College Football Predictions 2025: Week 2 Picks For G5 Teams

College football has returned, and there’s important games being played between Group of Five teams this week.

There’s a ton of great G5 programs this year, and all will be vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Here’s my predictions for G5 games in Week 2.

UAB vs. Navy Prediction

I predict Navy will win and cover the 21-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 58.5 total points.

I think Navy will dominate this matchup. And that’s for several reasons. 

First, Navy is at home. Second, it’s a complete mismatch.

UAB just allowed Alabama State to rush for over 200 yards in a close, high-scoring contest. Now the Blazers are going to face a team that had one of the best rushing attacks in the country last year.

Navy is led by quarterback Blake Horvath, who rushed for 1,353 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2024. And last week, the Midshipmen ran for 464 yards while averaging 8.3 yards per carry. Three players rushed for at least 70 yards with five scoring a touchdown on the ground.

I don’t think UAB will have what it takes to slow down that rushing attack. I think Navy is going to dominate time of possession and will excel on defense as well in a lopsided victory.

West Virginia vs. Ohio Prediction

I predict Ohio will win and cover the 3.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 60.5 total points.

As proven last week, I think this Ohio team has what it takes to pull off a P4 upset. And this time, the Bobcats are at home.

I think Navarro’s dual-threat ability will be difficult for West Virginia to prepare for. Last year, he threw for 2,423 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while completing 66% of his passes and rushing for 1,054 yards and 18 touchdowns.

I also think having Sieh Bangura back will help Ohio control this game. He rushed for 86 yards against Rutgers a week ago in his first game since transferring back to Ohio from Minnesota. He rushed for 1,078 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2022 and 811 yards and seven scores in 2023.

The question will be whether Ohio’s defense will make enough plays to keep this one close. The Bobcats gave up 399 total yards last week. However, Rutgers went just 1 of 10 on third downs, and I think performance on third downs could end up being pivotal in what could be a close matchup like this.

But I believe the Bobcats will put up some points to keep pace with West Virginia and that Navarro will make the plays he needs to for Ohio to win.

Liberty vs. Jacksonville State Prediction

I predict Liberty will win but Jacksonville State will cover the 6.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 49.5 total points.

Charles Kelly will be entering just his second game as the head coach of Jax State. And even though the Gamecocks won CUSA last year, I don’t think this team will be at quite the same level.

I also think Liberty, led by quarterback Ethan Vasko, is going to be pretty solid. Vasko was inconsistent last week, but he still ended up 19-for-33 passing for 197 yards and three touchdowns with 63 yards and one touchdown rushing.

I expect him to take another step forward in a pivotal game on the road. Both defenses played well last week, which is why I think this will be a low-scoring contest. But I anticipate Vasko will make enough plays to lead Liberty to a narrow victory.

UCLA vs. UNLV Prediction

I predict UNLV will win and cover the 2.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 55.5 total points.

The Rebels may have needed a few games to find their footing in Dan Mullen’s first year as head coach. But now, I think they’re in a rhythm. 

For starters, they’ve sorted out the quarterback situation. Anthony Colandrea is the starter and has passed for 444 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception while completing 77% of his passes. He’s also rushed for 116 yards and a score. Alex Orji has played a role, though, and has rushed for 41 yards and another score.

And with Jai’Den Thomas, a G5 Preseason All-American who leads the team with 212 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, the UNLV offense is well-balanced.

The Rebels are still figuring things out defensively but have talent on that side of the ball as well. That’s why I think they can find a way to win here.

Considering they’re at home, I think the Rebels manage to win another game.

Georgia Southern vs. USC Prediction

I predict USC will win but Georgia Southern will cover the 28.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 60.5 total points.

There’s no doubt the season didn’t start how Georgia Southern wanted it to. The Eagles lost 42-14 at Fresno State while totaling just 242 yards of offense.

After an inconsistent game last week, I think quarterback JC French IV will bounce back in this matchup. I also expect Georgia Southern’s rushing attack to fix some mistakes from last week.

Now, I’m not saying the Eagles are going to beat USC. But I do think last week wasn’t reflective of what Georgia Southern can do. I believe the Eagles have enough offensive firepower to make this matchup interesting in the first half and will ultimately lose by less than four touchdowns.

