The college football season is about to end September as teams head into Week 5. The final weekend of this month will offer some spectcular matchups featuring AP Top 25 teams. It isn’t often that Alabama-Georgia isn’t the top game on the marquee but that can be said this Saturday because Oregon visits Penn State in a huge Big Ten contest. Actually, both teams will likely wind up in the CFP. This should play a role in the who makes it to the conference championship game, unless there is a rematch.
The Top 25 predictions:
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No. 25 BYU at Colorado
The Cougars get to see the new Ralphie run for the second time. They come in 3-0 and have not been tested. The Buffaloes have gone L-W-L-W en route to their 2-2 mark. That means this one sets up as a loss for the home team, which is a solid underdog. Prediction: BYU 31, Colorado 23
The Cougars get to see the new Ralphie run for the second time. They come in 3-0 and have not been tested. The Buffaloes have gone L-W-L-W en route to their 2-2 mark. That means this one sets up as a loss for the home team, which is a solid underdog. Prediction: BYU 31, Colorado 23
A Friday night clash in the Big 12 as the undefeated Horned Frogs meet the Sun Devils in the desert. Having already absorbed a loss at Mississippi State, Arizona State needs to win and win impressively, especially in conference play. TCU has beaten North Carolina and SMU, which won’t wow many people anymore. Look for a strong game from ASU QB Sam Leavitt. Prediction: Arizona State 28, TCU 24
A Friday night clash in the Big 12 as the undefeated Horned Frogs meet the Sun Devils in the desert. Having already absorbed a loss at Mississippi State, Arizona State needs to win and win impressively, especially in conference play. TCU has beaten North Carolina and SMU, which won’t wow many people anymore. Look for a strong game from ASU QB Sam Leavitt. Prediction: Arizona State 28, TCU 24
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No. 21 USC at No. 23 Illinois
USC catches Illinois at the wrong time. The Trojans will face an Illini team that is coming off a shellacking at Indiana. Now, a conference game in Champaign for these Big Ten schools. Could Illinois be as bad as it looked against the Hoosiers? And if so, why on earth are the Illini ranked? Look for a rebound in a high-scoring game. Prediction: Illinois 38, USC 35
USC catches Illinois at the wrong time. The Trojans will face an Illini team that is coming off a shellacking at Indiana. Now, a conference game in Champaign for these Big Ten schools. Could Illinois be as bad as it looked against the Hoosiers? And if so, why on earth are the Illini ranked? Look for a rebound in a high-scoring game. Prediction: Illinois 38, USC 35
No. 22 Notre Dame at Arkansas
The Fighting Irish look to square their record at an SEC foe that finds ways to lose. Look for Notre Dame to get to .500 against the Razorbacks, who will always do themselves in. Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Arkansas 26
The Fighting Irish look to square their record at an SEC foe that finds ways to lose. Look for Notre Dame to get to .500 against the Razorbacks, who will always do themselves in. Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Arkansas 26
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No. 20 Missouri vs. UMass
Massachusetts is winless in the MAC. This is an SEC team on the road. Prediction: Missouri 58, UMass 7
Massachusetts is winless in the MAC. This is an SEC team on the road. Prediction: Missouri 58, UMass 7
No. 18 Vanderbilt vs. Utah State
The number is enormous as 3-1 Utah State heads to Vanderbilt for a non-conference matchup. Diego Pavia and the Commodores are 4-0. They best not get caught looking ahead to Alabama and the SEC grind because the Aggies can test them. Prediction: Vanderbilt 27, Utah State 20
The number is enormous as 3-1 Utah State heads to Vanderbilt for a non-conference matchup. Diego Pavia and the Commodores are 4-0. They best not get caught looking ahead to Alabama and the SEC grind because the Aggies can test them. Prediction: Vanderbilt 27, Utah State 20
No. 16 Georgia Tech at Wake Forest
The Yellow Jackets, led by Haynes King, visit Wake Forest, which comes in at 2-1 for an ACC game. The Demon Deacons have lost to North Carolina State, which was clobbered by Duke. The Blue Devils are 2-2 so that should give people an idea where Wake stands. Look for Georgia Tech to go to 5-0 with a tough road win. Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, Wake Forest 23
The Yellow Jackets, led by Haynes King, visit Wake Forest, which comes in at 2-1 for an ACC game. The Demon Deacons have lost to North Carolina State, which was clobbered by Duke. The Blue Devils are 2-2 so that should give people an idea where Wake stands. Look for Georgia Tech to go to 5-0 with a tough road win. Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, Wake Forest 23
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No. 15 Tennessee at Mississippi State
This game is intriguing because the Vols have no wiggle room in the SEC after the tough loss to Georgia. Mississippi State is undefeated and has outscored its foes by 112 points. The Bulldogs are still and underdog in Starkville but it would not be a shock if the challenge Tennessee. An upset possibility? Prediction: Tennessee 31, Mississippi State 28
This game is intriguing because the Vols have no wiggle room in the SEC after the tough loss to Georgia. Mississippi State is undefeated and has outscored its foes by 112 points. The Bulldogs are still and underdog in Starkville but it would not be a shock if the challenge Tennessee. An upset possibility? Prediction: Tennessee 31, Mississippi State 28
Rocco Becht’s long shot campaign as a Heisman candidate gets a Big 12 home test as the Wildcats come to town. Arizona has allowed 26 points in three games and is coming off a conference win over Kansas State. The betting line is short enough to make one think the Wildcats have a shot at the surprise. Prediction: Iowa State 23, Arizona 20
