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Somebody turned the tap of upsets within the faculty soccer world method down in Week 5. It didn’t gradual to a trickle by any means, as Oregon and Florida went down, amongst others. However the tempo was method off from earlier within the season. We’ll see whether or not it was a one-week blip or the linesmakers determining this shifting 2021 panorama.
Your Sporting Information prognosticators felt the results final week, combining to go 2-for-12 in calling upsets, which is definitely nearer to what it must be somewhat than the quick first month we put collectively.
Reminder on the competition’s guidelines: Every skilled picks three underdogs to win straight up. If it hits, the skilled receives the quantity of factors that workforce was an underdog.
MORE: Picks against the spread for Week 6 games | Bowl projections
We have now a three-way tie for first in first after 5 weeks:
| PLACE | NAME | RECORD | POINTS |
| 1 | Zac Al-Khateeb | 8-7 | 39 |
| 2 | Invoice Bender | 7-8 | 39 |
| 3 | Invoice Trocchi | 6-9 | 39 |
| 4 | Mike DeCourcy | 6-9 | 27 |
On to the upsets.
Odds courtesy FanDuel.com
Invoice Bender, faculty soccer lead author
No. 4 Penn State (+2.5) at No. 3 Iowa
This isn’t actually an upset if you’re coping with two top-five groups, however the Nittany Lions are a brief underdog like they have been at Wisconsin earlier this season. It’s going to be a slugfest, however Penn State’s protection won’t be getting sufficient consideration right here. The Nittany Lions have received their previous three journeys to Iowa Metropolis.
MORE: Betting trends to know for Penn State-Iowa
Buffalo (+5.5) at Kent State
The Flashes will search for payback after dropping 70-41 to the Bulls final season, however that’s a part of the explanation we consider in Buffalo right here. The Bulls have one-score losses towards Coastal Carolina and Western Michigan, and the operating recreation can frustrate opponents.
Wyoming (+5.5) at Air Power
The Cowboys are among the many shock unbeaten groups within the G5, and now they face a problem in stopping the Falcons on the street. Wyoming is 4-2 towards Air Power beneath Craig Bohl. It’s a defensive wrestle, however Xazavian Valladay comes up with the game-winning TD within the fourth quarter.
Mike DeCourcy, senior author
LSU (+3.5) at Kentucky
Is that this the place I remind everybody that half the sphere on this contest failed to choose a single winner final week — and I used to be not in that group? Rattling proper it’s. Once you’re in final place, it’s important to have a good time the small victories. And don’t suppose it’s like doing a landing dance if you’re down 40 factors; I’m not that far behind. And after the Tigers go into Lexington and do their greatest to cease the #OrgeronOut discussions, possibly I’ll now not be within the cellar.
MORE: Could Urban Meyer be on the LSU sideline next year?
Memphis (+3.5) at Tulsa
No, Emoni Bates isn’t out there to assist the Tigers recuperate from the frustration of their journey to Temple, however this nonetheless is the Memphis workforce that took down Mississippi State not way back. They possibly have celebrated that event for a bit too lengthy, and the protection has to get at the very least semi-serious about stopping anyone. However QB Seth Henigan has 12 landing passes and just one interception. He might have a dozen on this recreation to maintain tempo with Tulsa, however Memphis looks as if it has an opportunity.
Rutgers (+5.5) vs. Michigan State
Simply when the Scarlet Knights have been beginning to consider of their 2021 season, alongside got here the Buckeyes to wreck these desires. Hey, they’re not the primary workforce that’s occurred to, simply the primary this season. It’s actually asking a whole lot of the Knights to go from Michigan to Ohio State to Michigan State in three consecutive weeks, however at the very least they get the consolation of residence. Rutgers is sweet sufficient to win this recreation.
Invoice Trocchi, senior editor
No. 21 Texas (+3.5) vs. No. 6 Oklahoma
Texas has coated in seven of the previous 9 matchups, and one of many ones they didn’t cowl was final yr’s four-overtime loss. Level? The Longhorns are inclined to overperform on this recreation, and in the event that they try this this week towards an OU workforce that’s surprisingly nonetheless looking for itself a month into the season, it’s going to imply a victory for Bevo.
MORE: Bijan Robinson could have his Heisman moment vs. OU
Boise State (+5.5) at No. 10 BYU
This decide is being made on the idea that BYU isn’t going undefeated, and that is nearly as good a spot as any for the Cougars to stumble. Boise has three losses, however one was to undefeated Oklahoma State by one level. The Broncos are nonetheless formidable, and whereas BYU has impressed, I simply can’t see them persevering with to stack W’s towards this difficult schedule.
UTSA (+3.5) at Western Kentucky
The Roadrunners (5-0) are the higher workforce. UTSA boasts one of many nation’s prime operating backs in Honest McCormick, and tons of expertise. After a 21-point comeback at Memphis, UTSA survived a letdown recreation towards UNLV. It must be all programs go this week at Western Kentucky, which is 0-3 vs. FBS opponents this season.
Zac Al-Khateeb, content material producer
No. 21 Texas (+3.5) over No. 6 Oklahoma
The Longhorns and Sooners face off in what may very well be the final Large 12-themed Purple River Showdown. This recreation’s getting the “Faculty GameDay” remedy, and Oklahoma has gone 3-2 in these matchups because the higher-ranked workforce. However the Sooners have appeared perpetually out of order this season, stumbling to 4 wins of solely a possession. Texas isn’t there but with Steve Sarkisian, however operating again Bijan Robinson — 652 yards, 6.2 yards per carry, seven touchdowns — may very well be one of the best participant on the sphere come Saturday. He ought to lead Texas to an enormous win over the Sooners.
MORE: Betting trends to know for Oklahoma-Texas
No. 18 Auburn (+15.5) over No. 2 Georgia
Do I believe Auburn’s going to beat No. 2 Georgia? No. However I’m not notably enthused by many video games this week, so I figured I’d go large. This recreation takes place in Jordan-Hare Stadium, one in every of faculty soccer’s notoriously tough venues (simply ask Alabama). Tigers quarterback Bo Nix will want the sport of his life — not in contrast to the one he had in a comeback win vs. LSU — however has the maddening, playmaking capability that may give defenses matches. Auburn is 8-6 in top-25 conferences with Georgia when it’s the lower-ranked workforce, together with a 3-3 document when it’s the house workforce.
LSU (+3.5) over No. 16 Kentucky
One other recreation I’m not tremendous eager on, however I’ll admit it’s bizarre seeing LSU tackle the underdog position. Kentucky deserves to be favored after beginning 5-0, together with a stunning upset of No. 10 Florida in Lexington. However the Wildcats haven’t blown opponents out of the water, scratching out single-possession victories of their previous 4 video games, together with Missouri, Chattanooga and South Carolina. LSU took a devastating loss to Auburn, however allow them to again into the sport after taking 13-0 and 19-10 leads. The Tigers received’t be caught off guard by the Wildcats just like the Gators have been.
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