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College Football Predictions: ESPN picks winners of every Top 25 game in Week 5

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko09/27/23

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The latest set of college football predictions from ESPN’s FPI are in for all of the top 25 matchups in Week 5.

Every ranked team that is in action is broken down below. Will we get some upsets this week? That remains to be seen, but there are some very intriguing percentages and lines this weekend.

Let’s dive into ESPN’s FPI predictions and lines for all of the top 25 teams in action during Week 5.

No. 1 Georgia vs. Auburn

(Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Georgia (-14.5)
FPI Prediction: Georgia – 81.9%

The Bulldogs got back into SEC play here but are huge favorites on the road. Auburn pulling off this win would be quite the upset this weekend. This is one of the higher percentages in the ranked matchups.

No. 2 Michigan vs. Nebraska

(Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Spread: Michigan (-17)
FPI Prediction: Michigan – 87.6%

The Wolverines are big favorites on the road and the Huskers have been very up and down through four games. Michigan hasn’t necessarily overly impressed, but the team could turn a corner and be dominant.

No. 24 Kansas vs. No. 3 Texas

(Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Spread: Texas (-16.5)
FPI Prediction: Texas – 93.5%

Texas plays host to an undefeated and ranked Kansas team, but look at the line on this game. The Longhorns are heavily favored on paper and basically win this game nine out of 10 times.

No. 6 Penn State vs. Northwestern

(Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports)

Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET (Big Ten Network)
Spread: Penn State (-27)
FPI Prediction: Penn State – 93.3%

The Nittany Lions are huge favorites going to Evanston. Northwestern actually won a Big Ten game, beating Minnesota in overtime. But this is a complete mismatch on paper.

No. 7 Washington vs. Arizona

(Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports)

Kickoff: 10:00 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network)
Spread: Washington (-18)
FPI Prediction: Washington – 85.6%

The Huskies are huge favorites on the road and Michael Penix Jr. drives the Washington bus. The Wildcats are going to have to put it all together to even have a chance.

No. 8 USC vs. Colorado

(Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
Spread: USC (-21.5)
FPI Prediction: USC – 89.7%

The Trojans are a big favorite on the road and this is the second straight game Colorado is facing the best of the best. The Buffaloes could bounce back at home, but they’ll have to keep up with Caleb Williams, no easy task.

No. 9 Oregon vs. Stanford

(Ben Lonergan/The Register-Guard / USA TODAY NETWORK)

Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network)
Spread: Oregon (-27)
FPI Prediction: Oregon – 96.6%

The Ducks are due to come down off a dominant and emotional victory right? Not quite according to the ESPN FPI. Oregon is a huge favorite against Pac-12 foe Stanford.

No. 10 Utah vs. No. 19 Oregon State

(Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports)

Kickoff: 9:00 p.m. ET – (FS1, Friday, 9/29)
Spread: Oregon State (-3.5)
FPI Prediction: Oregon State – 58.3%

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Oregon State is reeling from its first loss while Utah remained undefeated, despite not having Cam Rising in the starting lineup. Rising is not confirmed back yet, but this game could go a long way in determining the top teams in the Pac-12.

Predictions for remaining Top 25 matchups

No. 11 Notre Dame vs. No. 17 Duke
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Spread: Notre Dame (-5.5)
FPI Prediction: Notre Dame – 69.4%

No. 12 Alabama vs. Mississippi State
Kickoff: 9:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Spread: Alabama (-14.5)
FPI Prediction: Alabama – 87.9%

No. 13 LSU vs. No. 20 Ole Miss
Kickoff: 6:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Spread: LSU (-2.5)
FPI Prediction: Ole Miss – 56.5%

Iowa State vs. No. 14 Oklahoma
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET (FS1)
Spread: Oklahoma (-20)
FPI Prediction: Oklahoma 94.3%

South Carolina vs. No. 21 Tennessee
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Spread: Tennessee (-12.5)
FPI Prediction: Tennessee – 70.4%

No. 22 Florida vs. Kentucky
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Spread: Kentucky (-1)
FPI Prediction: Kentucky – 52.1%

No. 23 Missouri vs. Vanderbilt
Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Spread: Missouri (-13.5)
FPI Prediction: Missouri – 80%

Nevada vs. No. 25 Fresno State
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET (FS1)
Spread: Fresno State (-24.5)
FPI Prediction: Fresno State – 94.2%

The picks are in, the lines are in, so it’s time to place your bets, hold onto your seats and get ready for Week 5 of college football. Who’s going to break the mold this weekend?