The college football season flies by. how is week 11
Unfortunately, we only have a few weeks left in the regular season, but let’s take a half-full look at the next few weeks. November means important college football games and this week is not short of meaningful games, especially at the Group of Five level. Teams compete for conference standings while others seek six wins to secure entry to the Bowl.
This week, let’s look at five must-see Group of Five games in college football betting odds.
5. Ball State in Toledo, Tuesday 8:00 p.m. ET
This game earns a spot in ESPN’s weekday prime time and should catch the attention of die-hard college football fans. Toledo (6-3, 4-1 MAC) are a double-digit favorite, but Ball State (5-4, 3-2 MAC) have been competitive in all five league games this fall.
The Cardinals are more than content with field goals in the red zone, but they’re a capable offensive unit and pass defense is solid. Toledo scores plentifully and leads the MAC with 35.9 points per game. Expect fireworks Tuesday night as the Rockets may lean on their rushing charge to take control of the MAC West.
4. App State at Marshall, Saturday 3:30 p.m. ET
I’m a little surprised these teams are 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the Sun Belt, especially after each program has started the season. App State nearly beat North Carolina before upsetting Texas A&M, and Marshall won at Notre Dame. They stuttered in the Sun Belt game, but these are two solid programs and the winner secures bowl eligibility.
App State is strong offensively while Marshall relies heavily on its defense to win games. There’s enough here to make this game intriguing, even if the teams don’t win the SBC East.
3. State of San Jose in the state of San Diego, Saturday 10:30 p.m. ET
Two of the top three teams in Mountain West’s West Division are struggling to keep up with Fresno State at the top of the division standings. It’s expected to be tight competition — sportsbooks have San Jose State (6-2, 4-1 MWC) as the approximate field goal favorite — with minimal scoring.
Each team’s defense is strong, while the two attacks aren’t quite as consistent. San Jose State is better offensively, but San Diego State (5-4, 3-2 MWC) should keep this game competitive thanks to their defense.
2. East Carolina in Cincinnati, Friday, 8:00 p.m. ET
Two of the best teams in AAC go head-to-head on ESPN2 on Friday night. A red-hot ECU (6-3, 3-2 AAC) is making its way to upset a program from Cincinnati (7-2, 4-1 AAC) that has had one since its appearance in the college football playoffs a season ago step resigned. Each team hopes to keep up in conference standings with Tulane, who has yet to drop any conference competition.
Online sportsbooks consider Cincinnati to be a short-lived favorite over the Pirates.
1st UCF at Tulane, Saturday 3:30 p.m
If Tulane (8-1, 5-0 AAC) picks up a home win over UCF, the Green Wave will position itself to win the AAC regular-season title, though the upcoming games with SMU and Cincinnati won’t be easy. Tulane is currently the highest-ranked Group of Five team, but UCF (7-2, 4-1 AAC) is close behind in the fight for a spot in the New Year’s Six Bowl game.
Sportsbook expect a hard fought game with Tulane a short favorite and I expect a fun atmosphere on Saturday as Tulane fans try to lead their team to their ninth win.
Bennett Conlin is a college football contributor for HERO Sports and works full-time covering sports betting industry news and legislation sports grip and US bets.
