College Football Week 5 Odds & Cheat Sheet: Schedule, Injuries, Weather, Betting Notes

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Written By Road to CFB | Published at September 23, 2024
college football week 5 odds

Don't look now, but a third of the college football regular season is written in the books. On tap at CFB betting sites is a monstrous slate of Week 5 odds, likely the best yet on the college football season. No. 2 Georgia at No. 4 Alabama headlines the schedule with one of the biggest matchups of the year. But it's not the only big game on deck; No. 20 Oklahoma State visits No. 23 Kansas State, No. 15 Louisville faces No. 16 Notre Dame, and No. 19 Illinois takes on No. 9 Penn State on Saturday. Check out our full early-week college football betting guide below.

Included are the latest odds, notable line movement, matchup history, weather, injuries, trends, and much more. Dig in! Keep up with TheLines all week long for college football betting tools.

College Football Week 5 Odds

Browse college football Week 5 odds below. Click odds anywhere to place a bet.

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Stephen Andress, managing editor, TheLines.com

Line Movement: College Football Week 5 Odds

Look-ahead lines for Week 5 were posted last week. Check out early movers from those and opening lines below:

Opening Lines from College Football Week 5 Odds

Georgia Southern at Georgia State and San Diego State at Central Michigan likely waffle around PKs.

Note line movements through key figures of 3 and 7, like BYU at Baylor and Maryland at Indiana.

Coaching Notes & Matchup History For college football week 5 odds

Virginia Tech at No. 7 Miami (FL), Friday (7:30 p.m., ESPN)

No. 20 Oklahoma State at No. 23 Kansas State, Saturday (12:00 p.m., ESPN)

Texas State vs. Sam Houston State, Saturday (3:00 p.m., ESPN+)

Colorado at UCF, Saturday (3:30 p.m., FOX)

Wisconsin at No. 13 USC, Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS)

No. 15 Louisville at No. 16 Notre Dame, Saturday (3:30 p.m., Peacock)

Arkansas vs. No. 24 Texas A&M, Saturday (3:30 p.m., ESPN)

No. 3 Ohio State at Michigan State, Saturday (7:00 p.m., Peacock)

No. 2 Georgia at No. 4 Alabama, Saturday (7:30 p.m., ABC)

Impact Injuries On College Football Week 5 Odds

All kick times below are listed in ET.

No. 15 Louisville at No. 16 Notre Dame, Saturday (3:30 p.m., Peacock)

Injuries have been the headline for Notre Dame (aside from its shocking loss to NIU). Things got worse in Week 4 when defensive end Josh Burnham went down and did not return. In Week 3, starting guard Billy Schrauth was carted off, adding to center Ashton Craig and OT Charles Jagusah, both of whom are done for the year. Star pass rusher Jordan Bothelo was declared out for the year ahead of Week 4, as well.

Fortunately, TE Mitchell Evans and WR Jordan Faison both returned to full snaps in Week 4.

Louisville lost transfer WR Caullin Lacy to a broken collarbone in Week 1. While he did dress in Week 4, he is considered a game-time decision.

Arkansas at No. 24 Texas A&M, Saturday (3:30 p.m., ESPN)

In a 26-20 win over Bowling Green, Texas A&M paid the price. Star defensive tackle Shermar Stewart and starting safety Bryce Anderson (likely the team's top DB) both left the contest hurt and did not return. Stewart's injury is particularly concerning as he appeared to be in serious pain leaving the field. Starting QB Conner Weigman missed his second straight game, although the offense appears to move better under redshirt freshman Marcel Reed.

Arkansas missed two starters in the secondary last week, corner Jaylon Braxton and safety Hudson Clark. Starting offensive lineman Patrick Kutas has not yet played this season, and backup running back Rashod Dubinion hasn't played since Week 1. The Razorbacks finished with just a 6.8% postgame win expectancy at Auburn last week, per Bill Connelly's SP+.

No. 21 Oklahoma at Auburn, Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC)

The Sooners are dealing with several injuries. The receiving room continues to be an issue, with Jalil Farooq not expected back for another four weeks and Jayden Gibson being done for the year. Nic Anderson returned and promptly left Week 4 and Andrel Anthony has only played eight total snaps this year (in Week 1). Deion Burks remains the lone healthy receiver intended to start.

Emerging running back Taylor Tatum (116 yards) also left the Week 4 loss to Tennessee. Center Branson Hickman got his first action of the season but looked shaky with snaps off target.

Mississippi State at No. 1 Texas, Saturday (4:15 p.m., SEC Network)

Mississippi State starting QB Blake Shapen will miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury suffered in Week 4. He joins projected starting RB Jeffrey Pittman, who was removed from the team early in the year. The Bulldogs already struggled offensively under Shapen, ranking 101st in overall EPA. That problem likely gets worse before it gets better.

Texas is dealing with its fair share of injuries, too. QB Quinn Ewers did not play in Week 4 with an oblique injury; head coach Steve Sarkisian said the injury wasn't as serious as initially thought. However, Ewers remains uncertain for this game. In his place, Arch Manning threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns (though did throw two interceptions) against ULM. Despite the question mark at QB, Texas opened a -38.5 favorite against Mississippi State.

