College Football Week 5 Preview: Buckeyes Head to Iowa City; Bulldogs Host Their Biggest Game In a Decade

Happy October! And more importantly, happy spooky season.

There it is. Do you feel it? The first gusts of crisp fall air are starting to sweep across the nation. And with it comes chili season, apple picking, pumpkin patches, and more importantly, the peak of college football season in October and November.

Well, this weekend it turns out may be the one for activities like hay rides and corn mazes because boy was it slim pickings when it came to finding 5 meaningful games on the schedule this weekend. After last week’s incredible lineup, it feels like college football has us salivating at the mouth for more of the same. At least they’re weening us off with a weaker slate instead of going cold turkey like Traitors did this week (What was the deal with that NBC? Why are we skipping a weekly episode midseason??).

Fortunately though, we do have a couple of marquee matchups to hang our hats on.

Ohio State heads back on the road to Iowa City to face a Hawkeye team coming off an improbable 90+ yard 2-minute drill victory against Michigan (really, what timeline are we living in?). It’d really have me spooked for Ohio State if this game was at night in Kinnick, but, luckily for them, the Bucks draw the 3:30 ET slot on CBS.

In the SEC, the premier game of the week is in, checks notes, Starkville, Mississippi (something, something, timeline again)?? Kalen Deboer’s Crimson Tide look to keep their undefeated season alive against a surprisingly spotless Mississippi State team that is running on all cylinders under coach Jeff Lebby. Keelon Russell versus Kamario Taylor is really the one thing you absolutely have to tune in for this weekend.

Otherwise, like I said prior, this might be the weekend you indulge your wife and go apple picking! While it won’t be ideal to not be glued to the TV all day, this slate offers an opportunity for some time away with friends and loved ones. So maybe take a week of respite. Go outside and take in the beginnings of Autumn. Because this might be the last chance before you can’t bear to be apart from your sofa for another Saturday.

Games of the Week

Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech

Friday night. Lane Stadium. Enter Sandman. The Hokies (4-0) have a right to be excited about their program for the first time in a while with James Franklin and the squad coming home after storming to a 4th quarter comeback against Boston College in the middle of a Nor’easter last weekend! However, while they do come in unscathed, it hasn’t been pretty in victory so far in 2026 for Virginia Tech as they’ve been challenged the last 2 weeks by some bottom dwelling power 4 programs (see Maryland box score against UCLA). Pitt comes in with a similar story. Also 4-0, the Panthers had their own bout with weather against UCF where they scratched and clawed to a 12-7 victory. To me, this one comes down to who I trust more on offense. Both sides have similar tendencies as they often get more done through the air than on the ground. Inevitably, I trust Mason Heintschel more than I do Ethan Grunkemeyer, so I’m going with Pitt in this one. I can’t believe I’m picking against VT at night in Blacksburg…

Predictions

David Tomlinson: Pittsburgh 31 – Virginia Tech 28

Cheech Jones: Virginia Tech 35 – Pittsburgh 28

Alabama at Mississippi State

Is this the biggest game in Starkville since 2014? Some are saying. The Tide roll into Davis Wade Stadium on Saturday behind a transcending Keelon Russell. He’s been absolutely stupendous so far, most recently posting 365-4 in a Gamecock splattering last weekend. But while Russell has been fantastic, Kamario Taylor has been absolutely electrifying. He’s averaging almost 300 yards passing and 50 yards rushing so far this season, and it’s not come against cupcakes either. So will either team have anything to show on defense? If anyone can do it, I think it’s Alabama. In their only road test of the season so far, the Tide locked in against Kentucky, shutting the Wildcats out in the second half after trailing at halftime. If Yhonzae Pierre and the pass rush can affect Kamario Taylor enough, Alabama might have a way to take over this game. (But that’s not likely, Taylor will probably scramble outside the pocket and pick up a 20 yard gain with how he’s playing). I do think the slight advantage to the Bama defense here is the difference though but don’t expect much resistance from either side. Put this on the main TV, turn the volume up to 11, grab a big bucket of popcorn, and enjoy the offensive spectacle.

