Our staff predicts the winners for the top games of the week
Big 12
Oklahoma State Cowboys at Kansas State Wildcats – Sat. Sept. 28, 11:00 AM, ESPN
- Anthony: It was shocking how trash these two were last week. There’s just no way OSU’s Ollie Gordon & KSU’s Avery Johnson are actually this bad. I’ll take the ‘Cats on their home field to right the ship.
- Austin: This game is such a toss-up after Kansas State’s debacle this past Saturday. Even though the Wildcats looked terrible in week four, I’m sticking with them in week five.
- Drew: Neither offense looked good this past Saturday with K-State being shut down by BYU and OSU not outscoring a backup QB against Utah. I think the Cowboys are more likely to bounce back with a big game from Ollie Gordon. Give me Oklahoma State.
- Russ: Kansas State bounces back from a bad loss against BYU.
- Wyatt: This game is one of the harder ones to predict. I expect KSU to take care of business at home, putting the Pokes at 0-2 in Big 12 play.
- CFB 25: Pokes win 44-41 in 2OT with an Alan Bowman TD run to walk it off in Manhattan.
BYU Cougars at Baylor Bears – Sat. Sept. 28, 11:00 AM, FOX
- Anthony: Baylor lost the literal toss up in brutal fashion last week, but bounce back at home to bring the Cougars back to Earth and keep Dave Aranda’s seat from fully engulfing him in flames.
- Austin: There’s no way I can pick Baylor following BYU’s onslaught against Kansas State. The Cougars take this one in Waco.
- Drew: After watching Baylor’s collapse against Colorado and BYU’s domination of Kansas State, I have to pick the Cougars in this one.
- Russ: Baylor wins a close battle at home.
- Wyatt: BYU looked good against KSU, and Baylor looks better than I thought they would be. However, I think BYU’s defense is too good, and they beat the Bears on the road.
- CFB 25: BYU’s comeback attempt falls short, with Baylor stopping former Bears signal caller Gerry Bohannon’s QB sneak on 4th & 1 to win 20-18
Colorado Buffaloes at UCF Knights – Sat. Sept. 28, 2:30 PM, FOX
- Anthony: Underestimate CU at your own peril, but UCF is a machine and the Buffs have no chance at stopping the Knights run game as RJ Harvey enters the Heisman conversation.
- Austin: Colorado’s defense has surprisingly held up this season. Even though the Knights’ offense is superb, I’m siding with the Buffaloes in this matchup.
- Drew: I expect this to be a shootout with UCF’s dominant rushing attack and spotty secondary taking on Colorado’s dynamic passing attack. I’ll take UCF at home.
- Russ: I envision this being a high scoring game, but UCF’s running game will be too strong for Colorado and the Deion Sanders crew.
- Wyatt: RJ Harvey and KJ Jefferson will run all over the Colorado defense. The Knights win at home and move to 2-0 in Big 12 play.
- CFB 25: Buffs go wild behind Shedeur’s video game numbers, downing the Knight 41-24.
Iowa State Cyclones at Houston Cougars – Sat. Sept. 28, 6:00 PM, FS1
- Anthony: Cyclones have flown under the radar, but will quietly move to 4-0 with a cruising win in H-Town
- Austin: Iowa State wins away from home.
- Drew: Iowa State continues to roll with a win on the road.
- Russ: Haven’t seen much from Houston this season. Give me Iowa State on the road.
- Wyatt: Iowa State.
- CFB 25: Cyclones run all over UH, with Sama going for 143 yards while Carson Hanson added 67 & 2 TDs. ISU wins 37-27
Cincinnati Bearcats at Texas Tech Red Raiders – Sat. Sept. 28, 7:00 PM, ESPN2
- Anthony: Each appeared dead and buried after unceremoniously dropping a non-con game, but delivered convincing wins over overmatched foes in the Big 12 openers. We’ll find out which version of each is real here. TTU RB Tahj Brooks vs. Cinci DT Dontay Corleone is a terrific battle. Give me the Bearcats in an upset on the road.
- Austin: I’ll no longer doubt the Red Raiders. Texas Tech defeats the Bearcats in Lubbock.
- Drew: Texas Tech appears to be figuring it out after stumbling to start the season. Give me the Red Raiders at home.
- Russ: Texas Tech hangs a large number on the Bearcats at home.
- Wyatt: I think Texas Tech will win fairly easily against the Bearcats, despite Cincinnati winning 34-0 against Houston last week.
- CFB 25: Behren Morton scores 4 total TDs and TTU wins 34-29
Arizona Wildcats at Utah Utes – Sat. Sept. 28, 9:15 PM, ESPN
- Anthony: With the dominant road win with a backup QB last week in Stillwater, Utah returns home and continues its inevitable march to Arlington.
- Austin: While I was previously high on Arizona, the offense has not met expectations. The Utes are a far more complete football team.
- Drew: This is the type of game that Utah has won consistently the past few years and I think that continues on Saturday. Give me the Utes.
- Russ: Utah wins a matchup between former Pac-12 opponents.
