Taking Bets | Any Big Games This Weekend? | Week Five

Taking Bets | Title | Week Five

2024 ATS Record
Blaine Duncan: 10-5 (Week Four: 3-1) 
TD Wood: 5-10 (Week Four: 1-3)
Mallory McCormack: 7-8 (Week Four: 2-2)
Greg Bosworth: 5-10 (Week Four: 3-1)

Each Friday evening, “Taking Bets” readies fans for the wonderful football weekend with some ideas on the bets with the most potential or the games to avoid, depending on who's making the bets. Here are the host of The Staredown Mallory McCormack, host of Takin’ On Sports TD Wood, editor-in-chief Blaine Duncan, and co-host of Takin’ On Sports Greg Bosworth! The bets, which includes one NFL game per week, are on the site each Friday evening!

Blaine Duncan 
Would you look at that bull mess! I have the best record of the four of us and the least amount of knowledge. A broken clock is right twice a day, but I’m going to roll on. 

Oklahoma State at Kansas State (-4.5) - If you are a longtime reader, first of all, lord help you, but second of all, you may remember that I love betting on Kansas State. Something about them produces good results more times than not. I love this line because they got beat up in Provo last weekend, but it’s easy to see a bounce back game here since they return home. Granted, the Cowboys are looking to avoid a two-game losing streak as well, but I like Manhattan being the locale. The Wildcats win by a touchdown!

Mississippi State at Texas (-38.5) - The Bulldogs are playing like a bad Division Two team and Texas is the antithesis of such. I don’t know if the Longhorns can be beaten this season. They’ll rout State by at least 42 points if not more. This may be the best bet of the weekend. 

Kentucky at Ole Miss (OVER: 52.5) - Kentucky may be beat up after last weekend or may be inspired after that close loss to Georgia, so I can’t make the pick of the Rebels getting the cover at -16.5. What I do feel better about is how many points will be scored. Even if the Wildcats are hindered from getting in the end zone here and there, Kiffin is a genius. Ole Miss can get that 53 point total all alone if need be. 

NFL Game of the Week: Eagles (-1.5) at Buccaneers - Don’t count on me, but I do seem to make up ground each week with the NFL pick. The Eagles have the low two-point hurdle to jump in order to cover, and I like Hurts and Philly to manage that this weekend. That’s not to say they’re bound for the Super Bowl, but this week seems safe.

TD Wood
Ok, this is getting ridiculous. All three of my college picks just needed one more score to cover. What have I done, gambling gods? We all know the headliner this weekend, but it’s a stellar overall slate, too. 

Colorado (+14) at UCF – Last week’s win over Baylor is the kind of win that can jump start a season, and Colorado certainly has the weapons to go on a run. They definitely need to figure out a way to improve the offensive line, and the defense is still shaky, but Coach Prime’s Buffaloes have potential. K.J. Jefferson has been a godsend for the Gus Bus, and the Golden Knights are a threat to make the CFP. I feel a shootout coming on, and Colorado keeps it close.

Oklahoma at Auburn (Under 45.5) – On the other end of the spectrum, may I present these two teams. I don’t imagine they’ll be much scoring in this one. I’m not saying we’ll hit the lows of the infamous 3-2 Auburn win over Mississippi State, but I’m also not not saying that. 

Arizona at Utah (-7.5) – The Utes’ victory in Stillwater last weekend shouldn’t be overlooked. They, without Cam Rising, went into a tough environment and really dominated Oklahoma State, barring some late shenanigans that made it close in the end. They can run the ball, have their usual solid defense, and whenever Rising gets back, this team has a chance to run the table. 

NFL Game of the Week: Chiefs at Chargers (+7) – This feels like one of those games Jim Harbaugh wins early in his tenure to get the fanbase all hot and bothered. Not that the Chargers have many fans, but you get my point. The Bolts ugly this one up, keep it real tight, and maybe steal the win.

Mallory McCormack 
So, "Outstanding Young Alumni" is a title I never thought I would have, but here I am. And oh my gosh you guys, it’s been a whirlwind. And that’s before they let me on the field tomorrow. Also Lane, if we’re not doing well, I will yank that clip board out of your hands and take over!  On that note…let’s go…

Minnesota at Michigan (-10.5) - I mean let’s just go with U of M. And I mean Michigan. Wolverines.

South Florida at Tulane (-5.5) - let’s go Jon Sumrall. 

Oklahoma (+1.5) at Auburn - ummmm, the fighting Hugh Fr**ze team is gonna ice this one on offense. Let’s go, OK!!

NFL Game of the Week: Saints (+3) at Falcons - The Saints bounce back.

Greg Bosworth 
Look at tha! Finally a decent week, and now we look to go 4-0 on what should be an interesting weekend of football.

Colorado (+14) at UCF- This game may end up being one of the best games of the college football weekend. You get Shedeur Sanders versus K.J. Jefferson and it should be an offensive showcase. Neither defense is great and the scoreboard operator may be very busy Saturday afternoon. This line has jumped out at me all week. I think the Knights win but Colorado is more than capable of keeping it under two touchdowns.

Illinois (+17.5) at Penn State- The Illini follow up an impressive road win last week in Lincoln with an even tougher road test going to a “White Out” game in Happy Valley. Luke Altmyer will have to have another amazing day to beat the Nittany Lions, and unfortunately he is going to come up a little short. They will keep it close but Penn State’s rejuvenated offense under new offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki is going to be a little too much for this scrappy Bret Bielema led team. 

Mississippi State at Texas (-38.5) - The Longhorns offense has been rolling as of late and no matter what QB starts on Saturday, this game will get out of hand quickly. The Bulldogs lost their QB Blake Shapen for the season and this is a rough spot for a true freshman to get his first collegiate start. I’d be shocked if Texas doesn’t win by 50. 

NFL Game of the Week: Jaguars at Texans (-6) - The Texans got housed a week ago against the Vikings and nothing fixes an embarrassing loss than playing the Jags who have been bad all season. Trevor Lawrence has been horrendous all season and there is no sign that Jacksonville will soon right the ship. CJ Stroud should have a big day and Houston will get back to their winning ways. Come on, Jags, let Mac Jones play!!

Note: All games are against the spread. Odds are taken from MGM Grand Sportsbook.