Iowa, Eastern Michigan Look To Leverage Trends, Week 5 Game Props

  • Iowa leads the NCAA in defensive touchdowns scored, lending great value to the (+225) odds for a defensive or special teams touchdown to be scored in their matchup with Maryland.
  • Alabama and Arkansas have coughed up just one fumble combined in 2021, giving the (-170) odds for the first turnover to be an interception great odds for cashing.

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Week 5 of the NCAA football season is here, and each matchup’s game props have been released. There are a few strong trends that bettors can take advantage of and many of these trends come accompanied by valuable odds.

No.5 Iowa Vs. Maryland (Defensive Or Special Teams TD To Be Scored, +225)

One of the best value prop bets this week is for a defensive or special teams touchdown to be scored, with (+225) odds set by internet sportsbooks.

Iowa has been fantastic on the defensive side of the ball, leading the NCAA in defensive touchdowns scored with 3. They have returned two interceptions for a touchdown and one fumble for a touchdown.

Maryland has not scored a defensive touchdown yet in 2021 but they have blocked a field goal.

Iowa may take a sizable lead, leading to Maryland attempting to play catch-up. If this is the case, the increased passing volume opens up opportunities for interception returns.

At (+225) on leading online sportsbooks,  this game prop comes with a lot of built-in value.

No.1 Alabama Vs. No.8 Arkansas (First Turnover To Be An Interception, -170)

Alabama and Arkansas have fumbled just once combined in 2021.

On the other hand, Alabama ranks in the top 10 in the NCAA in interceptions with 6, while Arkansas has picked off 4 on the year.

In a game featuring two high-powered offenses, it is highly likely that there will be a lot of passes thrown, increasing the likelihood of an interception being the first turnover. Combine this with the impressive ball security by both Arkansas and Alabama thus far this year, and you have the recipe for a high-value game prop at (-170).

Eastern Michigan Vs. Northern Illinois (First Penalty To Be Northern Illinois, -120)

Eastern Michigan has committed the second-fewest penalties in the NCAA through the first four weeks of the season, while Northern Illinois ranks 97th in the country, committing 29 penalties in their first four games.

With both sides at (-120) to be the first to commit a penalty, and the trends solidly on Eastern Michigan’s side, this is one of the better value game props bettors will find this week.

Northern Illinois committed 7 total penalties for 58 yards in their Week 4 victory over the Maine Black Bears.