College football Week 5: Picks and preview

BYU senior receiver Gunner Romney (117 career receptions, 1,900 yards, nine touchdowns) appears set to make his 2022 debut this week. That certainly would be a boost for a Cougars offense that ranks 25th in the country, averaging 296.5 passing yards per contest. Romney has caught 11 passes for 113 yards with two touchdowns in three career games versus Utah State. BYU is trying for a third consecutive victory over Utah State, which has won two of the last three meetings in Provo.

Prediction: Utah State (+24)

Washington last started 5-0 in 2017. However, since the start of the 1981 season, they are 3-12 at UCLA. Though the Huskies did win their most recent visit to Pasadena in 2018. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. leads the nation averaging 347 passing yards while throwing 12 touchdowns and just one interception. UCLA, which last went 5-0 in 2013, hasn't allowed more than 258 passing yards in any game this season and has already intercepted four passes. Catching this marquee Pac-12 matchup isn't a bad way for college football fans to spend a Friday night.

Prediction: UCLA (+3)

Of course, that 42-3 loss to Michigan in last season's Big Ten Championship is still fresh in the mind of the Hawkeyes. That's just part of the motivation this week for Iowa, which has won the last four home meetings against the Wolverines -- by a combined difference of 14 points -- dating to 2005. One would expect this to be another tight contest. It will be interesting to see how J.J. McCarthy (693 passing yards, five touchdowns) handles the environment at Iowa City, and a Hawkeyes' defense that's allowed 23 total points and an average of 236.3 yards per contest.

Prediction: Iowa (+11)

Two of the four teams atop the early Big 12 standings meet up in Manhattan. Kansas State debuts in the Top 25 for 2022 after winning 41-34 at then-No. 6 Oklahoma. The combination of Deuce Vaughn (468 rushing yards, three touchdowns) and former Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez (538 passing yards; 298 rushing yards, six rushing TDs) has been electric so far. Meanwhile, Texas Tech is trying to go 3-1 against ranked opponents this season following last weekend's 37-34 victory over then-No. 22 Texas. The Wildcats have won six straight and 10 of the last 11 against the Red Raiders.

Prediction: Kansas State (-8)

Is this the year Minnesota captures the Big Ten West Division title and makes its first appearance in the league championship game? One might want to call the Gophers a front-runner in the West after outscoring its first four opponents 183-24. Highlighted by last weekend's 34-7 rout at Michigan State. Minnesota has also won four straight over Purdue, though the last three meetings were decided by a combined 17 points. The Boilermakers' 2022 losses to Penn State and Syracuse came by a total of seven points.

Prediction: Minnesota (-12)

Kentucky struggled to put away Northern Illinois last week and now faces another serious road test at Ole Miss. Sure, the Wildcats should be confident after winning at Florida earlier this season, but since 1986, they are 0-6 at Oxford -- but last played there in 2010. A Kentucky run game that ranks 123rd averaging 81.5 yards should get a boost with the season debut of star Chris Rodriguez (2,740 career rushing yards, 26 touchdowns in 38 games). Ole Miss, meanwhile, has allowed just 40 points this season but gave up 262 yards on the ground during last week's 35-27 home win over Tulsa.

Prediction: Kentucky (+6 1/2)

So, the coaching staff might look different, but will defense remain the Sooners' Achilles' heel again in '22? After allowing 505 total yards in their first true test of the season while losing 41-34 to Kansas State at home, there is reason to be concerned. Looking to start 4-0 for the first time since 2017, TCU is averaging 46.3 points. Of course, the Horned Frogs have managed to score 30 or more points just once during an eight-game losing streak to Oklahoma that dates to a 37-33 victory in 2014.

Prediction: Oklahoma (-6 1/2)

Losing tight end and top pass-catcher Brant Kuithe (19 receptions, 206 yards, three touchdowns) to an apparent knee injury is a big blow to the Utes. However, it likely won't make a difference this weekend as Utah aims for a sixth win in seven home victories against Oregon State. The Beavers blew a late lead in last weekend's 17-14 home loss to then-No. 7 USC, and while they are off to a solid start, have dropped 13 straight road games against Top 25 opponents since winning at then-No. 19 UCLA in September 2012.

