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College Football Week 5 Odds, Picks & Predictions: Friday (9/30)

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Let’s take a look at the College Football Week 5 odds, picks, and predictions for Friday’s games.

Check out our other best college football bets for Week 5:

Check out Thor Nystrom’s Week 5 College Football Power Rankings >>

College Football Week 5 Odds, Picks & Predictions for Friday

Tulane vs. Houston

The Cougars have their work cut out for them this season even more than usual, as some internal struggles appear to be rumbling within the program. Typically a high-flying offense, the Cougars have struggled on that side of the ball to this point, ranking 80th in the country in total yards and 58th in points scored. Last week in their narrow win over rice, the cougars relied on two late defensive touchdowns to seal the win.

As for Tulane, running back Tyjae Spears has been the difference maker, rushing for 114 yards and two touchdowns last week, in addition to 74 yards through the air. Despite the loss to Southern Miss, their first of the season, Spears will be a major piece of the game plan this week vs. Houston.

With the strife in the locker room that Houston head coach Dana Holgerson has mentioned throughout the week, I like for Tulane to have the pieces to get this one done.

Tulane +2.5

San Diego State vs. Boise State

Though the story is far from over for both of these teams in their 2022 season, it’s safe to say neither has got off to the start they wanted. For the Aztecs, problems continue to emerge inside of the locker room, as big losses to Arizona and Utah have highlighted their issues.

Things figure to only get more difficult this week, however, as Mountain West play ramps up with Boise State welcoming them to town. For the Broncos, they should come into this one highly motivated following one of their worst losses in recent memory. In their 10-27 loss to UTEP last week, QB Hank Bachmeier had one the worst games of his career, completing just 13 of 34 passes for 93 yards and a touchdown.

In this one, I expect San Diego State’s rushing attack, which ranks #18 in the country, to be the center point of their game plan. Conversely, Boise has the #31 rushing defense in the country. Look for the clock to be running a lot and this one to stay under.

Under 38.5

Washington vs. UCLA

With 368.8 yards through the air and 530.8 yards in total on offense, the Huskies come into this matchup #5 and #1, respectively, in the entire country. The captain of that offense has been Indiana transfer QB Michael Penix Jr., who has his team currently 4-0 and #18 in the country as they now ramp up PAC-12 play with a trip to Los Angeles.

For the Bruins, who are 4-0 for the first time since 2015, they’re getting it done on both sides of the ball up to this point. Through four games, the Bruins have allowed just 18 points while scoring 41.8 of their own. Known for their offense, this UCLA defensive unit is headlined by Laiatu Latu’s five sacks on the season, as edge-rusher Bralen Trice has also wreaked havoc.

In this matchup, while UCLA’s Dorian Thompson-Robinson has been impressive at QB, I like for Penix to be the difference and for his Heisman-hopeful campaign to continue with a big win at the Rose Bowl.

Washington -2.5

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