College Football Week 5 Betting Favorites

There was plenty of drama in College Football Week 4, ranging from LSU’s loss at Auburn (that condemned Les Miles to the sack while temporarily keeping Auburn’s Gus Malzahn on his hot seat) to UCLA’s absolute home meltdown in the final 24 seconds of the clash against Stanford, and we even had the Vols ending their 11-game losing streak in an exhilarating come-from-behind win against the Gators. And truth be told, I’d really like to ruminate about all that juicy drama, but my editors assigned me this piece about Week 5’s NCAAF betting picks and projections for the top favorites, so that’s what I’ll be presenting to you. You all about making money and planning for this week’s picks rather than discussing the stale (sic) happenings from last weekend? Hope you do because I have hot NCAA Football picks lined up for you below.

College Football Week 5 Betting Favorites

3 touchdowns, 3 different ways. @DeriqKing_ named to the @hornungaward weekly honor roll. #HTownTakeover pic.twitter.com/qy23ofQrPM

— #HTownTakeover (@UHCougarFB) September 27, 2016

Connecticut at #6 Houston (-28), Thursday, September 29

The Huskies were the lone team to upset the Cougars last season, a win that came in Connecticut’s backyard. With this game taking place in Houston, you can expect the Cougars to be all rallied up for revenge. The Cougars (4-0) could also get help from the fact that UConn (2-2) is in a transition season after losing a number of player and members of their coaching staff from last season. But even with all such factors considered, the Huskies are still talented enough to avoid getting blown out by 4-plus touchdowns. Yes, Houston has won its four games this season by an average victory margin of 34.3 points per game, but the Huskies have a decent defense (22.5 PPG allowed), with UConn’s biggest loss this season coming by 7 points against Syracuse last week. So, although I fully concur with the Oddsmakers that Houston will be winning this game (and probably doing so by a double-digit margin), I strongly beleive that the Huskies will keep the scores respectable and cover the bloated point spread. NCAA Football Pick: Connecticut (+28)

Kentucky at #1 Alabama (-32.5), Saturday, October 1

The No. 1 Tide have been favored by the second-most points in games involving ranked teams this week, and it’s not hard to understand why. Save for the game at then-No.19 Ole Miss, the Tide have won all their games this season by 28-or- more points, including a 48-0 shutout of Kent State last week as a 42.5-point home chalk. With a tough trip to Arkansas looming in the horizon after this week’s clash at Kentucky, it definitely warrants some worry to lay that many points on the line for Bama. But then again, Kentucky is not the type of team to trust against an opponent like Alabama. For one, UK has weak offense that will be mighty lucky to reach double figures in scoring vs. the Tide. Meanwhile, Bama’s continually growing offense should be able to put up at least 30 points on UK by halftime, before adding like 15 more in the second half. Throw in a score or two from Bama’s solid defense that is sure to capitalize on UK’s offensive miscues; it doesn’t take a genius to say that the Tide should be more than capable of winning this game and taking the points as well. NCAA Football Pick: Alabama (-32.5)

Rutgers at #2 Ohio State (-38.5), Saturday, October 13

The Buckeyes had a bye last week and that’s why you are probably not hearing much about them right now. But just to remind those of you who’ve already forgotten, this is the same team that traveled to Norman two weeks ago and delivered a spectacular 45-24 rout over last year’s playoff semifinalist Oklahoma. At home against a Rutgers side that ranks south of No. 63 in nearly every statistical category in the nation except rushing yards per game, it doesn’t look like Ohio State will be having any problems. I mean, OU is allowing 102 rushing yards per game, and the Bucks used this unit to neutralize the explosive Sooner running backs just two weeks ago. With the same formula, Ohio State should be more than capable of putting the clamps on the run-heavy Scarlett Knights that are averaging 220 YPG rushing in offense, hence leaving the game wide open for J.T. Barrett and gang to run up the score. NCAA Football Pick: Ohio State (-38.5)