AL.com college football staff picks for Week 5 of 2023

AL.com college football staff picks for Week 5 of 2023

One of the best weeks of college football in recent years did not bring out the best in AL.com’s college football staff picks.

It was a down week for the panel, and it’s quite honestly been a down year. Only one of our prognosticators is at the .500 mark for the season, with the rest of us scrapping and clawing just to break even.

But onward we march. Still plenty of time to turn things around.

Scroll along below to find out how various AL.com sports staffers see this week’s games playing out. We’ve also given predicted scores for this week’s Alabama and Auburn games.

A reminder that these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD. That means that each person’s selection doesn’t necessarily mean he or she thinks that team will win outright, just that it will cover the point spread.

On with this week’s picks (all times Central and all games Saturday unless noted):

Jacksonville State quarterback Logan Smothers looks to pass vs. Coastal Carolina at Brooks Stadium in Conway, S.C., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. (Brandon Phillips/Jacksonville State athletics)

Jax State (-6.5) at Sam Houston, 7 p.m. Thursday, ESPNU

Michael Casagrande: Jax State

Matt Cohen: Sam Houston

Evan Dudley: Jax State

Ben Flanagan: Jax State

Patrick Greenfield: Jax State

Andrew Hammond: Jax State

Mark Inabinett: Jax State

Ainslee Lee: Jax State

Creg Stephenson: Jax State

Maxwell Hairston

Kentucky defensive back Maxwell Hairston (31) celebrates with linebacker J.J. Weaver (13) after returning an interception for a touchdown in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Vanderbilt, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn.AP Photo/George Walker IV

Florida (+2.5) at Kentucky, 11 a.m., ESPN

Michael Casagrande: Florida

Matt Cohen: Florida

Evan Dudley: Florida

Ben Flanagan: Florida

Patrick Greenfield: Florida

Andrew Hammond: Florida

Mark Inabinett: Florida

Ainslee Lee: Florida

Creg Stephenson: Florida

Auburn vs. Texas A&M 2023

Texas A&M quarterback Max Johnson (14) looks to pass against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)AP

Arkansas (+6.5) vs. Texas A&M (at Arlington, Texas), 11 a.m., SEC Network

Michael Casagrande: Arkansas

Matt Cohen: Arkansas

Evan Dudley: Arkansas

Ben Flanagan: Arkansas

Patrick Greenfield: Texas A&M

Andrew Hammond: Arkansas

Mark Inabinett: Texas A&M

Ainslee Lee: Arkansas

Creg Stephenson: Arkansas

LSU vs. Arkansas 2023

LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers (8) celebrates his first of two touchdown receptions in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Arkansas in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. LSU won 34-31. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)AP

LSU (-2.5) at Ole Miss, 5 p.m., ESPN

Michael Casagrande: LSU

Matt Cohen: LSU

Evan Dudley: LSU

Ben Flanagan: LSU

Patrick Greenfield: LSU

Andrew Hammond: LSU

Mark Inabinett: Ole Miss

Ainslee Lee: LSU

Creg Stephenson: LSU

Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman (10) unloads a pass

Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman (10) unloads a pass during first half action in the college football game between Ohio State and Notre Dame in South Bend on Saturday, September 23, 2023. David Petkiewicz, cleveland.comDavid Petkiewicz, cleveland.com

Notre Dame (-5.5) at Duke, 6:30 p.m., ABC

Michael Casagrande: Notre Dame

Matt Cohen: Notre Dame

Evan Dudley: Notre Dame

Ben Flanagan: Notre Dame

Patrick Greenfield: Notre Dame

Andrew Hammond: Notre Dame

Mark Inabinett: Duke

Ainslee Lee: Notre Dame

Creg Stephenson: Duke

Central Michigan at South Alabama football

South Alabama head coach Kane Wommack congratulates South Alabama place kicker Diego Guajardo after an extra-point against Central Michigan in the second half of a college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell/AL.com)

South Alabama (+3.5) at James Madison, 11 a.m., ESPNU

Michael Casagrande: James Madison

Matt Cohen: South Alabama

Evan Dudley: James Madison

Ben Flanagan: James Madison

Patrick Greenfield: South Alabama

Andrew Hammond: James Madison

Mark Inabinett: James Madison

Ainslee Lee: James Madison

Creg Stephenson: South Alabama

Georgia vs. UAB 2023

UAB quarterback Jacob Zeno (4) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Georgia , Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)AP

UAB (+21.5) at Tulane, 11 a.m., ESPN2

Michael Casagrande: Tulane

Matt Cohen: Tulane

Evan Dudley: UAB

Ben Flanagan: Tulane

Patrick Greenfield: UAB

Andrew Hammond: Tulane

Mark Inabinett: Tulane

Ainslee Lee: Tulane

Creg Stephenson: Tulane

Chris Lewis

Troy’s Chris Lewis catches a touchdown pass on the final play of the first half vs. Western Kentucky at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Troy on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023. (Joey Meredith/Troy athletics)

Troy (+3) at Georgia State, 6 p.m., ESPN+

Michael Casagrande: Georgia State

Matt Cohen: Troy

Evan Dudley: Troy

Ben Flanagan: Troy

Patrick Greenfield: Georgia State

Andrew Hammond: Troy

Mark Inabinett: Georgia State

Ainslee Lee: Georgia State

Creg Stephenson: Troy

Alabama vs. Ole Miss 2023

Alabama tight end Amari Niblack (84) runs the ball on a pass reception against Mississippi during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP

Alabama (-14.5) at Mississippi State, 8 p.m., ESPN

Michael Casagrande: Alabama 33, Mississippi State 10

Matt Cohen: Alabama 35, Mississippi State 17

Evan Dudley: Alabama 38, Mississippi State 14

Ben Flanagan: Alabama 30, Mississippi State 19

Patrick Greenfield: Alabama 35, Mississippi State 10

Andrew Hammond: Alabama 38, Mississippi State 20

Mark Inabinett: Alabama 33, Mississippi State 18

Ainslee Lee: Alabama 34, Mississippi State 13

Creg Stephenson: Alabama 36, Mississippi State 17

Auburn vs. Texas A&M 2023

Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze watches as his offense runs a play against Texas A&M during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)AP

Georgia (-14.5) at Auburn, 2:30 p.m., CBS

Michael Casagrande: Georgia 31, Auburn 9

Matt Cohen: Georgia 28, Auburn 10

Evan Dudley: Georgia 42, Auburn 13

Ben Flanagan: Georgia 41, Auburn 17

Patrick Greenfield: Georgia 42, Auburn 18

Andrew Hammond: Georgia 45, Auburn 14

Mark Inabinett: Georgia 30, Auburn 21

Ainslee Lee: Georgia 31, Auburn 17

Creg Stephenson: Georgia 37, Auburn 10

Alabama vs. Ole Miss 2023

Mississippi fans cheer during the first half of an NCAA college football game between Alabama and Mississippi, Saturday, Sept. 23, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP

Standings after Week 4

Name Record
Mark Inabinett 20-20
Ainslee Lee 19-21
Creg Stephenson 19-21
Patrick Greenfield 18-22
Evan Dudley 17-23
Michael Casagrande 15-25
Ben Flanagan 14-26
Andrew Hammond 12-28
Matt Cohen 11-29