As we move into the final weeks of the college football regular season, the College Football Playoff looms on the horizon. Week 13 is serving up a lineup that’s got everyone talking! With teams hustling for those coveted postseason spots and bowl game invites on the line, every single play packs a little extra drama.
This week, all eyes are on some can’t-miss showdowns: Missouri at Oklahoma, USC at Oregon, and BYU at Cincinnati. Star quarterbacks try to update their Heisman resumes, defenses will be looking to kick it up a notch, and programs fighting to prove they belong among college football’s elite.
So, whether you’re here to find smart betting angles, craving some sharp analysis, or just want to soak up the buzz from the weekend’s marquee games, you’re in the right spot. Let’s break down the matchups, dig into the odds, and spotlight the best bets to make sure you get the most out of a college football Saturday that’s too good to miss.
(22) Missouri at (8) Oklahoma
Pick: 2-Leg SGP: Oklahoma -6.5 + Under 45.5 Points (+180)
Oklahoma finds itself in yet another matchup against a Top-25 team, making this the fourth week they’ll facing a quality opponent. In these matchups, the Sooners have gone 2-1, and all three games were decided by a touchdown. If we’re looking for a battle-tested team down the stretch, I believe we have met our match.
Missouri’s defense has elite marks across the board, ranking no worse than 25th against the pass and run, and that has translated into allowing just under 20 points per game. Well, the problem for Mizzou is that better in all aspects defensively, except against the pass. But the Tigers only rank #91 in the nation throwing the ball, so it will certainly be tough sledding here all day.
I wanted to bring the 41.5-point total up to 45.5, as I’m sure an Oklahoma defensive touchdown could send this thing spiraling out of control quickly. Mizzou just put up 49 points last week, which was their highest output (by far) against an SEC opponent this season. Both defenses are great, which could keep this close in the first half, but eventually I believe the Sooners will peel off late and leave Mizzou in the dust.
(15) USC at (7) Oregon
Pick: 3-Leg SGP: Over 55.5 Points + Dante Moore & Jordan Maiava: 2+ TD Passes (+240)
The 59.5-point total caught my eye immediately, considering both teams have been largely underperforming on offense of late. However, these are still two of the best QBs in the nation, and there’s a lot at stake with CFB Playoff hopes still hanging in the balance. The situation probably isn’t as dire for Oregon, as they would likely just not host a first-round game. But for USC, a loss here ends any hope they have of getting in. Let’s buy the total down to 55.5 points, giving us an easier target to hit.
Circling back to the QBs, and what a head-to-head matchup it’ll be. Keep in mind, this line opened for Oregon as an 8.5-point favorite, and now we’re starting to see it jump up to double-digit territory. That’s a good sign for Oregon and QB Dante Moore, who still has an outside chance to win the Heisman Trophy; it’s not a great chance, rather A chance. It’s also the last regular-season home game for the Ducks, and most probably the last advantageous spot he’ll have left on the schedule to impress Heisman voters.
You can’t say enough about USC QB Jordan Maiava, and he’ll get a chance to play in what appears to be a pass-heavy offense today. Maiava has thrown 2+ TDs in seven of his 10 games this season.
(11) BYU at Cincinnati
Pick: Cincinnati ML (+115)
Let’s cap off the night with a big upset! Upon seeing this line, I had one big question right off the bat: Why is a 9-1 team only a 2.5-point favorite against a team that has lost two straight? This reminds me a lot of those spots where the unranked team is favored against the ranked teams – because 2.5 isn’t a very convincing number at all.
So, how is this upset going to happen? Cincinnati did upset then-ranked #14 Iowa State already this season, and the Bearcats are 4-1 ATS at home. The offense is led by QB Scott Sarsby, who has struggled in these last two games, but has thrown 2+ TD passes in the seven games before that and even had 3+ total TDs in five of them.
On the spread, we’re seeing a massive differential of bets-to-money wagered, as BYU (-2.5) is getting 63% of bets, while Cincy is getting 90% of the money. I say points be damned, go for the outright win in this spot!
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