NCAA Football 2019 Week 5 picks

Thurs Sept 26
#23 Navy Midshipmen at Memphis Tigers:  This game should be an offensive explosion!  Both teams are scoring machines. Navy churns up the ground while Memphis likes a more balanced attack.  The key will be Memphis' defensive line.  If they can slow the Navy running attack, it will be harder for the Midshipmen to control the pace of the game.  Navy is hard to stop, though.  NAVY

Fri Sept 27
#7 Penn State Nittany Lions at Maryland Terrapins:  Maryland had an extra week to prepare, and we know Maryland can topple ranked teams.  Penn State has the defensive advantage in this game, and their offense is pretty powerful, too.  PENN STATE

Arizona State Sun Devils at Cal Golden Bears:  The Bears bring their rare unbeaten status against Herm Edwards' Sun Devils.  Cal could fall, but I think they might squeak this game out.  CAL

Sat Sept 28
Top 25:
#1 Clemson Tigers at North Carolina Tar Heels:  The Tar Heels will find themselves overpowered by the Tigers.  CLEMSON

Ole Miss Rebels at #2 Alabama Crimson Tide:  Ole Miss is not having a terrific season, and this game will just make things worse.  ALABAMA

Northwestern Wildcats at #3 Wisconsin Badgers:  The Wildcats can be tricky, but their defensive line will be overwhelmed by the powerful Badgers running game.  Northwestern isn't very good at coming from behind, and they will trail early.  WISCONSIN

#4 Ohio State Buckeyes at Nebraska Cornhuskers:  Nebraska has some great offense, but Ohio State has better offense.  The Buckeyes may score on nearly every possession given some problems with Nebraska's defense.  The Buckeyes defense will hold Nebraska more often.  OHIO STATE

Mississippi State Bulldogs at #8 Auburn Tigers:  The Bulldogs are a good team, but they are likely to be smothered by the Tigers.  AUBURN

Texas Tech Red Raiders at #9 Oklahoma Sooners:  Tech has shown some defense this year, but it won't be good enough to slow the Sooner attack.  OKLAHOMA

#24 Virginia Cavaliers at #11 Notre Dame Fighting Irish:  Virginia should enjoy their Top 25 ranking this week, as they are bound to lose it after this game.  NOTRE DAME

#25 USC Trojans at #13 Washington Huskies: The Trojans might pull this game out, especially given the number of upsets that have besieged the Pac-12 recently.  Still, I'll give Washington the chance to win this one.  WASHINGTON

Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders at #14 Iowa Hawkeyes:  Not much of a challenge for the Hawkeyes here.  IOWA

#15 Washington State Cougars at #22 Utah Utes:  Both teams suffered losses last week.  Who will redeem themselves better?  While I think Utah bounces back well, the strength of the Cougars offense gives them a slight edge.  WASHINGTON STATE

Indiana Hoosiers at #16 Michigan State Spartans:  Indiana will test the Spartans defense, but I think they are up to the challenge.  MICHIGAN STATE

#17 Kansas State Wildcats at #20 Oklahoma State Cowboys:  K State faces their first real challenge against a team itching to bounce back from last week's tough loss.  That motivation will propel the Cowboys to victory.  OKLAHOMA STATE

UConn Huskies at #18 UCF Golden Knights:  UCF gets a nice easy victory to compensate for last week's loss to Pitt.  UCF

Iowa State Cyclones at #19 Baylor Bears:  The Bears get their first real test against a Cyclones team that can always give opponents fits.  I'll pick Baylor, but this game could be really close.  BAYLOR

#21 Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Boston College Eagles:  This just hasn't been the Eagles' year.  WAKE FOREST

Big Ten:
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan Wolverines:  Michigan still needs to sort out their offense, but their defense should be strong enough to stall the Scarlet Knights.  MICHIGAN

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Purdue Boilermakers:  This could be a competitive game, but Minnesota's ball control offense will allow them to control the end of the game and secure the win.  MINNESOTA