Yes, you read the headline right. It’s Week 5 of the college football season already. NIU is back home to close out non-conference play, while the power players have already begun vying for league titles. There’s even a rematch of last year’s Big Ten championship game on the docket for the final week of September.
Naturally, the Northern Star’s sports staff joined forces once again to decide the victors of five games on this week’s schedule.
Bowling Green @ Ohio
11:00 a.m. CT | Saturday, Sept. 27 | CBS Sports Network
Kalin Schaefer, Sports Editor (11-9): Ohio — The Bobcats really messed up my record when they defeated West Virginia in Week 2, so that’s the last time I go against Parker Navarro and his squad.
Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter (14-6): Ohio — If Parker Navarro has a million fans, then I am one of them. If Parker Navarro has ten fans, then I am one of them. If Parker Navarro has only one fan, then that is me. If Parker Navarro has no fans, then I must be dead. If the world is against Parker Navarro, then I am against the world.
Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter (13-7): Ohio — Parker Navarro has led the Bobcats to a 2-2 with an impressive win over West Virginia. The Bobcats will take care of business at home and take down the Falcons.
Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter (11-9): Ohio — I hate picking Ohio, but the Falcons got their wings clipped the last time they faced the Bobcats, losing 38-7. In my heart, I pick Bowling Green. For the sake of my record, I pick Ohio.
Eric Avila, Sports Reporter (12-8): Ohio — Timotheé Chalamet believed in Parker Navarro last year, and I doubted them against take me home country road, West Virginia. So I will take the state of the Ohio-based Rizzler, Navarro will go for a minimum of 2 passing touchdowns.
Logan Whittington, Sports Reporter (13-7): Ohio — Parker Navarro has led this teams offense to some pretty impressive wins, don’t let their 2-2 record fool you. Their offense is the most normal thing coming from Ohio.
Abel Naranjo, Sports Reporter (9-6): Ohio — The Falcons just got smashed by Louisville last week 40-17 and they are on the road again against a solid Bobcats team. This Ohio team has faced West Virginia, Rutgers and defending national champions Ohio State so Bowling Green shouldn’t pose much threat.
Liliana Camargo, Sports Reporter (2-3): Ohio — There is nothing that I trust more to take care of business than the Ohio Bobcats. After facing Rutgers and Ohio State this year, the Bobcats have this one in the bag.
Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan
Noon CT | Saturday, Sept. 27 | ESPN+
Schaefer: Central Michigan — In a battle of two subpar teams, the Chippewas are the slightly better team.
Kisellus: Central Michigan — This game is essentially a coughing baby versus another coughing baby, but I’m inclined to choose the baby that didn’t get kicked over by *checks notes* Long Island University.
Segreti: Central Michigan — The Chippewas and Eagles are two not very good teams this college football season. The Chippewas have faced much tougher competition so far this season, though, including two power 4 teams, so Central Michigan will pull off the victory at home.
Valenti: Central Michigan — Both of these teams are mediocre, but I’m choosing Central Michigan because they’ll probably win.
Avila: Central Michigan — Central Michigan will be victorious over Eastern Michigan because the Chippewas will kill an eagle. Also, the Chippewas are looking like the better team based on opponents, Maxx Crosby field isn’t going to save them this time. The Eagles won’t believe they can fly after this game.
Whittington: Eastern Michigan — Both teams have been inconsistent offensively, but Eastern Michigan has the tools to win a tight game.
Naranjo: Central Michigan — The Chippewas’ have suffered some tough defeats but they were against Pittsburgh and Michigan while the Eagles’ toughest opponent so far was Kentucky. Central’s home opener ended in a blowout dub against Wagner so they’ll be riding the momentum here.
Camargo: Central Michigan — Central has had tougher opponents this season and had to put up a fight. So when having to take care of an average team, hands down, Eastern is going to be the one drowning.
San Diego State @ NIU
2:30 p.m. CT | Saturday, Sept. 27 | ESPN+
Schaefer: San Diego State — I would really appreciate it if the Huskies could perform in a way that would give me even a single ounce of confidence in them, but they haven’t.