RB Jaydon Blue successfully returned to the field in Week 4 for Texas. Top RB C.J. Baxter suffered a season-ending injury in the preseason, thinning the room significantly.

Old Dominion at Bowling Green, Saturday (5:00 p.m., ESPN+)

Old Dominion was without starting QB Grant Wilson and All-American linebacker Jason Henderson in Week 3. Henderson was a late scratch. ODU was on bye week in Week 4, which could give both players time to return, however, both are worth your attention if you consider betting on this game.

Stanford at No. 17 Clemson, Saturday (7:00 p.m., ESPN)

Clemson is dealing with a handful of injuries to key players. Running back Phil Mafah went down in Week 4 and did not return. Top receiver Tyler Brown did not suit up, and star defensive lineman Peter Woods was seriously limited. Despite the injuries, the Tigers appeared to sort things out offensively, scoring 45 points in the first half against NC State.

Charlotte at Rice, Saturday (7:00 p.m., ESPN+)

Whether head coach Biff Poggi was fibbing ahead of Week 1 about "half the starters" being hurt or not, he certainly isn't fibbing now. Charlotte could be without QB1 Max Brown and QB2 Deshawn Purdie, who both missed Week 4. Brown left in Week 2 with an injury to his throwing thumb. Two starters on defense, LB Prince Wallace-Bemah and DE Stone Handy, also missed the last two games.

Without these players, Charlotte went 1-1 with a one-point victory over FCS Gardner-Webb and a 38-point loss at Illinois.

Florida State at SMU, Saturday (8:00 p.m., ACC Network)

Florida State is dealing with multiple injuries on the offensive line. Top tackle Jeremiah Byers has not played since suffering an injury in Week 0. His replacement, Robert Scott Jr., missed Week 4. Top running back Roydell Williams also sat the last game. Kick returner and scat back Jaylin Lucas suffered a season-ending injury after Week 1.

On the other side, SMU benched QB Preston Stone, who appeared not to be completely recovered from a serious leg injury suffered late last year. As a result, Kevin Jennings got the start and led SMU to a 66-42 win over rival TCU, including 41 first-half points.

Air Force at Wyoming, Saturday (8:00 p.m., CBSSN)

This may be the matchup between the two most injured teams on the week. Wyoming could be without both top backs, Dawaiian McNeely and Harrison Waylee, the former of which played 10 snaps this season and the latter, zero. Starting left tackle Nathan Geiger hasn't played since Week 1. Three defensive starters, DE Braden Siders, DE DeVonne Harris, and safety Wyett Ekeler, all missed Week 4. TE John Michael Gyllenborg returned to the field last week.

Air Force could be down its top two fullbacks, Dylan Carson and Terrence Gist. The two, plus running back Kade Frew, did not play in either of Air Force's last two games. This year, the Falcons have fallen in production, including their worst rushing output against a non-service academy foe in 10 seasons when they rushed for 143 yards against San Jose State.

Arizona at No. 10 Utah, Saturday (10:15 p.m., ESPN

Stop me if you've heard this before, but Utah's injuries are piling up. Aside from the will-he, won't-he game with Cameron Rising, two defensive starters missed Week 4. Defensive end Connor O'Toole missed the last two games, and linebacker Karene Reid missed Week 4. That's in addition to starting corner Kenan Johnson, who suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1.

Arizona, of course, still has eligibility questions surrounding RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt. There's a chance the back is declared ineligible before Saturday and done for the year.

Other Impact Injuries

Other Roster & Staff Impacts on Week 5 Odds

No. 21 Oklahoma at Auburn, Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC)

Brent Venables benched QB Jackson Arnold in a 25-15 loss to Tennessee in Week 4. True freshman Michael Hawkins replaced Arnold, throwing for 132 yards and a touchdown and leading the team in rushing (albeit, just 22 yards). Oklahoma tacked on a late touchdown, but for three quarters, the offense barely moved. Under Hawkins, the Sooners seemed to play with more rhythm. On Monday, Venables announced Hawkins as Saturday's starter.

Auburn's starting QB is also up in the air. Payton Thorne was benched in favor of redshirt freshman Hank Brown, but Brown threw three interceptions of his own before being replaced by Thorne last week. Thorne also threw an interception.

Wisconsin at No. 13 USC, Saturday (3:30 p.m., CBS)

USC left tackle Elijah Paige was benched against Michigan after allowing four pressures and two hurries in 25 pass blocking snaps. USC's offensive line grades poorly, per PFF, but Paige was the only one to be benched this season. Mason Murphy moved from right tackle to left to replace Paige.

North Carolina at Duke, Saturday (4:00 p.m., ESPN2)

North Carolina benched QB Conner Harrell in favor of Jacoby Criswell last week. The Tar Heels scored 50 and Criswell threw for 475 yards (3 TD, 2 INT) against James Madison – of course, UNC lost that game, surrendering 70 points.

Weather Impacts On College Football Week 5 Odds

Weekly college football weather reports will be released later this week as forecasts become more certain. But here’s a few spots to keep tabs on early in the week.

