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For the first time since week 1, we have a really huge college football roster.
Two top-10 clashes take center stage as Cincinnati takes on Notre Dame and Georgia takes on a surprising team from Arkansas.
Additionally, No.1 Alabama hosts one of the most electric offenses in the country with No.12 Ole Miss, and No.19 Oklahoma State faces No.21 Baylor.
While the national focus will obviously remain on the games that will have the most impact on college football’s playoff image, punters will not forget which places are best for their wallets to hit.
With that in mind, our experts envision four games in the midday and afternoon window that could give you a bit of dough to kick off Week 5. They might not be the most intriguing, but they certainly could. be the most important for a successful start to the season. daytime.
Best Saturday College Football Bets For Week 5
Our favorites for Saturday afternoon
The varsity football team logo set below each reflects our varsity football staff’s best bets for games that start from noon to 3:30 p.m. ET. Click on the team logos for any of the matches below to jump to a specific choice discussed in this article.
Specific betting recommendations come from the bookmaker offering preferred odds at the time of writing. Always buy at the best price using our NCAAF odds page, which automatically displays the best rows for each game.
# 14 Michigan v Wisconsin
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Through Kyle Remillard
Wisconsin’s loss to Notre Dame last week really took the hype out of this game, but it’s still Michigan’s biggest game of the year.
Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines have not performed well against Wisconsin over the past two seasons, being outscored by a total of 84-25.
Michigan are undefeated this season, but the identity of this team hasn’t changed from a boring, heavy offense.
This game will be highlighted by elite defense, solid offensive line play, and two teams that will rarely pitch football.
Michigan has 4th scoring defense, keeping teams under 12 points per game. Harbaugh chose to participate in 74% of Wolverines games, which is the highest ranking in the country outside of optional teams.
The ground offense will be tested by a Wisconsin defense that has been solid against the run, allowing just one yard per ground attempt. The Badgers have the best running defense in the country, allowing just 23 rushing yards per game.
Wisconsin’s offense has been poor this season, ranking 102nd in scoring with 19 points per game.
Offensive online play hasn’t lived up to the typical Badger standard, so Michigan is going to be able to stop the race.
Graham Mertz has been horrible this season, shooting for an average of 5.9 yards per pass attempt with six interceptions and a single touchdown pass.
Hard-headed Harbaugh will continue to spin the ball whether it works or not. Paul Chryst will be reluctant to hand the ball over to Mertz after last week’s fourth quarter debacle against Notre Dame.
I play below where scoring records will be scarce.
To take: Less than 43.5
Eastern Michigan vs. Northern Illinois
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Through BJ Cunningham
It’s going to be a battle between two overperforming offenses and two gruesome defenses.
If you cast Northern Illinois’ game last week against Maine, almost all of their offensive production came in Week 2 against Wyoming. Against Georgia Tech and Michigan, the offense did absolutely nothing, gaining 4.5 yards per game.
Michigan State transfer Rocky Lombardi really struggled in games against FBS opponents, throwing just 5.92 yards per attempt. It also doesn’t help that his offensive line hasn’t been able to protect him, ranking 84th in running blocking rating, according to Pro Football Focus.
While the East Michigan defense was horrific to start the season – ranking 129th in allowed pass rate – it did not allow explosive games, ranking sixth nationally.
The Eagles offense has been buzzing over the past two weeks, gaining 6.39 yards per game. Yes, that was against UMass and Texas State, but for the season Eastern Michigan is 49th in offensive success rate, fourth nationally in points per opportunity and eighth in authorized Havoc.
The Eagles will face an unstoppable northern Illinois defense against Wyoming and Michigan, allowing a combined 113 points and 7.5 yards per game.
For the season, the Huskies’ defense ranks 125th for allowed success rate, 126th for points per opportunity and 87th for allowed explosive plays.
I think the Eagles offense should be able to shred them on Saturday afternoon at DeKalb.
