CFB: Week 5 Predictions

Week 4 was the prelude to the amazing slate we have set for Week 5, but for a prelude, it had fantastic moments like; Tennessee coming back from down 21-0 to snap an 11-year streak against Florida, Washington surviving in overtime against Arizona, Ole Miss obliterating Georgia, Wisconsin going into East Lansing and coming away with a huge road win, and Stanford holding on at UCLA.

I will do my normal weekly run down consisting of a compiled top-25 rankings and answering a handful of questions about the upcoming week with fellow writer Blake Stoll, before I provide my own matchup predictions and Heisman rankings.

Composite Rankings:

1. Alabama (4-0)

2. Ohio State (3-0)

3. Michigan (4-0)

4. Clemson (4-0)

5. Louisville (4-0)

6. Houston (4-0)

7. Stanford (3-0)

8. Wisconsin (4-0)

9. Washington (4-0)

10. Florida State (3-1)

11. Texas A&M (4-0)

12. Tennessee (4-0)

13. Baylor (4-0)

14. Miami (FL) (3-0)

15. Michigan State (2-1)

16. Nebraska (4-0)

17. Utah (4-0)

18. Ole Miss (2-2)

19. San Diego State (3-0)

20. Texas (2-1)

21. Florida (3-1)

22. Georgia (3-1)

23. Iowa (3-1)

24. Arkansas (3-1)

25. Boise State (3-0)

Just Missed the Cut:

Maryland (3-0)

North Dakota State (3-0)

TCU (3-1)

Toledo (3-0)

Virginia Tech (3-1)

Will Washington prove they are legitimate?

Post: Washington has looked like a contender through their first four games but with their schedule being so weak (Rutgers, Idaho, Portland State, and Arizona), it is hard to say if they are legit. We will find out this Friday against Stanford (95.3 rushing yards allowed per game), and even though I believe the Huskies are a 10-win football team, I don't see them being able to beat the Cardinal. Christian Mccaffrey (436 yards, 3 touchdowns) is just too dynamic and will be able to find gaps in the Washington defense.

Stoll: I personally do not buy into the No. 10 Washington Huskies. After beating a 2-1 Arizona team in overtime, I don’t think they have what it takes to be a true competitor for the College Football Playoff. Washington may be able to contend for a conference title, just not a national title.

Can Tennessee keep momentum going after Florida win?

Post: After a huge win for Tennessee, breaking an 11-year losing streak to Florida, they absolutely have to win this game at Georgia. The Bulldogs are coming off of a blowout loss at Ole Miss, so both teams are going to play desperately. I think Georgia will grab a close win behind their home crowd, after both teams play sloppy games. Jacob Eason (780 yards, 5 touchdowns) has looked like a candidate for SEC Freshman of the Year and if Nick Chubb (422 yards, 3 touchdowns) is able to play, the Bulldogs will win.

Stoll: Last week, No. 14 Tennessee took on No. 19 Florida at home and prevailed in a 10 point victory. Next week, the Volunteers travel to Georgia to take on the No. 25 Bulldogs. In the following weeks, Tennessee matches up against No. 9 Texas A&M on the road and No. 1 Alabama at home. I think that Joshua Dobbs will lead the Volunteers in a tight victory against the Bulldogs, but the following weeks will be a toss up.

Which two Big Ten teams separate themselves at the front of the pack?

Post: Well, barring a disaster in Columbus, Ohio State (56.7 points per game, 545.3 yards per game) is going to take down Rutgers and continue to lead the Big Ten pack. So the winner of the Michigan vs. Wisconsin game will step in as the second best team in the conference, and I think the Wolverines will accomplish that feat. The Michigan defense (allows 13.8 points and 269.8 yards per game) is just too stiff and the offense has enough weapons to avoid losing at home to a lower ranked opponent, even if the Badgers are coming off of a big time win at Michigan State.

