Each week, I will use this space to tell you what I think are a few of the best bets heading into the weekend. I will also throw in an upset of the week, which will be a team that is at least a touchdown underdog that I am picking to win outright.
I will also give you picks on other games involving potential College Football Playoff teams. Considering most teams only played a few games, just about everybody is technically a CFP candidate right now, so I’ll go with the top 12 teams in the AP Top 25 poll until things settle down.
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Last week could not have been any worse. Nowhere to go but up. I’m going with three things that have been universally reliable this season.
It also was not a great week for favorites. The four biggest favorites, all by at least five touchdowns, covered. The other 27 teams that were double-digit favorites were 6-21 vs. the spread. Minnesota (-31) and Troy (-20) were among those that lost outright. We will see what the start of conference play in earnest brings this week.
Here are the best bets for Week 5 with odds from Caesars Sportsbook.
Week 5 Picks
No. 5 Iowa at Maryland
Featured Game | Maryland Terrapins vs. Iowa Hawkeyes
This is a battle of undefeated teams, at least one of which was not expected to be at this point. The Terrapins have gotten off to a great start this season, especially offensively behind the play of quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa. However, few things are more reliable in college football than the Iowa defense, which has not given up more than 24 points for 26 consecutive games. If the Hawkeyes dictate style, this will be another under. Pick: Under 46
Boston College at No. 25 Clemson
Featured Game | Clemson Tigers vs. Boston College Eagles
Maybe this is the day that Clemson’s dormant offense finally awakens, but I’m not counting on it. I’m also counting on the Tigers’ defense to keep them in the game. I just cannot fathom how Clemson is a 16-point favorite over anyone right now. Pick: Boston College (+16)
No. 6 Oklahoma at Kansas State
Featured Game | Kansas State Wildcats vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Here is another team that hasn’t shown any reason to be a double-digit favorite. The Sooners are winning, so due credit there, but every game is going down to the wire. Their three FBS wins have come by a total of 15 points. Oklahoma may very well win again this week, but I will not be surprised if it finally gets beat. Pick: Kansas State +10
Upset of the Week
Western Michigan at Buffalo
Featured Game | Buffalo Bulls vs. Western Michigan Broncos
Two of the better teams in the MAC will meet up in an important cross-division game. The Broncos picked up a win at Pitt two weeks ago and followed that up with a victory over San Jose State last week. The Bulls are playing just their second home game against FBS competition, but took No. 16 Coastal Carolina to the wire in a one-point loss. I feel like this line is too big and if the Bulls can force a turnover or two, which would be the first of the season for WMU, they can win outright. Pick: Buffalo (+200)
Other CFP candidates
No. 12 Mississippi at No. 1 Alabama Pick: Alabama (-14.5)
No. 8 Arkansas at No. 2 Georgia Pick: Arkansas (+18.5)
No. 3 Oregon at Stanford Pick: Oregon (-8)
Indiana at No. 4 Penn State Pick: Penn State (-10.5)
No. 7 Cincinnati at No. 9 Notre Dame Pick: Under 50.5
No. 10 Florida at Kentucky Pick: Florida (-8.5)
No. 11 Ohio State at Rutgers Pick: Rutgers (+15)
Which college football picks can you make with confidence in Week 5, and which Top 25 favorite will go down hard? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all from a proven computer model that has returned almost $3,300 in profit over the past five-plus seasons — and find out.
