Our midseason rally continued with a banner week for our college football underdog picks. We went 4-1 last week, not just against the number but straight up, hitting outright winners on Northern Illinois (+7) and Arizona (+10), which resulted in big payoffs for those who bet the moneyline.
Now that we’re back above water against the spread and in total units for straight-up bettors, let’s continue the rally. Here are this week’s best college football underdog picks.
Underdog pick No. 1: Nebraska
At Ohio State (-18), noon ET, Fox
There is some danger here, to be sure, with Ohio State coming off of a bye week and returning home with some real motivation to make a statement, and Nebraska was dusted in its last big road game at Michigan. But these just seem to be teams headed in opposite directions. First-year coach Scott Frost has the Huskers believing in themselves, while the Buckeyes and embattled coach Urban Meyer just don’t seem to have the same energy we’re used to seeing them play with. Nebraska is much better than its 2-6 record, and though it’s unlikely they pull an outright stunner in the Horseshoe, it’s easy to believe they can make it a competitive game.
Related: College Football Betting Guide | This week’s odds
Pick: Nebraska +18
Underdog pick No. 2: West Virginia
At Texas (-1.5), 3:30 p.m. ET, Fox
This might not be a case of West Virginia being better than folks think, although the loss at Iowa State a few weeks back kept the Mountaineers under the radar. But Texas, which lost at Oklahoma State last week, continues to be overvalued because of a couple of big-name wins against USC and TCU (neither of which is all that good) and the marquee victory against Oklahoma. Don’t believe the hype. West Virginia’s offense should be able to put up enough points for the outright victory, even on the road.
Pick: West Virginia +1.5
Underdog pick No. 3: Virginia Tech
Vs. Boston College (-3), 3:45 p.m. ET, ACC Network
You don’t often see the Hokies as an underdog in Lane Stadium, particularly not if the opponent isn’t named Miami, Florida State or (in recent years) Clemson. Boston College is good, no doubt, but Virginia Tech has shown the ability to play well in big games this year. The Hokies will be up for this one and fight Boston College down to the wire. In that case, you’d sure like to be on the side with the three points.
Pick: Virginia Tech +3
Underdog pick No. 4: Charlotte
At Tennessee (-21), 4 p.m. ET, SEC Network Alternate
The November “bye” game has become a ritual for many SEC teams, and Tennessee is no different, even if it hasn’t exactly been a powerhouse for the past decade. The Vols should get a valuable win here toward bowl eligibility, but Charlotte is not a complete pushover. And with Tennessee coming off an emotional loss at South Carolina and big games against Kentucky and Missouri coming up, Tennessee might be just sluggish enough to let Charlotte hang around. If that’s the case, this is an easy cover.
Pick: Charlotte +21
Underdog pick No. 5: LSU
Vs. Alabama (-14.5), 8 p.m. ET, CBS
The game everyone will be watching in primetime has some betting value. Alabama is a juggernaut, no doubt, but LSU has a history of giving the Crimson Tide its toughest game year in and year out. Tigers coach Ed Orgeron has a history of getting his team to play its best in big games, especially at home in Baton Rouge. All of that means LSU might finally be the team that can slow down Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa — or at least slow him enough to keep the score down and make this a four-quarter game. If that’s true, that fourth quarter will work in LSU’s favor, too, because linebacker Devin White, suspended for the first half, will be back and the Tigers should be the fresher team because Alabama hasn’t had to play its starters more than three quarters all season. Buckle up for a knock-em-out slugfest and be happy you’re on the side with two touchdowns plus.
Pick: LSU +14.5
SEASON RECORD: 24-23 ATS, 16-31 straight up
