The final thoughts, a few predictions, and some investment advice to make your life a heck of a lot better than it currently is.
Week 5 Fearless Predictions, Game Previews
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– CFN Fearless Predictions & Game Previews
– Week 5 Expert Picks & Predictions
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It might not be the most scintillating weekend of games, but that doesn’t matter since anything is interesting when you’re investing.
This is when there’s work to be done. There aren’t any layups like Notre Dame covering against Georgia – and losing, of course – but that doesn’t mean there aren’t few gems to pull from this weekend.
This is all for spits, giggles, and entertainment purposes only, however, just in case you dabble …
Week 5 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12 | SEC
Can San Jose State stop the Air Force running game? Yeah, sort of. It’s holding teams to under four yards per carry, and it’s doing just enough to keep offenses from going off. But do you really believe in the Spartans on the road again after shocking Arkansas? The line has come way down from 24, and you’re being asked to bet on … San Jose State? It goes against everything you believe in but take the 19.5 and watch with one eye closed.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
ACC Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
You really, really wanted Duke getting 7 against Virginia Tech, but the world wanted that, too. Now it’s down to Hokies -2.5 in what should be a dead even game that you’d normally stay away from, but it’s a Friday night. Duke might just win this outright and you’ll need it with the low line.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
If you can get the FBS vs. FCS lines anywhere, see what you can do on Pitt giving away just 27 on Delaware. The Panther offense hasn’t done anything yet, but it’ll go off on the Blue Hens. Be a little more wary of Syracuse -38.5 against Holy Cross, but the Crusaders can’t score.
– Pitt vs. Delaware Game Preview, Prediction
– Syracuse vs. Holy Cross Game Preview, Prediction
The crazy part about this is that Clemson isn’t playing all that well – at least for Clemson – and it’s still killing everyone. The line against North Carolina is hanging around at 27, but see if you can get it a little bit higher. The Tigers should be able to hang 40 and roll … and still not quite cover the 27. Forget about the Appalachian State loss and be careful of the Tar Heels being a wee bit pesky.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
Notre Dame hosting Virginia feels like a trap. The Irish fans hit the line hard, and investors who saw the Georgia game and noticed that Virginia needed everything in the bag to get by Old Dominion moved the line. It went from ND -11 to 12.5, but you don’t need that extra 1.5.
Virginia has the style and the system to win this outright in what should be a low-scoring thriller. If this just so happens to be the week the Irish running backs start to produce, tip your cap and press on. (Hint … it won’t be.)
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
Fair warning … I have a blind spot for Georgia Tech. This team should be a whole lot better than it is, and it seems like the loss to Citadel last week is providing an opportunity for a sort-of-high line of Temple -8. It was at 9 for a while – you can still find it. See what you can get, take Georgia Tech, and assume the ACC program will at least keep this low scoring and close.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
At SOME point Boston College is going to be better. It’s got the parts, but the team just isn’t clicking like it should. The passing game isn’t doing nearly enough stay with Wake Forest, but on the road, be careful of giving away 6.5 with the Demon Deacons. Go ahead, but this is a flaky Eagle team that could pivot to above-average at any moment.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
This same analysis didn’t work last week with Florida State, but NC State isn’t Louisville. FSU is quietly starting to improve, and NC State quietly has been … quiet. The Wolfpack should be better than 6.5 points they’re getting against FSU. They have the talent to win this outright, much less be getting almost a touchdown. Expect an entertaining game that should have more scoring than you might think.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
Week 5 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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Big 12 Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
The 70.5 total in Oklahoma vs. Texas Tech might be sexy, but there’s too much to worry about with the Red Raider quarterback situation to assume the underdog can keep up its end of the bargain. That’s why the total went down big-time after hovering around 74. The 27.5 seems a wee bit high on the OU side considering Texas Tech is actually playing a little D.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
The world really, really, really got burned by TCU in its loss to SMU. After starting out at Horned Frogs -20 vs. Kansas, the world hammered that down fast, and now it’s time to go shopping. You can get this at TCU at 14.5, or as high as 16 if you’re patient. This game is way, way, way too flaky, but if you like the Horned Frogs, assume the D will step it back up this week no matter what the line.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
We don’t really know what Baylor is quite yet. We don’t really know what Iowa State is quite yet, either, because it played three completely and totally different games so far. The Bears haven’t played anyone with a pulse yet and are getting 3 at home, but like Iowa State’s flakiness more than the Baylor unknown.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
The half point might just matter in Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State. The Cowboys were giving away 7.5. Now it’s down to around 4, but it’s changing a bit too much a half-click each way depending on where you’re looking. This is a really, really strong, air-tight K-State team, but the Cowboys are too explosive. It feel like a brilliant close game, but if it’s going either way big, it’ll be on the OSU side.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, BetMGM latest line
Week 5 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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Big Ten Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
Do you have this Maryland team figured out? Do you have Penn State’s offense down? Is this a showcase Friday night moment for the Terp attack, or is this when the Nittany Lions scream that, yeah, they’re still unbeaten, too? Weird things happen on Friday night games, and the weird thing is Maryland winning outright, much less getting the 6.5.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
Northwestern has been really, really bad, and Wisconsin has been really, really good. If you’re taking the Wildcats, you’re guessing that something that hasn’t shown up all year – an offense – makes the trip to face the hottest all-around team going right now. Remember, this was Badger QB Jack Coan’s first starting gig game last year, and it went downhill in a hurry – don’t expect a letdown. Be amazed if the Wildcats score.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
