Predictions and perspective on every top 25 game for the Week 5 Saturday lineup across college football.
The next class of college football’s star quarterbacks has arrived, and the two best of the best just happen to go head-to-head Saturday afternoon in the game of the week.
Sophomore QB Kamari Taylor leads No. 16 Mississippi State (4-0, 2-0 SEC), which is ranked for the first time in four years and could be a real SEC and College Football Playoff contender this year — depending, that is, on how the Bulldogs look Saturday against No. 7 Alabama (4-0, 2-0) and redshirt freshman QB Keelon Russell.
The same goes for the Crimson Tide, though.
Alabama and Mississippi State kickoff at noon ET Saturday in Starkville, Mississippi, in the game of the week (on ABC).
The 6-foot-4, 230-pound Taylor, who has drawn comparisons to Vince Young and as a larger version of Lamar Jackson, is must-see TV for college football fans.
He’s completed 69.2% of his passes for 1,192 yards, 14 TDs and 2 INTs with 185 rushing yards and a TD, but he flashed in two starts at the end of his freshman season that he can do a lot more with his legs when needed.
Russell went through some growing pains in the opening weeks of the season, but he’s been incredible the last two weeks — completing 23 of 30 passes for 320 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs with 56 yards and a TD rushing vs. Florida State and then 21 of 27 for 365 yards, 4 TDs and 0 INTs with 35 yards and a TD rushing.
If this game lives up to its full potential it could be one of the more memorable showdowns of the season.
We have our prediction for that one and every other game involving top 25 teams …
Predictions For Every Top 25 Matchup Saturday
(All times ET; all point spreads via DraftKings Sportsbook)
No. 7 Alabama (4-0, 2-0 SEC) at No. 16 Mississippi State (4-0, 2-0), 12 p.m. on ABC: Alabama has won its first two SEC games convincingly — 45-17 at Kentucky and 49-18 over South Carolina — while starting to look like the Crimson Tide of old (to a degree) in coach Kalen DeBoer’s third season. Mississippi State looks primed for a breakout in coach Jeff Lebby’s third season after finishes of 2-10 and 5-8 the last two years. The Bulldogs rallied for a 41-34 road win at South Carolina and beat a ranked Missouri team, 31-24 last week. The Crimson Tide seem to be just a little deeper all around, though both teams are loaded with offensive playmakers supporting their star young QBs. Alabama is a 5.5-point road favorite. Prediction: Alabama 36, Mississippi State 33
No. 3 Notre Dame (4-0) at North Carolina (2-1), 12 p.m. on ESPN/Disney+: Notre Dame hasn’t played a close game yet, rolling over Wisconsin, Rice, Michigan State and Purdue even though the rushing attack has been inconsistent at times. Aneyas Williams had his most efficient effort of the season last week vs. the Boilermakers, though, rushing for 80 yards and a TD on 14 carries. QB CJ Carr remains in the Heisman Trophy conversation with 963 passing yards, 9 TDs and 1 INT with 2 rushing TDs. North Carolina has looked better in Bill Belichick’s second season, taking its lone loss to Clemson (28-20) two weeks ago before a bye, but the offense remains shaky with well-traveled transfer QB Billy Edwards Jr. taking over this fall (611 passing yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT). Notre Dame is a 21-point road favorite. Prediction: Notre Dame 27, North Carolina 14
UCF (3-1, 1-0 Big 12) at No. 20 Houston (3-1, 0-1), 12 p.m. on ESPN2: UCF is trying to turn the corner in the second year of Scott Frost‘s second tenure as head coach, and a 21-13 win over TCU in its Big 12 opener was an encouraging sign. Duke Watson is off to a blazing start with 354 yards and 3 TDs on 8.8 YPC, while senior backup QB Keyone Jenkins (288 passing yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT) is filling in for injured starter Alonza Barnett III. The Knights are up against one of the Big 12’s top teams this week. Houston took its lone loss 28-26 to reigning conference champion Texas Tech and has otherwise handled business against lesser competition. Conner Weigman has elevated his game as a senior, throwing for 947 yards, 11 TDs and 1 INT with 106 rushing yards and 3 TDs, while Makhi Hughes (282 rushing yards and 2 TDs) and Amare Thomas (23 receptions for 287 yards and 4 TDs) are a strong supporting cast. Houston is a 10.5-point favorite. Prediction: Houston 28, UCF 17
Boston College (2-2, 0-1 ACC) at No. 21 SMU (3-1, 1-1), 12 p.m. on CW: SMU has a lot to prove despite its 3-1 start. Its only notable win was 27-24 over Florida State in Week 1 while it lost by 10 points to Louisville and then got tested last week by Missouri State in a 34-24 win. Kevin Jennings is the FBS passing leader at 363.3 passing yards per game, but he’s already thrown 5 INTs with his 12 TDs. That said, Boston College’s only notable win is over Rutgers so far while QB Mason McKenzie has thrown for just 759 yards, 3 TDs and 5 INTs. SMU is a 21-point favorite: Prediction: SMU 38, Boston College 21
