Upset alerts for Notre Dame and Texas A&M? Bold forecasts for Week 5 in college football
College football is notorious for its surprises every Saturday. However, predicting when these upsets will occur still eludes us.
Last week brought unexpected results that took down undefeated teams along with some thrilling finishes. This week’s lineup seems poised for more excitement. Could we see an upset as top-ranked Georgia faces No. 4 Alabama? What about the three other matchups featuring ranked teams and the continuation of conference play?
The YSL News Sports college football team is ready to share their bold predictions for Week 5 of the season, featuring insights from Scooby Axson, Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus, and Dan Wolken:
USC shines defensively once more
The Trojans arguably should not have lost to Michigan, especially since the Wolverines opted not to utilize a passing game and relied heavily on their running game. USC’s next matchup with Wisconsin, however, presents a different challenge. The Badgers are not the powerhouse they used to be, averaging just over four yards per carry this season. Their passing attack is even weaker, meaning if they hope for an upset, they will need a flawless performance while capitalizing on any mistakes by USC. Nevertheless, USC’s superior offensive talent is likely to secure them their inaugural Big Ten win. — Scooby Axson
Duke and Indiana undefeated in football?
It’s been quite some time since Duke and Indiana both started a season 5-0 in football—Duke last accomplished this in 1994, and Indiana hasn’t done so since 1967. While the schedule has been manageable, both teams are showing their potential. Indiana’s offense is thriving under Curt Cignetti’s leadership, while Duke has a formidable defense. This weekend will present their first real challenges as Duke faces rival North Carolina and Indiana hosts Maryland. Both universities, generally known for their basketball programs, are indicating that they can perform on the football field as well. Though they aren’t yet vying for the College Football Playoff, there’s definitely something exciting brewing in Durham and Bloomington. — Jordan Mendoza
Kansas State rebounds against Oklahoma State
After suffering a surprising 38-9 defeat last week at Brigham Young, Kansas State is expected to bounce back with a victory at home against Oklahoma State. Following a heavy loss to Utah, the Cowboys will face a similar strategy from the Wildcats, who will rely on quarterback Avery Johnson to help reclaim their status as one of the premier teams in the Big 12 and a playoff contender. Losing two straight games would be a significant blow to Oklahoma State’s hopes for a conference title and playoff spot. — Paul Myerberg
Arkansas overcomes Texas A&M to break the losing streak
The Razorbacks have struggled in tight contests, holding a record of 3-10 in one-score games over the past three seasons, with their latest disappointment coming in a double-overtime loss to Oklahoma State in Week 2. Sam Pittman’s squad is set for another close encounter as they meet the Aggies in Arlington, Texas. This time, however, they are poised for a different outcome, with quarterback Taylen Green likely outshining either Texas A&M starter—whether it’s the returning Connor Weigman or Marcel Reed, who has led his team to successive victories. A win this week would relieve some pressure off Pittman’s position and edge Arkansas closer to bowl eligibility. — Erick Smith
RJ Harvey stars as Central Florida defeats Colorado
This matchup between Colorado and Central Florida promises plenty of exciting play, featuring Colorado’s standout, two-way player Travis Hunter, and quarterback Shedeur Sanders. However, the standout of the game is anticipated to come from the other side.
Fans of UCF are already well aware of running back RJ Harvey, and his performance is starting to make waves across the Big 12. Just weeks ago, he made a significant impact against TCU by scoring three touchdowns and catching a two-point conversion as the Knights made a remarkable comeback from a 28-7 deficit. Harvey currently boasts an impressive average of 7.6 yards per carry, while Colorado’s defense is surrendering just over four yards per run. Expect Harvey to exceed 100 rushing yards again as UCF aims to remain undefeated at 4-0. — Eddie Timanus
Jeff Brohm guides Louisville to victory over Notre Dame
Jeff Brohm’s move to Louisville had been anticipated for years, and he’s living up to expectations with an impressive win record since his arrival.
Remarkably, Louisville seems to fly under the radar lately, which is puzzling given Brohm’s success with a 13-4 record against teams in the ACC, with his only defeats coming from Pittsburgh last season and Florida State in the conference championship.
Despite being a touchdown underdog in South Bend, Louisville has a chance to replicate last year’s success against Notre Dame. The key factor is Brohm’s superior coaching ability compared to Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish. The Cardinals are severely underrated and will showcase their strengths this weekend with quarterback Tyler Shough (8 TDs, 0 INTs) leading them towards a top-10 ranking. — Dan Wolken