Reed's Underdog Round Robin for College Football Week 10
By Reed Wallach
The calendar has flipped to November, and underdogs are lurking on the college football slate to burst some teams College Football Playoff bubbles.
We have five plays making up the underdog round robin card. After going 3-2 last week, the updated record is 20-18. Let's hope that this can be the week we get the 5-0 card.
Let's get to it, starting with one on Friday.
As always, don't make this a big part of your bank roll, this is a small piece for a big payout. Theseodds are courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.
West Virginia (+150) vs. Oklahoma State
I make this game Oklahoma State -1.5, but I'll take a stab on the moneyline.
The Mountaineers are a tough egg to crack this season, 4-4 on the year, but did just knock off Iowa State 38-31 at home.
The team has won two straight off of a bye and the offense looks rejuvenated around Jarret Doege at quarterback. I'm going to ride the good vibes in Morgantown and take West Va outright, mainly because I don't trust Spencer Sanders to push this team to a victory. West Virginia is bottom half of the country in EPA/Pass, but they rank top 40 in havoc and tackling.
I'll take my chance on the middling secondary at home to show out against the underwhelming Sanders.
South Alabama (+160) vs. Troy
Both of these teams have strong defenses, but the South Alabama offense is being criminally underrated. I have this game closer to a pick, so I see value on the Jaguars going on the road and getting a win.
USA has scored 30 or more in five of eight games this season and should be able to find big plays through the air, the team is 27th in explosive pass rate.
They must limit turnovers against a havoc-driven Troy defenses but if this becomes a field position battle, give me the Jaguars to pull the upset. Troy's offense struggles to move the ball averaging just over five yards per play, and a concerning 41% success rate.
Purdue (+130) vs. Michigan State
This is a classic sell high spot on Michigan State, who I backed in the round robin last week. While it was an impressive comeback win against Michigan, I still am not buying Sparty, who was gashed through the air by Cade McNamara. Now, they must go on the road to face a much more dangerous passing game in Purdue.
The visitors may be banged up as well with star receiver Jalen Nailor potentially out due to a hand injury. The onus will fall on Kenneth Walker again, and Purdue should pose a tough test. The Boilermakers are 16th in defensive success rate.
Purdue is in line to knock off another top five opponent.
Mississippi State (+170) vs. Arkansas
The spot isn't ideal, but I do feel that the Bulldogs are finding their stride heading into the back third of the year.
After losing 49-9 to Alabama, the team disposed of Vanderbilt and Kentucky, setting up an interesting matchup against the Razorbacks on the road.
Arkansas' defense has shown signs of regression, allowing 35 or more to three straight SEC opponents. Miss. State may not have an explosive offense, but they can move the ball with ease in the 'Air Raid' offensive scheme, especially against an Arkansas secondary that lost safety Jaylon Catalon for the year.
Mike Leach's team is undervalued with an offense equipped to move on Arkansas and an elite defense that is top 15 in success rate.
Washington (+200) vs. Oregon
I'm not a believer in Oregon, and I think the Huskies get up for this one at home and spring the upset.
The Ducks appeared at No. 4 in the College Football Playoff rankings, so wouldn't it be great if the team quickly dropped a game to a 4-4 Washington team?
The Huskies have been one of the most underwhelming teams in the country, but can pull into a tie for the PAC-12 North with a win on Saturday night despite a poor record.
If the Huskies are able to put Anthony Brown and the Ducks offense in passing downs they can thrive, they rank top 10 in coverage and passing success.
This may be a slog of a game, the total is 50.5, but we have seen Brown struggle on the road against Stanford and at times against UCLA. Husky Stadium is a tough place to play, and I think the home team gets up for it.