Prediction: Utah (-10 1/2)

Alabama had to rally at Texas in its first 2022 road game, and now heads to Arkansas to face a Razorbacks squad that must get over blowing its 14-0 lead in last weekend's loss to Texas A&M. The Crimson Tide have won the last 15 meetings with Arkansas, but last season's tilt in Tuscaloosa was decided by a touchdown. This could very well be another tight contest, and likely with the quarterbacks at the forefront. During the 2022 meeting, Alabama's Bryce Young threw for 559 yards and five touchdowns, while Arkansas' KJ Jefferson totaled 326 and three scores -- neither was intercepted.

Prediction: Arkansas (+17 1/2)

Oklahoma State leads the nation averaging 51.7 points. Meanwhile, Baylor is allowing just 16.8 points per game. So, this has the makings of what could be the best game of the weekend, and a rematch of last season's memorable Big 12 title contest. Oklahoma State quarterback Spencer Sanders (916 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, one interception) is one of the best in the country, but has thrown five touchdowns and been intercepted 10 times in four games versus Baylor.
Prediction: Oklahoma State (+2 1/2)

The first of two ACC matchups featuring a pair of ranked teams. Florida State last started 5-0 in 2015 but has lost the last two meetings with Wake. That said, the Seminoles have won five straight at home over the Demon Deacons. FSU's early 2022 success can be traced to a defense that's allowed 18.8 points per game and just 165.8 yards through the air. However, Wake's Sam Hartman (962 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, two interceptions) has thrown for 794 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions while going 2-1 against the Seminoles.

Prediction: Wake Forest (+7)

What more needs to be said about the Buckeyes, who rank third in the country in scoring (48.8 points per game), 11th in average passing yards (339.0), and 19th in average rushing yards (219.8)? Now, consider that they've outscored Rutgers 428-88 to win all eight meetings between the programs. At this point, Ohio State is a machine, highly talented, extremely deep, and poised to dominate any team that stands in its way. This week it's Rutgers. Good luck to the Scarlet Knights.

Prediction: Ohio State (-40 1/2)

Penn State running backs Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton have combined for 584 yards and seven touchdowns this season. Northwestern just allowed 216 on the ground in a 17-14 loss to Miami (Ohio) from last weekend. The Nittany Lions could have a field day in the run game, mainly because they should hold the ball often against a Wildcats squad that's averaged 20.3 points during its current three-game losing streak.

Prediction: Penn State (-26 1/2)

The Aggies used an impressive rally to knock off then-No. 10 Arkansas last weekend but might face an even more daunting task at Mississippi State. Texas A&M has lost four of its last six games against the Bulldogs but did win its last road contest in the series from 2020. Mississippi State's lone loss came to LSU, in its first true test of 2022. While the Bulldogs have been the better team during this series in recent years, the Aggies' win over Arkansas might provide the spark needed for a serious run of success.

Prediction: Texas A&M (+3 1/2)

The ACC's marquee matchup of the week has N.C. State trying to win back-to-back games versus Clemson for the first time since 2002-'03. The Wolfpack, though, have dropped eight in a row at Clemson, dating to a 2002 victory. And ending that slide won't be easy against a Tigers squad that proved its worth by pulling out a wild 51-45, double-overtime victory at then-No. 21 Wake Forest last weekend. Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (1,033 yards, 10 touchdowns, one interception, 169 rushing yards) is certainly making an early case for ACC Offensive Player of the Year.

Prediction: Clemson (-6 1/2)

It would be easy to chide Georgia for beating Kent State by just 17 points. And sure, the 22 points the Bulldogs allowed in that contest were 12 more than yielded in their first three games of 2022. Maybe that will be a wake-up call for the Bulldogs, who have won eight in a row over Missouri. We think the Bulldogs will be just fine. Not including the SEC Championship game, Georgia has won 12 consecutive regular-season league games.