The big weather story this week is Invest 97, a system near the Yucatan Peninsula that's forecast to become a major hurricane. Monday developments narrow the possible landfall and strength, pinning it between Mobile, Ala., and Tampa, Fla. Low-end projections forecast the system grows to a Category 2 hurricane while higher-end suggest this could be a Cat. 4. Landfall is expected sometime Thursday.

As hurricanes hit the coast, they slow down considerably. By Saturday, the system is forecast to be over the Midwest, specifically Indiana. Games potentially impacted here include Nebraska at Purdue, Maryland at Indiana, Middle Tennessee at Memphis, and Louisville at Notre Dame. Other games with an outside shot at impact include Ohio State at Michigan State, Minnesota at Michigan, and Western Michigan at Marshall.

Of course, the impacts of landfall could have major impacts on schools under the eye wall. Keep a close eye on this one.

Situational Spots To Watch With College Football Week 5 Odds

Minnesota at No. 12 Michigan, Saturday (12:00 p.m., FOX)

Michigan comes off a thrilling upset win over USC last week. This week, the Wolverines face a team willing to play physical football in the trenches in Minnesota. Alex Orji managed just 32 passing yards in the USC win and it was another Will Johnson pick-six – and an ill-ran route that came up short of the sticks on fourth down – that lifted Michigan to victory. Relying on defensive touchdowns is likely an unsustainable method to win games.

Further, Michigan has a short week after Minnesota, flying to Washington in Week 6.

Buffalo at UConn, Saturday (12:00 p.m., CBSSN)

Buffalo comes off a major win over No. 23 Northern Illinois to play a second consecutive road game at UConn. The Bulls (+14.5) won on an overtime field goal and head to a UConn team that's 3-1 ATS on the season and just pummeled FAU, 48-14, at home. The Huskies play six consecutive home games with a bye week sandwiched in. They don't plan for a road trip until November.

Georgia Southern at Georgia State, Saturday (3:30 p.m., ESPNU)

This is a major rivalry for both programs. Georgia State not only comes off a bye to host Southern, but they head on bye the week following, too. Sandwiched in three weeks' worth of football is one game to focus on – this one right here. Georgia Southern comes off a game at Ole Miss, where it lost 52-13. State head coach Dell McGee was on the Southern coaching staff from 2014-15 and even coached a bowl game for the Eagles. Weather could be a factor during this game, too.

Western Michigan at Marshall, Saturday (3:30 p.m., ESPN+)

Marshall plays its second game in a stretch of five weeks where it plays a team coming off bye or playing on short rest themselves. Perhaps not an immediate issue, look for future Marshall games to be especially difficult. QB Stone Earle was injured against Ohio State last week. Charles Huff continues his abysmal run as a home favorite, where he is 4-11 ATS against FBS foes when favored at home.

Akron at Ohio, Saturday (3:30 p.m., ESPN+)

Akron plays its fourth away game in five weeks, a stretch that extends to five road games in seven weeks by Oct. 12. In those road games (at Ohio State, Rutgers, and South Carolina), the Zips were outscored 151-30.

North Carolina at Duke (4:00 p.m., ESPN2)

Rivalry game? Sure. But a report emerged that Mack Brown offered to step down following an embarrassing 70-50 loss to James Madison at home. UNC and Brown refuted the claim, so who really knows the validity to it (we'll let you decide).

The bottom line here is that Brown, 73, has overstayed his welcome in Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels have failed to meet expectations or make much national noise in the college football landscape. The end of Brown's tenure at UNC is coming, and that kind of dismantling could be the start of the untethering. A second blow could be this weekend at an arch-rival with a hungry coach, Manny Diaz, eager to make his mark in his first year with the program.

Stanford at No. 17 Clemson, Saturday (7:00 p.m., ESPN)

Syracuse notched a big upset win at Syracuse last week. Though the game was played on a Friday, Stanford flies home to Palo Alto and then back out again to Clemson in consecutive weeks. While Clemson is hardly a "letdown" spot for Stanford – after all, Clemson is one of two ACC teams taking top billing – we get to see the real effects of realignment travel on these athletes (over 4,600 miles traveled!). This stretch features three trips to the Eastern Time Zone for Stanford in four weeks.

No. 19 Illinois at No. 9 Penn State, Saturday (7:30 p.m., NBC)

This is the rubber match to the infamous nine-overtime game from 2021. Illinois overcame injury and a +24 spread to win the game in a two-point shootout, 20-18. Last week, the Illini upset Nebraska (+8.5) in overtime, 31-24. Penn State crushed Kent State 56-0.

Florida State at SMU, Saturday (8:00 p.m., ACC Network)

SMU comes off a major win over arch rival TCU, beating the Frogs 66-42. The victory was an emotional one, as it is the final scheduled Iron Skillet game at home for the Mustangs. SMU hosts Florida State, coming off its first win of the season, as nearly a touchdown favorite. This is a prime letdown spot for SMU against an opponent they should beat, based on this year's results for FSU.

Best of luck betting college football Week 5 odds.

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