College Football Picks Against the Spread Today: Best Bets & ATS Predictions for Week 5

With a massive slate of games in Week 5, my college football picks against the spread today focus on the top 20 biggest games on the schedule, as part of our college football predictions for Week 5.

After my college football picks went 13-7 last week, including 3-0 with my three favorites, this week's best ATS picks are backing the top team in the Group of Five, an ACC program on the rise, and an SEC team with College Football Playoff aspirations. 

🏈 College football picks against the spread today: Week 5 ATS predictions

College football picks against the spread are based on the latest college football odds and subject to change; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale.

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💰 My best NCAAF Week 5 ATS picks

Track the latest college football scores for line movement and matchup info.

🐅 Memphis (-13.5) vs. FAU ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My favorite pick against the spread last week was Memphis +7.5 against Arkansas, and the Tigers managed to win outright thanks to the play of Sutton Smith and Brendon Lewis. This week, I'm backing the biggest G5 College Football Playoff odds favorite yet again, but this time as a major favorite against a disappointing FAU squad. 

Smith and Lewis have helped transform Memphis into one of the most lethal rushing attacks in the country, ranking No. 13 in SP+ on offense behind a ground game that's No. 2 in EPA per rush. Those two should be able to expose an Owls defense that's No. 111 in SP+ and just lost 38-28 to FIU after allowing 224 rushing yards to the Panthers.

FAU's offense isn't much of a threat either, even with new head coach Zach Kittley and Western Kentucky transfer Caden Veltkamp at QB - the Owls rank outside the top 110 in EPA per rush and pass. So the Tigers should be capable of staying undefeated ATS this season (4-0), and turning a $10 bet into a $9.09 profit at Caesars.

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🐝 Georgia Tech (-13.5) vs. Wake Forest ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The ACC looks like the weakest Power Four conference this season, with Georgia Tech shaping up to be the only thing standing in the way of Miami cruising to its first conference title. The Yellow Jackets have an offense that's top 20 in SP+, led by Haynes King and Jamal Haynes, and we saw those two in full force when they led Tech to an upset win over Clemson.

If a Tigers defense with multiple future first-round picks couldn't slow the Haynes show, I don't think this Wake Forest squad stands a chance. The last time we saw the Demon Deacons, they blew a 14-0 lead at home against NC State to lose 34-24. Jake Dickert's defense is No. 76 in SP+ and allowing the sixth-most rushing yards per game in the conference (132.3).

And the Demon Deacons' offense is even worse, ranking outside the top 100 in EPA per pass and rush. With Georgia Tech carrying a 3-1 record ATS this season, the Yellow Jackets should be able to grind down Wake and win by at least two touchdowns. If they do, a $10 bet at FanDuel pays an $8.33 profit.

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🍊 Tennessee (-7.5) vs. Mississippi State ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tennessee has to go into a hostile environment this week, but the Volunteers won't be awestruck the same way Trent Dilfer was last week at Neyland Stadium. Playing at Davis Wade Stadium as an onslaught of cowbells rings through your ears is a tall task (just ask Arizona State), but Josh Heupel's team is one of the best in the country on paper.

The Vols went toe-to-toe with Georgia, and are actually the second-highest rated SEC team by SP+ (No. 5), thanks to an offense led by Heisman Trophy odds dark horse Joey Aguilar and star wide receiver Chris Brazzell II. That combo should push a Bulldogs defense that's ranked outside the top 35 in both EPA per rush and pass.

And while Mississippi State upset Arizona State, the Sun Devils were vastly overrated coming into the season and rank outside the top 30 in SP+ on offense and defense - Tennessee is top 15 in both. If the Vols can win by more than a touchdown, a $10 bet at DraftKings pays a $9.52 profit.  

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❓ College football picks against the spread FAQs

What are the best college football ATS picks this week?

The best college football ATS picks this week are Memphis -13.5 vs. FAU, Georgia Tech -13.5 vs. Wake Forest, and Tennessee -7.5 vs. Mississippi State.

What does the ATS mean in college football?

ATS in NFL betting stands for “against the spread.” It refers to how often a team covers the point spread in its games. Bettors use ATS records to track performance relative to expectations, not just wins and losses.

What does against the spread mean?

Against the spread (ATS) betting means wagering on whether a team will cover the point spread set by oddsmakers - not just win the game. The favorite must win by more than the spread, while the underdog can win outright or lose by fewer points than the spread.

How do college football odds work?

When betting on college football odds, the point spread shows how many points the favorite needs to win by in order to cash the bet. For example, a favorite of -3 must win by more than 3 points to cover the spread, while an underdog at +3 must win outright or lose by fewer than 3 points to cover the spread.

You can determine the payouts and implied probabilities for any wager - or convert odds to different formats - with our odds converter.  

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