Each week, we will each give out our favorite moneyline underdog on the college football card. You can play them straight, throw them in a longshot parlay or just read for additional insight.
Two will always come from Stuckey and Collin on The Action Network Colleges podcast — and college football contributor Locky Lockerson will provide the other.
We went 1-2 last weekend for a small profit, but were a bit unlucky not to go 2-1 as San Jose State (+310) lost a three-overtime thriller to Hawaii.
Let's get into our Week 6 moneylines, starting with Rutgers. If you feel like really rolling the dice, a moneyline parlay of all three pays 43-1.
YTD: 5-10 -1.35 units
>> Check out Sports Insights’ Bet Signals to track sharp action for college football’s entire Week 5 slate.
Ken Barkley: Rutgers +175
- Spread: Illinois -4.5
- Over/Under: 50
- Time: Noon ET
- TV: BTN
After giving out Georgia State last week, I figured I'd take a big step up in class so I settled on … Rutgers.
The thought process here is really simple: I have this lined much closer to a pick 'em, and I think a few of Rutgers' embarrassing losses have stretched this line too far.
The Illini also seem to be getting credit for some odd results:
- They were competitive against Penn State and then got 35-0'ed in the 4th. Is that … good?
- They kept it close against USF in one of the most deceiving final scores of the season (USF significantly outplayed them all game).
In reality, the talent level in this matchup is pretty even. And although the offensive and defensive units are pretty atrocious, they are evenly matched. Rutgers is playing its third home game in a row and finally showed signs of life last week in a seven-point loss to Indiana. In maybe the most winnable game left on the schedule, head coach Chris Ash might need this game to save his job. I expect an inspired effort.
In what looks like a coin flip, gimme +175.
Stuckey: Iowa State +300
- Spread: Oklahoma State -9.5
- Over/Under: 55.5
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel: ESPN2
Iowa State really needs this game or this season (and a potential bowl appearance) could end up slipping away. Over the past three seasons, Oklahoma State has won each meeting — but only by a combined margin of 18 points.
In fact, the Cyclones led by at least two touchdowns in all three of those meetings. I envision another competitive game and expect an inspired effort from a desperate Iowa State team looking for revenge and attempting to salvage its season.
The forecast also calls for thunderstorms all afternoon in Stillwater — a significant neutralizing factor.
If so, expect both star running backs to carry the load on the ground. Iowa State running back David Montgomery is expected to play, and I trust the Cyclone rush defense a little more. Give me Matt Campbell & Co. here.
Collin Wilson: UAB +300
- Spread: Louisiana Tech -9.5
- Over/Under: 55.5
- Time: 7 p.m. ET
- TV channel: FACEBOOK
If you read our staff favorite bets column or my weekly best bets piece, you probably could have already guesses I was going back to the Blazers today.
UAB simply matches up perfectly on both sides of the ball. This may surprise you, but the Blazers actually rank first in the nation in adjusted sack rate. They should wreak havoc against a very vulnerable Louisiana Tech offensive line.
Expect the UAB uber-efficient offense to move the chains all night, keeping this game within striking distance into the fourth quarter. Give me the boys from Birmingham.
