College GameDay Week 5 Predictions: 2026 College Football Season
Week 5 of the 2026 college football season kicks off with pivotal matchups, particularly in the SEC and Big Ten, featuring several ranked opponents. Here’s a summary of predictions from ESPN’s College GameDay crew:
Notable Matchups
- Ohio State at Iowa
- Predictions: Nick Saban and Kirk Herbstreit favor the Buckeyes as two-touchdown favorites, while Caitlin Clark and Desmond Howard pick Iowa. Pat McAfee initially leans toward Iowa but ultimately supports Ohio State.
- BYU at TCU
- Outcome: All analysts predict a BYU victory to keep them undefeated.
- Cincinnati at Arizona
- Predictions: Pat McAfee and Herbstreit choose Cincinnati, while the rest of the team backs Arizona to avoid an 0-2 conference start.
- Miami at Clemson
- Analysis: Miami enters as 15-point favorites; no analysts have confidence in Clemson.
- Washington at USC
- Prediction: Herbstreit predicts a surprising win for Washington, which would mark a second consecutive loss for USC.
- Michigan at Minnesota
- Take: Kirk predicts a significant upset for Minnesota over Michigan.
- Alabama at Mississippi State
- Outlook: Clark and Howard pick Mississippi State for a statement win, while the rest lean towards Alabama.
- Florida at Missouri
- Consensus: All analysts predict a Florida victory as the undefeated Gators face a tough road challenge.
Overall Predictions
- Ohio State over Iowa: Despite books favoring Ohio State by 21 points, analysts note Iowa’s defensive strength and home-field advantage as significant factors.
- Alabama over Mississippi State: Both teams feature strong quarterbacks, but Alabama is expected to have the upper hand defensively.
- Notre Dame over North Carolina: The Irish are predicted to outpace the Tar Heels with effective run-stopping.
- Miami over Clemson: Analysts expect Miami to leverage their strong passing game against a struggling Clemson team.
Note: Odds may change, and viewers should gamble responsibly.