Vanderbilt (3-1, 0-1 SEC) at No. 2 Georgia (4-0, 2-0), 12:45 p.m. on SEC Network: Georgia might well be the best team in the country after dominating Oklahoma 41-13 last week. Gunner Stockton has been as efficient as any QB in the country, passing for 754 yards, 10 TDs and 1 INT. Vanderbilt lost its SEC opener 21-15 at Auburn as five-star true freshman QB Jared Curtis settles in as the starter with 746 passing yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs and 133 yards and 2 TDs rushing. Curtis is reportedly expected to miss the game due to injury. Georgia is a 25.5-point favorite. Prediction: Georgia 45, Vanderbilt 17
Late Afternoon College Football Week 5 Kickoffs
No. 5 Ohio State (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) at No. 14 Iowa (4-0, 1-0), 3:30 p.m. on CBS: Iowa’s Kinnick Stadium is traditionally a tough place for visitors, especially when the Hawkeyes have a good defense and running game, which they do in 2026. Iowa has given up the fewest points in the FBS at 8.0 per game, though that is skewed by shutouts over Northern Illinois and Northern Iowa. The Hawkeyes scored a dramatic 20-19 road win at Michigan last week. They’ll continue to lean heavily on a deep backfield led by Kamari Moulton (284 rushing yards and 2 TDs on 7.3 YPC) and hope that QB Hank Brown (700 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs) can make at least a few big plays through the air. Because it’s hard to imagine any defense truly containing the Buckeyes and the tandem of Julian Sayin (1,206 yards, 10 TDs, 1 INT) and current Heisman front-runner Jeremiah Smith (33 catches for FBS-leading 617 yards and 7 TDs). Ohio State is a 14.5-point favorite. Prediction: Ohio State 26, Iowa 20
No. 8 Florida (4-0, 2-0 SEC) at No. 25 Missouri (3-1, 0-1), 3:30 p.m. on ABC: Last week, Florida was the team delivering the upset to an Ole Miss team primed for a letdown after an emotional win the week before over LSU. This week, the Gators are in that position while going on the road to Missouri, coming off that statement-making 52-28 win over the Rebels. Florida jumped 13 spots in the AP poll to No. 8 — one of the largest single-week movements in the history of the AP rankings — and now has to back it up against a solid Missouri defense. In their first season under head coach Jon Sumrall, the Gators have rushed for 545 yards over their first two SEC games, led by Jadan Baugh (600 rushing yards and 11 TDs overall on 7.2 YPC) and Duke Clark (259 yards and 3 TDs on 8.1 YPC). Missouri, meanwhile, is still without one of the top RBs in college football in Ahmad Hardy, who is still working his way back from an offseason gunshot wound. Jamal Roberts has filled in but not been the same force with 395 yards and 3 TDs on 4.4 YPC. QB Austin Simmons, the Ole Miss transfer, has been sharp, though, throwing for 947 yards, 11 TDs and 0 INTs. Florida is a 5.5-point road favorite. Prediction: Florida 41, Missouri 33
Auburn (3-1, 1-1 SEC) at No. 17 Tennessee (3-1, 0-1), 3:30 p.m. on ESPN: Tennessee played No. 1-ranked Texas tight in a 20-17 loss last week and will look to assert itself as a factor in the SEC as it hosts an improved Auburn team that played Florida to a 44-39 loss and then beat Vanderbilt 21-15 to even its conference record. The Vols are the more talented team at this point with star freshman QB Faizon Brandon (697 yards, 7 TDs, 0 INTs, 139 yards and 3 TDs rushing) and RB DeSean Bishop (320 rushing yards and 4 TDs on 5.9 YPC). Auburn, in its first season under coach Alex Golesh, goes as its dual-threat QB Byrum Brown goes. Brown, who followed Golesh from USF, has been inconsistent with 896 passing yards, 6 TDs and 5 INTs and a team-high 237 rushing yards and 3 TDs. Tennessee is a 6.5-point favorite. Prediction: Tennessee 45, Auburn 28
No. 24 Kentucky (3-1, 1-1 SEC) at South Carolina (2-2, 0-2), 4:15 p.m. on SEC Network: Kentucky’s Will Stein looks like one of the better new head coaches this season, already with a 31-21 upset of then-No. 9 Texas A&M a week after playing Alabama tough in the first half before losing momentum after halftime. Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey has been solid at QB with 876 yards, 8 TDs and 1 INT. On the other side, South Carolina’s Shane Beamer may be coaching for his job week to week at this point after blowing an early 16-0 lead in a loss to Mississippi State and then getting run over by Alabama 49-18 last week. QB LaNorris Sellers still hasn’t rediscovered his 2024 form, passing for 833 yards, 6 TDs and 4 INTS along with 244 rushing yards and a score. South Carolina is a 2.5-point favorite. Prediction: Kentucky 31, South Carolina 27
Evening College Football Week 5 Kickoffs
