7 Must-Watch College Football Games On The Week 5 Slate

There are more than 50 games on the college football schedule in Week 5, which means fans who plan to spend a chunk of their weekend glued to the TV have no shortage of options to pick from.

However, if you’re looking to narrow down your choices, you’ve come to the right place.

The dozens of games on the college football calendar in Week 5 include four showdowns between teams in the Top 25—including an SEC tilt featuring two squads in the Top 5—and a number that seem to be a virtual coin flip on paper.

However, there are seven that really stand out from the rest of the pack.

#2 Georgia vs. #4 Alabama

If you’re only going to watch a single college football game this week, it should be the one that has the potential to be the best showdown we’ll be treated to in the regular season this year.

It appeared Alabama was going to snap its 90-game streak as a favorite at home that stretches all the way back to 2007, but the line has gotten progressively tighter in recent days and the Crimson Tide are just .5-point underdogs as things currently stand.

This is the biggest test either team has faced so far this season, and we should be in for a very hard-fought battle.

#9 Penn State vs. #19 Illinois

At first glance, it would appear Penn State has this game in the bag when you consider they’re listed as overwhelming 19.5-point favorites.

However, the Nittany Lions struggled against Bowling Green and are facing their toughest opponent of the season so far against a Fighting Illini squad that is in the Top 25 for a reason.

Illinois has a tough task ahead of them, and there is a chance they end up on the receiving end of a blowout now that Penn State has had a few weeks to work on its weaknesses. However, it could also end up being closer than most people seem to think it will.

#15 Louisville vs. #16 Notre Dame

Louisville heads into its showdown with Notre Dame looking to firm up its status as one of the best teams in the ACC, while the Fighting Irish are still trying to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive following a stunning loss to NIU.

Notre Dame has bounced back from that upset with two decisive wins and heads into the contest as a 7-point favorite. However, the Cardinals have shown they have what it takes to leave South Bend with a win.

#20 Oklahoma State vs. #23 Kansas State

This is our fourth and final matchup between two ranked teams in Week 5, and it has the makings of a very good one.

Oklahoma State is listed as a 5-point underdog despite being ranked higher than Kansas State, and the Cowboys are going to need their anemic running game to bounce back (which would allow them to capitalize even more on the arm of Alan Bowman).

However, they’ll face an uphill battle on that front against a Wildcats team that will likely be able to credit its defense for the win if it can pull off the victory.

#21 Oklahoma vs. Auburn

Oklahoma is also an underdog even though Auburn doesn’t have a number next to its name, although the Tigers are only favored by a single point.

Why is that the case? Well, the Sooners are dealing with a slew of injuries to key players and will also be calling on Michael Hawkins Jr. as their starting QB for the first time this season after Jackson Arnold struggled against Tennessee.

Auburn subsequently has a slight edge, but both teams are going to have their work cut out for them.

#22 BYU vs. Arkansas

We’re continuing with the theme once again, as Arkansas is a 3-point favorite over a BYU team that earned its spot in the Top 25 with a pretty shocking win over Kansas State to improve to 4-0 on the season.

The Razorbacks have looked better than most people expected them to this season, and the Cougars once risk falling victim to their reputation as a “vampire team” that’s struggled in day games over the past few years despite dominating after the sun sets.

Colorado vs. UCF

At this point, I’m considering every Colorado game a must-watch due in part to the program’s reputation as a wild card, as we still don’t know what we’re going to get whenever the Buffaloes take the field.

Coach Prime and Co. pulled off a wild comeback against Baylor last week thanks to the Hail Mary Shadeur Sanders launched to force overtime, and the QB and Travis Hunter have consistently been some of the most electric players in the country.

UCF is expected to walk away with the win as 14-point favorites, and based on their upcoming schedule, Colorado could really use the W in its quest to avoid falling victim to another second-half collapse.

Florida State vs. SMU

I admit I’m being a bit liberal with my use of “must-watch” in this game, but it’s still a fairly intriguing matchup for College Football Sickos between a team that’s doing everything in its power to leave the ACC and one that just became a member.

At this point, it seems like there’s a good chance the 1-3 Seminoles won’t even be making it to a bowl game, but they will have the chance to keep the momentum going after getting their first win of the season against Cal.

SMU, on the other hand, will improve to 4-1 if they can beat FSU and hopes to avoid the upset as 6-point favorites.