Hey football fans! With the 2025 college football season heating up, Week 5 brings some blockbuster games involving teams from the latest AP Top 25 poll (as of September 22, 2025). Ohio State holds firm at No. 1, while Miami (FL) jumps to No. 2 after a strong start. This weekend's slate features high-stakes Big Ten and SEC battles that could shake up the playoff picture. I'll break down the key games involving ranked teams, complete with times (in ET), TV info where available, and then dive into my betting picks based on current odds, team form, and expert analysis. Remember, betting is for fun and should be done responsibly—lines can shift, so check your sportsbook for the latest.
Key Ranked Games to Watch
Here’s a rundown of the matchups featuring at least one AP Top 25 team on Saturday, September 27, 2025. I've sorted them by start time for easy planning. (Note: Some teams like No. 2 Miami (FL), No. 7 Oklahoma, and No. 19 Michigan appear to be on bye weeks or without confirmed ranked opponents this week.)
No. 21 USC Trojans at No. 23 Illinois Fighting Illini
Time: 11:00 PM CT
TV: FOX
This Big Ten opener pits two up-and-coming ranked squads against each other. USC (3-1) brings a potent passing attack, while Illinois (3-0) boasts a stingy defense that's held opponents under 20 points per game.
Utah State Aggies at No. 18 Vanderbilt Commodores
Time: 11:45 PM CT
TV:TBA
Vanderbilt (4-0), one of the season's surprises, hosts a non-conference foe. The Commodores' balanced offense could overwhelm Utah State (1-3).
No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes at Washington Huskies
Time: 2:30 PM CT
TV: CBS/Paramount+
The top-ranked Buckeyes (3-0) travel to Seattle for a Big Ten tilt. Ohio State's explosive offense faces a rebuilding Washington team (2-2).
No. 4 LSU Tigers at No. 13 Ole Miss Rebels
Time: 2:30 PM CT
TV: TBA
A marquee SEC showdown in Oxford. LSU (4-0) has been dominant, but Ole Miss (3-1) has the home edge and a high-octane attack led by their star QB.
Auburn Tigers at No. 9 Texas A&M Aggies
Time: 2:30 PM CT
TV: TBA
Texas A&M (3-1) looks to build momentum at home against rival Auburn (2-2), who has shown flashes but lacks consistency.
No. 16 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Time: TBA (likely afternoon)
TV: ACC Network
Georgia Tech (3-1) heads on the road for an ACC matchup, aiming to stay in the rankings mix against an unranked Wake Forest.
No. 11 Indiana Hoosiers at Iowa Hawkeyes
Time: TBA
TV: TBA
Indiana (4-0), a big riser in the poll, faces a tough defensive test at Iowa (2-2).
Arizona Wildcats at No. 14 Iowa State Cyclones
Time: 6:00 PM CT
TV: TBA
Iowa State (3-0) defends home turf in this Big 12 contest against Arizona (2-2).
No. 17 Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs
Time: 6:30 PM CT
TV: ABC/ESPN (expected prime-time slot)
The game's biggest rivalry renews in Athens. Georgia (3-0) hosts Alabama (3-1) in a potential playoff preview.
No. 6 Oregon Ducks at No. 3 Penn State Nittany Lions
Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV: NBC/Peacock
A top-10 Big Ten clash in Happy Valley. Penn State (3-0) has the home advantage against Oregon's speedy offense (4-0).
No. 8 Florida State Seminoles at Virginia Cavaliers
Time: TBA (likely evening)
TV: ACC Network/ESPN
Florida State (3-0) travels for an ACC game against unranked Virginia (2-2).
UMass Minutemen at No. 20 Missouri Tigers
Time: 6:30 PM CT
TV: TBA
Missouri (3-1) should handle UMass (1-3) easily at home.
No. 22 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
Time: TBA
TV: TBA
Notre Dame (3-1) hosts Arkansas (2-2) in a non-conference tilt.
These games promise drama, with several top-10 showdowns that could redefine the rankings.
My Betting Picks: Where to Put Your Money
Using current opening lines from major sportsbooks (as of September 22, 2025), here's my analysis and recommendations. I focus on spreads, moneylines (where available), and totals, factoring in home-field advantage, recent performances, and trends. Favorites dominate in mismatched games, but upsets lurk in the ranked-on-ranked battles. Odds are approximate and subject to change.
| Game | Pick | Reasoning |
| USC at Illinois | USC -1.5 (-230 ML, O/U 59.5) | USC's offensive firepower edges out Illinois' defense on the road. Take the Trojans to cover in a close one. |
| Utah State at Vanderbilt | Vanderbilt -14 (O/U TBA) | Vandy's hot start continues; they're too strong for Utah State. Bet the spread for a blowout. |
| Ohio State at Washington | Ohio State -13.5 (O/U 52.5) | No. 1 OSU is unstoppable—expect them to cover easily against a transitional Washington squad. |
| LSU at Ole Miss | Ole Miss -1.5 (O/U 55.5) | Home field tips it to Ole Miss in this shootout. Bet the Rebels to win outright. |
| Auburn at Texas A&M | Texas A&M -6.5 (O/U 52.5) | Aggies' defense shines at home; Auburn's inconsistencies make this a safe cover bet. |
| Georgia Tech at Wake Forest | Georgia Tech -7 (O/U TBA) | Tech's momentum carries them; bet them to cover against a weaker ACC foe. |
| Indiana at Iowa | Indiana -3.5 (O/U 48.5) | Rising Hoosiers have the edge offensively; take them to cover on the road. |
| Arizona at Iowa State | Iowa State -7.5 (O/U 50.5) | Cyclones' home defense dominates; bet the spread for value. |
| Alabama at Georgia | Georgia -3.5 (O/U 53.5) | Bulldogs' balance and Athens crowd make them the pick to cover in this rivalry. |
| Oregon at Penn State | Penn State -3.5 (O/U 52.5) | Nittany Lions thrive at home; bet them to edge out Oregon's attack. |
| Florida State at Virginia | Florida State -7 (O/U TBA) | Seminoles' talent overwhelms; take the spread for a road win. |
| UMass at Missouri | Missouri -43.5 (O/U 55.5) | Tigers roll in a mismatch; bet the over if you like points. |
| Notre Dame vs. Arkansas | Notre Dame -6.5 (O/U TBA) | Irish rebound at home; cover the spread against Arkansas. |
Overall, lean on home favorites like Penn State and Georgia for your parlays. For totals, go over in high-scoring affairs like LSU-Ole Miss (expect 60+ points) and under in defensive grinds like Indiana-Iowa. Keep an eye on weather and injury reports closer to kickoff.
What do you think of these picks? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and let's enjoy the games!
