Underdog Picks of the Week: Our top plays for college and NFL, Oct. 3-4
By Adam Spencer
Published:
The college football and NFL seasons are in full swing as we enter October. There are some big-time matchups on the Week 5 slate in the college game and plenty of intrigue in Sunday’s Week 4 NFL schedule, too.
Every week, our DFS experts — Andrew Olson and Adam Spencer — provide their 3 favorite CFB picks and their top 3 NFL plays. Check out who the guys are riding with this weekend below.
But first… use Underdog promo code SDS to score a 50% first-time deposit match worth up to $1,000!
Our Week 5 CFB Picks
Here’s who we like for Saturday’s slate:
Andrew Olson
Mark Fletcher Jr, Miami RB: Higher than 80.5 rush yards
Fletcher and the Hurricanes are up against Clemson, which ranks No. 13 out of 17 ACC squads in rushing defense. Fletcher is coming off 85 rushing yards against Wake Forest, the No. 9 rushing D in the ACC.
Eric Singleton, Florida WR: Higher than 0.5 rush+receiving TDs
Singleton was expected to be a key piece of Buster Faulkner’s offense this season. His 2026 campaign is off to a slow start after a Week 1 injury. Now, Singleton appears to be fully healthy. With Vernell Brown III and Bailey Stockton both questionable this week, it’s Singleton’s time to shine.
Julian Sayin, Ohio State QB: Higher than 277.5 pass yards
Iowa just gave up 276 passing yards to Michigan, which, sources say, does not have Jeremiah Smith. Julian Sayin gets to throw to Jeremiah Smith. This won’t be Sayin’s first road rodeo of the year, either, as he already threw for 278 at Texas in Week 2.
Adam Spencer
Malachi Toney, Miami WR: Lower than 100.5 receiving yards
The Miami star has had 101+ yards in 3 of 4 games so far this year, but Clemson actually has a decent secondary. This will be the toughest test of the year thus far for the Hurricanes, and it’s not even close. He’ll get 80-90 yards tonight, but won’t cross the century mark.
Duke Clark, Florida RB: Higher than 39.5 rush yards
Yeah, I’m going with a Florida rushing pick that doesn’t involve Jadan Baugh. Clark has become a valuable member of the Florida offense, having gone for 40+ yards in a game 3 times in 4 tries this season. Against a banged-up Mizzou defense, he’ll get there again.
Jayden Maiava, USC QB: Higher than 274.5 pass yards
USC has its back against the wall this week against Washington. After losing to Oregon last week, the Trojans can’t afford to take a second loss this early in the year. I expect Maiava to throw early and often, racking up 300+ yards through the air.
Our Week 4 NFL Picks
Here’s who we’re riding with for NFL Sunday:
Andrew Olson
James Cook, Buffalo Bills RB: Higher than 84.5 rush yards
With Cook, the risk is whether he gets the ball down in his hands near the goal line or if Josh Allen continues to run it himself. Getting the ball to the red zone, however, it’s safe to count on a steady workload for Cook.
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans TE: Higher than 40.5 receiving yards
Last week wasn’t a big game, but Schultz is still Houston’s target leader entering Week 4. Both Giants and Ravens tight ends found some success in matchups with the Dallas defense.
Jeremiyah Love, Arizona Cardinals RB: Higher than 15.5 rush attempts
After some RB1 uncertainty, the Cardinals seem to be feeling the Love. In Week 3, Love ran the ball 21 times as the clear lead back. He should clear 16 against the Giants.
Adam Spencer
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks WR: Higher than 0.5 rush+receiving TDs
No one has been able to stop JSN this year, no matter who is playing QB for the Seahawks. Against a struggling Chargers team, I expect him to go off once again.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers WR: Higher than 67.5 receiving yards
When Watson is healthy, which hasn’t been too often in his career, he’s one of the top 15 receivers in all of football. He’s healthy right now, and the Packers desperately need to win against the Buccaneers.
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers QB: Higher than 244.5 pass yards
The Lions’ defense has been awful this year. Meanwhile, Young has shown flashes of brilliance. Look for Carolina to turn this game into a track meet on Sunday night.
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Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
