Ohio State at Iowa Headlines Big Ten Slate as Hawkeyes Face Defining Test

Iowa football fans have circled October 3 on the calendar. The Hawkeyes host Ohio State in a Big Ten showdown that will tell us just how real this Iowa team is. With the Buckeyes arriving as 14.5-point favorites, Kinnick Stadium will be rocking for a 3:30 PM ET kickoff on CBS.

Week 5 of the college football season might lack the mega-showdowns of last week, but it delivers plenty of intrigue. Mississippi State hosts Alabama, Florida travels to Missouri, and Iowa welcomes one of the nation's premier programs. Here is everything you need to know about the full slate.

What time does Ohio State at Iowa start?

The Hawkeyes and Buckeyes kick off at 3:30 PM ET on Saturday, October 3. CBS will carry the broadcast. The consensus line has Ohio State favored by 14.5 points with an over/under of 45.5, according to odds from BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel.

For Iowa fans, this is the kind of home game that defines a season. A win would signal the Hawkeyes are legitimate contenders in the Big Ten. A loss, even a competitive one, would still show progress against elite competition.

Big Ten Week 5 schedule and predictions

The Big Ten features several compelling matchups beyond the headliner in Iowa City. Michigan travels to Minnesota, Michigan State faces Wisconsin, and Penn State visits Northwestern on Friday night.

• Penn State at Northwestern (Friday, 8:00 PM ET, FOX): Penn State -2.5, o/u 45.5
• Michigan at Minnesota (12:00 PM ET, FOX): Michigan -5.5, o/u 43.5
• Michigan State at Wisconsin (12:30 PM ET, BTN): Wisconsin -10.5, o/u 43.5
• Ohio State at Iowa (3:30 PM ET, CBS): Ohio State -14.5, o/u 45.5
• Maryland at Nebraska (4:00 PM ET, FS1): Nebraska -14.5, o/u 52.5
• Purdue at Illinois (4:15 PM ET, BTN): Illinois -10.5, o/u 61.5
• Washington at USC (7:30 PM ET, NBC): USC -9.5, o/u 58.5
• Indiana at Rutgers (8:00 PM ET, BTN): Indiana -24.5, o/u 55.5

SEC Week 5 schedule features Alabama at Mississippi State

The SEC slate includes Alabama visiting Mississippi State in a game that could reveal whether the Bulldogs can hang with the conference's elite. The Crimson Tide are 5.5-point favorites with an over/under of 60.5.

Other notable SEC games include Auburn at Tennessee, Florida at Missouri, and Kentucky at South Carolina. Vanderbilt faces a tough test at Georgia, where the Bulldogs are 24.5-point favorites.

Full college football Week 5 schedule

Here is the complete schedule for Saturday, October 3, with all times Eastern:

Morning and early afternoon games

• Notre Dame at North Carolina, 12:00 PM ET, ESPN
• Alabama at Mississippi State, 12:00 PM ET, ABC
• Michigan at Minnesota, 12:00 PM ET, FOX
• Boston College at SMU, 12:00 PM ET, CW
• UCF at Houston, 12:00 PM ET, ESPN2
• Middle Tennessee at Kansas, 12:00 PM ET, ESPNU
• West Virginia at Iowa State, 12:00 PM ET, TNT
• Stanford at Wake Forest, 12:00 PM ET, ACC Network
• Syracuse at UConn, 12:00 PM ET, CBS Sports Network
• Navy at Air Force, 12:00 PM ET, CBS
• Michigan State at Wisconsin, 12:30 PM ET, BTN
• Vanderbilt at Georgia, 12:45 PM ET, SEC Network

Afternoon games

• Ohio State at Iowa, 3:30 PM ET, CBS
• Auburn at Tennessee, 3:30 PM ET, ABC
• Louisville at NC State, 3:30 PM ET, ACC Network
• Florida at Missouri, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN
• Cal at UNLV, 3:30 PM ET, CBS Sports Network
• Virginia at Florida State, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN2
• Memphis at Charlotte, 3:30 PM ET, ESPN+
• Wyoming at North Dakota State, 3:30 PM ET, CW
• Maryland at Nebraska, 4:00 PM ET, FS1
• Kentucky at South Carolina, 4:15 PM ET, SEC Network
• Purdue at Illinois, 4:15 PM ET, BTN

Evening games

• BYU at TCU, 7:00 PM ET, ESPN
• Arkansas at Texas A&M, 7:00 PM ET, ESPN2
• Texas Tech at Colorado, 7:30 PM ET, FOX
• Washington at USC, 7:30 PM ET, NBC
• Miami at Clemson, 7:30 PM ET, ABC
• Indiana at Rutgers, 8:00 PM ET, BTN
• Baylor at Arizona State, 10:30 PM ET, ESPN
• Cincinnati at Arizona, 11:00 PM ET, FOX

What are the best games to watch in Week 5?

Beyond the Big Ten and SEC marquee matchups, several other games deserve attention. Miami travels to Clemson in an ACC showdown, with the Hurricanes favored by 16.5 points. West Virginia faces Iowa State in a Big 12 battle where the Cyclones are slight 2.5-point favorites.

For Iowa fans looking for regional interest, Iowa State's home game against West Virginia offers a chance to scout a potential in-state rival's performance. The Cyclones have been solid against the spread this season, posting a 31-21 record.

How to watch and betting notes

Consensus lines are based on BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Predictions and final scores for all Week 5 games will be updated as they become available. Check back throughout the week for previews and analysis of the biggest matchups, including the game Iowa fans will be talking about all week.