College football picks against the spread: Stewart Mandel’s Week 5 picks

I’m coming off my best week of the season at 8-3 against the spread. Keep that in the back of your head as you read some of this week’s sometimes crazy-sounding picks.

Last week: 8-3 against the spread

Season: 23-21 against the spread

(All point spreads come from BetMGM, click here for live odds, all kickoff times Eastern.)

No. 15 Washington (-2.5) at UCLA, Friday, 10:30 p.m. (ESPN)

While both teams are 4-0, Washington has done it against slightly better competition. And the Michael Penix Jr.-led Huskies have been dominant against everyone. Conversely, Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the Bruins were fortunate to survive South Alabama. Taking a Friday night road team is risky, but UCLA’s defense could be overmatched.

Washington 38, UCLA 34Pick: Washington -2.5

No. 4 Michigan (-10.5) at Iowa, Noon (Fox)

Kinnick Stadium is known as the place where top 5 teams go to die, including Jim Harbaugh’s undefeated 2016 team that lost on a last-second field goal. But none of those previous Iowa teams had the nation’s 128th-ranked offense.