College Football Week 5 features major blockbustuhs, including one in Athens and another in College Station; College Football Playoff Projections, Edition 5; The 45th Ryder Cup Preview/Prediction
The No. 17 Crimson Tide invade Athens to square off with No.5 Georgia in a phenomenal matchup Saturday Night between the hedges. The Auburn Tigers will try and “shake it off,” as Ken said to Jackson Simmons, from last Saturday’s tough defeat in Norman and overcome the raucous atmosphere at Kyle Field and attempt to emerge victorious over the Texas A&M Aggies. Should be a couple of classics for both squads. The SEC and national schedules look extremely promising with key games in Happy Valley, PA., Oxford, MS. and Fayetteville, AR., among others. Here’s a preview of this electric week 5 slate along with predictions, College Football Playoff Predictions and the 45th Ryder Cup Preview and Prediction.
Record:
Last Saturday: SU: 13-3, Overall, 59-13, 82%; ATS: 9-7, 35-37, 49%; O/U: 7-9, 36-36, 50%.
Couple of Games Friday and the rest Saturday. All times are Central.
Saturday
No.17 Alabama (2-1, 0-0 SEC) @ No.5 Georgia (3-0, 1-0)
Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA., 92,746
6:30
ABC
Chris, Kirk, Holly
Georgia by 3 1/2, 52 1/2
Kirby Smart is 1-6 against Alabama in his career in Athens, with his only victory coming in the 2021 National Championship Game in Indy as the Dawgs won by a score of 33-18 to claim their first national title since 1980, one of four in their history. Both teams are not as prolific on defense as they have been in the past; though both units have good talent. Kirby has never played a true home game against the Crimson Tide. The games have either been in Tuscaloosa or Atlanta. Kalen and the Tide got the better of Georgia in 2024 by a score of 41-34 at Bryant-Denny. It’s a battle of quarterbacks with Ty Simpson having lit up a couple of defenses in LA-Monroe and Wisconsin before the bye week last Saturday. Gunner Stockton showed his abilty in the Dawgs’ 44-41 overtime victory over Tennessee at Neyland Stadium two Saturdays ago. Stockton was 23 of 31 for 304 yards and threw a pair of 6’s, including a 4th and 6, 28-yard touchdown strike to London Humphries with 2;32 left in the game, and a two point game-tying conversion completion to Zachariah Branch to knot the game at 38. Tennessee, with the ball first in ovetime, kicked a field goal, but Dawgs running but Josh McCray ran it in from a yard to ice the massive road victory for the Bulldogs. The key play in the first overtime drive from the 25 was a 21-yard run by running back Nate Frazier. Bama gives it a stellar effort, but I like the home crowd, which will be rockin’, to help carry the Dawgs over the top.
Georgia 31, Alabama 27
Auburn (3-1, 0-1) @ No.9 Texas A&M (3-0, 0-0)
Kyle Field, College Station, TX., 102, 733
2:30 P.M.
E-S-P-N
Tess, Jess, Katie
Aggies by 6 1/2, 52 1/2
The Tigers lost a heartbreaker at Norman last Saturday with some highly questionable officiating calls/no calls affecting the outcome of the game. But it’s a new week with another juggernaut SEC opponent. While the Sooners have one of the top defenses in the country, though they lost quarterback John Mateer for a pretty good while with a broken hand, the Aggies have not been so stellar on defense in 2025. According to Al.com, the Aggies are 103rd in the country in scoring defense, 72nd in rushing defense, and 66th in total defense. According to my own research, OU is 8th in scoring defense, 22nd in rushing defense, and 4th in total defense, and Auburn had a really good shot at defeating them last Saturday with a couple of blown calls-the fumble call that was reversed that would have been a defensive TD for the Tigers, though that one was close- I thought part of the running back’s backside was down before the fumble though after review, the officials called it an incomplete pass. I thought down by contact, then fumble. The no call on the pass interference on Cam Coleman in the end zone hurt. And, the worst, the deception play by Oklahoma with the receiver hanging by the Sooners’ sideline only to catch a TD pass that should have been called back 15 yards for unsportsmanlike. But the Tigers hung tough, falling 24-17. The Tigers are 32nd in scoring defense, 5th in rushing defense and 35th in total defense.
I like Auburn’s defense better, I see the Tigers running the ball better and I like Jackson Arnold to connect with Cam Coleman on two or three clutch explosives. Give me the Auburn Tigers to pull off the upset. It’s going to be great to be an Auburn Tiger for MB, JC, CO, Willie, Hamilton, Pablo and company Saturday at 6-6;15 P.M. ish.
Auburn 27, A&M 24
No. 4 LSU (4-0, 1-0) @ No. 13 Ole Miss (4-0, 2-0)
Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, OxVegas, 64, 038
2:30 P.M.
