Three CFB teams on upset alert in Week 5

There’s no shortage of big games in Week 5 of the college football season. No. 6 Oregon vs. No. 3 Penn State and No. 17 Alabama vs. No. 5 Georgia headline the schedule.

Yet, there are some other intriguing matchups. No. 13 Ole Miss and No. 4 LSU will square off. No. 23 Illinois and No. 21 USC will also meet in a matchup of ranked teams. 

There are four top-25 games in Week 5. But plenty of other games are worth watching, too. It’s not uncommon for an upset to steal the spotlight on a weekend like this. 

With that in mind, here are three college football teams that should be on upset alert in Week 5, starting with the defending national champions. Odds via Fanduel.

No. 1 Ohio State (-9.5) at Washington

If you did a double-take when looking at the line, no one would blame you. It’s rare to see Ohio State as a single-digit favorite against an unranked opponent.

The relatively narrow spread says more about Washington than it does Ohio State. The Huskies are 3-0. Jedd Fisch’s team is quietly scoring 55.7 points per game (second in college football). 

QB Demond Williams Jr. is one of the best-kept secrets in the sport. Between his freshman season in 2024, when he attempted 105 passes, and now, Williams has thrown 14 touchdowns and one interception. This season, he has six TD passes and zero picks. He’s also throwing for 259.3 yards per game, and he’s accumulated 220 rushing yards.

Washington averages 260 rushing yards per game. Jonah Coleman, the Huskies’ lead running back, leads the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns (9) and is averaging 6.8 per rushing attempt.

Ohio State has to travel across the country, which adds to the challenge. Washington has eight sacks and four interceptions on defense, and Buckeyes QB Julian Sayin is also making just his fourth career start.

A massive upset in Seattle is more likely than some realize. 

No. 21 USC (-6.5) at No. 23 Illinois 

Illinois was embarrassed last week by Indiana, giving up 63 points as a top-10 team in the Associated Press poll.

This week, USC comes to town. The Trojans are 4-0. They are also a touchdown favorite. It’s hard to blame the oddsmakers for favoring the Trojans so much. QB Jayden Maiava leads the Big Ten in passing yards (1,223). He’s also throwing the ball to Makai Lemon, who is the Big Ten leader in receiving yards (438). 

Scoring points has never been a problem for USC under Lincoln Riley. It’s been the defense, which allowed 31 to Michigan State last week.

As poor as Illinois looked last week, the Trojans will struggle to stop Illinois QB Luke Altmyer. Illinois will be determined to play better and will shock a USC team that has to play at 11 a.m. CST, which is 9 a.m. in California. 

No. 22 Notre Dame (-4.5) at Arkansas 

This game is huge for both teams. One more loss and Notre Dame is out of the playoff race. Yet, Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman needs a win to save his job. 

The good news is that quarterback Taylen Green is balling out in his second season as a starter with the Razorbacks. Green is tied for the SEC lead in touchdown passes (12) and is third in the conference in rushing yards (360).

Arkansas has been snakebitten in close games in recent years, but in Week 5, Green leads the Hogs to a huge win.