By: Nick Radivoj
Got ourselves back into the winners circle this past weekend going 6-4 moving us to 26-24 (52%) on the year. We have plenty of work left to do as we may have a winning record but are losing from the juice on the year. Plenty of action in Week 6 so let’s see what value we spotted so far.
#8 Tennessee (4-0) at #25 LSU (4-1)
When: 12 PM on 10/8
Line: Tennessee -3
O/u: 64
The SEC supplies us with yet another TOP 25 matchup to start off Week 6 of College Football on Saturday afternoon. These two teams seem to be on opposite sides of the spectrum here as LSU comes in with a rather pedestrian offense but a solid defense while Tennessee has an explosive offense but a questionable defense at times. Jayden Daniels managed to get LSU the come from behind victory last week versus Auburn but did not have the greatest of showings doing so. This game being played in Death Valley is a great neutralizer for LSU against Tennessee, but the Volunteers did not play last week as they are working with 2 weeks of time to prepare for this matchup. Tennessee’s offense will take a hit as they will still be without their top receiving option who is recovering from ankle surgery. LSU will offer the toughest defense that Tennessee will have played to date and I’m unsure that the Tigers offense can take advantage of a secondary that can be thrown on. I don’t believe either of these teams reach 35 in this SEC matchup so give me the under here.
The Play: Under 64
#17 TCU (4-0) at #19 Kansas (5-0)
When: 12 PM on 10/8
Line: TCU -7
O/U: 67.5
We welcome both teams into the Top 25 for the first time this year and for the first time since 2009 for Kansas. If the rankings weren’t the first shock to you you’ll be excited to hear that College Gameday will be travelling to Kansas this week for yes a football game. Max Duggan and the Horned Frogs gave Oklahoma a beat down that they (and me) won’t forget for a while as they dropped 55 points on the Sooners. Both offenses have looked high powered to start the year behind Max Duggan and Jalon Daniels and that trend continues this weekend as we are sure to see some Big 12 football. This number is too large to lay here for me with TCU but with their offense putting up 48 points per game to start the year we easily find ourselves on the over for this game.
The Play: Over 67.5
Arkansas (3-2) at #23 Mississippi State (4-1)
When: 12 PM on 10/8
Line: Mississippi State -8
O/u: 61.5
This line has moved a lot since the open as the health of Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson is in question. Arkansas’ offense would take a major hit if their signal caller can’t end up going in thi sone as they have suffered back-to-back losses. Although the final score reflects Alabama winning by 23, Arkansas was a 2-point conversion away from only trailing the now #1 team in the nation by 3 points entering the 4th quarter at home before their defense let Alabama run wild. Mississippi State HC Mike Leach and QB Will Rogers are surely licking their lips this week as Arkansas brings into town a defense that is vulnerable in the passing game which is a terrific sign for an air raid offense like the Bulldogs possess. It’s unfortunate that the health of KJ is unknown at this time but with that being the case I intend to stay way from any side here and suggest the over until hearing more.
The Play: Over 61.5
Texas (3-2) at Oklahoma (3-2)
When: 12 PM on 10/8 (Dallas, TX)
Line: Texas -7
O/u: 65.5
For the first time since 1998, the Red River Rivalry between these two games will feature a showdown where neither team is ranked. The once defensive mastermind Brent Venables has a lot of work to do as Oklahoma has dropped 2 games in a row and the defense has looked horrific in the process. A keynote to be on the lookout for is who starts at QB for both teams as Texas QB Quinn Ewers could be making his return this weekend and Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel is questionable to play this weekend after leaving early against TCU with an injury. With how Oklahoma’s defense has looked over the past few weeks and the chances of Dillon Gabriel playing highly unlikely I don’t see anyway to back the Sooners In this spot here. I normally would love taking the points with both Arkansas and Oklahoma this weekend but can’t in good faith with the questions both team shave at QB. Texas QB Steve Sarkisian will surely have players running wide open Saturday afternoon against a patchy Oklahoma defense and with Gary Patterson holding down the Longhonr defense against what should be a backup QB I’ll gladly take Texas.
The Play: Texas -7
Auburn (3-2) at #2 Georgia (5-0)
When: 3:30 PM on 10/8
Line: UGA -30
O/u: 49
Check your local milk cartons as there might be a missing poster for this Georgia team. After playing an unusual game against Kent State they followed that up by barely pulling out a win over a middling Missouri team on the road. Forget dropping to #2 in the polls as this Georgia team is lucky to have escaped last week with a victory. Meanwhile, Aubur drops to 3-2 on the year following a loss to LSU in which they led for a good majority of the game. Georgia is favored by over 4 touchdowns here and I believe they cover this number finally after missing that mark over the past few games. Auburn fans and faithful have been up in arms wanting HC Bryan Harsin out and after what transpires in Athens Saturday afternoon I believe they finally get their wish.
