Best NCAA Football Games to Bet in Week 6
There are plenty of big NCAA football games starting from the noon window that will carry all the way through the day.
When it comes to proving they belong in the race for their respective conference championships of the College Football Playoff, many teams are hoping to state their case for the rest of the season. Who ends up in the most interesting bowl games could be determined by part with a strong performance this weekend.
Here’s a look at some games to bet in Week 6.
Tennessee (-3) vs. LSU
The Volunteers want to do everything fast under coach Josh Heupel. Especially when it comes to their offensive approach, the Volunteers want to blitz their opponents. Tennessee is third in the country in scoring offense, putting up 48.5 points per game.
Volunteers quarterback Hendon Hooker has passed for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns so far this season. He will need to keep the pace if No. 8 Tennessee is going to win on the road against No. 25 LSU. The Tigers have won four straight since opening the season with a bizarre loss to Florida State.
LSU hasn’t looked nearly as impressive as Tennessee. LSU struggled to get past Auburn last week, which was starting its backup quarterback.
The Tigers are led on offense by Jayden Daniels, an Arizona State transfer who has thrown for 915 yards and six touchdowns this season. LSU will score against a weak Volunteers defense but won’t be able to keep up with the number of points scored by Tennessee.
Maryland (-3) vs. Purdue
Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa has helped make the program a fun, feisty team in a difficult Big Ten East division. Maryland won’t want to pass up the opportunity to beat the Boilermakers, who have struggled to find consistency. The Terrapins have put together three straight strong performances.
Maryland sandwiched a loss by seven to No. 4 Michigan around victories over Michigan State and SMU. Tagovailoa has passed for 1,416 yards and eight touchdowns this season.
He is supported in the backfield by Terrapins running back Roman Hemby. Hemby averages 6.5 yards per carry, has scored three touchdowns, and rushed for 369 yards this season.
Purdue once again has a strong aerial attack. Aidan O’Connell has passed for 1,199 yards and eight touchdowns. The Boilermakers, who are 3-2, haven’t finished games strong.
Purdue let fourth-quarter leads slip away in losses to Penn State and Syracuse. Those struggles will continue with a loss to the Terrapins.
UCLA (+4.5) vs. Utah
The No. 11 Utes have won four straight games entering a trip to the Rose Bowl to take on No. 18 UCLA. Utah has rallied during its winning streak behind its strong defense. The Utes only allow opponents to gain 278.6 yards per game.
On offense, the Utes have been able to lean on the stellar play of quarterback Cameron Rising. Rising has passed for 1,154 yards and 13 touchdowns. Utah’s offense ranks 34th in the country by putting up 454.4 yards per game.
UCLA, meanwhile, looks like it may have finally arrived under veteran coach Chip Kelly. The Bruins are led by dynamic dual-threat quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who has thrown for 1,211 yards and 11 touchdowns. UCLA upset Washington last season to move to 5-0 for the first time in a decade.
There’s a chance the Bruins may not be able to crack Utah’s defense, but this may be a special season for UCLA. Bet the Bruins to keep it close.
Oklahoma State (-9.5) vs. Texas Tech
The No. 7 Cowboys, who are 4-0 this season, are on a mission after losing a heartbreaker in the Big 12 championship game last year. Oklahoma State got its revenge on Baylor last week, handing the Bears an 11-point win on the road. The Cowboys were able to put up 36 points last week despite quarterback Spencer Sanders throwing for a season-low 181 yards.
Sanders has passed for 1,097 yards and 11 touchdowns this season. Oklahoma State wide receiver Braydon Johnson leads the Cowboys in receiving, having caught 17 passes for 360 yards and three touchdowns.
The Red Raiders, who are 3-2, have been on a wild ride over the past four weeks. In four games against ranked opponents, Texas Tech went 2-2, including overtime victories over Houston and Texas. The Red Raiders are putting up 35 points per game and average 475.6 yards per game.
The all-time series between the two teams is tied at 23-23-3. However, Oklahoma State has been the far superior program as of late. The Cowboys have won the previous two meetings and will put up enough points to win this game by double figures.
Derek Hudson
Derek is a long time sports bettor who grew up in Providence, RI. Derek is data driven and believes the key to betting the sportsbooks is finding an edge in analytics. Derek is happily married and has two young boys. Derek will bet on anything if you let him.
