Following a chaotic week of college football, week five presents a lighter overall slate. Fortunately, Friday offers a pair of matchup-worthy games to build anticipation for the weekend.
Here are the two standout betting opportunities on the card.
Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech: Spread and Total Preview
It marks a rare historical anomaly for the AP Poll: two power-conference teams entering with records of 4-0 or better facing off with neither currently ranked. Regardless of ranking, this presents a significant challenge for both sides, which have displayed strikingly similar trajectories. Each squad has cruised past weaker non-conference competition but has appeared vulnerable against power-conference opposition.
Quarterbacks Mason Heintschel and Ethan Grunkemeyer have both excelled against lesser non-power-conference foes. However, Grunkemeyer remains the only one to shine against genuine competition, delivering a stellar 31-of-39, 314-yard performance against Maryland. While I remain a believer in Heintschel based on his strong 2025 season, he must validate that form this weekend in Blacksburg.
For me, this contest hinges on Virginia Tech running back Jeffrey Overton. The Hokies relied heavily on his rushing ability to secure their first conference victory last week, and they will need that same production to win the biggest game in the James Franklin era. I favor Virginia Tech covering the spread in what I expect to be a lower-scoring affair.
Pick: Virginia Tech -3 and under 54.5
Penn State at Northwestern: Spread and Total Preview
Both participants enter this conference clash coming off defeats, though the circumstances surrounding those losses differ sharply. Northwestern pushed the reigning national champions to the brink in Bloomington, whereas Penn State squandered a 17-point lead at home against Wisconsin, a program that accumulated fewer wins over its prior three seasons than Indiana recorded in 2025 alone.
This is one of those situations where overthinking is the enemy. Northwestern is unveiling its new stadium on Friday night, and I suspect the timing reflects their belief that an upset over a struggling Penn State team is within reach. The Nittany Lions were never deserving of a ranking this season, and it appears the sportsbooks are still adjusting to the reality of Penn State’s current form.
Despite bringing over significant depth from his Iowa State tenure, Campbell seems to be learning that Big 12-level talent does not automatically translate to the Big Ten. I am backing Northwestern here, and I believe quarterback Aidan Chiles can drive the Wildcats past the 45.5-point total.
Pick: Northwestern +2.5 and over 45.5
