As we enter the heart of the college football season, each team reveals more about itself by the week and each game offers a chance for the most observant bettors to take advantage of what they learn. Every Thursday, Phil Steele, Chris Fallica and "Stanford Steve" Coughlin pick their top plays across the college football landscape.
Here are the best bets for Week 5 of the college football season.
Records:
Phil Steele: 11-14-1 ATS (4-3-1 last week)
Stanford Steve: 14-7 (2-3 last week)
Chris Fallica: 13-10 ATS (4-2 last week)
Note: Lines from Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook as of Wednesday night. As always, shop for the best price.
California Golden Bears vs. Oregon Ducks (-2.5, o/u 58.5)
10:30 p.m. ET, Saturday (FS1)
Steele: The situation clearly favors California as it is fresh off a bye and Oregon is coming off an emotional overtime loss at home to Stanford where the Ducks blew a 24-7 second-half lead. I thought coming into the season that the top two teams in the Pac-12 were Washington and Stanford, but Oregon has performed well overall so far this season. The Ducks proved they could play with Stanford and had a 304-105 edge in yards at the half last week. Had Oregon running back CJ Verdell's foot stayed inbounds and not hit the pylon, the Ducks would have gone up 31-7, probably would have won the game by three or more scores and would be a full touchdown favorite in this game. That would have made for a letdown spot, but instead, we get a premier Pac-12 team off a loss and favored by less than a field goal. The Ducks are also 8-1 straight up in the series the past nine matchups.
ATS pick: Oregon -2.5
Score: Oregon 30, California 23
Fallica: Our numbers have