- Wyatt: I do not think the Wildcats’ defense will be able to hold the Ute’s defense. Utah wins at home.
- CFB 25: Wildcats win 31-15 as Noah Fifita destroys the Utah defense
Top National Games
Louisville Cardinals at Notre Dame Fighting Irish – Sat. Sept. 28, 2:30 PM, ESPN
- Anthony: With the win over the Cardinals this week, we’re going to have to continue hearing about the CFP candidacy of the Fighting Irish, despite the home loss to Northern Illinois.
- Austin: Notre Dame comes away victorious at home. The Fighting Irish are on a revenge tour following their putrid loss at the hands of Northern Illinois.
- Drew: I think Notre Dame wins in a very low scoring game in this one.
- Russ: Notre Dame contains the Cardinals to win at home.
- Wyatt: Notre Dame is a confusing team. They beat ranked Texas a&m on the road, but lost to Northern Illinois. I think Notre Dame will bounce back and beat Tyler Shough and the Cardinals at home.
- CFB 25: Tyler Shough throws for 243 yards and 2 TDs to give the Cards the shootout win 38-31
Liberty Flames at Appalachian State Mountaineers – Sat. Sept. 28, 2:30 PM, ESPN+
- Anthony: With the win over the Mountaineers this week, we’ll have to continue hearing about the CFP candidacy of the Flames, despite playing one of the easiest schedules in the country
- Austin: The Flames begin the season 5-0, increasing their chances to earn the Group of 5 bid.
- Drew: App State got run out of the stadium last week against South Alabama and Liberty has looked solid so far this year. I’ll take the Flames in this one.
- Russ: Kaidon Salter is super talented and I think he leads the Flames to a road win.
- Wyatt: Liberty beat App State in Boone.
- CFB 25: A close one into the third quarter before the Flames score 3 TDs in the 4th quarter to run away with the win, 34-6
Fresno State Bulldogs at UNLV Rebels – Sat. Sept. 28, 2:30 PM, FS1
- Anthony: So this game has become even more intriguing as the week continued, with Rebels QB Matthew Sluka using his redshirt and sitting out the remainder of the season due to NIL disputes. Even without its QB1, UNLV rallies and keeps its undefeated season rolling.
- Austin: UNLV has proved to be a force to be reckoned with after two Big 12 victories. I have the Rebels knocking off Fresno State.
- Drew: I think UNLV finds a way to win even with all of the controversy and national attention being directed their way this week.
- Russ: I’ve been impressed with UNLV so far. Rebels win at home.
- Wyatt: With the loss of Matthew Sluka, Fresno State wins in Vegas.
- CFB 25: 4 field goals from Caden Chittendon gives UNLV the 26-13 win.
Georgia Bulldogs at Alabama Crimson Tide – Sat. Sept. 28, 6:30 PM, ABC
- Anthony: The Dawgs are motivated for revenge and deliver swift vengeance to the Tide in T-Town.
- Austin: The battle of the SEC big boys is here. I’m going with Georgia.
- Drew: This should be a very fun game in Tuscaloosa and I think Ryan Williams and Jalen Milroe generate enough big plays to knock off the Bulldogs.
- Russ: No reason to bet against the Bulldogs. Georgia wins in Tuscaloosa.
- Wyatt: Roll Tide. This will be a slug fest in Tuscaloosa.
- CFB 25: Bama wins 33-27 as the Carson Beck hail mary attempt to Trevor Etienne falls incomplete
Illinois Illini at Penn State Nittany Lions – Sat. Sept. 28, 6:30 PM, NBC
- Anthony: Lions win with ease and we no longer have to talk to our kids about undefeated Illinois.
- Austin: Part of me wants to roll the dice on Illinois. However, I just can’t do it—I’m playing it safe and sticking with the heavy favorite, Penn State.
- Drew: I think this game will be much closer than Vegas thinks it will be but I still have Penn State picking up a solid home win.
- Russ: Drew Allar steps up to lead the Nittany Lions over Illinois at home.
- Wyatt: Penn State takes care of business in a close game.
- CFB 25: PSU out rushes Illinois 204-35 and storms to a 33-10 win.
Washington State Cougars at Boise State Broncos – Sat. Sept. 28, 9:00 PM, FS1
- Anthony: The future Pac 12 conference foes do battle on the blue turf where Ashton Jeanty will exert his will up and down the field.
- Austin: Boise State asserts dominance and defeats Washington State in a game with over 600 combined rushing yards.
- Drew: Ashton Jeanty is electric but I’ll take Washington State on the road.
- Russ: Wazzu is a quiet 4-0 with a win over Texas Tech, but I like the Broncos here.
- Wyatt: Ashton Jeanty will carry the Broncos to a win over Wazzu.
- CFB 25: Cougars led at halftime, but a failed two-point conversion gives Boise the 22-20 win.
Frogs O’ War Pick ‘Em Leaderboard
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Staff Standings
Overall Season Win %
- Austin: 69%
- Russ: 69%
- Drew: 69%
- Wyatt: 65%
- Anthony: 57%
- CFB25: 56%