Week 5 College Football Best Bets: It Just Means More
Our Week 5 College Football Best Bets just mean more. The SEC offers several key games that will factor into determining which 2 teams will be playing for the conference championship in Atlanta.
Meanwhile, the Big Ten flexes with potential conference and national championship preview. The Oregon Ducks flock to Happy Valley for a likely white-out game against Penn State.
Three SEC games pit ranked teams against each other as the final weekend of September thrusts us into the cauldron of the college football season.
CBS long rues the day it failed to lock up the SEC 3:30 p.m. Saturday slot. This week provides another bittersweet reminder.
Promo Code: BOOKIESBG150
Key SEC Clashes Could Impact Playoff Picture
Georgia and Alabama tussle between the hedges in Athens. These schools have won 7 of the past 8 SEC championship games. The Bulldogs clawed their way out of Knoxville 41-40 in Week 3. The Tide needs to right the ship under Kalen DeBoer. A win between the hedges would cool off his coaching hot seat.
The LSU Tigers ride Mike the Tiger into Oxford, where the host team remains undefeated during party time in the Grove. Brian Kelly has yet to fulfil the promise he brought to Baton Rouge. This year, things may finally break his way
Lane Kiffin has yet to break through the iron atop the conference. But he’s been made for games such as this. And no one is more dangerous to SEC teams looking for a clear path to the title game than Kiffin and the Rebels at home.
In the other SEC game between ranked teams among our Week 5 College Football Best Bets, Auburn visits Kyle Field to face Texas A&M and the 12th Man, offering an exciting opportunity for sports betting.
Other games of note include:
- Ohio State begins it Big Ten run at Washington
- 7 Big 12 matchups
Week 5 College Football Best Bets
Here are our Week 5 College Football Best Bets to back on the best sports betting sites.
Week 5 College Best Bets
| Date | Game | Best Bet | Sportsbook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri., Sept. 26 |  Florida State  Virginia | FSU -7.5 | DraftKings |
| Fri., Sept. 26 |  TCU  Arizona State | TCU +1.5 | DraftKings |
| Fri., Sept. 26 |  Houston  Oregon State | HOU -11.5 | FanDuel |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  Ohio State  Washington | OSU -9.5 | DraftKings |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  USC  Illinois | USC -4.5 | ESPN BET |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  Indiana  Iowa | U 67 | Caesars |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  Georgia Tech  Wake Forest | GA TECH +6.5 | DraftKings |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  Notre Dame  Arkansas | ND -6.5 | ESPN BET |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  Cincinnati  Kansas | KU +0.5 | ESPN BET |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  UCF  Kansas State | K-ST -4.5 | Caesars |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  LSU  Ole Miss | MISS +1.5 | BetMGM |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  Auburn  Texas A&M | TAMU -6.5 | ESPN BET |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  Utah  West Virginia | UTAH -3.5 | FanDuel |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  Baylor  Oklahoma State | BU -12.5 | BetMGM |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  Tennessee  Mississippi State | TENN -8.5 | FanDuel |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  Arizona  Iowa State | U 53.5 | FanDuel |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  Oregon  Penn State | ORE +3.5 | FanDuel |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  Alabama  Georgia | UGA -3.5 | DraftKings |
| Sat., Sept. 27 |  BYU  Colorado | BYU -4.5 | Caesars |
Promo Code: BOOKIES20X
Week 5 College Football Best Bets: Game-By-Game Analysis
Friday, September 26
Florida State at Virginia, 7 p.m. (FOX)
Buzz: FSU coach Mike Norvell spent 2024 in the coaching hot seat. This year, Virginia coach Tony Elliott occupies the hot spot. The Noles’ turnaround continues with authority at Scott Stadium. With Miami looming next week, the 'Noles deliver a clinic.
Best Bet: FSU -7.5 (-110) DraftKings via OddsJam
TCU at Arizona State, 9 p.m. (FOX)
Buzz: The Sun Devils, unfortunately, can only go down this season in the Big 12 after their appearance in the College Football Playoff. This time, it’s TCU’s turn to surprise the prognosticators in their Big 12 opener. The Horned Frogs claimed the final Iron Skillet (at least for a while) with a win over SMU Saturday. Tough to pass on TCU getting points, even in the desert.
Best Bet: TCU +1.5 (-110) DraftKings via OddsJam
Houston at Oregon State, 10:30 p.m. (FOX)
Buzz: The Cougars tear up one more out-of-conference patsy before their Big 12 schedule begins in earnest. The Beavers, who waffled between 35.5 and 33.5-point underdogs, grabbed one of the all-time back door covers Saturday in their 41-7 loss to Oregon. Depending on when to you backed them.
Best Bet: Houston -11.5 (-110) FanDuel via OddsJam
Saturday, September 27
Ohio State at Washington 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
Buzz: The defending national and Big Ten champions begin conference play out west in the Big Ten opener for both teams. The Buckeyes should flex early, but keep an eye on just how big a number they face. The Bucks come in off the bye. Washington claimed the Apple Cup Saturday with a 59-24 curb-stomp of Washington State. Don't be swayed too much by that win. This number appears too low. Ohio State needs to pile up the points in conference play.
