The Best College Football Underdog Bets for Week 13

Rivalry week has arrived on college campuses across the country. In addition to the biggest rivalries in college football playing out, this is the final week of the schedule for the regular season. We are dissecting the card and making our best college football underdog picks at college football betting sites.

There are some monumental games on the schedule this week, many of which will impact the CFP College Football Playoff. According to the latest NCAAF trends, there will be upsets on the board in rivalry week. Along with our best underdog picks for college football, head below to check out our top NCAA football rivalry parlays.

Best College Football Underdog Picks for Week 13

The following college football underdog odds are courtesy of Bovada:

California Golden Bears (+9.5) at UCLA Bruins

The UCLA Bruins have rivalry games in back-to-back weeks. After shocking the USC Trojans in a 38-20 upset at the Coliseum, the Bruins turn their attention to the Golden Bears. Chip Kelly and his squad carry a record of 7-5 into Saturday’s showdown at the Rose Bowl.

The win for UCLA was a far cry from their effort over the two previous weeks. As a 2.5-point favorite, UCLA were blown out by the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson. The following week, Kelly and the Bruins dropped a 17-7 game to Arizona State as 14-point favorites.

UCLA’s win over USC was the first game that they’ve covered since a 42-7 win over the Stanford Cardinal on October 21. If the only Bruins game you’ve seen is their win against USC, then you might have a false impression of this team.

Everything managed to come together for UCLA at the right time. They put in their best week of preparation this season and executed it to perfection on game day. It’s the only time that we’ve seen the Bruins look that good in 2023.

QB Ethan Garbers had the best game of his career against the Trojans. He passed for just 155 yards, but threw three touchdowns and had no interceptions. In six appearances this season, Garbers has 941 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions¹.

UCLA and Cal’s offenses have produced virtually the same results. The 47th-ranked team in the FBS, Cal has averaged 406.7 yards per game. Just behind Cal, UCLA is 48th, with an average of 405 yards per game.

There isn’t much separating Cal freshman QB Fernando Mendoza and Garbers. They’ve both had similar campaigns for their respective schools. Mendoza has relied heavily on running back Jaydn Ott.

One of the most underrated running backs in the country, Ott has gained 1,180 yards on 5.7 yards per carry². Against a UCLA defense that could have a letdown after shutting down Caleb Williams, Ott is due for a big game on Saturday night.

Despite beating USC, the Bruins are just 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games versus Pac-12 opponents. This is a good spot for Cal. Consider adding the Golden Bears to your college football underdogs card at football betting sites.

Oregon State Beavers (+13.5) at Oregon Ducks

On Friday night, the 127th edition of the Civil War rivalry kicks off at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon. The Ducks have plenty to play for down the stretch.

If Oregon beats Oregon State and proceeds to win the Pac-12 Championship, they will be in the conversation for the playoff. However, better than a one-loss season may be needed in this highly competitive season.

Additionally, Bo Nix has a chance at winning the Heisman Trophy. Currently, he is one of the leaders in the Heisman odds at sportsbooks. The fifth-year senior has passed for 3,539 yards, 35 touchdowns, and just two interceptions.

He has been efficient through the air, completing 78.1 percent of his passes going into this week. Also, Nix has shown some mobility, with 128 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground³. Those certainly look like Heisman numbers, though the debate will continue to the 2024 NFL Draft about whether he’s a system QB.

All the talk is focused on the Ducks and Nix entering this contest. However, Oregon State is not a bad team, either. The Beavers are coming off a tight 22-20 loss to the No. 4 team in the country in Corvallis. The defense blanked Michael Penix Jr. and the Washington Huskies in the second half, but Oregon State failed to complete the comeback.

Despite missing out on the Pac-12 Championship Game, Oregon State will head to a quality bowl game with at least eight wins. Clemson castaway DJ Uiagalelei has jump started his floundering collegiate career in Corvallis.

Uiagalelei has passed for 2,414 yards, 20 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Additionally, Uiagalelei is a threat to run, as he has recorded 206 rushing yards and six touchdowns⁴. He and outstanding sophomore runner Damien Martinez will put pressure on Oregon’s defense.

The Ducks have been an offensive force behind Nix. They are second in the nation, with 528.4 yards per game. The Beavers have held their own, too, with 440 yards per game for 23rd in the FBS⁵.

