College football Week 5 picks, best bets, odds…
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post might obtain an affiliate fee if you happen to enroll by our hyperlinks. Read our editorial requirements for more data.
Losses are available in all sizes and shapes in betting, however you’ll be hard-pressed to discover a weirder one than what we witnessed from last week’s “Ugly Underdog.“
South Alabama scored 21 factors in the second quarter against Kentucky and was up 21-14 with halftime approaching, however in some way the Jaguars weren’t capable of cowl the 20.5-point unfold, handing us our first loss since Week 1. Perhaps it had one thing to do with giving up 390 dashing yards. Anyways, how about some good news? We’re on Rutgers against the defending champs this week.
There’s only one place to start our preview of Rutgers vs. Indiana, and that’s in Amherst, Mass.
You don’t have to remind any Scarlet Knights followers about their loss to UMass in Week 1, however I’ll do it anyhow.
The Minutemen have been five-score underdogs and using a 16-game shedding streak after they upset Rutgers, 37-21, in Piscataway. It was one in every of the first games of the complete school football season, nevertheless it was more likely to go down as one in every of the most embarrassing outcomes of the season. Or was it?
Don’t look now, however UMass is 4-0 and all the manner down to fifteen/1 to win the MAC. That received’t make anyone at Rutgers really feel a lot better, nevertheless it’s value noting as we consider the Scarlet Knights for the remainder of the season. It was a horrible loss. But it seems to be barely less embarrassing these days.
It also helps that Rutgers has performed better since the Minutemen routed them. The Scarlet Knights misplaced an in depth one on the highway to Boston College in Week 2, and then got here excruciatingly near an upset over USC in Week 3. The Scarlet Knights adopted that up with a 51-point win over Howard last time out. Nothing to jot down residence about, however you possibly can start to see the solar peeking out from behind the clouds.
While Rutgers is trying to find existential solutions, Indiana will deliver the nation’s longest successful streak with them to New Jersey.
It’s onerous to nitpick a team that received the national championship last yr and hasn’t misplaced since Dec. 20, 2024, however the Hoosiers have yet to essentially click on into top gear this season. That was actually the case last week after they obtained the whole lot they might deal with from Northwestern in Bloomington.
Josh Hoover of Indiana celebrates a landing. Getty Images
That 29-23 win confirmed some cracks in Indiana’s armor, however there are other elements that might help Rutgers cowl this 24.5-point unfold. Most notably, this is a dreary schedule spot for Indiana.
Not only is this their first highway game of the season, however their next two games are at Nebraska and then residence against Ohio State. Something tells me Curt Cignetti received’t have an issue with taking his foot off the gasoline if this one is in the bag.
Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps
We ought to also be helped by Indiana’s game plan. The Hoosiers are working the ball on 60 p.c of their snaps this season, and I’d think about that quantity will tick up after this game, as the likeliest situation is an Indiana romp. That’s OK by us, as it would maintain the clock transferring, making it more durable for Indiana to get the requisite variety of possessions to cowl this enormous quantity.
I’m not kidding myself by suggesting that Rutgers, a team that misplaced to UMass by 16 factors at residence, is in the same league as Indiana, however I’m lethal critical after I say that Rutgers’ enchancment, the schedule spot and Indiana’s less-than-stellar exhibiting last time out make the Scarlet Knights value a guess Saturday.
The Play: Rutgers +24.5 (-118, BetMGM)
Season “Ugly Underdog” file: 3-2
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Michael Leboff is a long-suffering Islanders fan, however a long-profiting sports activities bettor with 10 years of experience in the playing business. He loves utilizing game principle to assist punters win bracket swimming pools, discover lengthy photographs, and learn to beat the market in mainstream and area of interest sports activities.
Stay up to date with the latest action and trending tales from the world of sports activities! C-lebrity.com brings you the freshest sports activities news, highlights, and skilled insights — all fastidiously curated to maintain you informed and engaged. From major league updates to inspiring athlete tales, we cowl it multi functional place.
Visit C-lebrity.com daily for complete coverage of the games, tournaments, and sporting moments that matter most — your final source for the whole lot sports activities and leisure.