Each week, I will use this space to tell you what I think are a few of the best bets heading into the weekend. I will also throw in an upset of the week, which will be a team that is at least a touchdown underdog that I am picking to win outright.
I had my first rough week of the season last week. I went 1-2 on the picks with Utah as the only team coming through for me. My upset special also fell short with Stanford handling business against UCLA. After three weeks, I am now 8-3-1 on the regular picks and 2-2 on the upset special.
Week 5 Picks
Indiana at Penn State (-17.5): Penn State got a challenge at Iowa last week, as expected, but won on the final play to stay undefeated and in the hunt for a Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff spot. Indiana's fast paced offense will give the Nittany Lions trouble early, but it is hard to imagine the Hoosiers being able to slow down Saquon Barkley and the PSU offense. Pick: Penn St (-17.5)
Oklahoma State at Texas Tech (+9.5): The Cowboys chances of winning the Big 12 probably disappeared on their home field last week in a loss to TCU. Texas Tech does not figure to pose as much of a challenge. Look for Oklahoma State to get the high flying offense back on track this week. Pick: Oklahoma State (-9.5)
Iowa at Michigan State (-3.5): I had to do a double take when I saw this line. Michigan State, a week after being annihilated at home by Notre Dame, is actually favored against Iowa. I wish this were a bigger line so I could make it my Upset of the Week pick. The Spartans do not look like they have bounced back from a tough 2016 yet. Pick: Iowa (+3.5)
Upset of the Week
Florida State at Wake Forest (+7.5): The Seminoles have not been this vulnerable in years. Playing their first game in three weeks and breaking in a new quarterback, they lost at home to NC State last week. FSU is now 0-2 for the first time since 1989. This is the Seminoles best chance for a win in a month, but that does not make it a great chance. The Demon Deacons are not the pushover they have been in the past. Pick: Wake Forest (+7.5)
Other CFP candidates in action
Mississippi at Alabama (-28) Pick: Alabama
Clemson at Virginia Tech (+7) Pick: Virginia Tech
USC at Washington State (+3.5) Pick: WSU
Washington at Oregon State (+26.5) Pick: Washington
Northwestern at Wisconsin (-14.5) Pick: Wisconsin
Ohio State at Rutgers (+29.5) Pick: Ohio State
Mississippi State at Auburn (-9) Pick: Auburn
Miami at Duke (+6.5) Pick: Duke