College Football Predictions, Best Bets & Odds Week 6

A likely slugfest between Ohio State and Iowa headlines a jam-packed Week 6, and we examine what's to come in our college football predictions.

Mike Spector

Last updated: October 4, 2024 4:00 PM EDT • 7 min read

Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson runs the ball to the end zone against Troy as we look at our college football predictions and best bets. — Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson runs the ball to the end zone against Troy. Photo by Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA Today Network.

With the first month of the college football season officially behind us, the first week of October brings with it a solid Week 6 college football slate featuring plenty of teams that lead the college football championship odds.

Two AP-ranked teams are underdogs to lower-ranked or unranked teams
Two new Big Ten members (Oregon and Washington) host their first games as members of the new conference
There are 19 undefeated FBS teams to begin the week

Our college football Week 6 predictions and best bets for Week 6 expect a big passing day for an ACC quarterback while also calling for a tight battle between two new Big Ten rivals.

Best college football bets for Week 6

College football odds as of Friday and subject to change. Track the college football scores for the latest line movement and matchup info.

Jacolby Criswell to record Over 2.5 passing touchdowns (+265 via DraftKings) vs. Pittsburgh ⭐⭐⭐
Kaleb Johnson Under 85.5 rushing yards (-114 via FanDuel) vs. Ohio State ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Air Force team total Under 10.5 (+100 via DraftKings) vs. Navy ⭐⭐⭐
Minnesota +8.5 (-110 via BetMGM) vs. USC ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Week 6 college football odds & schedule

(Odds via BetMGM)

Missouri (+2.5) vs. Texas A&M (-2.5), Saturday at noon ET
Ole Miss (-9.5) vs. South Carolina (+9.5), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET
Clemson (-14.5) vs. Florida State (+14.5), Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET
Michigan (+2.5) vs. Washington (-2.5), Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET
USC (-8.5) vs. Minnesota (+8.5), Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET

College football player props for Week 6

College football picks made Friday; odds subject to change. Our NEW college football player prop odds tool can help you find the best odds on any market across legal sportsbooks in your area!

Jacolby Criswell to record Over 2.5 passing touchdowns (+265) ⭐⭐⭐

This alternate line isn't available at all of our best sports betting sites, as the traditional O/U for Criswell’s passing touchdowns is 1.5.

However, his implied probability to throw at least two touchdowns is as high as 60.63% based on FanDuel’s -154 odds. I'm looking to cash in on that optimism with a much more significant payday.

Criswell has attempted 39-plus passes in each of his two games as North Carolina's starter, throwing for two scores in one game and three in another.

Now Criswell faces a Panthers defense that ranks outside the top 100 in EPA/Pass Allowed, making their secondary the more exploitable unit compared to a front seven that gives up just over four yards per carry.

DraftKings’ +265 odds trump FanDuel’s +225 odds for Criswell to finish with three-plus passing touchdowns. That's why I'm laying my $10 wager down at DraftKings in the hopes of returning $26.50 in profit.

Our Shane Jackson likes one of Criswell's top pass-catchers to score as part of his best Week 6 college football player props.

Best odds: +265 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 27.40%

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

Kaleb Johnson Under 85.5 rushing yards (-114) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Kaleb Johnson is clearly the focal point of Iowa's running game, as he's accounted for 48.8% of the team’s carries and 68.4% of its rushing yards.

Johnson’s 685 rushing yards rank second in the country, and his 8.4 yards per carry average sits third among all running backs with a minimum of 45 rushes this season. However, he's about to face a Buckeyes defensive line that's allowed 1.9 yards per carry, and it ranks second in EPA/Rush Allowed.

Despite Johnson’s talents, this is a confident four-star play, as Iowa’s offense shouldn't be able to sustain drives against an Ohio State defense that ranks in the top 12 in third-down conversion rate allowed.

