Week 5 Brings Grant Bowl Drama; Hawaii Seeks Elite Validation

By Michael Blouse, Stateline Gazette

The slate turns again as Week 5 arrives in the Stateline Elite League, and perhaps no game in the entire season carries more peculiar pressure than Monday night's “Grant Bowl.” Two winless teams, two coaches with the same first name, both desperate for a first victory and a narrative reset.

Elsewhere in the league, contenders look to assert themselves, while squads on the bubble seek to shake off narrow defeats and turn momentum their way.

Here’s your full Week 5 look, with context, numbers, lines, props and what to watch as the season reaches its first meaningful stretch.

Temple at South Florida — The Grant Bowl

Line: South Florida –10.5 | Total: 64.5

Temple (0–4) and South Florida (0–4) meet in Tampa with more than just a loss on the line; lore and legacy await.

Temple’s offense has struggled to find traction, averaging just 20.5 points per game and amassing 251.3 yards per contest. A mid-season surge has eluded them, and its negative –22.0 scoring margin is among the league’s worst.

Quarterback Evan Simon has thrown for 569 yards with four touchdowns but also six interceptions, while the Owls rank 11th in both offensive output and defensive efficiency. Temple’s inability to score early has left it chasing every contest.

South Florida’s woes are even more glaring on the defensive side. The Bulls allow 60.0 points per game, the worst mark in the league, and surrender more than 430 yards per game through the first four weeks.

Offensively, their production is light — 13.8 points per game — and has relied heavily on quarterback Byrum Brown’s mobility and occasional spark plays.

Temple coach Grant Easterday acknowledged the uphill climb this week presents. “We’ve got to find rhythm early,” Easterday said. “Too many times this season we’ve been a score behind at the first break. This game can’t start that way.”

South Florida coach Grant Drachman echoed the urgency from the home sideline. “We know what this means,” Drachman said. “Discipline, execution, and minimizing mistakes — that’s our focus.”

Key Trend: If Temple cannot muster 24+ points, its chance of pulling the upset shrinks sharply. USF’s offensive ability, though inconsistent, is good enough to pressure the Owls if the Bulls can simply avoid self-inflicted wounds.

Prediction: South Florida 38, Temple 24

USF covers; the total sits just under the posted 64.5.

Prop Bet: Byrum Brown Over 45.5 rushing yards — Brown’s dual threat gives USF its most consistent production on the ground.

No. 8 UTSA at No. 3 North Texas

Line: North Texas –7.5 | Total: 73.5

Tension rises when both teams have legitimate aspirations toward the top tier of the league. UTSA comes in with a potent passing game behind Owen McCown (1468 yards, 15 TDs, 8 INTs), but inconsistent ball security has kept the Roadrunners from breaking through.

North Texas averages over 520.3 yards per game, paced by Drew Mestemaker and dynamic receiver Wyatt Young, and the Mean Green posted a convincing 38–21 victory last week.

This matchup features a pace duel—UTSA likes to strike quickly through the air, while North Texas runs a high-tempo ground attack with balance and pressure. Red zone efficiency and special teams could be pivotal with a total north of 70.

Prediction: North Texas 41, UTSA 34

UTSA covers; the game pushes the OVER.

Prop Bet: Wyatt Young Over 95.5 receiving yards — North Texas’s drive tempo and UTSA’s zone defense tend to create high-volume targets for lead receivers.

No. 1 Boise State at No. 10 UConn

Line: Boise State –26.5 | Total: 78.5

If there’s a team steamrolling the competition, it’s Boise State. The Broncos have outscored opponents by large margins, pacing the league in scoring at 64.8 points per game and boasting a +39.8 scoring differential. Maddux Madsen leads an aerial assault that has overwhelmed early-season foes.

UConn, while competitive through stretches, does not possess the same depth or playmaking breadth. The Huskies have shown fight — but against a juggernaut that is averaging over 550 yards a game, snaps matter.

Prediction: Boise State 56, UConn 24

Boise covers; the OVER hits.

Prop Bet: Maddux Madsen Over 4.5 total touchdowns — Boise’s volume and quick tempo create multiple red zone opportunities.

No. 2 San Diego State at No. 4 Hawaii

Line: San Diego State –5.5 | Total: 74.5

This contest could reshape the mid-tier hierarchy. San Diego State has relied on explosive plays from Lucky Sutton and a stingy defense in spurts. Hawaii, dynamic in both the pass and run, has shown the ability to hit big gains and turn short fields into points.

Turnovers will be decisive. An interception or short field can flip this into a shootout, but if both teams protect the ball, this projects as a rapid possession game with emphasis on situational play.

Prediction: San Diego State 38, Hawaii 34

Hawaii covers narrowly; the OVER hits.

Prop Bet: Micah Alejado Over 275.5 total yards — Hawaii’s signal-caller consistently generates explosive plays and keeps drives alive.

No. 6 Toledo at No. 9 Tulane

Line: Toledo –20.5 | Total: 78.5

Toledo and Tulane offer a contrast in styles. Toledo emphasizes ball control and efficiency, while Tulane has struggled defensively, allowing nearly 48 points per game. In their respective trends, Toledo’s disciplined ground game and screen setups have kept opposing defenses off balance.

Tulane counters with vertical shots but cannot afford to trade possessions when outmanned up front. If Toledo establishes the line and keeps Tulane in long down-and-distance situations, this one could open early.

Prediction: Toledo 49, Tulane 24

Toledo covers; the UNDER sneaks in.

Prop Bet: Tucker Gleason Over 230.5 passing yards — Toledo’s balanced approach means consistent second-half opportunities.

No. 7 UNLV at No. 5 Memphis

Line: Memphis –17.5 | Total: 71.5

Memphis enters Week 5 with an inconsistent profile — capable of big plays but vulnerable in situational football. UNLV’s Alex Orji brings mobility and extends plays, forcing defenses to maintain discipline. Memphis, however, protects the ball well and leverages explosive plays in every quarter.

This game could hinge on the first quarter’s punch. If Memphis establishes distance early, UNLV may take more risks, leading to wide swings and scoring bursts.

Prediction: Memphis 42, UNLV 27

Memphis covers; the UNDER hits.

Prop Bet: Alex Orji Over 55.5 rushing yards — his dual-threat ability creates yards after contact.

Week 5 Outlook

As the calendar turns, Week 5 has the potential to be a turning point for both contenders and struggling squads. Boise State appears poised to maintain its dominance. North Texas and UTSA face off in a high-stakes duel. San Diego State and Hawaii could reshape the upper middle tier. And at the bottom, the “Grant Bowl” carries outsized narrative weight.

By Sunday, standings will matter not just on paper but in the way coaches talk about strategy come Tuesday. The next chapter of the Stateline Elite season begins now.