Can Cincinnati pull off another upset? Expert Picks (10/31)
Written by: PJ Glasser
Published: Thu Oct 29, 2026, 8:15 am ET
Read Time: 4 minutes
ncaaf
Spread
Total
Moneyline
-6.5
-115
56.5
-110u
-245
Spread
Total
Moneyline
+7.0
-110
56
-105o
+205
This is a tough week of college football. A lot of good teams are on bye this week and we only have two ranked matchups, but as always I got some bets. Specifically two games have caught my eye this week in College Football. One in the BIG 10 with a fishy line and one in the BIG 12 where the favorite is definitely on upset alert. The Saturday slate will take place on Halloween so let's get spooky and dive in.
Check out the best odds on the market and tons of picks for the NCAA Football Season.
Utah at Cincinnati NCAA Football Picks
Devon Dampier and the Utah Utes look to stay undefeated
Best Bet: Cincinnati +6.5 (-105) and Cincinatti ML (+203) BetOnline
I think Utah vs Cincinnati is one of the more fascinating games of the week. Utah is coming off the big win against Houston and Cincy is coming off the upset of Texas Tech. Both of these teams are good fade candidates this week, but since they're playing each other someone has to win and cover. Utah continues to climb the rankings as they are the #6 team in the country, but this week they have their hands full on the road.
Last 5 Games
UTAH
Result
ATS
Total
vs HOU
W13 - 21
W-6.5
57.5
@ COLO
W27 - 24
L-16.5
49
vs KU
W24 - 41
W-6.5
72
@ ISU
W31 - 17
W-7.5
47
vs USU
W0 - 33
L-33.5
55
CIN
Result
ATS
Total
vs TTU
W24 - 37
W+11.5
56.5
@ WVU
L42 - 45
L+1.5
63
@ ARIZ
L7 - 34
L+7.0
56
vs KSU
W26 - 31
W+6.5
55
vs M-OH
W31 - 35
W0
-
Even though both teams are coming off big wins, Utah is in the middle of a huge sandwich spot. Last week College Gameday was in Salt Lake City for their matchup with Houston and next week Utah hosts BYU is one of the bigger "Holy War" games maybe ever. All that stands in between Utah's matchup with BYU is a trip to Nippert Stadium to take on the Bearcats.
Cincy is 5-2 on the season. 2-0 at home in BIG 12 play and 0-2 on the road. Like most teams they are better at home. Meanwhile, Utah is 7-0 and 4-0 in BIG 12 play. Three of those wins came against Iowa State, Kansas, and Colorado. They did beat Houston by 8, but it was a misleading score and could of gone either way. The Bearcats are frisky at home and I think considering what a tough spot this is for Utah it's a great spot to fade them.
Don't be surprised if Cincinnati beats their second undefeated team in a row.
Illinois vs Maryland NCAA Football Picks
Malik Washington and the Terps look for their first win in BIG 10 play
Best Bet: Maryland +2.5 (-103) BetOnline
Two of the worst teams in the BIG 10 square off on Saturday in College Park and you better believe we have a play! Maryland is 2-5 this season and 0-4 in BIG 10 play and I think will get their first conference win of the season.
Illinois is 4-3 on the year and 2-2 in BIG 10 play. The Illini have shown the ability to play down to the level of their competition in conference play this season. Purdue recorded their first BIG 10 win in 3 years against Illinois in the beginning of October and then the following week the Illini beat Michigan State by 1 in OT. This week they face Maryland who just fired their coach and are coming off a bye.
I think this is one of those games where the number is telling you a lot. Illinois favored by under a field goal is super stinky. The Terps had to move on from Mike Locksley and so many times you see teams win that first game after firing their coach. I think we see that happen on Saturday. Give me the Terps.
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