Welcome to Week 5 of the college football season.
For the eighth 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're rolling with two Power 4 squads that are nearly touchdown underdogs.
We'll get things started Saturday afternoon up in Seattle and finish up with a Big 12 night game in the Heartland. If you're feeling lucky, a parlay of both pups pays out north of 9-1 at the time of writing.
Let's dive into our college football moneyline underdogs for Week 5.
- 2018-24: 85-129, +15.91 Units
- 2025: 4-4, +1.8 Units
- Overall: 89-133, +17.71 Units
College Football Moneyline Underdogs for Week 5
Collin Wilson: Washington ML +250 vs. Ohio State
| Ohio State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8 -110 | 51.5 -115o / -105u | -310 |
| Washington Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8 -110 | 51.5 -115o / -105u | +250 |
I’m rolling with Washington against Ohio State. If this doesn’t work out, I’m gonna catch some heat, but hear me out.
Washington running back Jonah Coleman and quarterback Demond Williams Jr. are going to give Ohio State fits with their zone-read concepts. They boast a 73% Success Rate on inside zone runs, and they break off explosive plays on about one out of every three attempts on outside zone plays.
That spells trouble for Ohio State, especially since it's sitting at 118th in Defensive Stuff Rate.
Ohio State’s defensive line had a tough time holding down Texas on the ground, and I don’t see that changing against a disciplined Washington offense.
Fundamentals are key for this Ohio State defense. Defensive coordinator Matt Patricia might've picked up the win against Texas in Week 1, but there are concerns when looking deeper.
Caleb Downs had a 10% missed tackle rate last year, and that number has more than doubled to 21% this season. Plus, the Buckeyes rank 59th in PFF tackling grade as a unit.
When Washington has playmakers like Williams and Coleman hitting the second level and defenders missing tackles, the Huskies have a recipe to keep moving the chains.
I’m taking Washington here.
Stuckey: Arizona ML +200 vs. Iowa State
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+6 -110 | 48.5 -110o / -110u | +200 |
| Iowa State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-6 -110 | 48.5 -110o / -110u | -245 |
I like Arizona over Iowa State here.
Campbell's Law says every time Iowa State pulls off a win, it just looks worse the next day.
The Cyclones barely squeaked by Arkansas State, and then the Red Wolves got absolutely demolished by Kennesaw State. Kansas State has been a disaster. Even South Dakota looks downright terrible for what should be a solid FCS team.
Yes, Iowa State got a bye week, but guess what? Arizona had one, too.
Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita has also been playing really well for the Wildcats. He tends to hold onto the ball longer than most, but Iowa State’s defense hasn’t been able to generate any real pressure, so that doesn't matter nearly as much.
Then there’s the kicker situation for Iowa State. Both its kicker and kickoff specialist are injured, so a true freshman is expected to handle all those duties. That’s a wild card right there. It could mean better starting field position for Arizona and possibly missed kicks for Iowa State.
All things considered, I’m taking the Wildcats in this one.