These are two respectable defenses, as well. Oregon has the advantage, but not by a considerable margin. The Ducks have conceded 321 yards per game, while Oregon State has allowed 342.6 yards per game⁶.

Last week, Oregon State did a tremendous job in preventing Penix Jr. from having a Heisman-esque performance. Stopping Nix might be even tougher, but in a rivalry game, Oregon State is showing up Friday night.

At 13-5 against the spread (ATS) in their last 18 games, the Beavers have been a profitable bet through last year. Led by Uiagalelei and Martinez, Oregon State is one of our top college football underdogs in Week 12.

Texas Tech Red Raiders (+13.5) at Texas Longhorns

Texas joins Oregon as another one-loss team that could be on the outside looking in. If they look past the Texas Tech Red Raiders, the Longhorns could instantly be removed from the picture.

Texas has come dangerously close to losing their second game over the last month. On October 21, Texas had to dig deep to pull out a 31-24 win as 23.5-point favorites against the Houston Cougars.

In two of their next three assignments, Texas went down to the wire in three-point wins over Kansas State and TCU. They pushed against the spread versus Kansas State, but didn’t close as 13-point favorites versus the Horned Frogs.

Texas was expecting big things out of Heisman hopeful Quinn Ewers. The QB has shown growth in his second season as the starter. However, Ewers’ 2,513 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions don’t hold up well next to Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix.

The Longhorns are running into a much-improved Texas Tech defense. This isn’t the Patrick Mahomes era in Lubbock when the Red Raiders had to score well over 50 points to win games.

Texas Tech enters Austin on a three-game winning streak, with solid defensive performances against TCU, Kansas, and Central Florida. They allowed 21.3 points per game while covering the spread in two of three matchups⁷.

The secondary has been performing at a high level. With 229.4 passing yards allowed per game, the Red Raiders have been one of the better teams in the Big 12 against the pass. Highly motivated in a rivalry game against the Longhorns, they have the talent to force Ewers into mistakes.

Texas’ defense has to keep a watchful eye on Doak Walker semifinalist Tahj Brooks. The bell cow running back has run for 1,352 yards on 5.4 yards per carry and nine touchdowns. The Manor, Texas, native has scored a touchdown in seven consecutive games, and a minimum of 100 yards rushing in eight of his previous nine starts⁸.

Texas Tech was one of Oregon’s toughest opponents this season. In September, the Red Raiders had the Ducks on the ropes. Texas Tech carried a 27-18 lead into the final quarter, but collapsed in a 38-30 loss.

Led by Brooks and an aggressive Texas Tech defense, expect a competitive ball game in Austin. Texas Tech should be among your best college football underdog picks for Week 13.

Navy Midshipmen (+18.5) at SMU Mustangs

On Saturday afternoon, the SMU Mustangs look to wrap up the regular season with double-digit wins on their resume. SMU is on a seven-game winning streak to enter Week 13 at 9-2.

The Mustangs aren’t sniffing the CFP College Football Playoff, but they will receive a compelling bowl invite for their efforts. SMU is led by gunslinger sophomore QB Preston Stone.

Stone has tossed the pigskin around for 2,875 yards, 25 touchdowns, and six interceptions. Over the last six games, the 6-foot-1 native of Dallas has passed for 14 touchdowns and thrown only one interception⁹.

SMU leans heavily on Jaylan Knight and LJ Johnson Jr. in the backfield. Both running backs are equally capable of having standout performances. This has allowed Stone to open up the offense downfield.

The 5-5 Midshipmen should have an answer for Knight and Johnson Jr., though. Navy has been stout against the run. In 2023, the Midshipmen are 34th in the FBS, with 126.6 rushing yards allowed per game¹⁰.

They are coming off impressive defensive performances in wins over UAB, 31-6, and ECU, 10-0. Navy needs to keep rolling to become bowl-eligible, so there is an incentive to play well again this week.

The triple-option offense is never easy for defensive coordinators to prepare for in college football. With a potential look-ahead spot to the AAC Championship Game in front of the Mustangs this week, Navy might play spoiler in Dallas County at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Best College Football Underdog Parlays For Week 13

Sports betting sites offer a variety of options to bet on parlays. For college football parlays, we suggest checking out the superior odds at Bovada. Get started betting on your favorite college football underdogs with a 75% matchup bonus of up to $750.

Ready to play at Bovada?

Visit Bovada

We are playing two college football underdog parlays for Week 13. One ticket against the spread and a longshot four-team moneyline parlay.