Each week, to coincide with the release of the “Group of Five Deep Dive” under the Big Bets On Campus podcast banner, I’ll be sharing my Group of Five parlay of the week.
Last Friday, my moneyline upset call got derailed in the first quarter when UNLV quarterback Doug Brumfield was knocked out of the game. That set the tone for the week. Needless to say, we didn’t cash this parlay at the window.
But, I still have love for the underdogs and will be playing a trio of them in conference play on Saturday.
So, tighten your Fun Belts as I preview two games from the nation’s most exciting conference, and hold your nose for a play featuring a program that is 8-16 straight up (SU) and 9-15 against the spread (ATS) since 2020.
Reported odds and specific bet recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing.
Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game.
Old Dominion vs. Coastal Carolina
 Saturday, Oct. 15 12 p.m. ET ESPNU  |
Old Dominion +13  |
Coastal Carolina is undefeated and it has Grayson McCall at the helm, so what’s the problem? Well, the ‘Shonts simply haven’t looked as dominant this season as they have in the past two seasons.
The Action Network’s college football power rankings believe that CCU is the 73rd-best team in the country. And a big reason why the Chanticleers feel decidedly “getable” is their defense.
Coastal Carolina had a slew of defensive regulars to replace this offseason, and the new faces haven’t gelled – to say the least. Coastal is giving up big, explosive plays through the air left and right. The result is that the Chanticleers defense is 98th overall in explosiveness allowed. That will leave the backdoor open all night in Conway, SC.
But, a leaky defense is useless unless you can take advantage of it. Old Dominion has the passing game to hit big chunk plays.
Ali Jennings III is averaging 21.5 yards per reception, which ranks first among Group of Five receivers with 15 or more grabs.
Hayden Wolff is pushing the ball down field more regularly this season, and as result the Monarchs have the 18th-most explosive passing attack in the country.
Coastal failed to cover as a double-digit favorite against Louisiana Monroe on the road last week, and I foresee this matchup with Old Dominion coming down to the wire on the Surf Turf.
I would play this down to ODU +10.5.
Pick: Old Dominion +13 (Play to +10.5)
Charlotte vs. UAB
 Saturday, Oct. 15 3:30 p.m. ET Stadium  |
Charlotte +24  |
Charlotte can rack up points, and it needs to do so in garbage time in order to backdoor this number.
Luckily we have super, super senior quarterback Chris Reynolds upon whom to rely. In his last three games, Reynolds has tossed 11 touchdowns and has averaged 297 passing yards per game.
Will Healy may be circling the drain in the Queen City, but he has also shown a desire to fight until the final whistle. Look no further than the game against Maryland earlier this season – with the 49ers pushing the ball down field as four-touchdown underdogs. I like coaches who refuse to put up the white flag.
On UAB’s side of things, the Blazers know they can run the ball 50 times and win this game going away. That’s exactly what I anticipate after UAB gouged Middle Tennessee for more than 300 rushing yards last week.
Let’s dive deeper into that UAB vs. Middle Tennessee box score. The Blazers scored three points in the second half, emptying their offensive bench. UAB got to its fourth-string running back before all was said and done, and the Blazers only won by 27 points.
This time around, I’m backing a much better passing attack to score 10 or more points in the fourth quarter. Shop around, and make sure you get the best number in this spot.
Pick: Charlotte +24
UL Monroe vs. South Alabama
 Saturday, Oct. 15 7 p.m. ET NFL Network  |
UL Monroe +17  |
In 1987, UL Monroe, known at the time as the Northeast Louisiana Indians, won the Div-I AA national championship. Since then, UL Monroe has won nine or more games twice – and recent history has been a whole lot uglier. The Warhawks have averaged fewer than four wins per season since 2014.
Suffice to say, it’s been a long time since UL Monroe has even been viewed as feisty. But that’s exactly what they are right now. An outright win against the Sun Belt West Gold Standard (Louisiana), and a 7-point loss to Coastal Carolina have made me a believer.
Chandler Rogers has blossomed during Sun Belt play, amassing six total touchdowns versus just one interception. He has made a major leap as a passer, completing 70% of his attempts, while also chipping in 36 yards per game on the ground.
South Alabama has been a rising program under Kane Wommack, but covering a big number after getting torched by Rogers and UL Monroe last year feels like a tall task.
In 2021, as a two-touchdown favorite, the Jags lost outright to UL Monroe and were powerless to stop Rogers through the air. He finished with 369 yards and four touchdowns.
It is vital to get a good number here, but my power rankings make this South Alabama -13.5. So, I’ll gladly take the Warhawks +17.
Pick: UL Monroe +17
College Football Week 7 Group of Five Parlay (+595)
Old Dominion +13
Charlotte +24
