College Football

WhatIfSports 2014 College Football Week 5 Predictions

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 6:50 p.m. ET

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Each Monday, WhatIfSports.com's NCAA college football simulation engine provides game predictions for every D-1 FBS game that upcoming week. The college football simulation engine generates detailed information for each game including each team's chances of winning (Win%) and the average points scored for both teams. 

Check out our 2014 College Football Season-to-Date page to follow our accuracy and for Upsets of the Week.

The statistical inputs to the thousands of college football simulations are based on rigorous analysis of each team's roster, depth charts and statistically based player rankings. Roster modifications are made in cases of injury or suspension and those players are removed from their team's game simulation for that week.

Game of the Week: Arkansas at Texas A&M

Sports simulation engines love to generate their predictions and projections based on the statistical DNA or resume of the teams involved in the matchup. What they aren't a fan of are quarter-by-quarter suspensions of collegiate athletes followed by a change of heart less than 24 hours before kickoff. Despite the challenges Florida State's athletic department threw at WhatIfSports.com's college football simulation engine, Jameis Winston's suspension resulted in a near perfect prediction Saturday night. Out of 101 game simulations, we predicted the Seminoles would win 52.5 percent of the time by an average score of 24-20 over the Tigers. Not too shabby.

Looking ahead to Week 5, a college football analysis recently proclaimed that the SEC West could be the ninth NFL division this season - it's that loaded. While those not in SEC country roll their eyes in disgust, Texas A&M and Arkansas meet up in our WhatIfSports.com college football featured game of the week.

After experiencing a Week 1 beat down by No. 6 Auburn, the Razorbacks have rattled off three straight wins including a convincing 49-28 victory at Texas Tech. Bret Bielema and offensive Coordinator Jim Chaney have installed a run-first offense that may remind some of Bielema's backfield production from his time coaching Wisconsin. The running back by committee of Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams has combined for 881 yards with 12 touchdowns the first month of the season. Arkansas ranks eighth in the country in rushing yards per game at better than 324 yards per contest.

The defensive numbers aren't so rosy as Arkansas State actually ranks ahead of the Razorbacks in total and scoring defense. Unlike Bielema's Badgers, Arkansas' defense ranks in the bottom half in those two categories.

Kevin Sumlin's Aggies haven't missed a beat without Johnny Football as Kenny Hill set the tone with a big win at South Carolina in Week 1. The quarterback is completing nearly 70 percent of his passes with 13 touchdowns and only one pick. Playing the role of Mike Evans this season is Malcome Kennedy with a team-high 30 receptions for 334 yards, but Josh Reynolds leads the receiving corps with four scores. A & M is fourth in the nation in passing yards per game at over 400 per contest.

Their defense stinks - we'll leave it at that. However, when you have an offense like the Aggies, the video game, up-tempo style makes up for most deficiencies on the defensive side of the ball.

We simulated the Aggies and Razorbacks 101 times and the computer likes Texas A&M 75.2-percent of the time by an average score of 29-21.

For additional statistics, view our weekly college football predictions.

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