College Football continues to be the best sport on the planet but boy do we need to stop making homer picks. Well, maybe not. Either way, another week, another chance to make some cash!
Week 6 College Football Game Spread Best Bets
Last week, when we hit, we hit big. But when we missed, oh boy did we miss. Miami (OH) took care of business against frienemy of our series, Kent State, and Notre Dame was able to bounce back after their heartbreaking loss. However, Kansas lost big. Nebraska lost big. And Washington couldn’t cover the three-score spread. Nevertheless, we trudge on!
Overall: 17-12 (2-3 last week)
Marshall (+7.5) at NC State
#RankMarshallYouCowards. If there’s one thing you can count on when it comes to me, it’s my proclivity to jump on random Group of 5 bandwagons. Marshall is no different. This will be the sixth time The Herd and Wolfpack face off with NC State winning each of the first five.
Quite possibly the best running back in the nation you’ve never heard of is Rasheen Ali. Ali, unfortunately, missed most of last year after going nuts in 2021 to the tune of 1,401 yards and 23 touchdowns on the ground. This year, he’s already rushed for 475 yards and nine scores. The dual-threat quarterback Cam Fancher is another weapon on this Marshall offense that NC State will have to contain.
Speaking of dual-threat quarterbacks, Brennan Armstrong has already racked up 1,257 scrimmage yards and eight total touchdowns. This is still the same guy who threw for nearly 4,500 yards and 31 touchdowns for Virginia back in 2021. Kevin Concepcion out wide will be a tough matchup for Marshall.
Marshall is undefeated for a reason. This is a good Sun Belt team and is going to challenge for the crown in a deep and competitive conference. Even if The Herd drop this game, it shouldn’t be by more than a touchdown. However, there’s a very good possibility that they take this game outright.
[13] Washington State (+3.5) at UCLA
The beginning of the end is here for the Pac-12. Top to bottom, it may be the deepest conference in the nation. With that, they may begin cannibalizing each other and this matchup is no different. Wazzu and UCLA have played 62 times prior to this year and the Bruins own a 40-21-1 lead after winning last year.
Plain and simple, Cam Ward is why you stay up for #Pac12AfterDark. This game may be at 3:00 PM EDT so no missed bedtimes this week. Either way, Ward is a freak of nature and Wazzu got a diamond from the FCS ranks. He’s completing nearly 75% of his passes en route to 1,389 yards and 13 touchdowns. Ward has also added 109 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. The Pac-12 is LOADED at the quarterback position.
UCLA is in the middle of a back-to-back-to-back run of ranked opponents. After dropping the game to Utah, the Bruins look to right the ship against Washington State. They have a dynamic duo of running backs in Ball State transfer Carson Steele and TJ Harden. They have combined for 536 yards and four touchdowns and are averaging nearly seven yards a pop.
UCLA’s rushing attack is going to be an interesting piece to watch. Wazzu is coming off of a game where it allowed 242 yards and two touchdowns on the ground in a win over Oregon State. Since home teams traditionally get three points, this is essentially as even of a matchup as can be. The Cougars should be able to get the win outright here.
Kent State at Ohio (-24.5)
After the mass exodus in the offseason, Kent State has turned into the speed bump teams get to go through in their season. This week is no different. This year is the 75th matchup between Ohio and Kent State and the Bobcats own a 45-27-2 lead though the Flashes have won each of the last two matchups.
Thus far this year, Kent State has managed just one win and it was against an FCS foe. Against FBS teams, Kent State is averaging just over six points per game. Not great. On the flip side, they give up an average of 40 points. It’s not the players who stayed’s fault but this is not a good football team. Honestly, you’d do well to bet that their opponent covers every week.
Ohio, on the other hand, was incredibly close to winning the MAC last year even without prolific quarterback, Kurtis Rourke. Overall, their offense has not been quite as dynamic as last year but they’re picked up by a top-five scoring defense. Ohio is, assuming health, set to run through the MAC East to set up a rematch with Toledo in Detroit.
Ohio wins. Ohio wins big.
UCF at Kansas (+1.5)
For how chaotic and unfortunate conference realignment as been, it’s given us the opportunity to see brand-new matchups. UCF at Kansas is one of those such games. Kansas comes into this game by continuing their solid start as they did last year (hopefully they don’t fall off the Earth again…). UCF is brand-new to the Big 12 and they are looking to show the world they belong. Also, UCF fans, don’t check Fandual…they call you Central Florida.
UCF opened the year with a good ole smacking of Kent State and a narrow win over Boise State. After beating an FCS team, they’ve since fallen to Kansas State and Baylor. UCF can still put up points, averaging 37.6 points per game. John Rhys Plumlee has been battling injuries and Timmy Mcclain has led the offense. If Plumlee plays, they have a better chance.
The Jayhawks, on the other hand, will also be without their star quarterback, Jalon Daniels. Jason Bean will come into this game after having a rough go of it against Texas last week. An interesting tidbit is that Kansas has five different receivers with at least 10 receptions and 141 yards. They have plenty of talent to take advantage of whatever UCF throws at them.
At 1.5, this is essentially a pick ’em. Both programs are looking for a big Big 12 win to get back on track after a bad loss. Roll with Kansas here.
Michigan (-18.5) at Minnesota
Last week, we bet against Michigan and was very, very wrong. This week, they face off against a reeling Minnesota team in the 105th battle for The Little Brown Jug. The Wolverines own a 76-25-3 lead and have won 42 of the last 46. Michigan is certainly barrelling toward another.
To start the year, Michigan won handily but not impressively. Last week, they shellacked Nebraska in every which way. J.J. McCarthy has thrown for 1,086 yards and 10 touchdowns while completing nearly 80% of his passes. Meanwhile, Blake Corum is still one of the best back in the nation. Oh, and Michigan has the best scoring defense in the nation.
The Wolverines will have to contain Athan Kaliakmanis who has the ability to sling it. When he’s not, he can hand it off to Darius Taylor who has 532 yards and four touchdowns to date. However, they narrowly beat Nebraska and did lose to a bad Northwestern team.
The Wolverines are looking like they are not going to have to sweat until they face Penn State, Maryland, and Ohio State in the final three weeks. Michigan should be able to cover by half.
