ATLANTA, GA SEPTEMBER 06: Ole Miss quarterback Matt Corral (2), tight end Chase Rogers (83), and … [+]
College football in October begins and the shuffling continues in the Top 25 with pleasant surprises like Arkansas moving into the Top 10 this week. The Razorbacks are 4-0 and have beaten two ranked teams, but now face by far their toughest test this week with a trip to Athens to tackle No. 2 ranked Georgia. The Bulldogs feature the nation’s top defense thus far allowing just 185 yards per game and less than 6 points per game.
There are four Top 25 match-ups to kickoff October and Week 5 of the college football season, and the Top 25 report and this week’s odds are courtesy of BetMGM.
Saturday, Oct. 2
No. 12 Mississippi at No. 1 Alabama (-14.5): 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS
No. 8 Arkansas at No. 2 Georgia (-18): 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN
No. 7 Cincinnati at No. 9 Notre Dame (+2): 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC
No. 21 Baylor at No. 19 Oklahoma State (-3.5): 7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2
Betting lines, totals and moneylines are subject to change and vary at different sportsbooks. This week’s Top 25 college football lines provided by BetMGM.
Others receiving votes: Texas 131, Maryland 91, San Diego State 57, Boston College 55, SMU 44, Kentucky 26, Iowa State 25, LSU 24, Arizona State 23, Virginia Tech 20, Wisconsin 13, Rutgers 6, Kansas State 5, UTSA 4, Oregon State 4, Louisville 3, North Carolina 1
I pulled stats, ATS info, analysis and picks from some public handicappers and media analysts. Here are their picks for Week 5 Top 25 match-ups with brief game analysis. More detailed analysis, selections and information you can bet on in noted newsletters.
- Marc Lawrence – Sports handicapper and author of Playbook Sports Newsletter
- Phil Steele – Sports handicapper and author of Power Sweep Newsletter
- Pete Fiutak – Sports handicapper and author of College Football News
- Vegas Stats & Information Network (VSiN) – Consensus
- ESPN: Football Power Index (FPI) matchup predictor
Mississippi at Alabama (-14.5)
Playbook: Ole Miss
Power Sweep: Ole Miss (Underdog Play of the Week)
This line opened Alabama -20 and was bet down sharply. Two Heisman Trophy favorites in Alabama QB Bryce Young and Ole Miss QB Matt Corral. Rebels enter off a bye and went toe-to-toe with the ‘Tide last year tied 42-42 before falling in the shootout 63-48. Another slugfest expected with a total of 79.5 posted at BetMGM.
Arkansas at Georgia (-18)
College Football News: Georgia
VSiN: Arkansas
Cincinnati at Notre Dame (+2)
ESPN: Notre Dame
Power Sweep: Cincinnati
Cincinnati has notably better numbers on both offense and defense, and an extra week to prepare for their biggest game in recent memory. Senior QB Desmond Ridder looks to lead the Bearcats to a big road win and ramp up his Heisman chatter. Power Sweep notes that Notre Dame’s offensive line has allowed 20 sacks in four games, and they escaped with wins the first two weeks and pulled away from Wisconsin last week forcing turnovers. Irish QB Jack Coan suffered an ankle injury, but likely makes the start (check status).
Baylor at Oklahoma State (-3.5)
Playbook: Oklahoma State
ESPN: Oklahoma State
Playbook notes that Oklahoma State has dominated this series at home going 9-1 SU and 8-2 ATS as a favorite. Baylor escaped at home against Iowa State last week 31-29, but the Bears were out-gained 479-285,
All eight teams in this week’s Top 25 match-ups are undefeated. Next week’s Top 25 match-ups to look forward to include:
- Alabama at Texas A&M
- Georgia at Auburn
- Penn State at Iowa
- Arkansas at Mississippi
And with Texas potentially moving into the Top 25, another big Red River Showdown between Oklahoma and Texas.
You can bet on it.