College Football Odds 2011 Week 5: By the fifth week of any college football season bettors should have a pretty good picture of the years contenders as well as the pretenders. Week 5 College Football Odds have been on the board since early Monday, and like every week, the list is full of surprises.
Two good betting games kick off Thursday night, both at 8 P.M. ET; a Big East battle between the No. 16 South Florida Bulls (4-0) and Pitt Panthers (2-2) at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh (ESPN-HD) and a Conference USA tilt at Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, Texas between the UTEP Minors (2-2) and Houston Cougars (4-0) (CBSC). Undefeated through four games, the Bulls list as 2-chalk favorites on the off-shore BetOnline.com college football odds board. The Cougars are better than two touchdown favorites (-16 1/2-points) versus the Minors with a 64 1/2 total.
One game is listed for Friday's betting card; a regional rivalry contest between the Aggies of Utah State and BYU Cougars to be played at Lavell Edwards Stadium on the BYU campus in Provo, Utah. This game is expected to be closely contested and BetOnline.com lists it as such giving BYU a slight 6 1/2-chalk edge. If you remember, it was the Aggies who practically had Auburn beat in Week-1. This years squad is much improved from previous campaigns.
Saturday's always have a big early game scheduled and Saturday, Oct. 1 is no different. No. 18 Arkansas is this years host team to Texas A&M at Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. ESPN has the broadcast rights for this one with kickoff set for Noon. The Razorbacks, looking to go 3-0 in this series, are listed as +3-point underdogs in this one with a 62 1/2 total. I'll give you a hint; betting sharps love Arkansas in this game.
One of the most anticipated games of the early season is No. 8 Nebraska's Big Ten inaugural game with No. 7 Wisconsin at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wis. The Huskers were early picks to win the Big Ten title but for them to do so they have to go through Wisconsin. Oddsmakers like the Badgers in this one by -10.
Who's Number-One? That depends on what poll you're looking at. The No. 1 LSU Tigers, in the Associated Press Poll, return home to Baton Rouge, La., to take on the Kentucky Wildcats. Not much drama expected here with the Tigers favored by -29 1/2.
Oklahoma held its top-spot in the Week-5 USA-Today/Coaches Poll after its struggle with Missouri last week. Like LSU, the Sooners get an easy one this week with the Cardinals of Ball State coming to Norman. Oddsmakers list OU a big 37-point favorite. I expect the sharps to be backing Ball State in this one. They're not all that bad.
You can catch No. 3 Alabama on CBS at 8 P.M. ET, when they hit the road for the second time in 2011, this time to play the No. 12 Florida Gators in the Swamp in Gainesville. It's not often the Gators are underdogs at home but in this game they are. BetOnline.com has Gators backers getting +3 1/2-points while the total opened at 45.
For the full Week-5 College Football betting card; click on the highlighted link that will take you to the Sports-Odds.com College Football Odds page.
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