Week 5 of the college football season starts tonight, with the Army Black Knights (1-2) at East Carolina Pirates (2-2), at 7:30 PM (EST) on ESPN.
With conference play underway, the games start to have serious meaning towards season goals, and ultimately, the college football playoffs.
With so many great games available to watch, I’m here to give you the 3 games that you should.
1) #6 Oregon Ducks (4-0) at #3 Penn State Nittany Lions (3-0).
Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST) on NBC and Peacock.
The highflying Ducks offense is traveling across the country to take on the Nittany Lions, in Penn State’s “White out game”.
Sophomore QB Dante Moore has thrown for 962 yards with 11 TDs to only 1 INT. He’s completing 74.7% of his throws so, and the offense just hums along with quick strikes. The defense plays fast and downhill, making it difficult for opposing offenses to get anything started.
The Penn State offense has been anemic to say the least. Has head coach James Franklin been holding back so far?
The Nittany Lions have arguably the best running back tandem in the country with Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton. They have a combined 8 TDs so far. QB Drew Allar was some people’s “QB1”, and he’s only thrown 4 TDs through 3 games. Their defense as always is tough and gets pressure on the quarterback. DC Jim Knowles will scheme something up for this big matchup.
Prediction – Penn State is 13-8 in “White out games”, make it 13-9, as Oregon wins this game 31-27.
2) #17 Alabama Crimson Tide (2-1) at #5 Georgia Bulldogs (3-0).
Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST) on ABC.
Where is the running game? They’ve only rushed for a combined 371 yards and 4 TDs, through 3 games. Where is the defense? They only have 4 sacks total. Can junior QB Ty Simpson carry this team? He’s thrown for 862 yards, with 9 TDs and 0 INTs so far. He just might have to find some magic.
The Bulldogs have found their running game. They have 3 HBs already over 100 yards each, and as a team, have run for 627 yards and 10 TDs. That means that junior QB Gunnar Stockton just need to not make mistakes, and he’s done that so far, throwing for 722 yards, with 4 TDs and 0 INTs. It’s Georgia, which means fast and active linebackers and safeties flying all over the field making tackles.
Prediction – I think this game is going to be ugly for Alabama. Give me Georgia to win 42-21.
3) #1 Ohio State Buckeyes (3-0) at Washington Huskies (3-0).
Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST) on CBS and Paramount+.
The Buckeyes have arguably the best WR tandem in America, with WRs Jeremiah Smith and Carnell Tate. That means sophomore QB Julian Sayin has a big edge. He’s thrown for 779 yards, with 8 TDs and 3 INTs. Projected starting HBs James Peoples and CJ Donaldson have been disappointing, but freshman HB Bo Jackson has done great in his brief appearances. On defense, S Caleb Downs is a playmaker that every team avoids, so LBs Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles, are free to fly all over and wreak havoc.
The Huskies offensive gameplan is simple; get the ball to senior HB Jonah Coleman, as much as possible. He has 51 carries, for 347 yards, and 9 TDs. Sophomore QB Demond Williams Jr, is a dual threat as well. He’s thrown for 778 yards, with 6 TDs and 0 INTs, but he’s also ran the ball 34 times, for 220 yards, with 2 TDs.
KEY STAT: Washington has won 22 straight games at home.
TRAP GAME ALERT!!!
Prediction – The Huskies are going to give the Buckeyes, all they can handle. I won’t be shocked if they pull off the massive upset. However, I’m going with Ohio State to win a close game 42-38.
– by Sean McKenzie.
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Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, USAToday, ESPN, and CBSSports.
Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.
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