College Football Betting Preview: Week 6 picks

Each week during the college football season, theScore's Dane Belbeck will handicap the board and offer up a pack of picks.

Season record

Gold/Silver/Bronze: 9-4-2
Other: 7-8
Twitter picks: 5-2
Overall: 21-14-2

West Virginia (+13.5) at TCU

The stars are shining bright on TCU after a dominant road win at Oklahoma State in Week 4. The Horned Frogs were off last week on a bye to prepare for West Virginia, who come to Fort Worth on a three-game winning streak. The Mountaineers haven't won a road game against a top-10 team since 1982, but have the man for the task in Will Grier this time around. The prolific quarterback is on fire under Dana Holgorsen, and will get enough done against the TCU defense to keep this one real close. Don't be shocked if the Mountaineers break the 35-year curse and finally get a road win against a top-10 team. West Virginia 38, TCU 35

Pitt at Syracuse (-4)

Last season's matchup resembled a basketball scoreline, with a 76-61 final, but it's unlikely Pitt can keep up this year with a much different offense. The Panthers ranked 10th in the country in scoring for the 2016 season, but sit 97th in 2017. With the defense holding the same issues as last season, expect Syracuse to exact revenge with a big home win. Syracuse 40, Pitt 28

Miami at Florida State (+3)

This game may be moved from 3:30 p.m. ET to noon with another tropical storm expected to hit Florida. Regardless of when it begins, Miami comes in full of confidence after a 3-0 start. The Hurricanes are also fresh off a 31-6 beatdown of Duke on the road, and stand a very good chance of snapping a seven-game losing streak to the Seminoles. Florida State's offense hasn't looked great without Deondre Francois, but another week of experience for James Blackman will certainly help things. The Seminoles will rely on star safety Derwin James to make a difference with a defensive touchdown, and he will do so in a big home win. Florida State 24, Miami 21

Other games of note

Stanford at Utah (+5.5)

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Utah is 4-0, and getting points as a home underdog for some reason as Stanford comes to town. While the Utes haven't exactly beaten a murderer's row of opponents, they are a sound outfit once again. The Cardinal are a one-man band led by running back Bryce Love, but Utah's formidable defense should bottle him up and get the big home win. Utah 27, Stanford 26

Minnesota at Purdue (-3.5)

The Purdue hype train was slowed last game as Michigan pounded the Boilermakers 28-10, but the bye week should give Jeff Brohm enough time to get things back on the rails. Minnesota had a hype train of its own rolling until last week's surprising home loss to Maryland, and head to Purdue with some questions on the defensive end. That's never good against a Brohm-coached offensive unit. Purdue 34, Minnesota 28

Michigan State (+12) at Michigan

If Michigan is going to cover the 12-point spread, it would mean the Wolverines are set to do something they haven't accomplished since 2006. That was the last time Michigan won this rivalry contest by double digits, something that's only happened twice since 2001. While the Spartans have won three of the last four meetings, the Wolverines win in East Lansing last year showed that the tide is probably turning. Michigan will get another win, but their offense doesn't seem built to cover the number. Michigan 27, Michigan State 17