College football picks, schedule: Predictions against the spread, odds for NCAA top 25 games in Week 5

Week 5 of the 2024 college football season means that conference play is in full swing. While the slate is highlighted by four matchups featuring ranked teams, it doesn’t get bigger than No. 2 Georgia’s trip to No. 4 Alabama. Not only are the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide serious SEC contenders, but they’re both early favorites in the national championship race. It’s also a huge opportunity for first-year Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer to earn a signature win early in his tenure. 

There’s plenty of marquee games before that evening clash, though. No. 20 Oklahoma State and No. 23 Kansas State get things started at noon ET with a showdown that will go a long way towards determining the final Big 12 standings. A surging No. 15 Louisville squad makes the trip to No. 16 Notre Dame at 3:30 p.m. in a contest that feels crucial for either team’s playoff hopes, while No. 9 Penn State hosts No. 19 Illinois at 7:30 p.m. That game could change the entire Big Ten landscape depending on the result. 

Be sure to stick with CBS Sports all day Saturday for college football coverage from the opening kickoff onward. Let’s take a look at our expert picks for the best games in Week 5.

Odds via SportsLine consensus | All times Eastern

No. 20 Oklahoma State at No. 23 Kansas State

Noon | ABC, fubo (Try for free) — The battle between these two Big 12 contenders will come down to the ground game. Ollie Gordon II was positioned as the top rusher in the nation, but Kansas State’s three-headed monster of Giddens, Johnson and Edwards has quickly overshadowed the talented Cowboys back. OSU proved against Utah it needs a consistent running game to compete against the best in the Big 12. The Wildcats will…


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Author : Will Backus

Publish date : 2024-09-27 20:20:55

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