We’re back at it again after a frustrating Week 5 of the college football season were our picks went 1-and-4 on the week, as I messed up just about everything but the headline.

The upsets just didn’t come through and a few of the point spreads just barely missed out by the slimmest of margins. With that week of misery, we’re now 13-and-16 on the year, meaning it’s time to catch up.

As any good gambler knows, a week like that is when you go back at it harder than ever. That’s why we’re giving you six picks for the week with our usual big games and some under the radar bets.

Picks of the week

SMU +6.5 at Houston

This is a very underrated game in the weekly slate of two of the best teams in the American conference, as both have only have one loss apiece to pretty good Big 12 teams as SMU fell to TCU while Houston fell to Texas Tech.

It’s also a great matchup of the Cougars powerful defense against the Mustangs number three scoring offense in the country. With SMU looking better than they have in a while and Houston struggling to put up points offensively (as they’re completely lacking even the semblance of a ground game), SMU seems poised to make some noise here.

Call me a stickler but 3 points I could accept, 6.5 is just too much for an SMU team that’s for real.

Washington State -2.5 at Oregon

This is a tricky pick as anyone who’s bet on this Cougars team this year knows they’re always a gamble. What makes Wazu so appealing here is that the Ducks are without their starting quarterback, Justin Herbert, which changes things significantly.

That’s a big problem for the home team as they’re heavily reliant on their offense, with a defense that’s talented but is still allowing lots of points, a big issue against this pesky Cougars team. A line this low for a 5-and-0 Wazu is just too appealing with a wounded Ducks team.

Purdue -4 versus Minnesota

Purdue’s been a hot team this year even if their .500 record might not show it. They’ve already played Michigan tough and led them at the half, all after almost upsetting Louisville in Week 1. So while they’re 2-and-2 and going against a 3-and-1 Gophers team they’ve looked much better.

Minnesota’s only beat Oregon State and two non-power-five squads as their first taste of Big Ten play didn’t go well in a 31-24 loss to Maryland. Purdue’s defense has been strong and their attack’s looked balanced. At home, they should be able to cover the 4 points if they’re really going to be a strong under the radar performer this season.

Big Game Hunting

Utah +4 versus Stanford

This is a great game with the undefeated Utes hosting the Cardinal who’ve been in the headlines thanks to the stellar performances of running back Bryce Love.

The thing about either team is they haven’t really beat anyone so far, so it’ll be a big test as Stanford’s lost twice to ranked teams, which is just another reason to take the home dogs.

These two teams also have similar styles of play as they’re strong in the trenches and tough on defense. What makes Utah the pick here is that they’re tougher and also a bit more multiple offensively which will be key. As will their quarterback Tyler Huntley who has some real moxie.

West Virginia +13.5 at TCU

This is the game of the week pairing up two of the most pleasant surprises of the first month of the year that are significantly raising the level of play in the Big 12 conference.

While road games are tricky for the Mountaineers in the Big 12, WVU has a quarterback and an offense full of playmakers to really keep this one close. TCU is a great team and has already won us big with their upset of Oklahoma State but they’re not impervious.

13.5 points against a talented West Virginia team that’s already looked good in a loss to Virginia Tech earlier in the year is just too appealing to pass up. A year ago the Mountaineers won easily 34-10 and they’ve only improved. TCU is much better than they were a year ago but not 37.5 points better.

Miami -3 at Florida State

It’s a great thing this game didn’t get canceled entirely after it had to be rescheduled earlier in the year. The Seminoles are in a tough spot and barely won their first game a week ago to Wake Forest. Granted their schedule and their injuries have been brutal but this will be a tough week for FSU.

The Canes aren’t exactly world beaters on their end and they still have to prove themselves this year. However, in their first real test of the season, they looked strong on the road at Duke winning convincingly 31-6.

Led by running back Mark Walton, Miami’s offense has been balanced and their defense has plenty of talent. FSU will need a dominant performance from their terrific ‘D’, which is entirely possible, but the odds are stacked against them with freshman quarterback James Blackman who’s been very inconsistent.

Miami’s just the smart bet here.