Chris ‘The Bear’ Fallica’s 2024 College Football Week 6 ‘Bear Bytes’ brings thrilling moments for football enthusiasts and bettors eager to place their wagers. The upcoming days promise excitement as teams clash and fortunes are decided on the gridiron.
While the best bets for Week 6 have been shared, it’s time to explore some intriguing insights, or as he calls them, “Bear Bytes.”
These “bytes” offer entertaining tidbits that can spark conversations during game day gatherings with friends and family or serve as fun banter among coworkers.
Here are some standout insights that emerged during the research process.
Two teams, BYU and Notre Dame, have impressively faced Power Four opponents three times and emerged victorious each time.
(All times ET)
Friday, Oct. 4
No. 10 Michigan @ Washington (7:30 p.m., NBC)
A close contest is anticipated in Seattle. Historically, in the past 25 seasons, 18 top-10 teams have been underdogs against unranked teams late in the season. Out of those, only seven managed to win outright, while 13 covered the spread.
Saturday, Oct. 5
UCLA @ No. 7 Penn State (noon, FOX and FOX Sports app)
No. 9 Missouri @ No. 25 Texas A&M (noon, ABC)
Since 2000, Texas A&M has struggled at Kyle Field against top-10 teams, going 3-11 despite being favored in five of those matchups. This trend spans six different coaching tenures.
Pitt @ North Carolina (noon, ESPN 2)
Pitt hasn’t achieved a 5-0 start since 1991, finishing that season with a 6-5 record. Meanwhile, North Carolina’s recent performances have raised concerns, having allowed 70 points to James Madison and losing a 20-0 lead against Duke.
Navy @ Air Force (noon, CBS)
In recent matchups between service academies, underdogs have covered 18 of the last 23 games. Both Navy and Army are currently 4-0, marking the first time since 1945 that both teams have achieved this record.
Purdue @ Wisconsin (noon, BTN)
An upset by Purdue would signal a troubling trend for Wisconsin, potentially marking the fourth time in five years that they finish with a losing record after five games.
Auburn @ No. 5 Georgia (3:30 p.m., ABC)
Hugh Freeze’s recent record against FBS opponents reflects struggles, with Auburn’s last seven games against Georgia resulting in a 0-7 record and a significant scoring deficit.
Iowa @ No. 3 Ohio State (3:30 p.m, CBS)
Indiana @ Northwestern (3:30 p.m., BTN)
Indiana has not started a season 6-0 since their 1967 Rose Bowl run, showcasing the long-standing challenges faced by the program.
No. 12 Ole Miss @ South Carolina (3:30 p.m., ESPN)
Under Shane Beamer, South Carolina has shown resilience against top-15 teams, pulling off three upsets and covering five of six games.
Rutgers @ Nebraska (4 p.m., FS1)
Rutgers has faced a tough stretch, losing 15 consecutive conference games as an underdog, with their last victory occurring in 2021.
West Virginia @ Oklahoma State (4 p.m., ESPN2)
Oklahoma State’s last non-winning record after six games was in 2007, a year that marked a pivotal moment in Mike Gundy’s coaching career.
No. 14 Clemson @ Florida State (7 p.m., ESPN)
Florida State’s history as a home underdog of over 14 points has not been favorable, with significant losses in both instances. Mike Norvell’s record with and without quarterback Jordan Travis further illustrates the team’s challenges.
No. 11 USC @ Minnesota (7:30 p.m., BTN)
Lincoln Riley’s teams have had mixed results as favorites on the road, showcasing a discrepancy between wins and covers against the spread.
Baylor @ No. 16 Iowa State (7:30 p.m., FOX and FOX Sports app)
Iowa State has not achieved a 5-0 start since 1980, highlighting the significance of their current season.
UCF @ Florida (7:45 p.m, SEC Network)
Florida’s recent underdog status at home against FBS opponents is a notable departure from their historical performance.
Duke @ Georgia Tech (8 p.m, ACC Network)
Historically, teams with 5-0 records have struggled when facing unranked opponents as underdogs, with only one exception in the last several decades.
Syracuse @ No. 25 UNLV (9 p.m., FS1)
This matchup marks a significant moment for UNLV, as they find themselves favored against a Power Four opponent for the first time in years.
Miami @ Cal (10:30 p.m., ESPN)
Mario Cristobal’s track record against Justin Wilcox’s teams raises questions about his effectiveness in these matchups, as past performances suggest challenges.
Mario Cristobal coaching ranked teams against unranked Wilcox teams:
2021: Spread, -13.5; Won 24-17
2020: Spread, -9.5; Lost 21-17
2019: Spread, -21.5; Won 17-7