ABC
Sean, Gregory, Molly
Rebs by 1 1/2, 56 1/2
Trinidad Chambliss has been stellar at quarterback for the Rebels in relief of injured starter Austin Simmons. It’s going to be hard for Simmons to win back his job once he’s completely healthy. Give me Lane and the Black Bears to continue to “matriculate.”
Ole Miss 31, LSU 28
No.22 Notre Dame (1-2) @ Arkansas (2-2)
Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville, 76,000
11 A.M.
ABC
Dave, Dusty, Taylor
Irish by 4 1/2, 63 1/2
I’ll take Marcus Freeman and his Fighting Irish team in a very close contest. Still believe in Freeman. He took his 2024 team to the semifinals. Like him as a coach.
Notre Dame 34, Arkansas 31
Utah State (3-1) @ No.18 Vanderbilt (4-0)
FirstBank Stadium, NashVegas, 40,350
11:45 A.M.
S-E-C Network
Taylor, Matt, Alyssa
Dores by 23 1/2, 581/2
Give me Coach Lea, Diego Pavia and this excellent, hard working team to keep their momentum going at FirstBank Stadium. Love to see the national recognition for this hard-hat/lunch pale group.
Vanderbilt 45, Utah State 21
No. 15 Tennessee (3-1, 0-1) @ Mississippi State (4-0, 0-0)
Davis Wade Stadium, StarkVegas, 60, 311
3:15 P.M.
SEC Network
Dave Neal, Fozzy, Morgan
Vols by 7 1/2, 62 1/2
I like Jeff Lebby and his Bullies to keep this very close. This team is up and coming. Vols still survive and advance.
Tennessee 35, Mississippi State 28
UMass (0-3) @ No. 20 Missouri (4-0)
Memorial Stadium, CoMo, 62,621
6:30 P.M.
ESPNU
Courtney Lyle, Rene Ingoglia
Tigers by 43 1/2, 56 1/2
I like Eli Drinkwitz and company to move on against this serious in the leather game. Joseph, Derrick, Excedrin and I need more of these on the greens. Maybe not Walter and Brombey as much; but we need gimmes.
Missouri 48, UMass 7
Kentucky 2-1, 0-1) @ South Carolina (2-2, 0-2)
Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C., 77,559
6:45 P.M.
SEC Network
Tom, Jordan, Cole
SC by 5 1/2, 46 1/2
I still think Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks are a good team.
South Carolina 28, Kentucky 20
Off this Saturday: No.7 Oklahoma. Michael Hawkins Jr. takes over under center next Saturday versus Kent State, and, in two weeks, @ the Cotton Bowl in the Red River Rivalry. He’s got a shot with the Sooners’ stellar 29 year old Offensive Coordinator Ben Arbuckle coaching him up. Hawkins Jr. has good talent. No.10 Texas. @ Florida next Saturday, could be tricky, then vs. OU, Saturday, 10/11, 2:30 P.M. CT, ABC. Hook’em favored by 9 1/2 over OU, presently. We’ll see. Gotta get Matthew McConaughey off the sideline. Also off: No.2 Miami, and impressive No. 12 Texas Tech, fresh off a 34-10 shellacking of then No. 16 Utah at Salt Lake. Like the Red Raiders’ material a lot.
National Slate
No. 6 Oregon (4-0, 1-0 Big Ten)@ No. 3 Penn State (3-0, 0-0)
Beaver Stadium, University Park, PA., 106, 572
6:30 P.M.
NBC/Peacock
Noah, Todd, Kathryn
Nittany Lions by 3 1/2, 52 1/2
Give me Dan Lanning and his Ducks to pull off the upset in this tremendously important game in Happy Valley.
Oregon 28, Penn State 27
No.1 Ohio State (3-0, 0-0) @ Washington (3-0, 0-0)
Husky Stadium, Seattle, 70, 138
2:30 P.M.
CBS/Paramount
Brad, Gary, Jenny (sure liked them on SEC games, too).
Buckeyes by 7 1/2, 51 1/2
Ohio State has a target on its back this season.
Ohio State 24, Washington 21
Friday
No. 8 Florida State 35, Virginia 27
Scott Stadium, C’ville, 61,500
6 P.M.
ESPN
Bob, Louis, Kris
‘Noles by 6 1/2, 60 1/2
Highly bullish on Mike Norvell and his ‘Noles. Cavs play’em tough, however.
Also Friday
No. 24 TCU 34, ‘Zona State 31
Mountain America Stadium, Tempe, AZ., 53,599
8 P.M.
FOX
Tim Brando, Devin Gardner
Sun Devils by 3 1/2, 54 1/2
This is a pretty special TCU team. I like Sonny Dykes and his Horned Frogs squad to pull off the upset in the desert.
