Weekend Preview From Behind the Desk at BetAmapola October 12-13

In this article, we will talk about all things upcoming this weekend and news that we feel is valuable to the bettor. You can follow along at @BetAmapola on Twitter so you can get a real time look at the action we are taking and where the money is at, along with any other juicy nuggets we can provide. Feel free to send us a DM on twitter or contact the Amapola Resort located in beautiful Jaco Beach, Costa Rica for more information.

Top CFB Games of the Weekend:

4. No. 4 Penn State (5-0) at USC (3-2), 3:30 p.m., Fubo, CBS
This feels like a massive prove-it game for both teams. USC fell out of the Top 25 after the loss to Minnesota, but if Penn State manages to fly across the country and get a victory against a big-name opponent, it will be a boost to that top-five ranking and the team’s Big Ten chances, with Ohio State at home the only currently ranked opponent left on the schedule. For the Trojans, a third loss would essentially be curtains for their season and put Lincoln Riley under the microscope. Yet a top-five win keeps Playoff hopes alive, with Notre Dame looming to end the regular season but no Ohio State or Oregon (or Indiana!) in league play.
Line: Penn State -4

3. No. 9 Ole Miss (5-1) at No. 13 LSU (4-1), 7:30 p.m., Fubo, ABC
Could be a barnburner: Both offenses rank in the top 20 nationally in yards per play. However, Ole Miss hasn’t been nearly as efficient the past two games, going a combined 4-for-23 on third down in the loss to Kentucky and win over South Carolina, and running the ball for only 3.3 yards a pop over those two games. The Rebels need to rediscover that top gear at what will be a rowdy Tiger Stadium. Save for a narrow escape at South Carolina, LSU hasn’t been tested too much beyond the season-opening loss to USC and could use a quality win. The victors here get to stay in the upper echelon of SEC and Playoff Contenders for another week, while the losers get kicked to the Pretenders bin.
Line: Ole Miss -3

2. No. 1 Texas (5-0) vs. No. 18 Oklahoma (4-1), 3:30 p.m., Fubo, ABC
It took a top-five showdown to keep the Red River rivalry from the top spot, but this matchup has rarely disappointed in recent years. Nine of the last 11 meetings, including the 2018 Big 12 Championship, have been decided by one score, though Oklahoma has won eight of those 11, including a quadruple-overtime victory in 2020 and last year’s last-minute upset. The two face off in Dallas for the 120th rendition of the rivalry and first as SEC foes. Quinn Ewers is back at quarterback for Texas after missing two-plus games, and his experience could be vital against an aggressive Sooners defense and its league-leading plus-eight turnover margin.

Texas to start Quinn Ewers vs. Oklahoma
Line: Texas -14.5

1. No. 2 Ohio State (5-0) at No. 3 Oregon (5-0), 7:30 p.m., Fubo, NBC
Our last top-five matchup was the Georgia-at-Alabama instant classic a couple of weeks ago, so this game has a lot to live up to. Oregon and Ohio State battle for the first time as conference opponents after the Ducks won the most recent tilt in Columbus in 2021, the program’s only win over the Buckeyes in 10 tries. There are major Big Ten and CFP implications in what should be a much-needed litmus test for both. Ohio State has glided to a 5-0 start in which Marshall tallied the most points against the Buckeyes all season with 14. Oregon’s trail hasn’t been as smooth, including a last-second win over Boise State. The offense has played better of late but is still below the lofty standard the Ducks established last season. Saturday should provide answers to whether Ohio State is a cut above in the Big Ten, or if Oregon is a legit national title candidate.
Line: Ohio State -3.5

NFL Key Games and Injuries:

Washington vs Baltimore (-6.5) Storyline of the game: Two of the NFL’s highest-powered offenses go head-to-head
Both Washington and Baltimore have erupted offensively in recent weeks, laying claim to the top two EPA per play offenses in the league through five games — setting the table for what should be an explosive matchup.The Commanders’ ascent to the upper echelon of offenses has taken the league by storm, mainly behind the impressive play of first-year quarterback Jayden Daniels. The second overall pick has been masterful outside the pocket, generating the league’s highest grade when not kept between the tackles (95.4). That’s very reminiscent of the signal-caller he faces off with in this matchup.

The comparisons between Daniels and Ravens star Lamar Jackson continue to dominate the discussion, but what’s being lost in it all is how far the former MVP continues to push his game. Per PFF IQ’s stable quarterback metrics, Jackson grades out in the 88th-plus percentile in six of seven facets, including Clean Pocket grade (94th), First & Second Down grade (91st) and Sack Rate (97th).

Here's the latest on some key injured players entering Week 6.

Derek Carr, QB, Saints
Derek Carr is week-to-week after suffering an oblique injury in the Saints' Monday night loss to the Chiefs.
Behind Carr on the depth chart are rookie Spencer Rattler and second-year QB Jake Haener. Rattler is a "strong candidate" to start in Carr's place when the Saints host the Buccaneers in Week 6, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo.

Josh Allen, QB, Bills
Josh Allen missed just one offensive snap after taking a hard hit to the head during the Bills' Week 5 loss against the Texans.
Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott said that Allen was cleared on the sideline before re-entering the game and that the star quarterback has not been placed in concussion protocol ahead of the team's Week 6 contest in New York.

De'Von Achane, RB, Dolphins
De'Von Achane exited the Dolphins' Week 5 win over the Patriots after suffering a concussion in the first half.
The speedy running back has two weeks to clear concussion protocol before the Dolphins' next game since the team has a Week 6 bye.

Nico Collins, WR, Texans
The NFL's leading receiver will miss some time.

Nico Collins exited with a hamstring injury after scoring a 67-yard touchdown against the Bills on Sunday. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans called Collins week-to-week, but the team proceeded to place the wideout on injured reserve on Wednesday.
While Collins will miss a minimum of four games, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the belief is Collins "will be back sooner, rather than later.

Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs
The two-time defending Super Bowl champions are expected to be without their top wideout for the remainder of the season, as Rashee Rice underwent surgery to repair the LCL in his right knee.

The Athletic's Nate Taylor reported that Rice's rehab is expected to take four months.

We hope that you are able to use these injuries notes to your advantage, whether in sports betting or in fantasy football or survivor pools. Everyone have a great weekend!

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