Best Bet: OSU -9.5 (-110) DraftKings via OddsJam
USC at Illinois, Noon (FOX)
Buzz: The Trojans gave the Big Ten West Coast contingent an early-season boost. Their conference schedule continues with a trip to Illinois after win and push (-14) against Michigan State. The Illini suffered a beating for the ages in Bloomington Saturday, losing 63-9 to the host Hoosiers. USC QB Jayden Maiava and RB Waymond Jordon have a day in Champaign.
Best Bet: USC -4.5 (-110) at ESPN BEt via OddsJam
Indiana at Iowa, 3:30 p.m. (Peacock)
Buzz: Indiana ran off 10 straight victories to begin last season, posting one of the best overall records ATS among all FBS schools. They've won 4 straight to start this season, including 63-9 Old Testament destruction of Illinois Saturday at home. Now, the question is, did oddsmakers over price the Hoosiers this week at Iowa in our Week 5 College Football Best Bets? Hard to see the Hawkeyes losing a home by a TD here. We'll lean into the under as both teams come off monstrous offensive performances , but against lackluster defensive units.
Best Bet: Under 67 (-110) Caesars Sportsbook via OddsJam
Georgia Tech at Wake Forest, Noon (ESPN)
Buzz: QB Haynes King and the Yellowjackets created plenty of buzz with their one-point win over Clemson. Look for a much larger stinger this week. The Demon Deacons come in here off a bye and loss to North Carolina State. The Jackets keep it close enough here for the back-door cover.
Best Bet: Georgia Tech +6.5 (-108) DraftKings via OddsJam
Notre Dame at Arkansas, 12 p.m. (ABC)
Buzz: Any other school would be long out of the Top 25 and the national championship conversation after an 0-2 start against the only ranked opponents on their schedule. But voters and networks grade Notre Dame on a much lower curve. If the Irish run the table against its next 10 foes (all unranked), they’ll get plenty of sympathy votes when playoff time comes. Once you've accepted the emotional inevitability of Notre Dame getting a playoff berth no matter what, you can take the points here as they a Pig Roast in Fayetteville.
Best Bet: Notre Dame -6.5 (-110) ESPN BET via OddsJam
Cincinnati at Kansas, 12 p.m. (TNT)
Buzz: Cincinnati begin its Big 12 schedule coming off a bye and a 70-0 win over Northwestern State. Bearcats QB Brendan Sorsby faces a quantum upgrade on defense this week. The Jayhawks bring balance on both sides. They remain a tough out at home, especially given this number.
Best Bet: Kansas +0.5 (-115) ESPN BET via OddsJam
UCF at Kansas State, 12 p.m. (FS1)
Buzz: A major letdown awaits UCF this week in Manhattan after basking in the national spotlight and the shadow of Bill Belichick and Jordon Hudson. UCF scored dominant home victory in Week 4 over North Carolina, and won 2025 on social media by mimicking Hudson's IG "Titanic" pose post. Shop around. This number moved 2 points in some places on Sunday. K-State came out flat against Arizona this week but surged in the 2nd half in a 23-17 loss. UCF is 3-0 but untested, and that means North Carolina, as well.
Best Bet: K-State -4.5 (-110) CaesarsSports via OddsJam
LSU at Ole Miss, 3:30 p.m. (FS1)
Buzz: The 4-0 LSU Tigers and Mike the Tiger stroll into The Grove, where the home team remains undefeated – at least during the pregame tailgate. Both coaches have yet to crack the SEC Brass Ceiling. Brian Kelly may have his best LSU team year. This game opened with LSU as 2.5-point underdogs, but the number has moved 4 points in LSU's favor. No one is more dangerous to SEC teams looking for a clear path to the title game than Lane Kiffin and the 4-0 Rebels at home. Just ask Nick Saban and Katy Perry. Ole Miss as a home dog? Woof!
Best Bet: Ole Miss +1.5 (-110) BetMGM via OddsJam
Auburn at Texas A&M, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Buzz: Auburn arrives in College Station fresh off a left-it-all-on-the-field loss at Oklahoma. Can Jackson Arnold and the Tigers offense make 102,733 vociferous “12th Men” shut up at Kyle Field? Arnold & Co. fell short 24-17 in Norman. And failed to cover at +4.5. Oklahoma-Texas A&M is a tough road back-to-back in any conference, never mind the SEC. Texas A&M won its “Game of the Year” thanks to a 1-point victory over Notre Dame in South Bend. They come off the bye here. The Aggies are tanned, rested, and ready.
