NCAA Football Week 5 Straight Up Picks

We’re well into the conference portion of the 2018 college football schedule for most teams, and we saw some terrific action in Week 4. Arkansas continued their difficult rebuilding season when they took a hide-tanning down at Auburn, showing that the Razorbacks might drift to the bottom of the SEC West this year in Chad Morris’ first season as head coach. Army forced Oklahoma to overtime by holding onto the ball for more than three-quarters of the game, thanks to their triple-option offense. The woes of Scott Frost as Nebraska continued, as the Cornhuskers were beaten soundly at Michigan, and Wendy’s even got into the act, trolling Nebraska by suggesting the addition of a Scott Frosty to their menu. We have three primo straight up picks from the college game for your NCAAF betting consideration, so take a look. As always, home teams are in all caps.

NCAA Football Week 5 Straight Up Picks

College Football Rankings 2018: Week 5 AP Top 25 poll released https://t.co/Vu8Y9N1RON

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Friday, September 28

COLORADO (-9.5) over UCLA (9:00pm ET, FS1)

The misery of the UCLA Bruins continues — a season that began with a home loss to AAC foe Cincinnati went to 0-3 last week when they lost by 24 to Fresno State. UCLA was outagined by a 420-270 differential in that game and turned the ball over four times. The Bruins are only scoring 17 points per game, thanks to the inconsistent performance of quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who is only completing 54 percent of his passes and has as many interceptions as he does touchdown passes this year (2 of each). On defense, the Bruins are simply porous, giving up 38 points per contest. The Bruins will travel to Colorado to open Pac-12 play. The Buffs are 3-0 on the campaign; last week, they rolled over FCS opponent New Hampshire, 45-14, cruising to a 28-0 halftime lead and then letting the foot off the gas a bit in the second half. Travon McMillan was the offensive hero for the Buffaloes, running for 162 yards on just 15 carries, scoring twice. Colorado is averaging 41 points per game behind the passing work of Steven Montez. Montez has thrown for eight touchdowns with just two picks, completing 73 percent of his passes. On defense, Colorado is allowing just 18 points per contest. UCLA has covered the spread just three times in their last 11 Pac-12 games. While Colorado has just covered the spread one time in their last seven games at home, I see the Buffaloes continuing Chip Kelly’s woes. NCAA Football Week 5 Prediction: Colorado 34, UCLA 20

Saturday, September 29

Texas (-9) over KANSAS STATE (3:30pm ET, FS1)

Texas has won three in a row after that debacle at Maryland in their opener, and their last win was an impressive one as they pulled away from TCU in 31-16 victory. The Longhorns had not led the Frogs at any point in their last five meetings, but they scored the last 21 points to win the game. The key came on the turnover front, as Texas had four takeaways but did not turn the ball over once. Sam Ehlinger finally showed his potential as a quarterback in a big game, going 22 for 32 for 255 yards and two touchdown passes, scoring another on the ground. The Texas defense has been solid, limiting opponents to just 21 points per game. Kansas State took a 35-6 pounding at the hands of West Virginia on the road — despite having four takeaways to just one for the Mountaineers, so one can imagine what the damage would have been like had West Virginia not turned the ball over so often. Kansas State is undermatched as far as speed and size go with Texas, and they have only posted 16 points in their last two setbacks, to West Virginia and Mississippi State. NCAA Football Week 5 Prediction: Texas 24, Kansas State 9

WASHINGTON STATE (+1.5) over Utah (6:00pm ET, Pac-12 Network)

Utah took a tough home loss against Washington a week ago, falling 21-7. Utah had three turnovers, to just one for the Huskies. Tyler Huntley has struggled a bit, completing less than 60 percent of his passes. HE averages 234 yards per game and has a 4:2 TD:INT ratio, but the Utes’ offense needs to do more to keep up with the high-flying attack of the Cougars. Washington State lost in a barnburner down at USC last week, falling 39-36 when they had a late field goal blocked. Washington State outgained the Trojans by almost 100 yards and did a good job with ball security, getting three touchdown passes from Gardner Minshew, but their defense could not keep the Trojans from matching them point for point. I see them taking advantage of a Utah offense that struggles to put points on the board. NCAA Football Week 5 Prediction: Washington State 31, Utah 23