The Penn State Nittany Lions and Northwestern Wildcats play on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026, at Ryan Field Stadium in Evanston, Illinois, in a game on the college football Week 5 schedule.
Which team will win the college football Week 5 game?
Check out these college football Week 5 picks and college football Week 5 predictions for the game, which can be seen at 5 p.m. MST on FOX (stream with FUBO).
Penn State is a 2.5-point favorite over Northwestern in college football Week 5 odds for the game, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
The Nittany Lions are -140 on the moneyline, while the Wildcats are +115. The over/under (point total) for the game is set at 45.5 points.
Watch Penn State vs Northwestern on FUBO (free trial)
Picks and Parlays: Bet Northwestern with the points vs Penn State
Kim Smith writes: "Penn State may still
win the game, but Northwestern +4 provides protection in a matchup that could remain within one possession. If the number rises toward +4.5 or +5, the Wildcats become increasingly attractive."
Bookies.com: Bet the under in Northwestern vs Penn State game
Bill Speros writes: "The Wildcats pushed Indiana for three quarters Friday before falling short 29-23 and grabbing the easy backdoor cover. Northwestern's new $865 million Ryan Field - which bills itself as the "best place to watch football in America" debuts on a national stage against Penn State. The Nittany Lions morphed into pussycats against Wisconsin, blowing a 17-point lead and allowing two scores in the final four minutes at home in a 24-20 loss. Matt Campbell needs to turn it around. A tattered Penn State roster raises many questions. Given the uncertainty, go with the under."
Dimers.com: Penn State 24, Northwestern 23
It writes: "After extensive simulations, our model gives Penn State a win probability of 53%, while Northwestern has a win probability of 47%."
ESPN: Penn State has a 55.9% chance to defeat Northwestern
The site gives the Wildcats a 44.1% shot at winning the college football Week 5 game.
Sports Betting Dime: Penn State 26, Northwestern 21
The site's formula predicts that the Nittany Lions will beat the Wildcats in the Week 5 college football game.
Sports Illustrated: Bet Penn State to cover vs Northwestern
Iain MacMillan writes: "With that aside, let's remember that Penn State ranks 25th in net adjusted EPA per play, and their defense has allowed the sixth-fewest yards per play this season at 3.9. Their defense can carry them to a win and cover as long as the offense doesn't implode for the second straight week."
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Penn State vs Northwestern picks, predictions, odds for Week 5 game
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