By Will Helms
Turnovers are game-changers in college football and last week proved that. Washington and Oregon State each failed to cover in our first double-leg fail of the year last week. Neither game was particularly close, due to some bad turnovers by our teams. Oregon State actually outgained Utah in a 42-16 loss as once again our beloved Oregon State quarterbacks fell victim to interceptions.
This week, I’ve got three moneyline favorites lined up in a parlay that can be had at +322 on DraftKings. I’ll have a bonus pick that I may add to make it +468. I’ll let y’all read it and then decide what you think.
As a note, I’d also take all of these teams against the spread. So if you’re feeling risky, you can string them together with the points for a higher payout.
Best Week 6 CFB Parlay Picks
Utah ML @ UCLA (-185)
Every year, Utah somehow flies under the radar but perhaps never more than this year. The Utes lost in heartbreaking fashion to Florida in week 1, and people just forgot about them. Since then, the Utes have rattled off four straight, covering easily in all of them. Last week, Utah crushed a good Oregon State team and should keep the momentum going this week.
UCLA comes in undefeated with an offense that is humming. However, Utah is the most physical team the Bruins have faced all season. I like the Bruins, but think the offense runs out of steam this week.
Prediction: Utah returns to relevancy with a big win, 35-28.
Maryland ML vs. Purdue (-155)
Purdue can stop the run with the best of them, but Maryland is finally getting healthy on the outside. Taulia Tagovailoa is healthy and could really pick apart this Purdue secondary. We’re 2-0 picking Purdue games against the spread (including a correctly predicted straight-up win last week as 13-point underdogs) and seem to have a good pulse on this team.
Maryland just has too much firepower on offense and has a good enough defense to slow the Purdue offense. The Terrapins have played really well when healthy this season, and I expect that to continue against a team whose strengths don’t match up well.
Prediction: Tagovailoa has a big game in a 31-20 win.
Tennessee ML @ LSU (-150)
The line makes no sense to me, to the point that I’m worried it’s a trap.
LSU has simply not been great this season, and hosts a Tennessee team that looks unstoppable on offense. Hendon Hooker is playing himself into the Heisman conversation while Jayden Daniels looks lost. If there’s a game to take the points to boost your odds, it’s this one (Which naturally means this is the leg that will ruin our parlay) taking Tennessee -3 over instead of moneyline would boost your 3-legger to +383 or your 4-legger to +550.
Take Tennessee and start your parlay off the right way in what should not be a close game.
Prediction: Tennessee runs away with it, 38-21.
Bonus: Oregon State ML @ Stanford (-290)
I’m always wary of getting greedy, especially in a sport like college football. So tack this on at your own risk. While Oregon State is clearly the better team the Beavers have been plagued by unfortunate bounces and carelessness with the ball.
Despite out-gaining Utah last week, four Beavers threw passes, combining for four interceptions in a 42-16 loss. This week, they’ll play Stanford. Again, the Beavers are far and away the more talented team, but there’s a scenario in which the turnover problems continue.
I still think this is a “get right” game for the Beavers, just be careful and bet responsibly. If you get to this leg with the parlay still intact, consider hedging a bit, if you’ve got some money riding on it.
Prediction: Oregon State figures out its turnover issues and runs through Stanford, 37-16.
