Are the biggest college football games the best games to bet?
Of course, not.
But the sportsbook numbers don’t lie. We like to watch our wagers play out in high-profile TV games.
So this season VSiN.com senior editor Zach Cohen is doing individual betting previews for the week’s big games. He did five for Week 4:
Texas Tech (+3.5 at Circa) vs. Utah (Noon, Fox): Massive implications in the Big 12.
Auburn (+6.5) vs. Oklahoma (3:30 ET, ABC): Former Oklahoma QB of the future (Jackson Arnold) vs. Heisman Trophy favorite (John Mateer).
Michigan (-1) vs. Nebraska (3:30 ET, CBS): We’re about to find out a lot about the Cornhuskers.
Illinois (+7) vs. Indiana (7:30 ET, NBC): The line has moved from Indiana -3.
Florida (+7) vs. Miami (7:30 ET, ABC): This game would have a little more juice if Florida didn’t lose to the South Florida Bulls a few weeks ago, but a rivalry game is a rivalry game.
Our experts hit on some of the above matchups, but mostly find their own “big” games:
Josh Appelbaum’s CFB Sharp Report will be posted later this morning.
>CFB Week 4 Hub with stories and resources.
VSiN Pro subscribers have access to all the plays from hosts and guests on the CFB Picks page.
How Friday Football contestants played this weekend
The Week 3 picks are in for the Circa Friday Football Invitational with 175 college and pro picks from 25 handicappers vying for $30,000 put up by Circa owner Derek Stevens.
Well, make that 24 handicappers and 168 picks because Las Vegas handicapper Jim Feist didn’t make the deadline.
The unanimous college football picks from the contestats, with five backers apiece: Clemson (-16.5) vs. Syracuse and Indiana (-6.5) vs. Illinois.
Let’s see what contest leader Doug Kezirian (9-5, 10 points) has on his card:
- UAB at Tennessee – OVER (69.5) * BEST BET
- S Alabama (-16) vs Coastal Carolina
- UTEP (-6.5) vs LA Monroe
- Florida Intl (-5) vs Delaware
- Tulane at Ole Miss – OVER (60.5)
- California (-13.5) at San Diego ST
- Washington (-19.5) at Washington ST
>>See all the picks here if you are VSiN Pro subscriber.
If you are in the EdgeBoost Average Joe Contest, the deadline to submit picks is 10 a.m. ET today. Shortly thereafter, everyone’s selections are posted here.
NFL QB injury updates
On Friday, we got some definitive answers on injured QBs:
- J.J. McCarthy, Vikings (ankle): Ruled out.
- Jayden Daniels, Commanders (knee): Ruled out.
- Justin Fields, Jets (concussion): Ruled out.
- Brock Purdy, 49ers (toe): Practiced, but “highly unlikely” to play.
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (toe): Had surgery.
Best Bets columns are rolling in:
Matt Youmans and Wes Reynolds should post their top plays today.
Check out our NFL Week 3 Hub with stories and resources.
Quick Hits
MLB: Greg Peterson has Best Bets for today’s MLB menu. Steve Makinenwill post his Analytics Report later this morning.
Horse Racing: Mike Somich and Aaron Halterman have picks for three big races today at Parx Racing, among many topics on the VSiN At The Track podcast. >Watch. >Listen.
More on our horse racing page: Mike writes out hisi picks for today; Adam Burke handicaps the Pennsylvania Derby; “Mr. Ed” Sehon has plays for most of the Parx card.
Horse racing coverage is sponsored by 1/ST BET. Get your $250 sign-up bonus.
Soccer: Nigel Seeley has his top plays for this weekend’s EPL menu.
