5) vs. South Alabama | 7:45 p.m. | SEC Network
No. 15 Louisville at No. 16 Notre Dame (-7) | 3:30 p.m. | Peacock
No. 17 Clemson (-22) vs. Stanford | 7 p.m. | ESPN
No. 18 Iowa State (-13.5) at Houston | 7 p.m. | FS1
No. 20 Oklahoma State at No. 23 Kansas State (-4.5) | 12 p.m. | ESPN
No. 21 Oklahoma at Auburn (-1.5) | 3:30 p.m. | ABC (favorite has flipped)
No. 22 BYU at Baylor (-3.5)| 12 p.m. | FS1
No. 24 Texas A&M (-3.5) vs. Arkansas | 3:30 p.m. | ESPN
No. 25 Boise State (-7) vs. Washington State | 10 p.m. | FS1

Boise State from the Mountain West (and new Pac 12 in 2026) received 69 points in AP voting to crack the Top 25, just ahead of Washington State and Indiana, Boston College and UNLV. Las Vegas is in the news again, as UNLV cracked the Coaches Poll Top 25 for the first time in program history with their 3-0 start. A home win this week in their Mountain West opener over Fresno State may get UNLV into the AP Top 25 for the first time in program history. But the Rebels will play without their starting QB, who has left the program this week following a NIL dispute. It's (always) about the money! 

Others receiving votes: Washington St. 67, Indiana 63, Boston College 55, UNLV 53, Pittsburgh 37, Nebraska 25, Iowa 24, James Madison 11, South Carolina 7, Liberty 4, Arkansas 3, UCF 3, Arizona 2, SMU 2, Navy 1. 

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Oklahoma State at Kansas State 

Pick: Kansas State. We leaned Utah's way as 'Dog last week (Week 4) in a 22-19 road win over Oklahoma State. Uncertainty at QB for Utah, and a backup made the start announced game day. The Utes balanced offense had by far the best of it with 456 yards offense while outrushing the Cowboys 249-48 in a game Utah led 22-3 in the 4th quarter. Kansas State lost to BYU as favorite in Provo 38-9 in a misleading final. The Wildcats suffered a 3-0 turnover deficit plus 3 turnover on downs while allowing a fumble return TD and INT. K-State actually outrushed BYU 228-92 while holding them to 241 yards from scrimmage. Now the Wilcats will put their will and pound the ground attack to work knowing OKL State allows nearly 200 rushing yards per game and runs for just 83 YPG while K-State is averaging 246 rushing YPG. I project a strong rushing edge for Kansas State, who is dominant on their home field and play with revenge in losing as 11-point favorite at Oklahoma State last year. Kansas State is on a 13-2 SU and 12-3 ATS run at home as favorite the past 2+ years that included a 41-6 win/no cover in this year's home opener. The last time these two teams played in Manhattan in 2022, both teams were ranked and the Wildcasts whipped the Cowboys 48-0 as a very slight favorite. Reduced number to lay and play. Best Bet.</p.

Louisville at Notre Dame 

Opinion: Louisville. The Cardinals are 3-0 SU/ATS playing a soft schedule while racking up 500 yards per game on offense and 47 PPG. Last week's miracle cover (-10) in a 31-19 win over Georgia Tech included a 4th quarter block field goal return TD and took a small bite out of my online sportsbook account. Notre Dame is a bit banged up, and we saw they can be vulnerable in a letdown spot when losing as a 28-point home favorite to No. Illinois this season. Sure Louisville has played a soft schedule, but they may indeed be better than many expect currently ranking top-10 in the country in Net Yards per play, Expected Points added (EPA) per play and Success Rate. 

Georgia at Alabama 

Picks: Georgia and Under game total 49 points. Big game betting and the most watched and wagered game of the season thus far is covered in my college football update in Forbes with Georgia-Alabama picks, stats, analysis and information you can bet on. 

Top online sportsbooks reporting "Georgia-Alabama will be the most bet game so far this season. Bettors are jumping on Bama being a home underdog for the first time since 2007. Georgia winning would make our Saturday." 

Illinois at Penn State 

Opinion: Illinois. The Fighting Illini are 4-0 after last week's big OT win at Nebraska. Good measuring stick this week at Penn State (3-0). Still side with the points as Illinois QB Luke Altmyer is one of the most improved quarterbacks in the country while posting a 10-0 TD-to-INT ratio. Penn State's balanced offense includes 255 rushing and 282 passing yards per game but now also face their toughest challenge. Big points to give to what looks like a pretty quality team with Illinois' defense also racking up 7 INTs and 11 sacks so far this season.

Check back for more analysis and additional College Football Picks Saturday morning beyond the Top 25. 

You can bet on it. 

FairwayJay is a proven sports handicapper and loves college football. He's been handicapping and betting college football for more than two decades and is recognized as one of the sports industry's most insightful analysts. FairwayJay chips in additional sports betting coverage and reporting on industry news and events. Follow FairwayJay here at OSGA.com and on X @FairwayJay for more sports and betting insights.