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Stanford Steve and The Bear: Week 5 college football picks, bets, nuggets

Desmond Ridder has the Bearcats off to an impressive 3-0 start. Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

"Stanford Steve" Coughlin and Chris "The Bear" Fallica cover the college football season as only they can, offering their top picks, betting nuggets and totals worth wagering on.

Records:
The Bear (Last week: 3-2. Season: 9-10)
Stanford Steve (Last week: 5-2. Season: 14-8)

Note: All lines are from Caesars Sportsbook.


The Plays

No. 22 Auburn Tigers at LSU Tigers (-3.5, 55.5)

Fallica: That was a really good win by LSU last week. The Tigers took advantage of every chance the Bulldogs gave them, the young players played well and they kept their season from spiraling downhill. Auburn probably should have lost last week, and maybe they cycle back to a good effort this week, but I dunno. Things just seem "off" there. The QB position seems to be a problem, and now Auburn goes on the road to this environment and might have to play LSU transfer TJ Finley? Nothing about the situation seems ideal for Auburn.

Pick: LSU -3.5

Stanford Steve: The optics of the Auburn win last week told me a lot. Starting QB benched and sulking down at the other end of the field as his team tries to rally for a comeback win. A third critical catch that should not have even been a catch. The fan base crying for the backup to start this week. All I know is I have been to Death Valley for many a Saturday night, and that is not a good place for a road team that appears to be in turmoil. I do think the LSU defensive line can cause some serious problems for that Auburn O-line. I'll take the home team and lay the points.

Pick: LSU -3.5 (LSU 26 Auburn 19)