College Football Week 5 Predictions: Every Game, Every Pick

October 3, 2026 · by SPW Pipeline

It’s early October and the conference seasons are kicking in, which means the games will be closer, there will be upsets, and the pressure will be ramped up another few levels. Jump to the links to the full previews and predictions for the biggest Week 5 games, and scroll on down for our picks and thoughts on 30 of the rest, including a slew of late-night Big 12 showdowns and the opening of the Pac-12 season for several key teams.
– CFN Expert Picks Week 5
– 10 Best Predictions Against the Spread
– Week 5 Schedule and Scoreboard

College Football Week 5 Predictions

Sep 25, 2026; Berkeley, California, USA; California Golden Bears inside linebacker Kamar Mothudi (3) runs back a fumble by Clemson Tigers quarterback Tait Reynolds (2) for a touchdown during the first quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

Memphis at Charlotte

Game Time: 11:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Memphis -20.5, o/u: 52.5
After two weeks off following a 45-21 tuneup against UT Martin, Memphis will turn everything loose in a breather of a win. The pass rush will dominate the 49er offense that won’t be able to move the chains. It’ll have to press to come back, and that’s when the interceptions will add up.
Prediction: Memphis 38, Charlotte 16

Middle Tennessee at Kansas

Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: ESPNU
Consensus Line: Kansas -20.5, o/u: 50.5
Middle Tennessee is playing a bit better than expected – it doesn’t turn the ball over – but it’s about to deal with a Kansas team in desperate need of a win. The Jayhawks are rested after two weeks off and with a trip to Utah coming up. The offense will open it up early and won’t stop.
Prediction: Kansas 41, Middle Tennessee 13

Syracuse at UConn

Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Consensus Line: Syracuse -6.5, o/u: 50.5
The Syracuse offense has fallen flat in two ACC losses, but it had two weeks to get ready for its third road game in a row. UConn has a nice offense, but it’s about to be picked apart by the Orange attack that will put up yards, but will struggle a bit to make this a blowout.
Prediction: Syracuse 31, UConn 20

Navy at Air Force

Game Time: 12:00 PM ET
TV: CBS
Consensus Line: Air Force -3.5, o/u: 45.5
Two of the three best running games in America – Army is No. 1 – will make this fly by. Navy is a bit better against the run, but the Air Force passing attack will have just a bit more success down the field. It’ll be a close, tough game coming down to a few late third down conversions.
Prediction: Air Force 24, Navy 20

Western Michigan at Buffalo

Game Time: 1:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Western Michigan -12.5, o/u: 46.5
After a tough 32-7 loss to Boise State, Western Michigan bounces back big with an efficient performance around a dominant day from the ground attack. Three Buffalo turnovers will quickly turn this into a rout.
Prediction: Western Michigan 34, Buffalo 13

Toledo at Ball State

Game Time: 2:00 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Toledo -20.5, o/u: 51.5
Coming off a dominant 41-16 win over San Diego State, the Toledo offense is humming, and Ball State won’t be able to keep up. The Cardinals aren’t making mistakes and won’t give away any easy chances, but the Rockets will be great against the run. Ball State won’t be able to throw its way back into the game.
Prediction: Toledo 37, Ball State 16

Cal at UNLV

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Consensus Line: UNLV -2.5, o/u: 52.5
Will the real Cal please stand up? Granted, the Tosh Lupoi is still getting going, but the offense isn’t blocking well enough. The defense is doing its job, and it’ll crank up the pressure against a UNLV team that’s coming off a decent three-game road trip but will struggle to keep things moving.
Prediction: Cal 27, UNLV 24

Samford at UAB

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: UAB -30.5, o/u: 52.5
UAB’s offense will take target practice on a Samford defense that will have its moments – the Bulldogs have a decent pass rush – but the score will get out of hand fast. But there won’t be anything from the Samford running game against a UAB defensive front that will have a blast in the backfield.
Prediction: UAB 44, Samford 13

Wyoming at North Dakota State

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: CW
Consensus Line: North Dakota State -17.5, o/u: 44.5
North Dakota State isn’t getting enough national respect, but it got through an interesting two-game road run, including a strong win over Air Force. Wyoming’s offense will try to slow things down, but the Bison will be +3 in the turnover margin as they pull away late.
Prediction: North Dakota State 31, Wyoming 13

Akron at Central Michigan

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Central Michigan -6.5, o/u: 47.5
Akron’s offense hasn’t been able to let it go against an FBS team – it ripped up Robert Morris, but struggled over the last two weeks against Minnesota and UNLV. Central Michigan’s defense has been great at home, but it’ll be in for a bit of a shootout before coming up with a late stop to get out alive.
Prediction: Central Michigan 30, Akron 23

Sep 3, 2026; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Massachusetts Minutemen cornerback JC Clark (23) celebrates after an interception during the fourth quarter against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Eastern Michigan at UMass

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: UMass -5.5, o/u: 48.5
UMass will keep it all going against an Eastern Michigan defense that will give up everything underneath – Pop Watson and the midrange passing game will put on a show. There’s no Eagle downfield passing attack to worry about, and in a sold out Warren McGuirk, the Minutemen won’t wilt.
Prediction: UMass 30, Eastern Michigan 23

Ohio at Kent State

Game Time: 3:30 PM ET
TV: ESPN+
Consensus Line: Ohio -3.5, o/u: 50.5
Is this when the magic happens? Ohio has won eight of the last ten going back to 2013, but this year’s Kent State team is coming off a nice 26-13 win over Ball State and needs this for a 2-0 MAC start. The defense will keep this close, but Ohio will be a bit too efficient – it’s the best team in the MAC on third downs – over the final 20 minutes of a fun, energetic battle.
Prediction: Ohio 27, Kent State 23