It was a rough week for 5 Bets last week as I suffered my first losing record of the season. I went 2-1 on college football, but 0-2 on the NFL. Those types of weekends tend to sour your mood and also shake your confidence a little bit.
5 Bets to Make this Week
Mississippi -6.5 over Auburn
Oregon -20 over Washington State
Colorado State ML +240 over UNLV
Detroit Lions +3 vs. Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills +8.5 over New England Patriots
As a result, I am going to warn readers in advance about my NFL picks. I am not crazy about either one, but they are the best ones I thought would cash.
Last week: 2-3, overall 12-6-1
Ole Miss Rolls Against Auburn
The Mississippi Rebels’ offense has been performing with scary efficiency. The Rebels have been piling up points and have outscored opponents 250-143.
Ole Miss is 5-1, there only loss was to Alabama on the road. Now, I have no explanation for last week’s 27-20 win at home against Arkansas, only to say the Razorbacks are a much tougher team than they are given credit for.
So, I think the Rebels will be ready to play a much more offensively productive game against the Auburn Tigers.
The Tigers are 100th or worse in several offensive categories, so this isn’t going to be a shootout. With Mississippi only having to lay 6.5 points, I’ll take less than a touchdown, even if they are on the road.
Prediction: Ole Miss -6.5 over Auburn (-110 at Caesars)
Watch: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN or fuboTV
New users can place a sports cash wager at Caesars Sportsbook of $10 or more and receive 1,000 Reward Credits, 1,000 Tier Credits AND if you lose the first real money bet you place, receive a bet up to $1,250!
Bounce-back in Big Way for Oregon
The Oregon Ducks lost a tough game against Washington last week and that could be deflating. I think for Oregon, however, it will be motivating, especially when they have Utah the following week.
The Washington State Cougars surrendered 44 points last week to an Arizona team that had their second-string quarterback and running back playing.
Right now, the Cougars couldn’t stop a clock. Now they’re going up against an Oregon team that is running like a fine watch. Bucky Irving is one of the best running backs in the country and should have success against WSU.
If this game was in Pullman, I would be a bit worried. It’s not, though, so I have no problem giving away 20 points.
Prediction: Oregon -20 over Washington State (-110 at Caesars)
Watch: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC or fuboTV
Rams Headbutt Rebels
This pick pains me to make because I have become such a fan of UNLV Rebels football. But I think they lose outright to the underdog Colorado State Rams this Saturday at home.
The Rebels have been the darlings of the Mountain West this year, as well as a favorite of bettors. Their only loss this season has been to Michigan and they are 6-0 against the spread.
All streaks come to an end, however, and this one ends on Saturday. The Rams have a potent air attack and UNLV is ranked 124th defending the pass.
That will force the Rebels to get into a shooting match with CSU and the Rams defense should force a couple of turnovers.
I’m going to hedge a bit and not take CSU on the moneyline. At +240 it’s tempting … oh screw it, let’s go for broke.
Prediction: Colorado State ML over UNLV (+240 at BetRivers)
Watch: Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, Mountain West Network or fuboTV
Make your first-time deposit with BetRivers in Michigan and New Jersey and place your first sports wager. If your first wager loses, receive a Free Bet, equal to your stake, up to a maximum of $500. Free Bet will be awarded within 24 Hours of your qualifying wager settling as a loss.
Lions Continue to Impress
The Detroit Lions are turning into one of the NFL’s steadiest teams. Their record on the road is impressive. They have won at Kansas City, Green Bay, and Tampa Bay.
This meeting with the Baltimore Ravens will be the team’s second consecutive road game. That’s the first red flag. The second red flag is the public has them as the most bet game at BetMGM. They are also the second bet team in terms of handle.
Neither of which fills me with confidence on the Lions. The sharp money is on Baltimore to win at home. Their defense is ranked second in the NFL so they might be able to slow down the Lions’ third-ranked offense.
This game I think will come down to how Baltimore’s offense performs. They rank 11th, while Detroit’s defense is seventh.
I think Baltimore does enough to pull out the home win.
Prediction: Baltimore -3 over Detroit (-110 at BetMGM)
Watch: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, FOX or fuboTV
Buffalo Covers Against Patriots
Did I not learn my lesson last week when the Buffalo Bills were a big favorite and almost lost to the New York Giants? Apparently not, because I am taking them this week to cover 8.5 points against the New England Patriots.
If I was smart, I would stay away from this game, but I’ve never been accused of that, so I am going to ride the Bills. One encouraging sign is the Patriots are in a freefall. They have lost their last three by 35, 34, and four points.
Let’s see if Buffalo can make this right, or I am off of them for the rest of the season.
Prediction: Buffalo -8.5 over New England (-110 at BetMGM)
Watch: Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, CBS or fuboTV