Rocco Becht’s long shot campaign as a Heisman candidate gets a Big 12 home test as the Wildcats come to town. Arizona has allowed 26 points in three games and is coming off a conference win over Kansas State. The betting line is short enough to make one think the Wildcats have a shot at the surprise. Prediction: Iowa State 23, Arizona 20
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No. 11 Indiana at Iowa
The Hoosiers erupted against a quality conference opponent when demolithing Illinois. Now, they hit the road to face a once-beaten Iowa squad. Indiana actually has the Heisman favorite as September heads into its final weekend. John Mateer of OU is out with surgery on his right and that has elevated Fernando Mendoza to favoritism. Talk about a stunner. Prediction: Indiana 27, Iowa 18
The Hoosiers erupted against a quality conference opponent when demolithing Illinois. Now, they hit the road to face a once-beaten Iowa squad. Indiana actually has the Heisman favorite as September heads into its final weekend. John Mateer of OU is out with surgery on his right and that has elevated Fernando Mendoza to favoritism. Talk about a stunner. Prediction: Indiana 27, Iowa 18
No. 9 Texas A&M vs. Auburn
Another fantastic SEC contest has the Tigers visiting the Aggies. Auburn comes in off a seven-point loss at Oklahoma, quite the respectable showing. Texas A&M is averaging better than 40 points per game in its three wins. Look for this one to be exciting and high-scoring with the home team coming away with a victory. Prediction: Texas A&M 33, Auburn 26
Another fantastic SEC contest has the Tigers visiting the Aggies. Auburn comes in off a seven-point loss at Oklahoma, quite the respectable showing. Texas A&M is averaging better than 40 points per game in its three wins. Look for this one to be exciting and high-scoring with the home team coming away with a victory. Prediction: Texas A&M 33, Auburn 26
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Yes, the Seminoles have more wins in 2025 than they had in all of 2024. They have beaten Alabama. Now, they go on the road in the ACC to face a Virginia team that is 3-1. Would be more impressed if the Cavs had not lost to NC State. Will Mike Norvell have his team ready for the conference road tilt, or are they overrated? Prediction: Virginia 37, Florida State 33
Yes, the Seminoles have more wins in 2025 than they had in all of 2024. They have beaten Alabama. Now, they go on the road in the ACC to face a Virginia team that is 3-1. Would be more impressed if the Cavs had not lost to NC State. Will Mike Norvell have his team ready for the conference road tilt, or are they overrated? Prediction: Virginia 37, Florida State 33
No. 7 Oklahoma vs. Kent State
Even without John Mateer, the Sooners clobber the Golden Flashes. This matchup is obscene. Prediction: Oklahoma 73, Kent State 3
Even without John Mateer, the Sooners clobber the Golden Flashes. This matchup is obscene. Prediction: Oklahoma 73, Kent State 3
No. 6 Oregon at No. 3 Penn State
A massive Big Ten clash. The Ducks come East to face Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley. Dante Moore has stepped in where Dillon Gabriel left off. James Franklin tends to stub his toe in the biggest of games. This won’t be any different. Prediction: Oregon 26, Penn State 23
A massive Big Ten clash. The Ducks come East to face Drew Allar and the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley. Dante Moore has stepped in where Dillon Gabriel left off. James Franklin tends to stub his toe in the biggest of games. This won’t be any different. Prediction: Oregon 26, Penn State 23
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No. 5 Georgia vs. No. 17 Alabama
Kalen DeBoer goes between the hedges and tries to have the Crimson Tide avoid a second loss. Georgia caught a breather after the thrilling win at Tennessee. This is the first of four games against ranked teams for the Dawgs over the course of the rest of the regular season. The line favors the home team and so does the talent. Prediction: Georgia 30, Alabama 20
Kalen DeBoer goes between the hedges and tries to have the Crimson Tide avoid a second loss. Georgia caught a breather after the thrilling win at Tennessee. This is the first of four games against ranked teams for the Dawgs over the course of the rest of the regular season. The line favors the home team and so does the talent. Prediction: Georgia 30, Alabama 20
No. 4 LSU at No. 13 Ole Miss
Dynamite matchup in Oxford. Lane Kiffin and the Rebels take on Garrett Nussmeier and the Tigers. This will be a high-scoring contest with plenty of big plays. Prediction: Ole Miss 37, LSU 33
Dynamite matchup in Oxford. Lane Kiffin and the Rebels take on Garrett Nussmeier and the Tigers. This will be a high-scoring contest with plenty of big plays. Prediction: Ole Miss 37, LSU 33
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No. 1 Ohio State at Washington
Ohio State travels to Seattle to face the Washington in an interesting test. The Huskies are unranked and 3-0 despite scoring 167 points thus far. The Buckeyes’ win over Texas isn’t looking as stellar anymore. If Washington can somehow win this, its toughest game on the rest of the schedule is at Michigan. A stunner in Seattle? Prediction: Washington 23, Ohio State 21
Ohio State travels to Seattle to face the Washington in an interesting test. The Huskies are unranked and 3-0 despite scoring 167 points thus far. The Buckeyes‘ win over Texas isn’t looking as stellar anymore. If Washington can somehow win this, its toughest game on the rest of the schedule is at Michigan. A stunner in Seattle? Prediction: Washington 23, Ohio State 21
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: College football predictions for Week 5 AP Top 25 games
