College Football Picks, Schedule: Predictions vs. Spread, Odds for the NCAA's Top 25 Games in Week 5

Week 5 of the 2024 college football season is underway and that can only mean conference play is in full swing. While the list is highlighted by four matchups with ranked teams, it's no bigger than No. 2 Georgia's trip to No. 4 Alabama. Not only are the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide serious SEC contenders, they are also both early favorites in the national championship race. It's also a great opportunity for first-year Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer to score a decisive win early in his tenure.

However, there are still numerous games on the program before this evening encounter. No. 20 Oklahoma State and No. 23 Kansas State begin a showdown at noon ET that will go a long way toward determining the final Big 12 standings. A surging No. 15 Louisville team travels to No. 16 Notre Dame at 3:30 p.m. in a contest that appears crucial to both teams' playoff hopes, while No. 9 Penn State travels at 7:30 p.m No. 19 Illinois hosts The game could change the entire Big Ten landscape depending on the outcome.

Be sure to stick with CBS Sports all day Saturday for college football coverage starting with the opening game. Let's take a look at our expert picks for the best plays in Week 5.

Odds via SportsLine Consensus | Always east

7:30 p.m. | Peacock — Michigan State will be the best team Ohio State has played yet, but I don't think we've gotten a real glimpse of Ohio State's potential. We've only seen a facade of what the Buckeyes' new offense will look like under Chip Kelly, and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles hasn't been forced to dig deep into his playbook either. This last part concerns me when it comes to Aidan Chiles and his propensity to turn the ball over. Pick: Ohio State -24 – Tom Fornelli

No. 19 Illinois at No. 9 Penn State

7:30 p.m. | NBC, fubo (Try for free) — The Fighting Illini have been underestimated by oddsmakers at every turn, as they boast a 3-0-1 record against the spread and cover the spread by an average of 10.9 points per game. This is another point where Illinois' chances of staying afloat and succeeding are underestimated, and while Penn State is the deserved favorite to win, Illinois has a good chance of keeping it closer than that Experts believe. Pick: Illinois +17.5 – Chip Patterson

No. 2 Georgia and No. 4 Alabama

7:30 p.m. | ABC, fubo (Try for free) — There are plenty of storylines in this game, but perhaps the most interesting will be seeing how real these two teams are. Georgia looked very shaky against Kentucky, while Alabama hasn't played against anyone yet. Both should be contenders for the SEC Championship and the CFP, but we'll know a lot more after Saturday night. Bryant-Denny Stadium should be rocking, but the Bulldogs still have the slightest advantage here. A close win against Kentucky and a bye week gave Kirby Smart enough time to get the message across to his team – and develop a winning game plan – which proves the difference here. Selection: Georgia -2 –John Talty

No. 20 Oklahoma State and No. 23 Kansas State

lunch | ABC, fubo (Try for free) — The battle between these two Big 12 contenders will come down to the ground game. Ollie Gordon II was positioned as the nation's leading rusher, but Kansas State's three-headed monster of Giddens, Johnson and Edwards quickly overshadowed the talented Cowboys. OSU proved against Utah that it takes a consistent running game to compete against the Big 12's best. The Wildcats will prove to be too fast and too good. Pick: Kansas State -5 – Shehan Jeyarajah

3:30 p.m. | CBS, Paramount+ with ShowtimeCBSSports.com, CBS Sports App – Wisconsin is off to a shaky start to the 2024 season, highlighted by two lackluster performances in the first two weeks against Western Michigan and South Dakota. Braedyn Locke is 1-2 in his career as a starter and this is a great opportunity for the USC defense to bounce back after a poor performance on that side of the ball against Michigan. Moss looked like a Heisman dark horse in the first month of the season, and a strong performance would immediately put him back in the conversation. Selection: USC -15.5 –Cameron Salerno

No. 15 Louisville and No. 16 Notre Dame

3:30 p.m. | Peacock — Notre Dame has started a new chapter since its home loss to Northern Illinois in Week 2. The Fighting Irish showed what they're capable of in a 66-7 win at Purdue on Sept. 28 and will be motivated to reward their fans with a win over a top-15 Louisville team. This is easily the toughest defense Louisville has ever faced, and the Cardinals may struggle to create the explosive plays that gave them the win over Georgia Tech last week. Look for Notre Dame's defense to frustrate Louisville and eventually break through with the help of Leonard's dual-threat ability. Selection: Notre Dame -7 – David Cobb

SportsLine's proven computer model calls for 10 surprises in Week 5 of college football. Visit SportsLine now to see them all, plus get spread picks from the model that simulates every game 10,000 times.