Go with Michigan and the points over Rutgers. Yeah, the official call when the preview was locked in was for the Scarlet Knights to hang around, but as the week has rolled on, this just feels like one of those moments when Michigan drops a hammer. If you like the Wolverines, don’t be afraid of the 27.5, but they’ve been just sloppy enough to think that this might not be a total wipeout. If this seems wishy-washy, it’s because Michigan is a whole lot better than it’s been playing.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
There’s the Michigan State we all knew was there. Northwestern is miserable offensively, but it was still the bounceback game needed for the Spartans after the Arizona State debacle. Trust the defense against Indiana, and trust that the under on the mere 44.5 points isn’t too much to ask.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
Is there a shakier 3-0 team than Minnesota? It could and should probably be 0-3, but it has its running back corps all back full, it’s rested, and it’s getting a Purdue team at home that’s a bit of a mystery. Be afraid that the Boilermakers get the passing game going and run away with this and hide, but this just seems like a Gopher team that has its style and formula figured out. Go with whichever team you like straight up – the Gophers giving up 1.5 doesn’t matter.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
Nebraska doesn’t have a good enough defense. It’s coming, and Scott Frost is doing what he can to step up that side of the ball, but it’s not going to be there yet in Lincoln when Ohio State gets off the bus. The 66.5 total might not be quite as easy to hit as you think – Ohio State’s defense has allowed 15 points in the last three weeks. Until the Buckeye runaway train slows down even a little bit, keep riding it.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
Week 5 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
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NEXT: Pac-12, SEC
Pac-12 Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
As a friend of the program put it best, “Pac-12 gonna Pac-12.” Don’t try to explain what UCLA did against Washington State or what USC did to Utah. Nothing too crazy can happen in Arizona State’s trip to Cal, unless this turns into a wild shootout. Both teams have great defenses, but ASU can throw the ball and Cal can’t. Considering this should be a low-scoring battle, the 4.5 the Sun Devils are getting is a massive line.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
USC’s offense is fun, what Clay Helton and the coaching staff are doing with a horrible run of bad quarterback luck, and … Washington is fantastic. On the road, don’t think the one-dimensional Trojan attack will suddenly be steady against the Dawgs. The Huskies are better than you think, even with the line rising up to 10.5.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
Is it really “Pac-12 gonna Pac-12” if Oregon State beats Stanford? At some point the Cardinal will wake up and stop being so bad at college football, but this is a rested Beaver program that’s overdue to have some fun. Be careful, because Stanford’s defense has a big performance in there somewhere, but like Oregon State getting a few points at home.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
Ugh … the Utah backfield is banged up again. Washington State was more than exposed by UCLA – the Cougars put up big numbers so far this year against teams that hadn’t won a thing – and the Utes were just torched by the USC passing game. Which team can shake it off faster? QB Tyler Huntley is expected to go for a Utah team that will show again that it really is among the Pac-12’s stars.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
No, no, no … don’t assume that UCLA turned a corner after a wacky 18 minutes in Pullman. Arizona is coming off two weeks of rest, the Khalil Tate is playing great, and the team is only giving 6.5 points after starting out as a -9. Be wary of the Bruins going back to being the Bruins of the first few weeks, and that means there’s a shot the 71 point total is insanely high.
Everyone who saw the UCLA-Washington State game is cranking up the total – don’t fall for it. Of course it’s no fun to go with the under when hanging around with the #Pac-12AfterDark cult – but it’s the stronger call.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
Week 5 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | SEC
NEXT: SEC
SEC Betting Advice, Final Thoughts
Arkansas tends to keep the Texas A&M game in AT&T Stadium a wee bit closer than you might think. The Aggie offense is too boring, the Hogs are too desperate to come up with anything positive, and this should be a bit more of a low-scoring fight than you might think. It’s at A&M -23.5 right now. Depending on what you’re looking for, be careful – this will rise up fast.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
Northern Illinois really can’t score, and it really can’t run the ball a lick. Vanderbilt is finally playing someone its own size – after starting out against Georgia, Purdue and LSU – and it’s going to show. The -6.5 line might be at least five points too light if the Huskies really can’t get the O going.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
Whatever you think about Alabama, you’re still probably underestimating just how good it is. The offense is doing performance art at this point, and the defense gets to deal with a shaky Ole Miss quarterback situation. The Rebels only put up 20 at home against the great Cal defense, and they only scored ten at Memphis. The 37.5 Bama is giving away might be ten points on the low side. Like the Tide, love the over on the 61 that Tua and the guys might get on their own.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
If you care about what Towson might be able to do against Florida, the line would be around 35ish. The Gators will roll with ease, but they’re not going to go off, and the Tigers have enough weapons to put up a few late points.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
It stinks that the Auburn -10 line over Mississippi State is probably dead-on right. The Tigers don’t score a whole lot, this would be a bit of a battle for points, and it would be nice to get an extra half point one way or another. It shouldn’t matter, but considering the point total is sinking fast – down to around 46.5 in some places after starting out at 48.5 – more than ten is a lot to give up.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
How do you measure desperation? Kentucky and South Carolina are both sinking fast, and neither one can seem to coach a break. The Gamecocks are favored by 3 only because they’re at home, and that’s about right. It started out at 2.5 and stayed there for a while – wait it out and get that on game day. The point total has shockingly gone up thanks to a public that thinks this might just be a shootout. Nah … 54 is way too much for these two.
– CFN Game Preview, Prediction
– Bet on this, Bet MGM latest line
Week 5 Final Thoughts, Investment Advice
ACC | Big 12 | Big Ten | Pac-12
