Week 5 SEC Picks and College Football Best Bets

TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after their 24-10 win over head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - SEPTEMBER 23: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide reacts after their 24-10 win over head coach Lane Kiffin of the Mississippi Rebels at Bryant-Denny Stadium on September 23, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Wide receiver Ainias Smith #0 of the Texas A&M Aggies
COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 23: Wide receiver Ainias Smith #0 of the Texas A&M Aggies breaks a tackle in the first quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field on September 23, 2023 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)

Texas A&M (-7.0) @ Arkansas – O/U 55

Evan Ertel: Arkansas getting a full touchdown here feels weird after the performance they had last week against a very good LSU team. I think the Hogs win outright here. Arkansas +7

Justin Strawn: This feels like the wrong team favored to me. I’m not convinced Max Johnson is going to be the A&M savior, so I like Arkansas in this one. Arkansas +7

Ethan Lee: Texas A&M is without its starting quarterback and the Aggies weren’t particularly great with him. Max Johnson has some valuable SEC experience, but the Razorbacks showed last week that they can be a tough foe this season. Give me the Razorbacks here. Arkansas +7

Ryan Strickland: Trusting Jimbo Fisher in anything is ill-advised but I thought Max Johnson came in against Auburn and gave the A&M offense some life and looked good. Arkansas’ defense is questionable, to say the least, and A&M still has a good defense. I think Max Johnson gives them a spark and A&M slows down Jefferson and covers. A&M -7

Andrew Miller: Here’s the deal with this series: A&M wins but it’s always close, regardless of the actual quality of either team. A TD is too much. Arkansas +7

John King: It comes down to the QB here for me. Connor Weigman is out for the year now and KJ Jefferson seems to be figuring out his new offense. I’d be tempted to take the Razorbacks money line, but if you’re giving me 7 points, I’ll happily take it. Arkansas +7