2019 College Football Week 5 Predictions: Expert Free NCAA Football Picks on Saturday

2019 College Football Week 5 Predictions: Expert Free NCAA Football Picks on Saturday: Week 5 of the 2019 College Football season might not be loaded with marquee matchups that will alter the course of the season, but this weekend’s slate of games does have some interesting contests on tap. In fact, we have two matchups between teams currently ranked in the Top 25 with Virginia going on the road to face Notre Dame and USC heading to Washington in an important battle in the Pac-12. We also have the Ohio State Buckeyes facing their toughest test of the season to date when they go on the road against Nebraska.

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2019 College Football Week 5 Predictions: Expert Free NCAA Football Picks on Saturday

No. 18 Virginia Cavaliers at No. 10 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-12)

 
With the Cavaliers escaping Old Dominion in Week 4 and the Fighting Irish nearly going on the road and knocking off Georgia, this game could seem like a mismatch on paper. However, Virginia’s comfortable win over Pittsburgh to open the year looks better each week, and Notre Dame could have a bit of an emotional letdown after the loss. This game figures to be a battle of quarterbacks, and while Ian Book has proven himself in big games for Notre Dame, Virginia’s Bryce Perkins is a dangerous dual-threat player capable of taking over drives. In the end, I think Notre Dame’s superior talent, especially on the defensive side of the ball will be the difference. However, the Fighting Irish haven’t been able to run the ball all year, and I think that allows Perkins enough opportunities to keep this one interesting.
 

Prediction: Virginia Cavaliers (+12) Cover the Spread

No. 21 USC Trojans at No. 17 Washington Huskies (-9.5)

Both teams enter this matchup at 3-1 with the Trojans losing by three in overtime to BYU and the Huskies losing by a point to California. Despite the narrow defeats, this game is a must-win for both sides if they want to have any chance of making a run at a spot in the College Football Playoff. USC should be riding high after knocking of a Utah team that was ranked in the Top 10, but injuries have the Trojans on their third quarterback of the season. Granted, USC has an excellent receiving corps, but the Huskies have excellent balance on both sides of the ball and consistently have one of the strongest defenses in the Pac-12. Georgia transfer Jacob Eason has given the Washington passing attack more punch than in years past, and the Huskies went on the road last week and blasted the same BYU team that knocked off the Trojans.
 

Prediction: Washington Huskies (-9.5) Cover the Spread

No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes (-18) at Nebraska Cornhuskers

 
With a matchup with rival Michigan State looming, Ohio State’s trip to Lincoln has trap game written all over it. The Cornhuskers are sure to be pumped for this one, and with dual-threat quarterback Adrian Martinez leading the way, Nebraska’s offense will be the biggest test to date for a retooled defense for the Buckeyes that is allowing just 9.0 points per game. However, OSU quarterback Justin Fields has shown that he can also torch defenses with his arm and his legs. He has the Ohio State offense firing on all cylinders, averaging 53.5 points and 524.5 yards per game. Meanwhile, Nebraska’s defense has been shaky at times, allowing 21 points in a tighter-than-expected matchup with South Alabama and 38 points in a narrow win over Illinois. Even if the Cornhuskers start fast, I don’t see them being able to contain Fields and company the entire game, and unless Martinez plays the game of his life, I don’t think Nebraska can keep pace in a shootout-style affair. I think the Ohio State steadily pulls away in this one.
 

Prediction: Ohio State Buckeyes (-18) Cover the Spread