We’ve made it to Week 5 of the college football season, and the weather is starting to cool off a little bit, unless, of course, you’re in the state of Florida. Then, it’s business as usual. Below, we look at the best bets for three small-school college football winners in Week 5, with expert college football picks and predictions.
Every week we’ll target three smaller schools that are good bets to cover the spread and win big money. It doesn’t really matter the size of the school, it’s winners that matter.
Small-school college football best bets of Week 5
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 12:40 p.m. ET.
Bowling Green +16.5 (-110) at Kent State (Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET)
It has been a rough go in the past decade or so for Bowling Green football, but last week was a feel-good moment at Minnesota. Not only did the Falcons cover the 30.5-point number, but they also won outright, 14-10. It was BGSU’s first win over an FBS team since 2019, and they were paid $1.45 million by Minnesota. Thank you, sir, can I have another?
Now, can the Falcons make it three straight wins? That might be a tall order, but keeping it within two scores is certainly possible. Kent State is coming off a 37-16 loss at Maryland, and they have lost all three games against FBS teams by 21 or more points. Games at Iowa, Maryland and Texas A&M aren’t home games against Bowling Green, and the Golden Flashes should shine now that they’re into MAC play.
Still, I think the Falcons gained a lot of confidence in Minnesota, and can at least keep the Flashes somewhat close.
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Army -7.5 (-112) at Ball State (Saturday at 5 p.m. ET)
If you’ve read this column somewhat regularly, you’ll know the Black Knights have appeared before. In fact, it was just last week, when they socked around another MAC foe, Miami (Ohio).
The Black Knights roll up 344.5 rushing yards per game, ranking second in the nation, and they’re 18th with 39.0 points per game.
Conversely, the Cardinals of Ball State, who enter 1-3 straight up and 0-4 against the spread, have yielded 189.8 rushing yards per game, good for just 107th, and their offense has been mostly non-existent, too.
Army is going to run all over Ball State in Muncie, and come away with a healthy double-digit victory. Enjoy!
Old Dominion at UTEP (-5.5, -112) (Saturday at 9 p.m. ET)
Head coach Dana Dimel has the Miners going in a positive direction, and we haven’t said that about UTEP in a long time.
Last week didn’t start out that way, as New Mexico built a 10-point lead despite being shorthanded. COVID-19 contact tracing took out several players from the wide receiver and tight end positions, but UNM managed to overcome that obstacle early.
UTEP WR Jacob Cowing might be the best wideout in America you’ve never heard of, as he went for a career-best 174 yards on 7 snags, including a 55-yard score last week. EDGE rusher Praise Amaewhule had a strip-sack and seven hurries, giving the Miners an exciting player on the defensive side of the ball, too.
UTEP is 2-0 at home, including a cover last week against UNM, while ODU is 0-3 SU against FBS teams, including 0-2 SU/1-1 ATS in two road games.
Last week’s recap
It was a disaster last week. Yes, we hit on Army against Miami (Ohio), and that was a good win to start the afternoon in the early window.
Akron (+49.5) fired out to a 7-0 lead, and that was looking like a good bet right out of the gate. Unfortunately for the Zips and side bettors, that was all they could muster on the road against an angry Ohio State team, falling 59-7.
In the final game, I have no idea what happened to Troy. They were laying 24.5 points against a brutally bad UL Monroe team which barely scraped by FCS Jackson State the week before. Whether it was the Trojans coming in overconfident, looking ahead to this week’s trip to South Carolina, etc. – a loss to Monroe straight up is inexplicable.
We’re now in the red for the first time this season. Now those two early-season non-covers by a half-point are stinging even more.
Last Week: 1-2
Season Total: 6-6
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