College Football Best Bets Today: Afternoon Predictions for UCLA vs. Oregon, Virginia Tech vs. Cal, More

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While No. 1 Texas going on the road at Oklahoma for a bitter rivalry is the spotlight of the college football Week 6 afternoon slate, there’s still plenty of other juicy matchups and good betting spots to choose from.

In fact, our staff has targeted four other spots for their best bets as part of the afternoon window.

So, read below for college football best bets today for Saturday, October 10.

Be sure to download the Action Network app for more expert picks and analysis!

College Football Best Bets Today (Afternoon Slate)

By Joshua Nunn

Tulsa ran into a buzzsaw last week, as North Texas reminded everyone it’s a legit contender in the American Conference.

UNT has playmakers all over the field. The quarterback play was sharp, Jahiem White was electric, and those explosive plays were impressive. Even so, Tulsa still made plays and had a chance to win.

Tulsa’s season is teetering into “must-win” territory, and I expect this offense to have success against a Navy defense that struggles to stop the big play.

Quarterback Baylor Hayes wasn’t sharp coming off injury last week, but I think he’ll play better this time around.

Navy ranks 114th nationally in Passing Success Rate allowed and 127th in pass explosiveness allowed, so guys like Oran Singleton Jr., Jimmy Calloway and Javon Ross should find space for the Golden Hurricane to register a few explosives.

On the other side, Tulsa’s defensive front is more talented than it was a year ago. It saw the option just three times last season, and I expect that defensive line to show up and control the line of scrimmage against a Navy offense that’s slipping after three straight losses.

I don’t see Navy’s ground game being very explosive. The output has been declining, and rotating quarterbacks in Jackson Gutierrez and Braxton Woodson felt jerky against Air Force.

Tulsa is a much better tackling team than UAB or Florida Atlantic. The Golden Hurricane fly to the ball, and that should make life tough for Navy’s offense.

Tulsa has the pieces to bounce back offensively and on the line, while Navy has clear vulnerabilities. I like the Golden Hurricane to get back on track in a big way.

Pick: Tulsa ML +108

By Collin Wilson

There’s a massive strength-of-schedule difference between these two teams, with UCLA ranking 113th and Oregon coming in at 21st.

The first handicap is the Ducks’ ability to slow down Knight and the Bruins’ ground game. UCLA has a number of concepts in its arsenal, including zone read, power, man-blocking assignments and counter.

While most rushing attempts come in 11 personnel, a double-tight end set is most frequently seen when the Bruins run outside zone and counter. If there’s an advantage for head coach Dan Lanning, these are the same concepts James Madison used in the CFP last December .

Oregon has yet to face an offense that utilizes 12 personnel in the run game, but its Success Rate against all the run concepts above has been neutral.

The Ducks’ advantage will come in passing attempts by UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The former Tennessee signal-caller has a massive 30% drop in adjusted completion percentage under pressure, which Oregon will force with a top-10 pass rush.

The opposite can be noted for the UCLA defense, as its pass rush rank sits mid-FBS despite a heavy reliance on the blitz.

Dylan Raiola struggled under pressure while with Nebraska a season ago, leading to a turnover-worthy play rate jump from 2.2% to 7.3%. The difference with Oregon may be the outside weapons in the flats, which could provide relief against UCLA’s blitzing.

Action Network’s Betting Power Ratings call for Oregon to win by two touchdowns, giving limited value to the Ducks in the market.

The biggest unknown in this game is Raiola’s output after a full week of practice.

However, there’s a heavy focus on UCLA’s offense. Wayne Knight and Iamaleava will lead a pure ground-based attack with many negative statistics that fall in the passing game.

The Bruins have generated a poor Success Rate, and their pass blocking ranks come from one of the easiest schedules in the nation.

Look to the over on any Iamaleava sack props, but other wagers on the Bruins should focus on their team total under. Oregon may elect to put an additional defender in the box against a heavy UCLA rush attack that uses multiple run concepts.

The Ducks have missed just three tackles in the second level, so expect UCLA to be limited in terms of explosiveness.

Pick: UCLA Team Total Under 23

By Mike McNamara

I don’t know how you could play Cal in this spot with all of the injury concerns.

Yes, 10 points is a lot to lay down on a cross-country road trip for the Hokies, but I trust James Franklin to have his team very motivated for this one after a heartbreaking loss last week.

I expect Tech to come out with its hair on fire in this one, looking to get back in the win column.

I also don’t expect a very big turnout from the Cal faithful in this one, which makes me more comfortable backing the visitors.

Virginia Tech will be able to control the game in the trenches and has the healthier roster and the better rushing attack.

Give me the Hokies big in Berkeley.

Pick: Virginia Tech -10

By Kyle Hunter

Everyone remembers Western Michigan from its season opener against Michigan that ended in plenty of controversy. The Broncos haven’t been playing very well since that season opener, though.

Western Michigan squeaked past Rice on the road and was blown away at home by a good Boise State team. WMU also went on the road and had to rally late to beat lowly Buffalo, 20-17, last weekend.

Western Michigan ranks bottom-10 nationally in pace of play.

The Broncos’ passing game has been terrible thus far. Western Michigan ranks 110th nationally in yards per passing attempt and sits 125th in passing explosiveness.

The run game has been decent, but it hasn’t been spectacular. Western Michigan ranks 96th in the nation in yards per carry and just 112th in rushing explosiveness.

Kent State’s defense isn’t good, but it’s far worse against the pass than the run. The Golden Flashes sit 59th in PPA/Rush allowed and 136th in passing explosiveness allowed, but Western Michigan isn’t likely to be the team that takes advantage of that weakness.

The Flashes sit 117th in the nation in pace of play. Kent State has been trying to run the ball a lot more of late, so the clock should keep moving throughout this one with both teams snapping the ball slowly and running the football.

Western Michigan should win here, but I don’t think it scores as many points as expected.

Pick: Western Michigan Team Total Under 29.5