It’s time to start turning our attention to the college kids, with Week 5 of the NCAA football schedule coming at us quicker than a men’s small out of a t-shirt canon. We dive into the need-know-notes for betting not only the college football spreads and totals but all the Week 5 odds.
KING STAYING PUT?
It looks like D’Eriq King is staying in Houston, after all. The talented collegiate quarterback was reportedly considering a transfer – a fact his father shared shortly after it was announced that King would be taking a redshirt for the remainder of the 2019 season.
It appears that King’s intention is to return to the Cougars for the 2020 season rather than go somewhere else. It was a surprising decision from King, who had thrown for 663 yards with six touchdowns while running for 312 yards and six scores
The 1-3 Cougars visit North Texas on Saturday night and the line for this one has skyrocketed from Houston -2.5 to North Texas -6. With both King and No. 1 receiver Keith Corbin opting to redshirt, we suggest taking the home team ATS as Houston gets its offense sorted.
SAFETY BANS
The Wisconsin Badgers will be without two of their starting safeties for the first half of Saturday’s encounter with the visiting Northwestern Wildcats.
Eric Burrell and Reggie Pearson are both out for the opening two quarters after picking up targeting penalties in last week’s victory over Michigan. Their absences – albeit temporary – are big ones for the Badgers. Burrell has a pair of interceptions and a fumble recovery so far this season, while Pearson has forced two fumbles.
The Wildcats are very much a run-first team, but with Wisconsin’s secondary a mess for the opening two quarters, we like the visitors to keep things relatively competitive. Take Northwestern +14 to cover the first-half spread.
ESKRIDGE OUT
One of the top two-way players in the nation will miss the remainder of the 2019 season. Western Michigan DB/WR D’Wayne Eskridge suffered a broken collarbone while hauling in a 43-yard pass in last week’s loss to Syracuse.
Eskridge was proficient on both sides of the football for the Broncos, catching three passes for 73 yards while adding 14 tackles and four passes defensed. He’s eligible for a redshirt should he desire to return to Western Michigan for a fifth season.
Eskridge’s absence puts more strain on a Broncos’ pass defense that ranks 75th in yards per game against while allowing opposing QBs to complete 65 percent of their passes. We like rival Central Michigan to cover on the road this weekend.
INJURIES MOUNTING FOR CSU
Add another name to the list of marquee skill players who cold be out of action for Colorado State as the Rams tangle with Utah State on Saturday.
Running back Marvin Kinsey Jr. is considered doubtful after suffering a separated shoulder in last week’s setback to Toledo. Kinsey is coming off a career-best 246 rushing yards vs. the Rockets. He joins QB Collin Hill (torn ACL) on the sidelines, while wide receiver Warren Jackson might also miss the game against the Aggies with a possible concussion.
The Rams are already 24-point underdogs at Utah State, and these injuries make the host Aggies a terrific cover play. We also favor Colorado State finishing below its team total, which sits at around 23.5 points.
