- Hot start — the writer went 3-0 last week (season 16-10) and is riding that momentum into Week 6 betting — feeling confident to wager?
- Intriguing upset spot: No. 7 Indiana at Nebraska — Curt Cignetti’s IU has dominated as single-digit favorites while Nebraska and Matt Rhule are struggling.
- Can’t-miss slate: Red River (Oklahoma vs. No. 1 Texas), No. 2 Georgia at No. 6 Alabama, and a huge Notre Dame favorite over Stanford — which game are you tuning into?
The news, distilled into what matters.
- Big weekend spotlight: Georgia-Alabama in Tuscaloosa — the line flipped from Georgia -1.5 to Alabama -2, yet sharp bettors (Ed Salmons, Slice) say Georgia should be favored.
- Miami’s stock is being questioned — analysts call their schedule a “cakewalk” and say the Hurricanes won’t be truly tested until they face Notre Dame on Nov. 7.
- Caleb Williams is questionable and the Bears’ coaching (Ben Johnson) is getting rave reviews for elevating backups — the writer’s best bets include Georgia +1.5, Iowa +3, Oregon -10.5, Miami Ohio -3.5 and Saints +2.5.
- Chargers tackle Rashawn Slater underwent right ankle surgery and was placed on injured reserve, sidelined at least four games after already missing last season with a knee injury.
- The setback adds to a growing injury list (including Derwin James Jr. and others) as the Chargers struggle through an 0-4 start.
- L.A. hosts division rival Denver this weekend, a must-win storyline amid the team's injury woes.
- Mike Ditka, a Hall of Fame NFL icon, has died at 86 — a towering figure for the Chicago Bears as both a player and coach.
- A rare achiever: the first NFL tight end to post a 1,000-yard season (1961) and a two-time champion — as a player in 1963 and as head coach of the 1985 Super Bowl XX Bears.
- Instantly recognizable personality — leather jacket and signature Bears vest, inspired SNL’s “Super Fans,” and remains a central part of Chicago football culture.
- Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith are ruled out of Sunday’s London game vs. the Jaguars with hamstring injuries — Barkley was hurt vs. the Rams, Smith misses a second straight game.
- The Eagles’ offensive front is in flux after Lane Johnson’s retirement this week and the trade of Cam Jurgens to Baltimore.
- Philadelphia will still travel to play at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Sunday, which raises questions about how they’ll cope without two key playmakers.
- NLCS Game 1: Dodgers visit the Brewers Sunday, Oct. 11 at 8 p.m. ET in Milwaukee — Brewers earned home field after going 103-59 (Dodgers 100-62).
- Milwaukee’s offense is hot — Andrew Vaughn is hitting .500 in the postseason and Jackson Chourio has six RBI; Contreras and Christian Yelich have been getting on base and creating chances.
- Dodgers lean on power and pitching — Max Muncy has homered repeatedly in the NLDS while Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the staff held opponents to a tiny batting average; will home runs or dominant pitching decide Game 1?
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