The high of the 2-0-1 Week 4 wore off in Week 5 with a 1-2 record, as Arkansas decided it was time to play some defense. Give Razorbacks defensive coordinator Barry Odom credit as he basically shut down the Air Raid offense of Mike Leach and Mississippi State.
Now, it’s on to Week 6, but we have to be prepared to expect the unexpected. The Oklahoma Sooners lost for the second time of the season already. So did the Texas Longhorns. Even UCF lost last week to Tulsa. Kentucky rushed for 408 yards – yes, 408 yards! – and lost because their kicker missed an extra point.
Here’s how we’ll navigate Week 6.
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(#4) Florida vs. (#21) Texas A&M Predictions
Texas A&M gets its second straight dose of SEC division elite’s when it welcomes Florida to College Station. The Gators are every bit as good as advertised averaging 44.5 points per game on offense. QB Kyle Trask is a Heisman Trophy contender with 684 passing yards and 10 touchdowns in the Gators two wins.
Florida goes up against an A&M defense that gives up 32 points a game. That Aggies unit got smoked last week by Alabama in a 52-21 defeat.
College Station isn’t an easy place to play but neither was Oxford (Mississippi) where Trask led the Gators to a 51-31 victory. With the Gators a 6.5-point favorite, take the better team to cover against the spread.
BEST BET: FLORIDA -6.5
(#19) Virginia Tech vs. (#8) North Carolina Predictions
Virginia Tech (2-0) travels to Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill to take on the 2-0 Tar Heels with a ground game averaging over 300 yards per game. The Hokies run game will clash with one of the better rush defenses in the nation. North Carolina gives up just 54 yards a game and held Boston College to just 40 yards rushing last week.
Since joining the ACC, Virginia Tech is actually 7-1 when playing at Kenan Stadium. North Carolina had a couple weeks off before playing BC last week. That explains their sloppy play in a 26-22 win. The Tar Heels are 4-1 ATS in their last five games and the Hokies could still be missing some players due to the coronavirus.
The Hokies have played UNC tight the last seven times. In fact, VT is 6-1 ATS in its last seven against the Tar Heels. Many think they’ll do the same this time around. Not Coach Rick. Don’t make a beginner sports betting mistake and bet on UNC here.
BEST BET: NORTH CAROLINA -5.5
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(#14) Tennessee vs. (#3) Georgia Predictions
Points will likely be hard to come by in Saturday’s Tennessee-Georgia clash. The Bulldogs have allowed just 16 points in their two games this season. Tennessee held Missouri to just 12 points last week in a 35-12 victory over the Tigers.
Tennessee is now 8-0 SU in its last eight games and the Under is 6-1 in the Vols last seven games. With the over/under set at 43.5, bettors will be white-knuckled all game if Georgia hits anywhere near its scoring average per game (32.0) With a two-touchdown spread (UGA -14.5) and the Bulldogs at say 28 points…28-14 is just too close for comfort.
That leaves a side. The Vols have been blown out by Georgia in each of the last three seasons. Head coach Jeremy Pruitt is righting the ship, but he hasn’t beaten the SEC’s elite – Alabama, Florida, LSU, and Georgia.
It’s doubtful that Pruitt does it this year, but that two-score spread is enticing. This is the year Pruitt and Vols make a statement.
BEST BET: TENNESSEE +14.5
(#7) Miami vs. (#1) Clemson Predictions
This year’s Clemson-Miami clash offers a bit of intrigue as the Hurricanes now have an elite quarterback and a pretty good defense. The Hurricanes are 3-0 and QB D’Eriq King is the real deal. He has 736 passing yards, 157 more on the ground, and seven total touchdowns.
Clemson is the nation’s No. 1 team for a reason. QB Trevor Lawrence is the front-runner for the Heisman Trophy. RB Travis Etienne is a first-round draft pick and the Tigers defense is among the country’s best.
The Tigers will be less than a four-touchdown favorite for the first time this season. Clemson is 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games as a favorite of three touchdowns or less. Clemson is just 1-4 ATS in their last five games and Miami is looking to make a statement.
Sure, the underdog looks good, but Coach Rick doesn’t think the Hurricanes are ready to take the next step just yet.
BEST BET: CLEMSON +14.5