The Play: UGA -30
#11 Utah (4-1) at #18 UCLA (5-0)
When: 3:30 PM on 10/8
Line: Utah -4.5
O/u: 65
Cameron Rising and the Utes have looked explosive on offense and have gotten back on track after their road loss against Florida to start the year. Meanwhile, UCLA has looked just as talented offensively behind seasoned vet Dorian Thompson Robinson (DTR). DTR has displayed the ability to operate this Chip Kelly offense leading the Bruins to an undefeated record so far. Utah shouldn’t be challenged too much o offense as UCLA’s defensive unit is weak but will have their hands full trying to stop DTR. I could see a UCLA upset win over Utah at home but leaning towards the over as I believe this will be a high scoring affair.
The Play: Over 65
#3 Ohio State (5-0) at Michigan State (2-3)
When: 4 PM on 10/8
Line: OSU -26.5
O/u: 64
His one is a rather simple one for me as I will easily be laying the points here with the Buckeyes. The only reason for any worry here is that this game is on the road for Ohio State and over the years have shown to be vulnerable taking their game on the road. Michigan State has one of the worst secondaries in the Big 10 and CJ Stroud and the Buckeyes offense will be sure to exploit it this weekend. Meanwhile, Michigan State has lost their offense losing 3 straight and only putting up a combined 20 points over the last 2 games against the likes of Maryland and Minnesota. Ohio State has better talent on defense than both of those teams and should get out of East Lansing rather comfortably with a cover.
The Play: Ohio State -26.5
Washington State (4-1) at USC (5-0)
When: 7:30 PM on 10/8
Line: USC -13
O/u: 66
This game will offer an exciting matchup between Cameron Ward and Caleb Williams as both are off to terrific starts this year. Everyone and their mother knows that USC has a high powered offense but only those who have watched the Trojans will know that their defense is prone to giving up big players and will be what holds this USC team back late in the year. Their defense gives up a shade under 20 points a game which puts them near the Top 30 in scoring defense but this number is very misleading. Cameron Ward has impressed thus far as a Cougar and will continue as their passing attack will be able to exploit USC’s poor defense. Ultimately, I believe USC will still win this game but if the Trojans end up going undefeated with a a Pac 12 championship I look forward to fading them once they play in the College Football Playoff.
The Play: Washington State +13
#16 BYU (4-1) at Notre Dame (2-2)
When: 7:30 PM on 10/8 (Las Vegas, Nevada)
Line: Notre Dame -3.5
O/u: 52
Both teams are coming into this game with ample time to prepare as both had a bye last week. Neither team should have a home field advantage in this matchup as this game will be played in Nevada. BRYU QB Jaren Hall has impressed all year and will face yet another tough defense as he has done so all season long already facing off against Baylor and Oregon. Meanwhile, Notre Dame has seemed to get their season back on track with 2 straight wins after starting their season off 0-2. I think the line for this one is on the money here and instead will play the under as both of these teams bring in underrated defenses. I expect both teams to try and establish the run game and the winning team won’t cross over the 30 mark in this one.
The Play: Under 52
Texas A&M (3-2) at #1 Alabama (5-0)
When: 8 PM on 10/8
Line: Alabama -24
O/u: 51.5
A big sigh of relief could be heard around the country from Tuscaloosa as QB Bryce Young is listed as day to day suffering an AC joint sprain last week against Arkansas. Alabama was leading Arkansas by multiple scores when Bryce left the game against Arkansas in the 2nd quarter and fans watched in disbelief as the lead slowly dwindled downt o just 5 points. We finally get the clash of Jimbo Fisher and Nick Saban that we have been waiting for since Texas A&M’s upset win last year and all the heated discussions between the two this offseason. A&M has struggled all year to move the ball behind both Max Johnson and Haynes King and without their best receiving option I’m unsure how they will be able to go toe for toe with Alabama. Meanwhile, RB Jahmyr Gibbs finally burst onto the scene as the transfer put up over 200 rushing yards against Arkansas with 2 70+ yard touchdowns in the 4th quarter to seal the win for the Tide. I believe the under is a great play here but as an Alabama fan I want to see this team blow the doors off here in payback fashion from what happened last year in College Station.
The Play: Alabama -24
Thank God It's Saturday 