Army vs. Kansas State Prediction

I predict Kansas State will win but Army will cover the 17-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 46.5 total points.

I think Army quarterback Dewayne Coleman will be the key to this game, and I think he’ll prove to be problematic for the K-State defense.

Coleman was dealing an injury last week, but Army head coach Jeff Monken said he anticipates him to play. Coleman, who became Army’s starting quarterback with Bryson Daily now gone, ran for 100 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries while passing for 129 yards with two interceptions on 7-of-12 passing in Week 1.

I think he proved he’ll be a difference-maker this year. And overall, Army’s rushing attack is going to be tough to slow down. The Black Knights, after having one of the best running games in the country last year, ran for 280 yards as a team in Week 1.

I expect Kansas State will win, and maybe even by two touchdowns. But I also expect Army will keep this contest close late.

Middle Tennessee vs. Wisconsin Prediction

I predict Wisconsin will win and cover the 28.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 45.5 total points.

I still think MTSU could prove to be competitive in CUSA. But I don’t think the Blue Raiders will be competitive in this game.

I believe it’s possible MTSU, led by quarterback Nicholas Vattiato, makes some plays on offense and gets some points on the board. But in the end, I don’t think the Blue Raiders have enough firepower to keep this game interesting.

Delaware vs. Colorado Prediction

I predict Colorado will win and cover the 23.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 50.5 total points.

We’ve seen in the past where first-year FBS teams take a year to acclimate to the new level. While I do think Delaware could one day be competitive in CUSA, I don’t expect the Blue Hens to have a winning record this year.

And Colorado should be highly motivated to take care of business and get a win here. If the Buffaloes lose, their season could spiral out of control.

And that’s why I think they’ll fix some mistakes and win this contest decisively. 

Central Michigan vs. Pitt Prediction

I predict Pitt will win but Central Michigan will cover the 22.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 50.5 total points.

I ultimately believe Pitt will find a way to be victorious here. But I think it’ll be much closer than some may expect.

And that’s because of what I saw from Central Michigan in Week 1. 

The Chippewas were able to control the game on the ground, averaging 4.6 yards per carry on 51 attempts. But they also won the turnover margin 3-0, forcing San Jose State into mistakes while limiting their own.

I think Pitt is too talented to lose at home. But don’t be surprised if CMU manages to keep this close going into the fourth quarter.

Kent State vs. Texas Tech Prediction

I predict Texas Tech will win and cover the 48.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 58.5 total points.

Could Kent State end up being more competitive in the MAC than it has been? Maybe. But I don’t see the Golden Flashes being too competitive in this matchup.

The Red Raiders are ranked 24th in the country for a reason. I think they will put up points early and often in this one.

I could see Kent State scoring a little bit as well, maybe in the second half. But I think the Golden Flashes will be 1-1 going into their matchup with Buffalo at home next week.

Kennesaw State vs. Indiana Prediction

I predict Indiana will win but Kennesaw State will cover the 35.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Under 52.5 total points.

If Kennesaw State proved anything last week in that loss to Wake Forest, it’s that the Owls are capable of playing some tough defense. I think this KSU team will also make things difficult for Indiana.

I also think between quarterback Dexter Williams II and running back Coleman Bennett, the Owls will manage to sustain some longer drives in this matchup.

I’m not expecting Kennesaw State to get the win. But I do believe the Owls could make this game interesting in the first half and prevent Indiana from winning by five touchdowns.

San Jose State vs. Texas Prediction

I predict Texas will win and cover the 36.5-point spread. I also project the game will go Over 52.5 total points.

After a disappointing performance against Ohio State, I think Texas realizes how important a bounce-back win will be if the Longhorns still intend on making it to the College Football Playoff.

For all the conversation around Arch Manning, I still think he’s a good quarterback and that Texas is a good team.

That said, I also think San Jose State will manage to show some potential on offense in this matchup. I think quarterback Walker Eget and running back Floyd Chalk IV will help the Spartans score some points, even if it’s in a lopsided loss.

But I think having those moments of potential will help SJSU’s confidence going forward.