College football Week 5 odds take center stage as conference play deepens and postseason stakes sharpen. One matchup drawing attention is Alabama at Mississippi State, with both teams 4-0 and ranked No. 7 and No. 16 respectively. Sports betting analyst Mike Tierney outlined a pair of three-leg parlays built around favorites and underdogs for the weekend slate.
Tierney, a longtime football writer who has covered seven Super Bowls and has posted strong records in recent NFL and college seasons, cautions that betting numbers can shift by kickoff.
College football Week 5 odds: Favorites parlay
Alabama money line vs. Mississippi State
Mississippi State quarterback Kamario Taylor has climbed Heisman boards, but Alabama’s Keelon Russell has been similarly impactful. Alabama has scored at least 45 points in each of its four games and ranks No. 21 nationally in yards per play. Head coach Kalen DeBoer is 4-1 outright against ranked opponents and 6-3 in SEC road games.
BYU money line vs. TCU
No. 10 BYU continues to win with a balanced attack led by dual-threat quarterback Bear Bachmeier, who has just one interception. The Cougars are efficient in the red zone and come off a bye. TCU is 0-2 against Power Four foes with 23 total points in those contests. The Horned Frogs’ low points-allowed average is tempered by a higher yardage yield, and BYU sits eighth nationally in limiting explosive plays.
Arizona money line vs. Cincinnati
The 11 p.m. ET kickoff challenges a Cincinnati team yet to play a true road game. Arizona is coming off a win at Washington State and has already traveled twice. Cincinnati is 4-0 but was outgained by Kansas State last week and trailed Miami (Ohio) by three scores at halftime the week before. Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita continues to deliver steady play.
College football Week 5 odds: Underdogs parlay
Pittsburgh money line vs. Virginia Tech
Undefeated Pitt and Virginia Tech meet Friday night. The Panthers put up 59 against two overmatched opponents and scored 27 versus Syracuse, with a weather-affected 12-7 win over UCF the outlier. Virginia Tech started fast offensively but dipped to 21 points against Boston College. The Hokies will be without injured offensive tackle Justin Terry. Pitt has covered eight of the past 10 meetings, and Tierney sees value on the plus side in a toss-up.
Kentucky money line vs. South Carolina
South Carolina enters on a seven-game SEC losing streak and is 1-9 in its last 10 conference games. Over the past three weeks, Kentucky led Alabama at halftime and closed out wins over Texas A&M and South Alabama. The Wildcats’ offense faces a Gamecocks defense that has allowed 90 points over the past two Saturdays. South Carolina will be without standout defender Dylan Stewart due to suspension, and pressure is rising on head coach Shane Beamer.
Baylor money line vs. Arizona State
Baylor’s lone blemish is a missed two-point try at the end of its opener at Auburn. The Bears have won comfortably since, even after quarterback DJ Lagway briefly sat with injury. He has returned. Arizona State, off a bye, edged its last opponent in London despite being outgained 414-228 and averaging under four yards per snap, and it lost 48-20 to Texas A&M the prior week. Tierney views Baylor as the stronger side at this stage of the season.
Fans looking to pair these wagers with promotional offers may consider options such as the BetMGM bonus code highlighted in other coverage. For more information about responsible sports wagering regulations, readers can consult the NCAA and their educational resources. Those interested in team-specific updates, such as potential injuries that could impact these lines, can also monitor official athletics pages like Alabama’s football site.