When you combine two bets onto one wager, that’s called a parlay — and if you can come out ahead in both bets, the elevated risk means an increase in payouts. We’ve put together a pair of parlays, one from Friday and the other from Saturday, for your sports betting consideration.
Take a look at the four college football matchups and our thoughts about each one.
NCAA News: College Football Parlay Picks for Week 5
Friday Night Lights
#5 Iowa (-3.5) at Maryland (45.5) (8:00 pm ET, FS1)
Two unbeaten teams make their Big Ten debut for the season when Iowa heads east to take on the Maryland Terrapins. Iowa’s defense ranks third in the nation in scoring, while Maryland’s has the eighth-ranked defense. Both teams come in at a 3-1 record against the spread, but Maryland’s offense has been more productive, rolling up 37.3 points per game and gaining 519.3 yards per contest. Meanwhile, Iowa is scoring 28.8 points per game and putting up 293 yards per contest. That offensive edge for Maryland makes this an interesting upset pick.
Houston (+3.5) at Tulsa (57) (7:30 pm ET, ESPN)
Tulsa finally got into the win column this past weekend, beating Arkansas State in a 41-34 barnburner. They had started the season with a disappointing home loss to UC-Davis and then two road losses, one at Oklahoma State and one at Ohio State. Next up is a visit from Houston, who comes in at 3-1. Their lone loss was to Texas Tech at home; after that, they routed Rice and Grambling before edging a down Navy team. Tulsa is a difficult place to visit, but the Golden Hurricane seem way down this season. Houston is headed to the Big 12, and if they are really ready for Power 5 status, then this should be a no-brainer.
Parlay pick:
Maryland +3.5 / Houston +3.5
Saturday Morning Mimosas
#14 Michigan (+1.5) at Wisconsin (43.5) (12:00 pm ET, FOX)
Interestingly, Wisconsin is a slight favorite at home, despite their 1-2 record, even though Michigan comes in unbeaten. Wisconsin has only won 18 of the 70 previous meetings in the rivalry, but they have won two in a row and three of four. In 2020, Wisconsin went to Ann Arbor and rolled, 49-11, their largest margin of victory ever against the Wolverines. If Wisconsin were to win again, it would be the first time since 1962 that they had won three straight in the rivalry.
At home, Wisconsin’s run is even better; Michigan has not won at CAmp RAndall Stadium since 2001. Michigan beat Rutgers last week by seven, but they have yet to play a ranked team (although Wisconsin may not stay ranked after their second loss of the year). Wisconsin got shellacked by Notre Dame last week, 41-13, a game in which they led, 13-10, in the fourth quarter, before getting outscored 31-0 down the stretch. That’s a hard beating to come back from.
Texas (-4) at TCU (67) (12:00 pm ET, ABC)
TCU hosted SMU in the 100th meeting of their rivalry, which has bestowed the Iron Skillet on the winner each time since World War II, and SMU won in Fort Worth for the second straight time. The last time TCU dropped two in a row at home to SMU came in 1992-93, when both schools were still in the Southwest Conference. SMU ran for 350 yards against TCU, a team that is generally defense-first, and was able to keep the ball for the last four minutes of the game, converting three first downs, after TCU drew within eight.
Next up for TCU is a visit from Texas, who just finished demolishing Texas Tech, 70-35. The Longhorns needed a pick-me-up after getting routed at Arkansas, and big wins over Rice and Texas Tech may have done it. Texas could be looking ahead of TCU, with Oklahoma looming on October 9. However, the Horned Frogs’ difficulties against Cal, who put up a big fight in a 34-32 loss in Fort Worth, could spell trouble against a motivated Texas team.
Parlay Pick:
Michigan +1.5 / Texas -4
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