Stoll: Obviously No. 2 Ohio State is already favorites to win the conference and make it to the title game, let alone the playoffs, but I think the second team comes down to this week's matchup in Ann Arbor. No. 8 Wisconsin will try to upset No. 4 Michigan on the road in a top-10 shootout. I believe that Michigan’s defense will be too much for Alex Hornibrook and the Badger offense. Michigan pulls out a win and gains some breathing room.

Is the loser of Oklahoma vs. TCU eliminated from CFP contention?

Post: Oklahoma may very well already be eliminated after losses to Houston and Ohio State, but if they win out, it would be hard to keep them out of the playoff. TCU has a better record and an easier road to the playoff, especially since they're hosting this matchup. I still think Oklahoma hasn't played their best but will at TCU this weekend. Baker Mayfield (793 yards, 7 touchdowns) is due for a big game and will light up a poor TCU defense (allows 26.3 points and 254.3 passing yards per game). However, even with the win, I don't see the Sooners making the College Football Playoff.

Stoll: YES. Unranked Oklahoma goes to No. 21 TCU in hope to keep their season alive. The Sooners have two losses, but both of whom coming from No. 2 Ohio State and No. 6 Houston. If Oklahoma wants any chance at making it back to the promised land again this year, they will need to win out, and win big. The Horned Frogs on the other hand, have a loss to No. 20 Arkansas which came in 2OT. TCU still has games against No. 13 Baylor and No. 22 Texas but if they lose to unranked Oklahoma, their fate will likely be sealed.

Who will be the head of the ACC after Saturday's games?

Post: After Louisville wiped the floor with Florida State a couple of weeks ago, they joined Clemson atop the ACC echelon. Whichever team wins on Saturday between the Cardinals and Tigers will be the conference's front runner and I expect Clemson to protect their home turf and leave as the class of the ACC. Lamar Jackson has been the best player in the country for the first four weeks of the season, but the Tigers' defense (allows 11.0 points and 218.5 yards per game) is one of the best units in all of college football, and will do enough to slow down Jackson. Louisville's defense (allows 22.5 points and 278.3 yards per game) has been much improved but Deshaun Watson and company will do enough to win another prime time ACC matchup.

Stoll: This upcoming battle between No. 3 Louisville and No. 5 Clemson is one of the most anticipated games thus far. It goes without saying, whoever wins, will own the conference, but who will it be? Both have Heisman hopeful Quarterbacks; Clemson led by Deshaun Watson, and Louisville by Lamar Jackson. The Tigers offense has struggled a little bit but their defense has kept them winning. On the other hand, the Cardinals defense has struggled but their offense has smothered anybody who stepped onto the field with them. I think Louisville prevails and dethrones reigning ACC champion Clemson.

Week 5 Predictions:

No. 7 Stanford 24, No. 9 Washington 17.

Rutgers 10, No. 2 Ohio State 49.

No. 14 Miami (FL) 30, Georgia Tech 24.

No. 12 Tennessee 17, No. 22 Georgia 21.

North Carolina 24, No. 10 Florida State 45.

No. 8 Wisconsin 18, No. 3 Michigan 27.

No. 11 Texas A&M 35, South Carolina 23.

Oklahoma 24, TCU 20.

Memphis 16, No. 18 Ole Miss 51.

No. 5 Louisville 26, No. 4 Clemson 30.

Week 4 Record: 9-1.

Overall Record: 30-10.

Read my full article; Predicting the 2017 College Football Playoff Teams. No. 1 Alabama (4-0, 1-0) No. 2 Florida State (3-1, 0-1) No. 3 Ohio State (3-0, 0-0) No. 4 Clemson (4-0, 1-0)

Heisman Rankings:

1. Lamar Jackson (Louisville QB) -- 1,330 Yards & 13 TDs.

2. Deshaun Watson (Clemson QB) -- 996 Yards & 9 TDs.

3. J.T. Barrett (Ohio State QB) -- 650 Yards & 10 TDs.

4. Christian McCaffrey (Stanford RB) -- 429 Yards & 3 TDs.

5. Greg Ward Jr. (Houston QB) -- 936 Yards & 5 TDs.

Photo Credit: Seattletimes.com.