2014 Week 5 CFB Game Picks
In Week 4, the featured photo pick jinx was broken, as Oklahoma prevailed on the road against West Virginia. The schedule is getting more intriguing and more consistent, as most teams enter the heart of their conference schedules. There are several great games this weekend, but the best one may be the one played on the first day of the Week 5 contests, as UCLA visits the Valley of the Sun to take on Arizona State Thursday evening. It kicks off at 10:00 p.m. Eastern (on Fox Sports 1, no less), so I do hope that folks find a way to watch it.
Last Week: 7-3 (.700)
Season: 27- 13 (.675)
UCLA @ Arizona State (Thursday, September 25th, 10:00 p.m., FOXS1)
This will be one of the two or three games that will settle the PAC-12 South this season. Both highly-touted QBs are banged up, although it is expected that Brett Hundley will go, while Taylor Kelly will not. We’ll go with the experienced QB, even though he’ll be on the road.
Pick: UCLA 31, Arizona State 20
Duke @ Miami (Fl) (Saturday, September 27th, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2)
Duke is unbeaten and has quietly been taking care of business thus far in 2014. The Blue Devils can make a statement about their ability to defend their divisional title from last year by winning on the road at Miami. I believe that they will do just that.
Pick: Duke 28, Miami 21
Florida State @ North Carolina State (Saturday, September 27th, 3:30 p.m., ABC/ESPN2)
For some reason, Florida State seems to struggle mightily with the Wolfpack, even when it has the superior team, as seems to be the case this season. This would be a classic trap game, if not for the fact that Jameis Winston didn’t get to play last week. Look for his enthusiasm and for his play to lead the Seminoles to victory in Raleigh.
Pick: Florida State 49, NC State 28
Stanford @ Washington (Saturday, September 27th, 4:15 p.m., FOX)
Nice matchup here between two of the four teams that figure to have a chance to win the PAC-12 North this season. Stanford plays the first of several extremely difficult road games on its schedule this weekend. This game will be closer than the betting line, but expect the best defense in the nation to prevail.
Pick: Stanford 24, Washington 21
Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (Saturday, September 27th, 3:30 p.m. CBS)
Bret Bielema’s Razorbacks steamrolled Texas Tech last week, and really have the running game going. Kenny Hill appears to be an ideal triggerman for Kevin Sumlin’s fast-paced offense. This neutral-site tilt should be a fun one to watch. If you’re gambling, take the Hogs and the points, but I like TAMU for the straight-up win.
Pick: Texas A&M 42, Arkansas 38
Missouri @ South Carolina (Saturday, September 27th, 7:00 p.m., ESPN)
Mizzou got caught looking past Indiana last weekend, and the Hoosiers made them pay. They’ll put up a spirited fight this weekend, but the Gamecocks are right back in the thick of the SEC East race. They won’t blow their chance to keep pace in the race on their home field.
Pick: South Carolina 35, Missouri 17
Maryland @ Indiana (Saturday, September 27th, 1:30 p.m. BTN)
Indiana knocked off Missouri last weekend, in what may have been the biggest upset between two Big-5 conference teams so far this season. The Terrapins ground out a win last week, and figure to do the same again in Week 5.
Pick: Maryland 27, Indiana 17
Texas Tech @ Oklahoma State (Thursday, September 25th, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)
This game looked better before the Red Raiders were embarrassed at home by the Arkansas running game. This is a must-win home game for the Pokes to have any chance of a Big-12 championship this year. Expect Oklahoma State to play accordingly. That said, I expect a barn-burner in Stillwater.
Pick: Oklahoma State 45, Texas Tech 42
Minnesota @ Michigan (Saturday, September 27th, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2)
Free tickets for soda promotion or not, Brady Hoke and his Wolverines sure could use a win this weekend in the Big House. They’ll get one over the visiting Gophers, to cool Coach Hoke’s seat down just a bit.
Pick: Michigan 31, Minnesota 27
Notre Dame vs Syracuse (Saturday, September 27th, 8:00 p.m., ABC)
Syracuse is closer to Met Life Stadium, but this will feel more like a Notre Dame home game. This game promises to be far closer than the betting line would suggest (ND -10). I do like the Irish’s superior speed and size to win the day, setting up a big game for the Domers in South Bend in Week 6.
Pick: Notre Dame 31, Syracuse 26
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