Jason Radowitz is (9-1 for College Football) is looking to keep the momentum rolling in Week 5 with five more best bets for Saturday’s most popular games.
We’re going into Week 5 with some awesome new match-ups and conference rivalries. There’s a couple games with crazy playoff implications and I’m so excited to see how these games play out. I’ve went 9-1 in my last 10 best bets for College Football in the last two weeks. I’m hoping to keep the momentum moving forward in Week 5. If you’re looking for the College Game Day of the Week between Ohio State and Nebraska and my best bet, click here.
18 Virginia (4-0) @ 10 Notre Dame (2-1) at 3:30pm EST
I’ll start with the Virginia defensive front. They’re prolific and resilient getting to the quarterback. They lead the is tackles for loss and lead the nation in sacks. The linebackers have done a fantastic job stop the run where they’re 12th in the nation in run defense. They haven’t allowed a 100-yard rushing game in four games.
But we can’t forget last week. Virginia was down 17-0 to Old Dominion and then stormed back to win the game. Virginia continues to overcome adversity this season. The defense has been great and the concern for Notre Dame is if they’re just not ready for this game after a tough defeat last week to Georgia.
Notre Dame is only converting on third down 29 percent of the time and controlling the clock for just 26 minutes a game. Ian Book, quarterback for Notre Dame is able to get things done. Even though the rushing attack hasn’t been good for Notre Dame, he’s always able to keep his team in the game and give them a chance to win. The wide outs will give Virginia’s secondary a tough challenge. Florida State and Old Dominion had their way in a couple drives.
Here’s the problem for Notre Dame. These wideouts won’t be open if the Virginia pass rush gets to Book fast enough. I like Virginia if you’re giving me 12.5 points. It’ll be closer than many think.
Pick
21 USC (3-1) @ 17 Washington (3-1) at 3:30pm EST
USC will be throwing their inexperience, third string freshman Matt Fink against Washington in a big pac-12 match-up. Fink was incredible last week against Utah after stepping onto the field for Slovis in the first quarter. He helped produce a big upset win.
This week, Fink might not be so lucky. Washington is a tougher defense because they do a great job disguising coverages and confusing quarterbacks who are inexperienced. The offensive line for USC has been pretty good. There hasn’t been much action in the backfield. USC has had trouble running the ball lately but Fink has had enough time in the pocket (even with two quarterbacks out already).
Washington has had trouble keeping passing yards to a minimum this season after Hawaii and BYU torched them. Even with that said, Washington has only allowed three passing touchdowns all season in four games. So while USC has been throwing the ball well with their different quarterbacks, expect this time to be a little different. The pressure will come from Washington and they’ll defend like crazy in this one.
Jacob Eason, who has been sharp as of late, as the quarterback for Washington, will have a good productive game and help Washington to victory. I’m just not sure if he’ll help them to a 10.5 point victory. So with that …
I’m going to take the UNDER at 61. I don’t trust Fink against the Washington defense here. This will be a methodical game.
Jacob Eason, who has been sharp as of late, as the quarterback for Washington, will have a good productive game and help Washington to victory. I’m just not sure if he’ll help them to a 10.5 point victory. So with that …
I’m going to take the UNDER at 61. I don’t trust Fink against the Washington defense here. This will be a methodical game.
Pick
Mississippi State (3-1) @ Auburn (4-0) at 3:30pm EST
Miss State is finally figuring this out. The defense did a solid job against Kentucky in their 28-13 win last week. Garret Shrader, in for injured Tommy Stevens, raan for 125 yards last week and running back Kylin Hill added another 120 yards and three touchdowns on the day.
Miss State’s offense isn’t great but they tend to just stay in games, especially against teams that aren’t quick-paced straight shoot-out type teams. Auburn happens to be a team that doesn’t engage in shoot-out type games. Miss State’s third down defense is currently ranked first in the SEC.
Auburn seems to have luck on their side this season under freshman quarterback Bo Nix. Both the offensive line and defensive line has been great for Auburn thus far. The defense has a lot of NFL talent on the line and they’ve held the run pretty well in the first part of the season.
Auburn is running the ball much better this season. They’ve ran for 600 yards through four games compared to last season. This game could come down to who has the ball the longest. Auburn has been red-hot and there’s some serious suspensions on the Miss State side.
Auburn could be for real this season. Miss State is just another test for a team that has been tested pretty much every week this season. I’m rolling with Auburn -10 on the spread here.
Pick
Kansas State (3-0) @ Oklahoma State (3-1) at 7pm EST
We just spoke about how good Miss State has played this season. This Kansas State team defeated Miss State for their only loss of the season. They have a new coach in Chris Klieman and it’s been fun to watch. They’re dominating on third downs on both sides of the ball and they’ve committed few penalties. They’re just a well disciplined team in every phase.
Oklahoma State has been a force to be reckoned with on offense but their defense is … uh … ugly. They’re terrible on stopping teams on third downs and they commit an insane amount of penalties. They’re also not big on time of possession.
Kansas State’s defense has been good but they don’t have a pass rush. Oklahoma State’s running back Cuba Hubbard has led the nation in rushing and Spencer Sanders has been a great dual threat quarterback for Oklahoma State. Kansas State might have some trouble keeping up with Oklahoma State throughout the game.
Kansas State can’t stop the run. Miss State ran for over 200 yards on the ground (even in a loss). Oklahoma State will do better than that. I’ve really enjoyed Kansas State’s season so far, but I think their defense is going to finally breakdown against Oklahoma State. Kansas State’s offense has been good but they won’t keep up with Oklahoma State’s. Oklahoma State -4 please.
Pick
Washington State (3-1) @ Utah (3-1) at 7:30pm EST
Did anyone stay up for the Washington State/UCLA match-up last week? I certainly didn’t but it was a helluva finish. Washington State was up 49-17 to UCLA and LOST 67-63. Washington State’s pass defense was blown up and their run defense has some holes too.
Utah will certainly find those holes and likely control the game. Utah is averaging 35 minutes of time of possession a game. Utah’s defensive front has a lot of power and a lot of NFL talent on the defensive end.
Washington State’s Anthony Gordon is putting up Heisman numbers, Last week against UCLA, he threw for 570 yards and NINE touchdowns in a LOSS. The defense couldn’t get the job done for Gordon who played out of his mind, hitting 75 percent of his passes.
Earlier, we spoke about Matt Fink and his game against Utah last week. Utah struggled to stop Fink. Think about what will happen with Gordon throwing around against Utah.
Utah has some questionable injuries in running back Zack Moss and quarterback Tyler Huntley. They’ll play but they’re banged up. Washington State’s defense was atrocious against UCLA. But don’t expect that type of performance again. I believe Gordon is the real deal and this time he’ll lead them to a victory over Utah. This will be a tough two games for Utah if they end up losing this one. Tough luck.
