Georgia and Alabama face off against the SEC

College Football HQ makes our latest straight-up picks for the biggest games on the Week 5 schedule, including an explosive primetime showdown between Georgia and Alabama.

Thanks to the expansion of the College Football Playoff, regular season games may no longer carry the same enormous weight as in the past, but winning is still better than losing, especially in marquee games that the committee selection will be very attentive.

Georgia vs. Alabama certainly fits that bill, a battle between the SEC’s top five blue bloods and national title contenders who have combined for five national championships during the postseason era.

Our pick: Kansas State | For whatever reason, Oklahoma State still hasn’t been able to get Ollie Gordon going, and the Wildcats have the bodies up front to keep the Cowboys from gaining momentum down the field again.

More: K-State vs. Okie State Prediction

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Our pick: Michigan | Although the lack of a passing game will be an issue for the Wolverines moving forward, they currently have the pieces in the front seven to overwhelm the Gophers’ offense and the power on the ground to dictate terms with the former linebacker Kalel Mulling leading the way. the load.

More: Michigan vs. Minnesota Prediction

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Our choice: USC | Wisconsin might have some early gas to get the ball over the Trojans’ line like Michigan did last week, but it can’t compete with USC’s skill threats at the Coliseum .

More: USC vs. Wisconsin Prediction

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Our pick: Ole Miss | The Rebels shouldn’t be tested too severely in the SEC opener, but the Wildcats were able to play hard at the line against Georgia and could keep this a little closer than expected early on before Ole Miss withdraws.

More: Ole Miss vs. Kentucky Prediction

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Our choice: Notre Dame | We picked the Irish to win outright, but for Louisville to win against the spread with a superior passing attack that will be able to take enough yards away from a good Notre Dame defense to keep it close all day.

More: Notre Dame vs. Louisville Prediction

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Our pick: Oklahoma | Auburn has become the late favorite in this one as the Sooners make a quarterback change and will be without a ton of injured receivers, but Oklahoma’s defense is still the best overall unit on the field in this one against a Tiger attack which is not there.

More: Oklahoma vs. Auburn Prediction

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Our pick: Texas A&M | Arkansas can rush the passer a bit and can run with Taylen Green and Ja’Quinden Jackson, but the Aggies have the top seven and have the bodies to adequately block their superior rushing attack.

More: Texas A&M vs. Arkansas Prediction

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Our pick: Penn State | Illinois is no pushover with the strong defense it currently plays and Luke Altymer is a stabilizing force for an offense that features two solid receivers, but Penn State still has the offensive edge and can exercise more pressure at the front.

More: Penn State vs. Illinois Prediction

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Our pick: Boise State | The Cougars can spread things out and boast a dual-threat quarterback in John Mateer who is 3rd nationally in total production, but the Broncos still have defensive end Ashton Jeanty and should find passing lanes against a Wazzu secondary that is 132nd in air defense.

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