This week’s 5 Bets goes back to football, with two college games and two NFL picks. The college games I am backing two teams that should keep rolling over their competition.
In the NFL, however, I am selecting two picks that are going against conventional wisdom. I do like the value they bring and believe the intangibles outweigh the logic.
The final bet is on Formula 1. The sport is making only its second appearance of the year in the United States and there is a unique bet I liked with one of the drivers.
5 Bets to Make this Week
- TCU -3.5 over Kansas State
- Alabama -21 over Mississippi State
- Denver -1 over NY Jets
- Carolina +11 over Tampa Bay
- Sergio Perez +150 Antepost winner US Grand Prix
TCU Handles Kansas State
The TCU Horned Frogs have been rolling through Big 12 opponents and the Kansas State Wildcats won’t be any exception. The undefeated Horned Frogs defeated the Oklahoma State Cowboys last week.
Kansas State is coming off a bye week and has won every game but one. It is that one game, however, that makes me suspicious of them. They hosted the Tulane Green Wave as 13.5-point favorites and lost outright, 17-10.
Good teams don’t do that, especially ones that have their eyes on taking down the top team in their conference. I see TCU keeping the Wildcats at bay and easily covering the 3.5 point spread.
Prediction: TCU -3.5 points over Kansas State (-110 at BetMGM)
Watch: Saturday 8 p.m. ET FOX Sports 1
Angry Alabama Takes it Out on MSU
How motivated do you think the Alabama Crimson Tide is going to be this Saturday after being upset by the Tennessee Volunteers and potentially putting themselves in jeopardy of missing the College Football Playoffs?
They are hosting the Mississippi State Bulldogs and are going to take out their frustrations against MSU. The line is 21 but the Crimson Tide could easily have that covered before halftime.
Also, Alabama’s defense was embarrassed last weekend. There is definitely a challenge thrown down to them to limit MSU to as few points as possible. I think Alabama’s defense answers the call.
Prediction: Alabama -21 points over MSU (-108 at BetRivers)
Watch: Saturday 7 p.m. ET ESPN
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Denver Takes Jets Breath Away
After the Denver Broncos poor performance against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday night, it would be easy to jump on the New York Jets for their game on Sunday.
Short week for the Broncos, an offense that has a lot of questions, and a streaking Jets team are reasons not to back Denver.
What stands out in this game, however, is New York having to play in altitude. Teams struggle playing with little air and while the Broncos are used to it, the Jets are not.
This is the game that I think trips up New York. They are coming with a disadvantage and Denver will take advantage of that.
The odds for this game opened in Denver’s favor at -7.5 but have plunged all the way to -1. That is a good value bet.
Prediction: Broncos -1 over Jets (-110 at Caesars)
Watch: Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET CBS
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Carolina Catches Tampa Bay Peeking
I know the Carolina Panthers are a red-hot mess right now, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t far behind. Last Sunday footage appeared of Bucs QB Tom Brady yelling at his offensive line on the bench.
I’m sure one of those 300-pounders felt like say, “Hey, Tom, why didn’t you skip going to the wedding on Friday and stay and practice with your team?”
The honeymoon is over in South Florida. Brady doesn’t have Gronk, they are currently 3-3, and nowhere near the playoffs much less a Super Bowl appearance.
They face the Baltimore Ravens the week after this game and there’s a real chance the Bucs could get caught looking ahead to that game and take this contest for granted.
For +11 odds, I’m willing to take the chance. Give me the Panthers and the points.
Prediction: Panthers +11 over Bucs (-110 at Unibet)
Watch: Sunday 4:05 p.m. ET CBS
Perez has Plenty to Race for in Austin
Even though Max Verstappen wrapped up the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship recently, there is quite a battle for second place. Sergio Perez is ahead of Charles Leclerc by a point as they head into Austin, Texas for the US Grand Prix.
This is only the second appearance in the US for Formula 1 and the race in Texas is proving to be a popular one.
Verstappen is the -200 favorite to win but there is another bet that might prove to be a bit more profitable to gamblers. There is a section for an antepost winner without Verstappen. That means you get to bet on the winner of the race without having to factor in what Verstappen does.
Perez is getting +150 odds and if he can get past Leclerc it would be a nice little payday.
Prediction: Sergio Perez +150 Antepost Winner (+150 at BetMGM)
Watch: Sunday 3 p.m. ET ESPN
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