Still basking in my triumphant return to 5 Bets, where I hit four of my five predictions, I am ready to try and duplicate last week’s performance. On the betting sheet for this weekend are three college games and two NFL contests.
My record last week in college was 2-0, where I picked Oregon and UNLV to cover and both did so easily. In the NFL, I got the Houston-Jacksonville game right, but saw the Raiders be the Raiders and lay down to Pittsburgh.
5 Bets to Make this Week
Syracuse +7 to cover against Clemson
LSU-Ole Miss Over 67.5 points
Alabama -14 over Mississippi State
Atlanta-Jacksonville Under 43.5 points
Philadelphia -8.5 over Washington
I don’t want to sound cocky, because it will definitely come back to bite me, but I like this week’s picks. We’ll see if I can keep the momentum going.
Record: Last week, 4-1; overall 4-1.
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Clemson Squeaks by Syracuse
I enjoy backing a team that lost a game it should have won the week before. The Clemson Tigers kicked away (see what I did there) their chance to down the Florida State Seminoles at home.
The numbers, however, don’t support the Tigers when they face the Syracuse Orange on Saturday. Dabo’s boys are 1-4 against the spread in their last five games and are 1-5 ATS in their last six meetings with Syracuse.
The Orange are 4-0-1 ATS in their last five. I don’t see Syracuse winning, but it will be close. Take the seven points.
Prediction: Syracuse +7 to cover against Clemson (-110 at Bet365)
Watch: Saturday, noon ET, ABC or fuboTV
Expect Shootout with Ole Miss-LSU
The LSU Tigers are No. 1 in total offense in the SEC and the Ole Miss Rebels are right behind them at No. 2. In points scored, the Tigers average 32.31 points per game, while the Rebels are at 34.17.
Saturday’s game at Ole Miss should be another offensive display. The sharps think so, driving the opening total line of 65 to 67.5. I still think the Over should hit. Both teams don’t have stellar defenses. LSU is sixth in total defense in the conference, while Ole Miss is eighth.
Look for a back and forth affair that LSU should win. We don’t care about the winning team, though, we just want points. Both teams should oblige that request.
Prediction: LSU-Ole Miss Over 67.5 (-110 at BetMGM)
Watch: Saturday, 6 p.m. ET, ESPN or fuboTV
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Alabama Regains Dominance
I know that the Alabama Crimson Tide have not been the overbearing squad we have seen in years past. They lost to the Texas Longhorns and looked underwhelming against the South Florida Bulls.
Last week, however, they put in a strong performance against Ole Miss, easily covering the seven points. With the quarterback situation kinda figured out, we should see another game like that one when they travel to play the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Despite everyone criticizing Nick Saban’s offense, they are second in scoring in the SEC at 40.75 points a game. They are also third in touchdowns scored and fifth in yards.
The defense is what should win this game, though. The Crimson Tide are second in total defense and scoring defense. MSU is middle of the pack in both total offense and touchdowns scored.
Asking to cover 14.5 points on the road always makes me nervous, but I think Alabama has it in them.
Prediction: Alabama -14.5 over Mississippi State (-110 at Caesars)
Watch: Saturday, 9 p.m. ET, ESPN or fuboTV
Falcons-Jags Go Under in London
Take two meh offenses, send them to London, where believe me, no one wants to play, and you have all the makings of a low-scoring contest. The Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars will play in Wembley Stadium and this could be more like a Premier League game than an NFL one in terms of scoring.
Atlanta is 2-1 but is 26th in total offense. The Jags are 16th. Jacksonville’s problems on offense seem to be what they aren’t doing, as opposed to what opponents are doing.
The Falcons, though are eighth in total defense, so the Jags are going to have to do better if they want to win this game.
I expect both to slog around London and score a couple of TDs, but this game should go well Under the 43.5 total.
Prediction: Atlanta-Jacksonville Under 43.5 (-110 at Caesars)
Watch: Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET, ESPN+ or fuboTV
Philadelphia Rings Washington’s Bell
If the Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Commanders game was in the nation’s capital, I might lean towards the home team. But with it in Philly, I definitely like the home team.
The Pittsburgh Steelers showed that a short week means nothing when facing a bad team. They traveled to Las Vegas and abused the Raiders. I think Philadelphia will do the same. If you shop around you can get eight points as opposed to 8.5. Either way, the Eagles are 2-0-1 ATS and I like them to continue that trend.
Prediction: Philadelphia -8.5 over Washington (-8.5 at BetRivers)
Watch: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX or fuboTV
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