Playoff
1. Georgia 2. Ohio State 3. FSU 4. Ole Miss 5. Texas Tech 6. Miami 7. Oregon 8. LSU 9. Penn State 10. Tennessee 11. Indiana. I’m bought in after their dominating 63-10 victory over Illinois last Saturday Night. 12. Memphis. I’m also bullish on Ryan Silverfield’s team as well after a massive victory over Arkansas last Saturday in a late morning/early afternoon contest in the River City.
First Round Games- at higher seed’s home field.
No. 12 Memphis @ No.5 Texas Tech
No.11 Indiana @ No.6 Miami
No.10 Tennessee @ No.7 Oregon
No.9 Penn State @ No.8 L-S-U
Winners: Texas Tech over Memphis; Indiana over Miami; Oregon over Tennessee; LSU over Penn State.
Quarters-All times Central.
Wednesday, 12/31/25.
Cotton Bowl, Jerry Country, Arlington, TX. 6:30 P.M. ESPN
No.4 Ole Miss over No.8 LSU
Thursday, 1/1/26; nice way to ring in the New Year.
Orange Bowl, Hard Rock Stadium, Miami, 11 A.M. ESPN,
No.3 Florida State over No.5 Texas Tech
Rose Bowl, Grandaddy of them all, Pasadena, CA. 3 P.M. ESPN
No.7 Oregon over No.2 Ohio State
Sugar Bowl, Ceasars Superdome, N’Awlins, 7 P.M. ESPN
No.1 Georgia over No.11 Indiana
Semis
Thursday, 1/8/26
Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ., 6:30 P.M., ESPN
No. 3 FSU over No. 7 Oregon
Friday, 1/9/26
Chick-fil-A Bowl, Hot’lanta, 6:30 P.M. ESPN
No.1 Georgia over No. 4 Ole Miss
National Championship Game
Monday, 1/19/26, Hard Rock, Miami Gardens, 6:30 P.M. ESPN
No.1 Georgia vs. No.3 FSU
I’m still liking a classic here with the Dawgs barely prevailing but securing their third national championship under the stellar Kirby Smart.
Georgia 35, Florida State 34
National Champion: Georgia
The 45th Ryder Cup: Preview/Prediction
U.S. vs. Europe
Bethpage White? (Call out to my great wife), Black, (Black Course), Farmingdale, New York
7,398 yards, Par 70
U.S. Team led by the stellar Scheffler; while team Europe is led by the stellar Rory McIlory.
Weather: looks good: high 70’s, 80 one day. Winds, 6-8 MPH.
TV: All Times Central
Friday: 6 A.M. CT-5 P.M., USA Network. Saturday, 6 A.M.-5 P.M., NBC. Sunday, 11 A.M.-5 P.M., NBC
Format: Friday A.M.: Foursomes, Alternate Shot (four matches between the two teams)-both players tee off then the best drive is taken by the teammate who didn’t hit the best drive, then players alternate hitting shots for the rest of the match. Friday P.M.: Four Ball-Best Ball of the four wins the hole. Two, 2 man teams; four matches. Saturday, A.M.: Foursomes, 4 matches; P.M. Four Ball; 4 matches. Sunday: 12 Singles Matches.
First team to 14 1/2 points wins the Cup out of an available 28 points. If both teams finish tied with 14 points, Europe retains the Cup as it won the competition in 2023 at Marco Simone Golf and Country Club in Rome, 16 1/2-11 1/2. The U.S. holds the overall advantage, 27-15. The Cups in 2001 and 2020 were canceled due to 9/11 and COVID, respectively, but counted in the number of Cups played, so we are at Ryder Cup number 45.
Bethpage Black is called “The People’s Country Club,” because, while it’s hosted the 2002 and 2009 U.S. Opens, won by Tiger Woods and Lucas Glover, respectively, and the 2019 PGA Championship, won by Brooks Koepka, it’s a public course in which anyone can play. The sign in front of the course says, “-Warning-The Black Course Is An Extremely Difficult Course Which We Recommend Only For Highly Skilled Golfers.” So, it’s everything you want. I heard Brombey shot a 76 there. He’s highly skilled. I’d say Scottie, Bryson, Xander, Russell Henley, JJ Spaun, Rory, Jon Rahm, Justin Rose, and Viktor Hovland, among others, are highly skilled too. So should be epic competition.
Winning Team
Home turf has been the key to winning ever since Europe won as the visiting team at the “Miracle at Medinah,” the 39th Ryder Cup on Sept. 28th-30th, 2012 at Medinah Country Club in Medinah, Illinois. Expecting a competitive match, but I like the U.S. led by the great Scheffler with major contributions from Justin Thomas, Russell Henley, JJ Spaun, and company to prevail over Rory, Rahm and the Euros in a major home turf advantage with Bethpage being filled with an electric New York City, etc. crowd. There will be some some passion amongst the fans that carries an amped up USA Team over the top.