Taking Bets | A Fluke or No? | Week Six

Every Friday evening, Taking Bets gets you ready for the weekend's games with some ideas on the bets to make. It's Mallory McCormack, host of The Staredown podcast, Blaine Duncan, editor-in-chief and host of the TV podcast Taking It Down, and TD Wood, host of Takin' On Sports.

2023 ATS Record
Blaine Duncan: 7-11-1 (Week Five: 2-2)
TD Wood: 11-8 (Week Five: 3-1)
Mallory McCormack: 10-7-2 (Week Five: 1-2-1)

Blaine Duncan 
Coming in after breaking even, I know that's really losing. You have to pay the sugar. Might as well chalk it up as a bad weekend. However, there are several lines that I like this time around! That's not good!

Maryland (+20) at Ohio State -- It's a big ask for Tua's little brother going into the Horseshoe, but Maryland does seem to be better than this number suggests. Wouldn't an upset be amazing? Hopefully the Terps can keep it within two touchdowns if nothing else.

LSU (-5.5) at Missouri -- Tigers on Tigers! I suppose that LSU is favored by a mere 5.5 points because Missouri's record looks good at 5-0. But look at who've they beaten. They haven't faced a team as talented as LSU, even if they do get them at home.

Oregon State at Cal (OVER: 51.5) -- I wouldn't be surprised if the better bet here is taking the Beavers to cover at -9.5, but I was always told to take the over in the late games out West. The score will run high. Beavers win.

NFL Game of the Week:
Saints at Patriots (-1) -- The Pats are in disarray and who knows if Mac Jones will play the whole game, part of the game, or, possibly, none of the game. The truth is that it's hard to tell how bad he is now: he doesn't have a team around him and he's hurting for anyone to make a big play. But, New England absolutely has to get a win, and it's at home, where they have not brought the fans a victory yet this season. Pair that with the Saints' unimpressive victories this year, and hopefully New England can get something together, even if it's by a field goal.

***

TD Wood
That's more like it. I completely misread the Arky/A&M game, but the three other games hit for me. Maybe like some of the nation's best teams, I'm hitting my stride as we enter October.

Texas vs Oklahoma (Over 60.5) -- First of all, like we mentioned on Takin' On Sports this week, it's the Red River Shootout, dammit. Secondly, I like these two offense to live up to the shootout moniker and put some major points up. Folks have been sleeping on the Sooners, this one if gonna be real, real good.

Washington State (+3.5) at UCLA -- Road dog alert! Cam Ward is having himself a fine season for the Cougars, and I like them to keep it going against the Bruins. The PAC-2 revenge tour rides on.

Fresno State at Wyoming (+5.5) -- This time let's go with the home dog. The 'Pokes are a tough team to beat at home. That Laramie altitude is a big advantage. The Bulldogs are having a good year, but it's come against pretty poor competition. I like Wyoming to keep it close, or even win outright.

NFL Game of the Week:
Bengals (-3) at Cardinals -- Joe Burrow and the Bengals have struggled mightily this season, but this feels like a good "get right" game for them. Or, at least, the Cards are bad enough that Cincy can look like their old, explosive selves for one week.

* * *

Mallory McCormack
Last week I told y'all flukes happen and not to take my bets to heart. At least I didn't go 0-4. And to be honest, I'll go 0-4 if it means my Ole Miss Rebels will win again! But that was then, and this is now. We have some interesting match ups this week including the Red River Showdown, Alabama at Texas A&M, LSU at Missouri, and of course, North Texas at Navy.

UCF at Kansas (-2) -- Both teams lost last week. Kansas got a whoopin' from Texas and UCF lost in the last seconds against Baylor in their Big 12 home debut. Going on the road isn't going to be easy for the Knights so I'm taking Kansas.

LSU (-4.5) at Missouri -- As I saw first hand last weekend, LSU's offense can score. And quick. I don't know that the Missouri defense can keep up, even though they will have the home crowd in Columbia. I think LSU takes out their frustration from last week on Missouri and I think they come in with a renewed energy to fight harder for Greg Brooks, Jr.

Alabama (-2) at Texas A&M -- Thanks to the injection of energy my Rebels gave the Tide two weeks ago, I think they're starting to hit their stride. I haven't seen anything that makes me think the DJ Durkin-led A&M defense can keep Bama from winning by more than 2.

NFL Game of the Week:
Kansas City (-4) at Minnesota -- All we true football fans can do is hope this is the week the madness ends. And you know what I'm talking about. KC finds their focus again and takes it out on the Vikes.

***

Note: All games are Against the Spread. Odds are taken from the Caesar's Sportsbook.