Oklahoma Sooners: College Football TV Schedule & Gambling Picks - Week 5

Welcome back, Sooner Nation! It’s that time of week again — the time to take college football gambling advice from the guy who doesn’t actually have money on the games. Definitely don’t take all of this with a big, fat rock of salt or anything.

Anyway, you know the drill. You can find this week’s college football schedule and live stream info down at the bottom. All times Eastern until we figure out a better system (not gonna happen).

Arizona State at Cal (-4.5) - As offensively-challenged as the Sun Devils happen to be (19 points and less than 400 yards vs. Sacramento State, 10 points and 216 yards in win at Michigan State), this impressive Golden Bear defense (No. 21 in defensive SP+) has to be licking its chops. Herm Edwards deserves credit for trotting out competitive teams these past two seasons, but he was absolutely bailed out in East Lansing two weeks ago. With Cal and quarterback Chase Garbers beginning to hit a bit of a stride with the passing game, I don’t expect this team to drop the ball. Gambling pick: Cal covers at home in a battle of what is quite possibly the Pac-12’s biggest culture clash. Seriously, if a group of ASU students walks into a Berkeley bar, the eye-rolling will be palpable. Under 42

Texas Tech at Oklahoma (-27.5) - With Alan Bowman out of the lineup, Texas Tech’s chances of keeping this one competitive for more than a quarter are out the window. To the Red Raiders’ credit, this is the best defense they’ve fielded in recent memory, but Lincoln Riley’s offense — which now features high-volume running at the QB position — is too dynamic for that to be much of an impediment. Having said that, with a line this big and the high likelihood of Alex’ Grinch giving his backups some significant time late in the game, the potential for a backdoor cover seems high. Gambling pick: I have the Oklahoma Sooners winning 52-24, which would barely be enough to cover. However, I’d avoid putting money on this one. Over 70.5

Virginia at Notre Dame (-12.5) - After a losing a close and highly physical game in Athens, the chances of a letdown performance aren’t particularly low for the Irish. Meanwhile, Virginia has improved every year under Bronco Mendenhall and appears primed to make a national statement. With the Cavs boasting a good enough defense (No. 18 SP+) to keep Ian Book and the Irish relatively in check, I wouldn’t expect the margin to be too great. Having said that, UVA QB Bryce Perkins isn’t exactly a world-beater (No. 49 in QBR) and probably won’t be able to do enough to put the Cavs over the top to a W. Gambling pick: Virginia beats the spread, but the Irish win the game (and probably win out in the regular season). Under 48.5

USC at Washington (-10.5) - Jacob Eason has always had arm talent that jumped off the screen, but he’s beginning to truly put things together as a field general and is about as lethal as they come when he has a clean pocket. USC’s pass rush has been okay (11 sacks in four games), which unfortunately hasn’t been enough to cancel out the unit’s other deficiencies. With UW touting its best offense in years (19 points vs. Cal notwithstanding) and fielding its typical tough defense, the Huskies have a decent edge against a USC team that has been tough to peg. Gambling pick: Washington covers by a hair. Over 61.5

Iowa State (-3.0) at Baylor - I picked Baylor to win this matchup in Waco when I was tallying up my preseason Big 12 records, and nothing that I’ve seen up to this point is going to dissuade me. Despite returning essentially all of its offensive and defensive line from 2018, Iowa State put forth another disappointing showing against Iowa, but it that much of an indicator of future success? After all, Iowa State has rallied from that loss two years in a row to be an impressive team and reach the postseason.

On the other side, Baylor’s defense has improved drastically (No. 29 SP+) in year three of the Matt Rhule era, and I’d give them the advantage at home because of this. Gambling pick: Baylor covers and improves to 4-0. Over 55

Kansas State at Oklahoma State (-4.0) on ESPN+ (sign up here for $4.99/mo) - OSU clearly has a high offensive ceiling, but the bone-headed mistakes and mind-boggling play calls were concerning in Austin. Was this a matter of a team and coaching staff wilting on the big stage, or are we going to notice a trend? Their opponent definitely disciplined and sharp enough to let us know on Saturday.

Speaking of which, while the offensive philosophy and core program values are quite similar to those of the last regime, it’s readily apparent that Chris Klieman has given this K-State program a much-needed shot in the arm. Things had grown stale with Snyder & Son, and the physicality and intensity that had become the father’s hallmark had clearly waned. Now, this program seems poised to become a big noisemaker in the Big 12 once again.

While Skylar Thompson and Kansas State’s offense have become much more effective, Oklahoma State’s defense doesn’t appear to have taken much of a step forward in Year 2 of Jim Knowles’ tenure. I’d still expect this to be a tight one because of OSU’s immense talent at the skill positions, but a K-State team coming off a bye week could be dangerous against Cowboys after a draining defeat in Austin. Gambling pick: Kansas State beats the spread and wins a close one. Under 60.5

Ohio State (-17.0) at Nebraska - Simply put, Nebraska has looked shaky and simply doesn’t have the horses to hang with Ohio State. The Buckeyes, on the other hand, have looked nothing but dominant through four games and are starting to look like an incredibly safe College Football Playoff pick. Gambling pick: The Bugeater faithful will give it their best, but it won’t make much of a difference as Ohio State covers. Over 66.5

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