Prediction: Georgia (-28)

A coaching and athletic administration change isn't going to help Georgia Tech from another likely lopsided defeat. The Yellow Jackets have been held to 20 points in losses to Clemson, Missouri, and UCF. Pitt, meanwhile, has had its issues defensively, but it should be able to jump out early after scoring at least 34 points in three of its four contests. The Panthers will be looking for a fifth consecutive victory over Georgia Tech while hosting this series for the first time since 2018.

Prediction: Pittsburgh (-21 1/2)

Not counting the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign, USC hasn't started 5-0 since 2006. But after surviving a visit to Oregon State last weekend, the Trojans are a team that appears to know how to win games. Perhaps lost in the shuffle of USC's big-time offensive names, is a defense that's allowed an average of 18.3 points this season. Meanwhile, Arizona State has totaled 51 points while going 0-3 against FBS opponents in 2022.

Prediction: USC (-25 1/2)

It was only a few short years ago that this was a marquee matchup on the national scene, let alone the Pac-12. But, Stanford did stop Oregon a year ago. The Ducks, though, have rebounded rather nicely following that 46-point debacle of a loss to Georgia. Though Oregon's defense allowed 41 points at Washington State last weekend, it's averaged 51.7 points during a three-game winning streak. Bo Nix has thrown for 927 yards with 10 touchdowns and an interception in those three contests.

Prediction: Oregon (-17)

It's been a middling start for both of these traditional Mountain West powers. Both teams have struggled to score, with Boise entering Week 5 ranked 107th in the FBS for points per game (22.0) and SDDU tied for 111th (20.5). It's also been quite a week f or the Broncos, who fired offensive coordinator Tim Plough and announced quarterback Hank Bachmeier is entering the transfer portal. That leaves redshirt freshman Taylen Green to start against the Aztecs, who have allowed 73 points in their two losses against Power Five opponents this season.

Prediction: Boise State (-6)

Coach Brett Bielema has the Illini off to a decent start, but this weekend he returns to Madison for the first time since he left Wisconsin in late December 2012 for the Arkansas job. The Badgers won 24-0 in their first meeting with Bielema's Illini last season on the road, and Illinois has dropped eight straight by an average margin of 21.5 points at Camp Randall. However, it will be interesting to see if these Badgers can decisively rebound from last week's 52-21 thrashing at the hands of Ohio State.

Prediction: Illinois (+8 1/2)

Safe to say, Kansas is the early feel-good story of the 2022 college football season. Should the Jayhawks snap a seven-game skid against Iowa State and improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2009, then perhaps they will find a spot in the Top 25. Kansas is in this position thanks to an offense that's averaging 48.5 points and led by budding star in versatile quarterback Jalon Daniels (890 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, one interception; 320 rushing yards, four rushing TDs). Meanwhile, Iowa State held its first three opponents to 27 points before last weekend's 31-24 home loss to then-No. 17 Baylor.

Prediction: Kansas (+3)

Perhaps Michigan State's early dominance against a pair of Mid-American Conference teams was a facade. In the last two weeks, the Spartans lost to Washington and Minnesota by a combined 38 points. Michigan State has won four in a row over Maryland, but the Terps played Michigan strong last week at The Big House. Plus, Taulia Tagovailoa (1,102 passing yards, seven touchdowns, four interceptions) has the potential to give a frazzled Spartans defense fits.

Prediction: Michigan State (+7 1/2)

Former USC coach Clay Helton has got Georgia Southern off to a solid start, which included that memorable win at Nebraska which finally ended the Scott Frost era. This week presents another difficult test against Coastal Carolina, which could again be the class of the Sun Belt Conference in 2022. However, the status of star Chanticleers quarterback Grayson McCall (1,001 yards, 11 TDs, one interception) could be a little cloudy after he injured his ankle at Georgia State last weekend.

Prediction: Georgia Southern (+10)

It's possible the distant effects of Hurricane Ian can be present for this prime-time SEC contest. Records aside, neither Tigers program will be challenging for a conference title. Auburn bounced back from that 29-point loss to Penn State, by edging Missouri at home last weekend. Yet, this presents another stiff test against LSU, which has outscored its last three opponents, including Mississippi State, 134-33, following that 24-23 loss to Florida State. Auburn will be trying for a third consecutive victory in this series.

Prediction: LSU (-8 1/2)