Predictions

David Tomlinson: Alabama 41 – Mississippi State 37

Cheech Jones: Alabama 45 – Mississippi State 42

UCF at Houston

Definitely the 5th out of 5 games on our preview this week, I had to show a little love to the Big 12! I’ve got my eye on this one early Saturday morning as the Battle of the Space Cities takes place in Houston. The Cougars have looked every part of Big 12 title contenders so far this season, falling just short of an upset bid on a failed 2-point conversion against presumed frontrunner Texas Tech. As for UCF, they’ve looked serviceable with a nice conference win over TCU last weekend. The Knights unfortunately lost QB Alonza Barnett early in the season amidst a torrential storm 12-7 loss at Pitt as he was injured slipping on the wet turf. Backup Keyone Jenkins has filled in admirably so far, but Houston’s stellar defense forecasts to make him struggle on Saturday. While I think UCF keeps it inside the number, Houston should cruise in their “Galaxy Gridiron” helmets as Makhi Hughes and Re’Shaun Sanford blast through the UCF defense all day on the ground.

Predictions

David Tomlinson: Houston 27 – UCF 20

Cheech Jones: Houston 35 – UCF 14

Florida at Missouri

Man, this matchup would have been so much sweeter if we had gotten Jadan Baugh versus Ahmad Hardy, but alas. Florida comes into this game off of a massive home win in the Swamp against a top 5 Ole Miss team, while Missouri blew multiple opportunities to seize a big conference win against Mississippi State in Starkville last weekend. Mizzou, fortunately, returns home to a raucous newly renovated stadium that should give them a similar edge against a top 10 team that Florida had against the Rebels, right? Ehhh… I don’t think so. I was hesitant on the legitimacy of Florida’s offense going into last weekend, but man did they prove they are for real by hanging half a hundred on Pete Golding’s head. Buster Faulkner has the engine to this hot rod humming, and I’m strapping my seatbelt on for the ride. Vernell Brown being out for Florida could cause a speed bump, but I don’t think Missouri is going to be able to do much to slow down this Gator onslaught. Give me Baugh for 180 rushing and 3 TDs please and thank you.

Predictions

David Tomlinson: Florida 38 – Missouri 24

Cheech Jones: Florida 31 – Missouri 17

Ohio State at Iowa

The last time Ohio State travelled to Iowa City was in 2017 (look how they massacred my Big Ten Conference), and Kinnick Stadium did not greet the Buckeyes with open arms. The Hawkeyes trashed the Bucks 55-24 as quarterback Nate Stanley threw for 5 touchdowns. Welp, Ryan Day and Co. are hoping their odds fair better this time around, as a second loss in week 5 would mean serious trouble for their playoff chances considering they have Oregon, Indiana, Michigan, etc. still ahead on their schedule. However, I don’t see another loss here for the Buckeyes. Coming off an improbable win in Michigan Stadium, the Hawkeyes are riding high, but they definitely have some glaring weaknesses, primarily running the football and pressuring the quarterback. As long as Kamari Moulton doesn’t get cooking on the ground and Ryan Day doesn’t go into turtle mode and play into Iowa’s gameplan to muck things up, then the Buckeyes should cruise to a victory behind another big day through the air from Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith.

Predictions

David Tomlinson: Ohio State 27 – Iowa 17

Cheech Jones: Ohio State 17 – Iowa 15

David’s Underdog of the Week

West Virginia 38 – Iowa State 20

Coach Rich Rodriguez has this Mountaineers program trending in the right direction, and I am jumping aboard the Rich Rod train. West Virginia has looked better than expected so far this year capturing an impressive win against Virginia and then staying competitive against a good Oklahoma State team. I think Michael Hawkins dominates through the air and on the ground on Saturday in Ames and the Mountaineers cruise to an easy conference win before a tougher clash against Rich Rod’s ex, Arizona, next weekend.

Cheech’s Underdog of the Week

Colorado State 35 – Oregon State 31