I think the bad team is favored here as I have Eastern Michigan projected as a -4.57 favorite and our PRO projections have projected them as a -2.3 favorite. So give me the Eagles at +2.5.
To take: Eastern Michigan +2.5
Bowling Green vs. Kent State
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Kent State -16.5 and under 56 |
Kent State -16.5
Through Mike Calabrese
The Golden Flashs have been beaten, crushed and beaten during their tough non-conference schedule.
They faced three top-45 defenses (Iowa, Texas A&M and Maryland) and when they had to send their starting 11s in defense, they were simply pummeled by their Power Five competition.
The good news is that the offense has started to play against Maryland and they have come out of those three games relatively healthy.
Dustin Crum, their All-MAC quarterback, found his rhythm against the Terps, going over 300 yards in the air while also hosing down for a long time.
His top three receiving targets – Ja’Shaun Poke, Nykeim Johnson and Dante Cephas – are the top line in the league. Cephas really came to life, as he comes off a 10 catch, 150 yard performance against the Terps.
Yes, Bowling Green just shocked Minnesota on the road, but it’s the same Falcons team that is only averaging 16.5 points per game.
BGSU ranks 124th in total offense and cannot lead football at all. The Falcons are dead last in rushing yards per game, which is Kent State’s No.1 weakness.
This is a game of “turnaround” for Kent and the start of a progression in the MAC rankings. Keep in mind that since 2019 Kent State has averaged 40 points per game in the MAC game.
I would also advocate for an alternative online game here: up to Kent State -24 (+280).
To take: Kent State -16.5
Bowling Green vs. Kent State Under 56
Through Alexis Kolodziej
I hate to exist in a world where Bowling Green and Kent State have a combined 10-0 to under to start the year, but money is money.
The Falcons offer no offensive advantage. They’re 122nd in pace and don’t want to play with tempo – likely because they’re 129th in Line Yards, 112th in big play rate, and the only team in America to average less than 1.0 yards per race ( 0.9).
Quarterback Matt McDonald has the 12th worst EPA in the country in his job.
Kent State, meanwhile, will soon find a dance partner for a track and field competition, but that’s not it. The Falcons are quietly outside the top 25 for success rate and have no desire to trade punches.
Quarterback Dustin Crum was worse than McDonald’s at the EPA, owning the third worst clip in the country.
I don’t know where the points come from, especially in a game potentially affected by the weather.
To take: Under 56
Oregon No.3 vs. Stanford
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Through Mike McNamara
Unbeaten and ranked No.3, Oregon travels to Palo Alto for an early kick against the Cardinal.
The Ducks come off an ugly performance last week in which they only led Arizona without a win by five at the start of the fourth quarter.
I’m still not convinced by quarterback Anthony Brown and his ability to move the ball through the air against competent secondaries.
Brown used his legs a lot against Ohio State, which played a key role in the road victory. He has spat since then, however, having completed just 47% of his passes last week against Arizona.
Look for Stanford defensive coordinator Lance Anderson to spy on Brown and force the Boston College transfer to beat them with his arm.
Meanwhile, Stanford sophomore QB Tanner McKee has been very productive since winning the full-time job ahead of the USC game. McKee has thrown seven touchdown passes in his last three starts and has yet to throw an interception this season.
The Cardinal lacks some of the explosive skill players they’ve had in recent memory, but it’s still an attack that’s been pretty effective so far in 2021.
I hopped on the Stanford bandwagon in the Week 2 Best Bets column when they were way too high for an underdog on the road at USC.
Back to the well I go back.
Look for David Shaw to slow down this game and limit the number of possessions. I believe the Cardinal’s defense can get enough saves to stay in this game and give the Tree a chance to win late.
I’m taking the Cardinal and the points, but if you’re feeling bold go ahead and sprinkle some money on Stanford (+250) on the silver line as well.
To take: Stanford +8.5
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