College Football Week 5: Games To Watch

Last week I was 4-1 straight-up and against the spread, improving my season records to 17-4 and 11-10, respectfully. Let’s see if I can stay hot!

#9 Penn State @ Maryland
Spread: Penn State by 6.5

Courtesy: The Morning Call

Untested Penn State will finally get its early-season litmus test in Maryland. But those Terps are still licking their wounds after a letdown against Temple. Still, though, Anthony McFarland and friends pose a serious threat to PSU. The Lions’ offense is another potential issue in this game. Replacing an entire backfield is never easy, and for PSU it showed against Pitt.

Mix a young team with an away game against a conference opponent, and you’ve got an upset brewing. Except….

There’s Penn State’s defense–one of the best teams nationally at stopping the run. With most of Maryland’s yards coming from their rushing attack, Penn State has the advantage. Penn State will win and cover.

Penn State 31, Maryland 24

#20 Virginia @ #11 Notre Dame
Spread: Notre Dame by 12.5

Notre Dame lost all its Playoff margin with the Georgia loss. The Irish MUST beat UVA to stay in contention. And, I might add, it’s UNBEATEN Virginia!

ND’s Ian Book (photo, Sportsnaut)

This game has the makings of a grind-it-out match between solid defenses. Virginia boasts one of the league’s premier rushing defenses–yet to give up 100+ yards rushing this year. Combine that with ND’s rushing troubles, and it’s doubtful the Irish will get more than 100 yards on the ground.

The salvation for ND is that UVA isn’t in a much better spot offensively. The offense is very much a matter of how Bryce Perkins goes, and I trust Ian Book more than Perkins.

In a low-scoring game, I’m taking Notre Dame. Virginia will keep it closer than experts predict. ND won’t cover.

Notre Dame 26, Virginia 17

#4 Ohio State @ Nebraska
Spread: Ohio State by 17

Now that the preseason hype surrounding Nebraska has settled down (as I knew it would), the Huskers play host to the high-flying Buckeyes. OSU has looked unstoppable. A big reason is that Justin Fields has been tearing apart defenses. State’s defense looks good, too–better than many expected.

UNL’s Sea of Red (photo, Pinterest)

But in the world of college football, all it takes is one road game against an overlooked opponent to turn a season upside down. The Huskers, while not prolific, still boast a capable roster of skill players.

Keep in mind that they were in striking distance last year (36-31). This time they get to play the Bucks at home in front of those rabid red-drenched fans. College GameDay will be in town, too.

All said, Ohio State is too good and too disciplined to look past the Huskers. Adrian Martinez and Co. will keep the game close, but Fields will lead the Buckeyes to a win. Buckeyes will cover, too.

Ohio State 42, Nebraska 24

Washington State @ #16 Utah
Spread: Utah by 5.5

WSU’s Mike Leach (photo, spokesman.com)

Last week’s setback versus USC hurt Utah’s hope for a conference title (a bit), but they can rebound in a home game against Washington State. Winning, though, got tougher by way of key injuries to Tyler Huntley and Zack Moss, both of whom are questionable for this game.

Per custom under Mike Leach, WSU has the league’s top passing offense–averaging almost 500 yards-per-game through the air. Anthony Gordon fits glove-in-hand in Leach’s offense. He’s coming off of a NINE-TD game against UCLA.

Washington State is dangerous, especially when it plays against a so-so secondary, like Utah’s. I’ll take the Cougars in a bounce-back win.

Washington State 34, Utah 28

GAME OF THE WEEK

#23 USC @ #15 Washington
Spread: Washington by 10.5

These two teams haven’t met for a while, and Saturday’s game could very well be the first of two meetings this year (later in Santa Clara for the Pac-12 Championship). That makes this week’s match a high-stakes affair.

UDub’s Jacob Eason (photo, The Seattle Times)

USC has the luxury of using two QBs, both of whom can put up numbers. Matt Fink came in early last week and went 21-of-30 for 351 yards, three touchdowns, and just one INT.

But can Fink be that productive against the Huskies?

While Washington’s defense in 2019 isn’t quite as good statistically as it has been in recent years (mostly because of graduation), it’s still a capable crew. The offense isn’t a question mark. The Huskies obliterated BYU on the road last week behind Jacob Eason’s arm.

I’m feeling good about Washington’s chances in this game. Eason will win the quarterback duel versus Fink–but not by much.

Washington 34, USC 27