Week 5 college football expert picks against the spread: No. 20-16
Arizona State (+3.0) at 20 UCLA – Under 55.5
Because both of these offenses have scored well at times, this might seem odd to take the under. However, Arizona State and UCLA have defenses that stop the strength of the opposing team’s biggest strength well. Having said that, they are evenly matched enough that I’m willing to take the points with Arizona State.
18 Fresno State (-10.5) at Hawai’i – Over 65.0
The trip over part of the Pacific Ocean does worry me a little bit but the Hawai’i defense has shown nothing to suggest they have an answer for Jake Haener and this prolific Fresno State offense. The Bulldogs got their letdown game out of the way in surviving UNLV and will now bounce back to put it on the Rainbow Warriors after an extra day of rest.
Western Kentucky at 17 Michigan State (-10.5) – Under 64.5
Western Kentucky has an explosive offense but I’m pivoting off that and taking the under because I think Michigan State has a good enough defense to mitigate that. Moreover, the Spartans should be able to move the ball at will with a multi-faceted offense that has emerged and should make a statement after a close one with Nebraska.
UL Monroe at 16 Coastal Carolina – No Line
There are some places that have Coastal Carolina favored by more than five touchdowns, which sounds about right. The Chanticleers have absolutely feasted on inferior competition to this point in the season, which leads me to believe that Grayson McCall might put up 50 points by halftime and the Coastal defense is good enough to hold for another blowout win.