If you want more Action Network content, be sure to add us as a preferred source on Google.
Welcome to college football Week 5.
For the ninth straight season on our college football betting podcast, Big Bets on Campus, Collin Wilson and Stuckey pick their two favorite moneyline underdogs for each week's slate.
For Week 5 of the season, they rolled with two home underdogs to pull off upsets, including one in a top-20 SEC showdown and one in a top-tier ACC clash.
If you're feeling lucky, a parlay of both pups pays out at 5-1 at the time of writing.
Let's dive into our college football moneyline underdogs for Alabama vs. Mississippi State and Louisville vs. NC State on Saturday, October 3.
Download the Action Network app for more expert picks and analysis!
College Football Moneyline Underdogs for Week 5
Mississippi State 1H ML +145 vs. Alabama
| Alabama Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -118 | 60.5 -110o / -110u | -220 |
| Mississippi State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -104 | 60.5 -110o / -110u | +180 |
By Stuckey
I'm taking Mississippi State first-half moneyline. There's usually some variance early with Alabama, which has had a few weird starts this season.
Meanwhile, Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby typically comes with a good script, and Mississippi State can hit big plays early.
You might see a couple of mistakes from Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell before he settles in, which has been the pattern lately.
Even last week against South Carolina, the Gamecocks ripped off roughly 130 yards on their first two drives but still missed a field goal and turned it over on downs. Explosives are almost guaranteed here, and it could start early.
Defensively, this matchup favors the Bulldogs early. Alabama has surprisingly struggled to limit 20-plus yard passes, ranking in the bottom 20 nationally, and Mississippi State ranks in the top 20 in creating those big plays.
Give me Mississippi State to get out to a fast start here.
NC State ML +150 vs. Louisville
| Louisville Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -115 | 58.5 -110o / -110u | -184 |
| NC State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -105 | 58.5 -110o / -110u | +152 |
I'm taking NC State.
The market's overreacting to that Vanderbilt loss like it should have knocked its power rating down, but it shouldn't. The Wolfpack's post-game win expectancy was basically flawless; it came down to one mistake from CJ Bailey.
There are real advantages for NC State in this spot that I don't think the market is pricing.
The Wolfpack come into this game against a solid Louisville team as +3.5 underdogs, which speaks to how good this team can be at times. I'll take them to win outright.