No. 10 BYU (3-0, 1-0 Big 12) at TCU (2-2, 0-1), 7 p.m. on ESPN/Disney+: TCU sure seems to be missing QB Josh Hoover (now at Indiana), as Harvard transfer Jaden Craig has been a rollercoaster so far despite solid overall numbers (1,213 yards, 7 TDs and 3 INTs). He had 0 TDs and 2 picks in a 21-13 loss at UCF last week. BYU, meanwhile, is rolling right along as usual, led by RB LJ Martin (328 yards and 3 TDs on 7.8 YPC) and its typically stout defense. BYU is a 6-point road favorite. Prediction: BYU 34, TCU 21
No. 4 Miami (4-0, 2-0 ACC) at Clemson (3-1, 2-0), 7:30 p.m. on ABC: This should in theory be Miami’s toughest test yet, although Wake Forest provided the Hurricanes some challenge in a 33-20 result two weeks ago. Clemson has looked better since its humbling season-opening beatdown from LSU, winning three straight games. Last week, the Tigers defense totally stifled Cal QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele in a 24-10 road win, limiting him to 119 yards, 0 TDs and 2 INTs in the worst game of his young career. That said, Clemson’s offense remains very suspect with freshman Tait Reynolds (521 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs, 83 rushing yards) taking over as the starting QB. RB Gideon Davidson has 346 yards and 3 TDs, with most of that (159 yards and 2 TDs) coming last week. Can the Tigers slow down Miami’s vaunted passing duo of Darian Mensah (1,211 yards, 14 TDs and 0 INTs) and Malachi Toney (34 receptions for 564 yards and 6 TDs)? Can Clemson do enough offensively regardless for it to even matter? Miami is a 15.5-point favorite. Prediction: Miami 35, Clemson 17
No. 12 Texas Tech (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) at Colorado (2-2, 0-1), 7:30 p.m. on FOX: Colorado has made an official change at quarterback after benching sophomore Julian Lewis last week in a loss at Baylor. Utah transfer Isaac Wilson takes over as the starter this week, but the underlying issues remain as Colorado’s offensive line and rushing attack make it hard for any QB to succeed. Texas Tech and its vaunted rushing attack led by J’Koby Williams (285 yards and 3 TDs on 6.2 YPC) and Cameron Dickey (227 yards and 4 TDs on 4.3 YPC) should have its way with the Buffaloes. Texas Tech is a 13.5-point favorite. Prediction: Texas Tech 44, Colorado 17
Washington (3-1, 0-1 Big Ten) at No. 18 USC (4-1, 1-1), 7:30 p.m. on NBC: The Trojans took a deflating 41-27 loss at home to Oregon last week, leaving them minimal remaining margin for error if they’re going to get over the hump and compete for a playoff berth in Lincoln Riley’s fifth season. The offense around QB Jayden Maiava (FBS-leading 1,499 passing yards, 14 TDs, 2 INTs) remains strong as ever, but the defense has again become a sieve for USC. And linebacker Desman Stephens II has been suspended one game by the team for his conduct after his illegal hit that knocked out Oregon QB Dante Moore. Washington took a disappointing 27-24 home loss to Minnesota last week in its first true test of the season as QB Demond Williams Jr. tossed 2 interceptions. So the Huskies have their backs to the wall in this one as well. USC is an 8.5-point favorite. Prediction: USC 41, Washington 38
Utah State (1-3, 0-0 Pac-12) at No. 22 Boise State (3-1, 0-0), 7:30 p.m. on CBSSN: Since a season-opening 34-27 loss and near upset against Oregon, Boise State has reeled off three straight wins over Memphis, South Dakota and Western Michigan. Maddux Madsen has been sharp with 814 passing yards, 9 TDs and 0 INTs while Dylan Riley ranks among the national rushing leaders with 592 yards and 3 TDs on 6.6 YPC. Utah State played Washington tight in a 16-14 loss but got blown out by Utah (33-0) and scored its lone win last week against Troy. Boise State is a 19.5-point favorite. Prediction: Boise State 36, Utah State 22
McNeese (2-3) at No. 11 LSU (3-1), 7:45 p.m. on SEC Network: Nothing to see here in a final tune-up game for LSU, though the Tigers would sure love to see high-profile QB transfer addition Sam Leavitt start to settle in after he’s thrown for 5 TDs and 6 INTs (with 1,044 yards) and rushed for 220 yards and 6 TDs so far. LSU is a 52.5-point favorite. Prediction: LSU 66, McNeese 3
No. 6 Indiana (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten) at Rutgers (1-3, 0-1), 8 p.m. on Big Ten Network: Rutgers has been able to put up points this season, led by star WR KJ Duff (29 catches for 550 yards and 7 TDs) and RB Antwan Raymond (438 yards and 4 TDs on 5.6 YPC), but defense is another story for the Scarlett Knights. Indiana got tested by Northwestern last week in a 29-23 win. The Hoosiers got good news after the injury scare to RB Turbo Richard, though, as he’s listed as probable for this game after Lee Beebe Jr. filled in admirably with 24 carries for 203 yards and a TD. Indiana is a 24.5-point favorite. Prediction: Indiana 36, Rutgers 21
