Part 2 of the 10 Best Week 5 Predictions is now here.
These are a bit more well-researched and well-thought-out than the ones at the bottom of the top ten. Sometimes my gut is stronger than my brain, but I am going to watch this fight happen live.
10 Best College Football Predictions Against the Spread: Week 5, Part 2
5. Minnesota at Michigan
Line:Ā Michigan -10.5
Pick:Ā Michigan
So far, my picks for the 1 spot have been dull.
The call is easy, and if it does not go through, it is because of a strange event.
That same Minnesota defense that Iowa smashed is about to be smashed by Michigan. It is not hard to figure out: run, depend on the defense, run even more, and expect that the Minnesota offense will keep stopping.
4. Eastern Michigan at Kent State
Line:Ā Eastern Michigan -14.5
Pick:Ā Eastern Michigan
I really hope I am wrong about this.
I feel terrible for the Kent State team and their coach, Kenni Burns. Last year, they both had to start from almost the bottom, and it is still a very long way to the top. It lost to St. Francis, Tennessee beat them by 71 points, and Penn State only beat them 56-0, which was a good game.
Eastern Michigan is not very good, but last week it beat St. Francis 36-0…
3. Texas State vs Sam Houston
Line:Ā Point Total 55.5
Pick:Ā Over
I should not put Texas State here because I have not hit this team all year. I keep thinking it is going to rip it up, but it doesn’t.
I am really into the mood of this. In terms of growth, both of these teams have a lot to gain. The game is being held at NRG Stadium, and if I may use a clichƩ, this is a Texas thing.
These two shows both want to show off. The defense for Sam Houston has been great against the blah, but the offense has scored 31 points or more in three of its four games. Texas State will play along, and this total, which should be around 60, seems a bit low.
2. Nebraska at Purdue
Line:Ā Nebraska -10
Pick:Ā Nebraska
One big thing to keep in mind about this pick. I think Nebraska will quickly figure out that all it needs to do is try to run, which it can do without much trouble. Even though QB Dylan Raiola is great, this might not work if the Huskers plan to throw it 40 times.
The Huskers’ first game away from home. Do not be scared by that.
They beat their first three games, including Colorado, by more than 10 points. Purdue’s first two FBS games against Notre Dame and Oregon State were not even close, and I will buy the idea that this is really a new and better Nebraska team.
1. Wisconsin at USC
Line:Ā USC -14
Pick:Ā USC
I think that people who bet on sports think that Wisconsin is something it is not. That is why this is at the top.
Last week, everyone saw Michigan beat USC badly in the last few minutes of the game. Now, everyone thinks that Wisconsin is about to do the same thing.
Really, really, nope.
Luke Fickell’s Badger team needs to put on a big show a LONG time ago. But this new system is not moving the ball down the field, the running game is not great, and the team was bad at times against Western Michigan and South Dakota and average the rest of the way.
I went to UW and graduated. I really want to be wrong. This team does not seem very good to me.
If you want to get there, you might have to wait until the very end. The 14 feels like the market is confused.
