Week 5 may not be as flashy as the four that preceded it, but that does not mean upset possibilities have dissipated. In fact, the top two teams in the nation will be on upset alert, though that may be way more likely for one than the other.
No. 1 Alabama is a 27.5-point favorite over Ole Miss this week, and though the Rebels lost to Cal two weeks ago, they are 2-1 against the Crimson Tide since 2014 with last year's loss coming by just five points. It is No. 2 Clemson that will truly have a test on its hands when it travels to Blacksburg, Virginia, to face No. 12 Virginia Tech. The two 4-0 ACC teams should put on quite a show in what amounts to the game of the week.
Our CBS Sports college football experts have picked every top 25 game -- against the spread -- ahead of Saturday. Check out their picks from the week's top games below, and be sure to see the entire slate of top 25 picks for Week 5.
No. 7 Georgia (-7.5) at Tennessee [SportsLine projection]: If the Bulldogs' defense plays the way it did against Mississippi State last week, the Vols don't stand a chance. Ultra-athletic linebackers like Lorenzo Carter, Davin Bellamy and Roquan Smith have been all over the field; the defensive front is deep, versatile and experienced; and the Bulldogs picked off two Nick Fitzgerald passes last week. Nick Chubb is one of the best running backs in the game, Terry Godwin has become a solid option downfield with tight end Isaac Nauta serving as the weapon up the seam and true freshman quarterback Jake Fromm has the confidence and ability to sling it with accuracy deep downfield -- something injured sophomore Jacob Eason didn't do a year ago. Georgia is as complete of a football team as there is in the country right now. Tennessee has to find some sort of offensive identity outside of running back John Kelly -- who has been awesome leading the SEC with 112.5 yards per game on the ground. Quinten Dormady has been inconsistent and throws off his back foot too much, which makes it hard to find some of the talented, yet raw, weapons outside like Marquez Callaway. The Vols need to hit some big plays early if they stand a chance, because digging a hole that Fromm is forced to dig out of is their best -- and perhaps only -- path to victory. -- Barrett Sallee
No. 15 Oklahoma State (-8.5) at Texas Tech [SportsLine projection]: One week after being upset by TCU, the Pokes hit the road to face an undefeated Red Raiders squad that has scored 135 points combined in its first three games. That said, Texas Tech barely escaped Houston last week, while Oklahoma State has run through every opponent not named TCU and is averaging 48.3 points per game. Pokes quarterback Mason Rudolph needs a bounce-back game to keep his Heisman Trophy campaign alive, and a Texas Tech defense that allowed 45 points to Arizona State should not put up much of a resistance. There's a reason the over/under of this game is a whopping 85 points. Simply put, 10.5 points doesn't seem like a big enough spread for a team of Oklahoma State's caliber (as the line has increased). -- Adam Silverstein
No. 2 Clemson (-7.5) at No. 12 Virginia Tech [SportsLine projection]: How will Kelly Bryant and the Tigers handle the environment and the challenge of moving the ball against Bud Foster's defense? You can't really call them "new starters" after four games of experience, but it's a group that will be tasked with handling in play calls, getting in sync and dealing what should be an absolutely electric atmosphere in Blacksburg. To speak only of the environment ignores the opposition, a fast and hard-hitting Virginia Tech defense led by brothers Tremaine and Terrell Edmunds. When it's third-and-long and the noise is so loud you can't hear yourself think, Clemson has to remain and avoid a potentially game-changing mistake. This is a monster spot for Justin Fuente, and I expect his staff to be thoroughly prepared. Quarterback Josh Jackson's versatility allows for the Hokies to scheme the Tigers' dominant defensive line out of the game. Jackson won't be able to play hero ball, but he's going to have opportunities to hit a couple of big plays. If the Hokies can convert, they'll be in position to win in the fourth quarter. -- Chip Patterson
Ole Miss at No. 1 Alabama (-27.5) [SportsLine projection]: The Rebels boast one of the more entertaining offenses in the country with quarterback Shea Patterson and a deep and versatile group of wide receivers that's averaging a whopping 7.53 yards per play -- the top mark in the SEC. But can they stop anybody? The linebacking corps will have its hands full slowing down Alabama's multi-dimensional rushing attack that features three top-tier running backs along with quarterback Jalen Hurts. Even though Ole Miss isn't the threat it once was, based on how Alabama looked against Vanderbilt, there's no way that coach Nick Saban will allow his crew to take the Rebels lightly. The trio of Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough and Najee Harris is terrifying, and the front seven has been simply dominant this year. It'd be nice to see Alabama expand the passing game a bit more with Hurts, and they might get the chance against coach Matt Luke's crew. -- Barrett Sallee
