Alabama has something to prove in Week 6.
The Crimson Tide are on a mission to avenge the loss it suffered to Texas A&M last season. Jimbo Fisher's offseason comments about Ncik Saban and the Alabama program did not help the Aggies' status going into Tuscaloosa on Saturday night.
Alabama is a 23-point favorite, but you can cash with the Tide at a lower number in the first half if you believe the game will be over before the fourth quarter.
First-half plays are something that I looked into a bit more for Week 6. Two other spots have ideal circumstances for the favorites to cover both the first half and full game spread.
There are also a handful of money-line underdogs that have my attention, including one team that could take control of its division in a power five conference with a road win.
Houston at Memphis (Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Over 57.5
I'm going back to the Houston well one more time because I think the Cougars' matchup with Memphis breeds points on Friday night.
Houston is 7-3 to the over in the last 10 games and Memphis is 6-4 to the over in the same span.
Both defenses give up over 400 total yards per game. Houston is nine yards shy of averaging 400 total yards per game on offense, while Memphis gains 402.4 per contest. Both sides also average over 30 points per game.
Hopefully all of those numbers come together to produce a high-scoring game to kick off the weekend.
Tennessee (-3) at LSU (Saturday, Noon ET)
My main thought behind the Tennessee bet is the game being played at 11 a.m. CT in Baton Rouge, where the atmosphere is typically better at night.
Tennessee is coming off a bye and could use a fast start to take any atmosphere there is in Baton Rouge out of the game.
The Vols could also use a fast start to avoid any stress in the fourth quarter so they are rested for Alabama's trip to Knoxville next weekend.
Tennessee has the best offense LSU has faced to date this season and its athleticism could cause some trouble for the LSU defense and open up a difference that the Tigers can't keep pace with.
Missouri at Florida (-10.5) (Saturday, Noon ET)
Florida First Half Spread (-6.5)
Florida catches Missouri in an ideal spot inside The Swamp.
Missouri is coming off an emotional home loss against Georgia. The Tigers took Auburn to overtime the week before that.
Florida should take advantage of how spent Missouri is and hop on the visitors fast. This could end up being a game in which Anthony Richardson puts up a massive stat line and gets the Gators on track for the second half of the season.
Louisville at Virginia (+125) (Saturday, Noon ET)
One more time, Virginia.
One more time.
Louisville has been as disappointing as Virginia and it could be on the verge of firing Scott Sattefield if it loses in Charlottesville.
Texas vs. Oklahoma (Saturday, Noon ET)
Over 65
The Red River Showdown is typically a high-scoring game.
Four of the last seven victors in the series scored at least 45 points. The losing side hit at least 24 points in each of the last seven years.
Oklahoma is coming off concessions of 55 and 41 points and it could be hurt even more by Texas with Quinn Ewers back on the field at quarterback.
Texas and Oklahoma both average over 415 total yards and 36 points per game. A low-scoring game does not seem to be in Oklahoma's DNA, so the Sooners may have to win by scoring 50 points.
Georgia Southern (+125) at Georgia State (2 p.m. ET)
Georgia Southern is coming together nicely in Clay Helton's first season as head coach.
The Eagles have wins over Ball State, Nebraska and Morgan State and they are coming off a four-point loss to Coastal Carolina.
Georgia State beat Army for its first win last week, but that is not saying much with the way Army is playing this season. The Panthers conceded at least 35 points in each of their four losses and the defense could be the problem once again against their in-state foe.
East Carolina at Tulane (3:30 p.m. ET)
Under 55.5
Tulane is 8-2 to the under in its last 10 games.
The Green Wave held all of their five opponents below 30 points and lead the FBS in passing defense.
East Carolina's offense sputtered a bit against NC State and Navy and its defense gives up 20 points per game.
Tulane has no problem winning a low-scoring game and that could spell trouble for ECU, who lost both games it failed to reach the 25-point mark this season.
Utah (-3.5) at UCLA (3:30 p.m. ET)
Utah carries more experience from the last few seasons to win a tight Pac-12 game.
The Utes held four straight opponents under 20 points after suffering a Week 1 road loss to Florida.
Utah enters the Rose Bowl with a top 20 defense and it could cause a bevy of problems for the Bruins, who have not faced a team of Utah's caliber yet through five games.
Wisconsin (-10.5) at Northwestern (3:30 p.m. ET)
Wisconsin First Half Spread (-6)
Wisconsin needs to produce a response to Paul Chryst's firing.
Interim head coach Jim Leonhard has the perfect opportunity to get a strong showing out of his team against a Northwestern side on a four-game losing streak.
Wisconsin should win the game by multiple touchdowns. The first half spread bet is based on the quick response the Badgers will provide Leonhard and how tough it is for Northwestern to move the ball.
Washington (-13.5) at Arizona State (4 p.m. ET)
Washington resides in an ideal bounce-back spot against an Arizona State team that did not respond well enough to its coaching change.
Arizona State conceded 34 points to Utah and 42 points to USC in the last two weeks. The Sun Devils are 1-2 against the spread as a double-digit underdog. Washington's offense, led by Michael Penix, could wreak havoc on ASU.
Washington still put up 32 points in a loss to UCLA last week. The Huskies come into Tempe in a tie for 11th for most touchdowns in the FBS. Arizona State is tied for 108th in touchdowns.
Washington's point differential per game is 18. Arizona State sits at -5. The Huskies can score and the Sun Devils simply can't.
James Madison at Arkansas State (7 p.m. ET)
Under 55.5
James Madison is eighth in scoring offense in the FBS.
Arkansas State is 95th in scoring defense in the FBS.
You would think that disparity would lead to a JMU blowout win, but both teams love to have the ball. Arkansas State is third and JMU is fourth in time of possession.
Arkansas State is 8-2 to the under in its last 10 games. The potential for long drives could lead to a low-scoring game.
JMU also ranks second in plays allowed of 10 or more yards. The Dukes' limitation of big plays and the time of possession numbers could make it a slow burn instead of a shootout, like a few JMU games have been.
UTEP (+125) at Louisiana Tech (7 p.m. ET)
UTEP comes into Ruston, Louisiana on a two-game winning streak.
Louisiana Tech is 1-3 with its only win coming against a FCS opponent.
LA Tech's average concessions of 38.8 points and 443.4 yards per game are 12 points and close to 100 yards more than UTEP's numbers.
Iowa (+150) at Illinois (7:30 p.m. ET)
Illinois is coming off a huge win on the road at Wisconsin.
I understand why the Illini are favored, but they are in a prime spot to suffer a let down.
Iowa is still one of the best defensive teams in the country and its offense scored 27 points in consecutive wins before it fell to Michigan.
The Hawkeyes still scored 14 points against Michigan and I think the new found confidence they have in that unit is enough to get a road win if the defense thrives it like has most of the season.
Texas A&M at Alabama (8 p.m. ET)
Alabama First Half Spread (-14)
Over 49
Alabama may post 50 on Texas A&M on its own.
The Crimson Tide are motivated to enact revenge on the Aggies and the visiting side may not put up much of a fight with Max Johnson out at quarterback.
Alabama is dealing with a quarterback injury of its own, but the five-star talent surrounding Jalen Milroe can help the Tide torch the Aggies.
Don't think Nick Saban will allow his team to let up after last year's loss and Jimbo Fisher's comments from the offseason.