CFB Week 6 betting preview: Key matchups, nuggets, and insights

Odds and data via theScore Bet and ESPN Bet

Georgia's comeback attempt against Alabama ultimately fell short in Week 5. There aren't any top-five battles in Week 6, but key conference matchups are on the schedule. Let's take a look and provide betting nuggets and insights.

No. 9 Missouri @ No. 25 Texas A&M (-2.5, O/U 48.5)

This is the only ranked matchup on Saturday's slate. Missouri has earned a top-10 ranking with a 4-0 start, but it hasn't played anyone notable and all four games were at home. Its toughest win was against Boston College, and it squeaked past Vanderbilt in overtime two weeks ago.

The Tigers have relied on their defense and running game, but quarterback Brady Cook has to make plays to escape College Station with a win.

Texas A&M is 4-1, with wins over Arkansas and Florida, and a loss to Notre Dame. Aggies quarterback Conner Weigman hasn't played since Week 2 but could return against Missouri. While backup quarterback Marcel Reed has been reliable in relief, the job will likely go back to Weigman when he's healthy enough to take the field.

Weigman, a top-10 preseason Heisman favorite, will be a game-time decision, and his status could determine Saturday's contest.

Iowa @ No. 3 Ohio State (-20.5, O/U 45)

Ohio State has coasted to 4-0. It had a cupcake non-conference schedule to start the season and decimated Michigan State last week in its Big Ten opener. The Buckeyes are dominating defensively and scoring at will.

But the country will find out just how impressive they are against Iowa on Saturday and Oregon the following week.

Iowa was considered a threat in the Big Ten heading into the season, and that shouldn't change despite its loss to rival Iowa State. Its defense's physicality consistently dominates the line of scrimmage, and the offense is improving with a new offensive coordinator and quarterback. All four of Iowa's games so far went over the total after only two did last season.

No. 12 Ole Miss @ South Carolina (+9, O/U 53.5)

Lane Kiffin has succeeded at Ole Miss, but it still feels like Kiffin's Rebels are always due for a letdown. Last week saw Ole Miss lose outright to Kentucky as a 15.5-point home favorite.

The Rebels' season is far from over. They still have a chance to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff, they boast one of the nation's most talented teams, and Jaxson Dart is a premier quarterback.

Ole Miss was -250 to make the playoff before Saturday's loss and is now +110, giving it a 48% implied probability of qualifying.

Meanwhile, South Carolina's wire-to-wire win over Kentucky looks even more impressive after the Wildcats' last few weeks. The Gamecocks followed up that victory with a close - and controversial - loss to LSU, and their explosive defensive front is causing havoc for opposing quarterbacks.

Ole Miss could be dangerous off a loss, but South Carolina is coming off a bye and has the personnel to compete with the top of the SEC at home.

No. 8 Miami @ California (+10, O/U 54.5)

It's rare to see California featured in a marquee game, but after a 3-1 start that includes a win over Auburn, it's no surprise that College GameDay is coming to Berkeley for the first time in school history.

At 5-0, Miami has a fast track toward the ACC championship and a berth to the College Football Playoff. Led by quarterback Cam Ward, the Hurricanes have their best roster in years. Ward can make throws that most other college quarterbacks can't, even though his decision-making is questionable at times. It's why he has the third-best odds to win the Heisman (+700).

The Hurricanes survived an upset last Friday night when Virginia Tech's last-second Hail Mary was deemed incomplete, and the scare should wake up Miami as it visits a Cal group whose talent level doesn't compare.

No. 10 Michigan @ Washington (-2.5, 41.5)

This is a rematch of last year's national championship, but both programs look completely different. Jim Harbaugh left for the NFL, and Kalen DeBoer left for Alabama.

Michigan returned a great defense and reliable running game, and after its quarterback woes led to a loss to Texas at home, the Wolverines responded with a gritty win over USC in which they ran for 290 yards and threw for 32 yards.

Alex Orji replaced Davis Warren at quarterback, but Orji can't throw the ball down the field. The Wolverines are in trouble if Washington takes an early lead and forces Orji to make plays with his arm.

Washington had a complete roster overhaul and has struggled, losing twice in the last three weeks to Rutgers and Washington State. One of the Huskies' weaknesses is their offensive line, which could be a problem against Michigan's pass rush.

Oddsmakers project these teams as even, but Washington gets the edge with home-field advantage.

Week 5 betting nuggets

• Army and UNLV are 4-0 against the spread. UNLV is a 6.5-point favorite at home against Syracuse on Friday night, and Army is a 12-point favorite at Tulsa.
• The largest spread of the weekend is Penn State -28 at home against UCLA. In case you forgot, this is a Big Ten showdown.
• Utah State @ Boise State (-27) has a total of 66.5, the largest of the weekend. Boise State overs are 4-0.
• Navy @ Air Force has a total of 35.5, the smallest of the weekend. Navy overs are 4-0, but Air Force unders are 3-1.
• Indiana (-14) @ Northwestern has received more money wagered than any other game.
• Navy (-10) @ Air Force has attracted more bets than any other game.
• The most lopsided action is on Old Dominion @ Coastal Carolina, with 97% of the money on Coastal Carolina -5.
• The most lopsided total of the slate is Clemson (-14.5) @ Florida State, with 99% of the money on over 47.5.

Sam Oshtry is a sports betting writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more betting coverage.