Under backers will find great value while making this wager at FanDuel, despite the steeper -114 odds. Our other best sportsbooks like bet365 are setting Johnson’s rushing total at 79.5. A winning $10 wager at FanDuel would return a payout of $18.77.

Shifting the focus to the other sideline ahead of this game, Rob Paul believes Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard will struggle as part of our college football Week 6 expert picks.

Paul is also targeting Johnson in this game but with a different perspective in his Iowa vs. Ohio State player props.

Best odds: -114 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 53.27%

Bet $5, Win $200 in Bonus Bets

New customers only. Min. deposit $5+. Bet $5+ and win $200 in Bonus Bets, if your bet wins (within 72 hours). Bet does not have to win in AZ, CO, KS, NC, or TN.

Claim $200

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

College football game predictions for Week 6

Air Force team total Under 10.5 (+100) ⭐⭐⭐

Games between service academies tend to be low-scoring affairs. This Navy-Air Force matchup is getting an O/U of 35.5, making it the only total in the 30s for Week 6, and I expect the big home underdogs to struggle offensively.

Air Force has had 45 possessions this year, and 22 ended in punts, with 12 turnovers. The Falcons have scored only 50 points this year despite facing one FCS opponent, and their opponents combining for a 7-12 record.

The Falcons have clearly not adjusted to five new offensive line starters, and Navy has held both Army and Air Force to 17 or fewer points during regulation in five of the last six matchups. Also, the Falcons’ triple-option attack won't confuse a Midshipmen defense that faces it every day in practice.

FanDuel’s team total is 12.5, with the Under juiced to -113. But since football scores don't commonly finish with 11 or 12 points, I'm backing the alternate team total of Under 10.5 at DraftKings for a plus-money return.

I discussed this game further in my Navy vs. Air Force prediction and Navy vs. Air Force player props.

Best odds: +100 via DraftKings | Implied probability: 50.00%

Minnesota +8.5 (-110) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stylistically, USC was thought of as an odd fit in the Big Ten, as the Trojans have never been tied to smash-mouth football in colder weather.

USC received its first dose of reality against a team that likes to run the football, as it lost to Michigan despite the Wolverines only throwing for 86 yards.

After two of the nation's best run defenses (Iowa and Michigan) limited the Gophers to 117 rushing yards, Minnesota’s running game should get going against a Trojans front that ranks lower than 90th in both stuff rate and defensive line yards.

To complement the team's running game, Golden Gophers quarterback Max Brosmer has been performing well, with a 75.5 passing grade despite facing two elite defenses, according to PFF.

And Minnesota’s secondary is built to compete with Miller Moss and USC’s top-tier passing offense while ranking in the top three nationally in EPA/Pass Allowed.

This line reached +9.5 at our best sports betting apps like DraftKings, Caesars, and bet365 this week. But I agree with the line movement toward the underdogs, and there's still plenty of value on Minnesota at +8.5.

Phil Wood is targeting the total for this game in his Big Ten predictions.

Best odds: -110 via BetMGM | Implied probability: 52.38%

Up To $1,500 First Bet

Bonus bets will expire in 7 days. One new customer offer only. Additional terms and conditions apply.

Claim $1,500

Each product featured on our website has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.

College football betting odds pages

College football championship odds	College football win totals	Big Ten championship odds	Mountain West championship odds
Heisman Trophy Odds	FCS Championship odds	Big 12 championship odds	MAC championship odds
College Football Playoff Odds	SEC championship odds	ACC championship odds	College bowl game odds

Here are our best college football betting sites:

Caesars Promo Code: SBRBONUSDYW | Read our Caesars Review
BetMGM Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our BetMGM Review
bet365 Bonus Code: SBRBONUS | Read our bet365 Review
FanDuel Promo Code | Read our FanDuel Review
DraftKings Promo Code | Read our DraftKings Review

(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.

Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission

Best Sports Betting Sites | Best Sportsbook Promos (U.S. only)

Written By:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”