Josh Pate Best Bets: Week 6 College Football Picks, Predictions

College football analyst Josh Pate is locking in his picks for this weekend’s college football slate. Week 6’s showdowns feature some of the best games of the entire season, and there’s some money to be made.

On the latest episodes of Josh Pate’s College Football Show, the college football insider focused on a myriad of interesting contests. Among them are Vanderbilt at Alabama, Miami at Florida State and Mississippi State at Texas A&M.

Check out Pate’s predictions below. While the lines may have shifted a bit since his choices were locked in, it’s easy to see where he stands at the moment on each college football game. All lines listed are courtesy of BetMGM. Note that this list will be updated throughout the week as Pate’s shows roll on and more picks come in.

Vanderbilt (+10.5) at Alabama

In arguably the biggest college football game of the week, Vanderbilt will be out to prove that last season’s win over Alabama was no fluke. Of course, this time it’ll be on the road. And the Crimson Tide are red hot right now after knocking off the Georgia Bulldogs in a thoroughly hostile environment. This was one of Pate’s first picks for the week, though it appears he got an early line and jumped on it.

Josh Pate: “I’ve got two games I’m on early. Vanderbilt’s getting way too many points at Alabama. Vanderbilt at +12.5 I will take as one of our best bets.”

Wake Forest (+6) at Virginia Tech

After essentially being robbed by a missed offsides call while trying to kill the clock against Georgia Tech, Wake Forest will look to bounce back at a Virginia Tech program with a little interim coach momentum. College football has a way of creating some weird twists like that. Still, Pate likes the way Demon Deacons coach Jake Dickert has his guys playing.

Josh Pate: “Wake Forest +5.5 against Virginia Tech, I think Wake could win the game outright. So give me Vandy +12.5, it’s a very, very academically prestigious Ramen Noodle Express this week, and give me Wake Forest +5.5.”

Mississippi State (+14) at Texas A&M

Mississippi State has gotten off to a hot start to the season, and if not for Tennessee surging at the last minute, the Bulldogs might be undefeated. Still, it’ll be a tall task going on the road to take on an unbeaten (and fairly well tested) Texas A&M team. Still, the spread is big and Pate likes the Bulldogs to cover.

Josh Pate: “Here are two other games that we’re on. Mississippi State +14.5 at Texas A&M. … Mississippi State +14.5 along with Wake and Vandy.

Louisville (-7) vs. Virginia

Virginia is coming off a major upset of Florida State, securing a huge ranked win at home in double overtime. That game was on a Friday, too, so the Cavaliers have a touch extra rest. Louisville, on the other hand, is off to a 4-0 start but hasn’t necessarily been tested just yet. Pate likes the Cardinals to show out, though.

Josh Pate: “Louisville just the clouds broke and the sun shined down today. Louisville dropped to the number we want, they’re at 6.5. Louisville -6.5 versus Virginia. Virginia? The team that just beat Florida State? Yeah. Aren’t they on added rest? Yeah. And wait, you’re telling me they’re getting 6.5? Yeah, lay the points. Louisville’s going to win and cover. They haven’t looked good all year. Well they haven’t looked like I thought they would all year. Miller Moss has been up and down. I think they’re going to be up on Saturday. So I’ll take Louisville -6.5.”

Kansas State (+6.5) at Baylor

Fresh off a win over UCF last time out, Kansas State is looking to get another conference win as it heads to Waco to take on Baylor. Dylan Edwards led the charge in the win over the Knights, rushing for 166 yards on the ground as K-State came away with the 34-20 win. Baylor, meanwhile, cruised past Oklahoma State in the Cowboys’ first game post-Mike Gundy.

Josh Pate: “Tonight, we are adding Kansas State +6.5. They’re on the road at Baylor. 6.5 continues to be a haunted number. But we’re trying to be on the right side of it.”

Michigan State (+12.5) at Nebraska

Pate doesn’t expect the Spartans to pull off the upset in Norman, but he doesn’t need them to. He has Michigan State covering the spread after enjoying a bye last week. The Spartans are 3-1 this season and fell 45-31 in Week 4 against USC.

Josh Pate: “Model circles Michigan State at like a 60% cover probability. I actually like them in this game, not to win, but to cover. So we’re going to add Michigan State +12.5 as a best bet aboard the Ramen Noodle Express.”

Georgia State (+20.5) vs. James Madison

Georgia State may not be receiving as much national attention as some of the other teams on Pate’s list, but the college football expert believes the Panthers have serious value this week. The Panthers will be hungry to bounce back after suffering a 70-21 loss to Vanderbilt in Week 4.

Josh Pate: “I like Georgia State a lot. The model has had a good read on Georgia State. Some of you will remember last year, maybe around this time or a little bit before this, remember when Vandy went down to play Georgia State and we called the outright upset out of nowhere and people said, ‘How? How is that going to happen?’ Don’t ask me, ask the model. But, the model knew.”

Wisconsin (+17.5) at Michigan

Wisconsin is due for a solid showing after back-to-back losses. Badgers head coach Luke Fickell certainly won’t lack motivation. Many Wisconsin fans called for the school to fire Fickell after the team’s Week 4 loss to Maryland. Now, he’ll look to prove he’s still capable of competing in the Big Ten.

Josh Pate: “The model, believe it or not, loves Wisconsin. Wisconsin +17.5 is going to be another added best bet.”

West Virginia (+20.5) at BYU

West Virginia didn’t exactly inspire confidence after its 48-14 blowout loss to Utah last week. However, Pate is rolling with the Mountaineers. In fairness, last week was West Virginia’s first game without QB1 Nicco Marchiol. The Mountaineers have had a week to iron out their offensive issues.

Josh Pate: “We are taking West Virginia +20.5 as a best bet. We’ve got Brigham Young winning by like 15. So, we think the number’s too big, so I’m adding that.”

Maryland (+5.5) vs. Washington

Maryland is 4-0 this season and Pate doesn’t expect the Terrapins to slow down on Saturday. He not only believes Maryland will cover against Washington, but will win the game. Maryland QB Malik Washington has been excellent this season. He’s entering the Week 6 showdown with 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns, compared to just one interception.

Josh Pate: We’ve got Maryland possibly winning this game. I like Maryland a lot, plus the points. We’re taking Maryland +5.5… I think there’s a decent shot they win that game outright.”

Eastern Michigan (+10) at Buffalo

Eastern Michigan burned Pate last week, but he isn’t deterred. BetMGM has the Eagles as 10-point underdogs, but Pate picked them to cover a 10.5-point spread. Eastern Michigan is coming off a 24-13 loss to Central Michigan.

Josh Pate: “Buffalo-Eastern Michigan, not exactly two teams we’ve broken down much on the show this year… We think those 10.5 are a few too many points. We’re taking Eastern Michigan +10.5, added best bet.”

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