Kisellus: San Diego State — The last time NIU hosted a Mountain West team was my first home game as an NIU student. The Huskies couldn’t even beat Wyoming. I refuse to be bamboozled again.
Segreti: San Diego State — The Huskies’ offense has been dreadful this season, posting no more than 19 points so far this season, and this trend will continue with another loss against San Diego State.
Valenti: San Diego State — I regret to inform Huskie fans that NIU won’t be winning until next week when they face the Miami Redhawks. The Aztecs have a better offense, end of story.
Avila: NIU — Let’s go, Huskies!
Whittington: San Diego State — NIU has looked painfully mid this season on both sides of the ball, as opposed to the Aztecs who have the better overall team.
Naranjo: NIU — This impressive San Diego State defense has two shutouts so far but this painful Huskies’ offense has to show up and there’s no better time to deliver a win than against the Aztecs in front of Huskie Stadium.
Camargo: NIU — I’m putting more faith in NIU than my failed relationships. I know the offense has not been great this season so far, but I think the Huskies can pull through for the home game.
Rice @ Navy
2:30 p.m. CT | Saturday, Sept. 27 | CBS Sports Network
Schaefer: Rice — Everyone loves an underdog, especially when their mascot is the Owls. Hoot hoot, the Midshipmen are going down.
Kisellus: Navy — I simply can’t pick against Navy, because that would be unpatriotic of me. Midshipmen by a million.
Segreti: Navy — The Midshipmen have marched to a 3-0 record so far this season, led by quarterback Blake Horvath, Navy will easily take care of Rice on their home turf and move to an impressive 4-0 start.
Valenti: Rice — I’m circling back to having a pity pick of the week. Rice, you win!
Avila: Navy — I’m picking the Navy Midshipmen because my cousin Ramon served 7 years in the United States Navy and I love my family, so let’s go Seamen!
Whittington: Navy — The Midshipmen ranks 13th in the nation in points per game. This should be an easy win for the Navy.
Naranjo: Navy — The Midshipmen offense has been clicking and averaging around 44 points in their first three games and I don’t see the Owls having enough to slow them down. Especially considering Rice’s offense hasn’t looked too impressive either.
Camargo: Navy — I’m sorry, but the Midshipmen got this. Navy’s the stronger team overall and by winning with a significant point margin against everyone they’ve faced.
No. 6 Oregon @ No. 3 Penn State
6:30 p.m. CT | Saturday, Sept. 27 | NBC/Peacock
Schaefer: Oregon — Oregon came out on top in the 2024 Big Ten Championship game, taking a 46-37 win over the Nittany Lions, and I see no reason why they can’t do it again.
Kisellus: Oregon — Oregon and Penn State are both very good teams. Both have elite head coaches. Both have very talented quarterbacks. But only one has The Duck.
Segreti: Oregon — Drew Allar is one of the worst quarterbacks in college football and he will face his first real test of the season when facing the Ducks, and he will fail miserably.
Valenti: Oregon — This will be a bloodbath. I’m picking the Ducks because they have a dude named Bear on their team, and I enjoy that. Oregon has also scored more points this season, so go Ducks, I guess.
Avila: Oregon — I am picking the Mighty Ducks of Oregon, I think the mascot mask will stay on this week causing the Ducks to win over the third ranked Nittany Lions.
Whittington: Oregon — Penn State’s offense has been meager to put it nicely. Ducks are the clear victor.
Naranjo: Penn State — If there’s anything to be worried about, it’s definitely a roaring Nittany Lions crowd in a White Out game. Penn State are 6-0 in their most recent White Out games with their last defeat coming all the way back in 2018. Plus, the Nittany Lions will be hungry to avenge their Big Ten Championship game loss from last year.
Camargo: Oregon — There’s three things I love most: Ducks, the color yellow and running, Oregon’s specialties. Oregon is definitely going to dominate this one from racking up the most points this season, the Ducks just look stronger.
