CFB Week 10 betting preview: Big games are in the eye of the beholder

There's an alternate universe where, down 3-0 with 2:30 left in the first half, Florida intercepts Stetson Bennett in the end zone and, instead of returning the ball out to the 2-yard line, the Gators take a knee and get possession on the 20-yard line. Maybe then all hell doesn't break loose.

That was the only loser of the five big games we looked at last week as we moved to 20-13 on the season betting the biggest games of each week.

Miami (OH) @ Ohio (+7.5, 52.5)

We have to get creative when it comes to defining "big games" this week, but what's bigger than the return of MACtion to our midweek sporting schedule? Of all the games on Tuesday and Wednesday, 1-7 Ohio provides the best value, believe it or not.

The Bobcats' October was much better than their first four games of the season, in which they got trounced by Power 5 schools Syracuse and Northwestern and lost to Duquesne. Since MAC play started, the games have been close, even though the wins haven't come. Look for Kurtis Rourke and Armani Rogers to mix and match at quarterback, causing problems for Miami.

Pick: Ohio +7.5

Army vs. Air Force (-2.5, 37)

It's a nationally televised game involving two teams with a winning record, so we're including it here. Plus, the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy is involved.

Maybe I can't shake Army giving up 10 touchdowns to Wake Forest two weeks ago, but we've often found success in backing Air Force this season. While Army's won three of the last four matchups, those were some of the best Black Knights teams in years.

The Falcons will have a better chance of moving the ball via the ground and the air, so I'll take the better team closer to home and under a field goal.

Pick: Air Force -2.5

No. 12 Auburn @ No. 13 Texas A&M (-4.5, 50)

Our lone ranked-on-ranked game of the week automatically qualifies for this column. We were all over Auburn last week as the short favorite to beat Ole Miss, and we were delighted when the entire crew at College GameDay took the Rebels. However, this week the shoe is on the other foot. The Tigers couldn't have had a better situation than facing an exhausted Ole Miss team, but now they hit the road themselves.

Texas A&M had the weekend off, and even after its big upset of Alabama, the Aggies showed no signs of a letdown in working over Missouri and South Carolina. They're fresh and better equipped to handle Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter than Ole Miss was Saturday.

Pick: Texas A&M -4.5

LSU @ No. 3 Alabama (-28.5, 66)

We're not dying to fade Alabama, or back LSU, at this point of the season, but this game gets our attention because the number's so high. I've got this lined at closer to -20 for the Crimson Tide. While the Tigers aren't very deep and their head coach has one foot out the door, they can keep this vaguely respectable (though this could be a spot for vengeance for Nick Saban).

Pick: LSU +28.5

No. 7 Oregon @ Washington (+6.5, 51)

This was supposed to be the big tilt in the Pac-12 North, and it still could be if Washington pulls off the upset, as the Huskies would jump Oregon in the standings.

On the surface, this number feels short - the Ducks are in the conversation for the College Football Playoff, while the 4-4 Huskies haven't even looked good in their wins. However, the Ducks have played with fire at home and on the road, and their only convincing conference wins came against the certifiably atrocious Colorado and Arizona.

By Saturday night, there should be a +7 available in case this one comes down to a late drive, as this rivalry often does.

Pick: Wait to get Washington +7 (-120, if necessary)

Matt Russell is a betting writer for theScore. If there's a bad beat to be had, Matt will find it. Find him on Twitter @mrussauthentic.