Best Bet: Texas A&M -6.5 (-110) ESPN BET via OddsJam
Utah at West Virginia, 3:30 p.m. (FOX)
Buzz: The Utes head to Morgantown after their Big 12 opener in our Week 5 College Football Best Bets. Texas Tech crashed Utah's "Big Noon Kickoff" party. The Utes got pasted 34-10 by a back-up QB. A road conference win in the Eastern Time Zone would give Utah instant Top 20 credibility. Coach Rich Rodriguez and the Mountaineers amaze on the upside and downside this season. Saturday, West Virginia went down the tubes 41-10 at Kansas in their Big 12 opener. Utah holds a stronger foundation on both sides, and escapes with a win and cover.
Best Bet: Utah -3.5 (-120) FanDuel via OddsJam
Baylor at Oklahoma State, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Buzz: Will this be the last roundup for Mike Gundy as coach of the Cowboys? Or does OSU poke the Bear(s)? Gundy managed to keep his job - at least as of Sunday morning. Baylor took defending Big 12 champion Arizona State down to the gun in losing 27-24 on a last-second field goal Saturday. OSU could get an "interim-coach boost" if Gundy is gone by kickoff. Otherwise, the Bears grab a picnic basket and more.
Best Bet: Baylor -12.5 (-110) BetMGM via OddsJam
Tennessee at Mississippi State, 4:15 p.m. (SEC Network)
Buzz: Any game is scheduled to kick at 4:15 p.m. on the SEC Network already smells like a lukewarm, 4-day-old, tuna-salad sandwich. The Vols scored 41 in an OT loss to the Georgia Bulldogs. They added 56 points in their 32-point rout of UAB Sunday. UT coach Josh Heupel and the Vols get these Bulldogs to heel with ease.
Best Bet: Tennessee -8.5 (-110) FanDuel via OddsJam
Arizona at Iowa State, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Buzz: The most-compelling Big 12 matchup of the week. Both teams come off the bye, and hold a combined record of 7-0. Arizona coach Brent Brennan wants to keep the ball on the ground and try to crack the Cyclones’ stout defense. The Wildcats can make a monster statement with a road win. But the Cyclones' defense carries the day here.
Best Bet: Under 53.5 Points (-112) FanDuel via OddsJam
Oregon at Penn State, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
Buzz: ESPN Game Day comes to Happy Valley for a prime-time "white out" game. The biggest Big Ten game of the year that doesn’t include Ohio State or Michigan is a highlight in our Week 5 College Football Best Bets. This co-main event features two unbeaten top-five teams. A potential conference championship preview? College football playoff preview? Or national championship preview? Perhaps one, two, or all the above. James Franklin often finds a way to wither in the heat of the national spotlight. This season carries a different vibe in the Keystone State. Still, the 3-0 Lions are 0-3 ATS this season. The Ducks are 3-1 on the line after covering by a half-feather (-33.5) in their 41-7 win over Oregon State. This number has moved 2 points in Oregon's favor.
Best Bet: Oregon +3.5 (-110) FanDuel via OddsJam
Alabama at Georgia, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
Buzz: Alabama and Georgia have won the past 6 SEC titles, and 7 of the past 8. Georgia has ascended to the SEC Throne. And Kirby Smart, not Kalen DeBoer, stands as the legitimate heir to Nick Saban. Georgia held off Alabama last year at Athens in a wild 41-34 shoot out. But ex-Alabama QB Jalen Milrose rides the NFL bench in Seattle. And former Georgia QB Carson Beck lives “La Vida Loca” in South Beach. Both teams come off the bye, but aren’t quite what they used to be. DeBoer can quite the restless Crimson masses with a road upset. But the Dawgs are too deep, too talented and too “Smart” to let that happen.
Best Bet: Georgia -3.5 (-110) DraftKings via OddsJam
BYU at Colorado, 10:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Buzz: No better way to close a stacked Saturday of watching and wagering than to watch Coach Prime and the bad-boy 2-2 Buffs take on BYU. No caffeine allowed. Ralphie VII came out strong in her season debut Saturday night, as the Buffs beat Wyoming 37-20. BYU (3-0 & 3-0 ATS) usually gets a discount at the betting window. This number, however, spiked from 4 to 6.5 points at some books at Sunday. Shop around.
Best Bet: BYU -4.5 (-110) Caesars Sportsbook via OddsJam
Unibet Melbourne Cup Betting - Odds and Markets For 2025 Flemington Showpiece 
Betfair Melbourne Cup Betting Markets - How to Sign Up and Bet at Flemington 
Melbourne Cup Betting Offers, Tips & Free Bets for Australia's Biggest Race 2025 
BetMGM MI Casino Bonus Code BOOKIESMI2500: Get $2.5K Deposit Match + 100 Spins (Nov. 3) 
BetMGM PA Casino Bonus Code BOOKIES2500: Unlock Up to $2,500 Match Bonus + 100 Bonus Spins (Nov. 3) 
BetMGM NJ Casino Bonus Code BOOKIES2500: Grab $2.5K Deposit Match + 100 Spins (Nov. 3)
Comments