We went 4-1 for +3.75 units last week, bringing our 2025 college lacrosse record to 15-13-1 for +2.9 units, Let’s keep the positie momentum going with three best for Week 5.
Note: The odds presented below are those at the time when Hutton sends his picks out to DubClub subscribers and are subject to change. Subscribe to Hutton Jackson’s lacrosse picks on DubClub so you never miss out on the best odds for these picks. As soon as Hutton places a bet, you’ll immediately get a notification with both the pick and brief analysis. Picks are sent out at least 20 minutes in advance of articles published on Bet On Lacrosse.
Penn State at Cornell
 Penn State Moneyline/Spread | +190 / +2.5 |
 Cornell Moneyline/Spread | -250 / -2.5 |
| Total | 25.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 12 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPN+ |
Odds via DraftKings
Cornell hosts Penn State on Saturday and will look to avenge last year’s 20-9 loss to the Nittany Lions. While I don’t expect that big of a blowout this year, I am back Penn State as a 2.5-point underdog.
Last week, Richmond attacked this Big Red defense from all parts of the field and found success thanks to crisp ball movement and feeding the middle of the field. The Nittany Lions have the ability replicate this and likely be even more effective doing so. Penn State’s ability to dodge from behind the cage and the wings will also be a problem for the Big Red if the Nittany Lions are able to draw short-stick matchups.
I’m not sold on this Cornell defense, which proved to be the team’s Achilles heel last season. They rank 28th in adjusted defensive efficiency if you exclude garbage time and Penn State will feature the best offense they’ve faced all season.
As for the other end, Cornell’s offense will certainly find ways to score, but Jack Fracyon and this Penn State defense have the ability to limit their damage. This Nittany Lions defense ranks 10th in adjusted defensive efficiency excluding garbage time and has held every team they’ve faced to 10 goals or fewer in regulation. While Cornell will be their toughest test, they’re just as good as Richmond defense and I think they’re up for the challenge.
Bet a full unit on Penn State +2.5 at -120 and a half unit on Penn State moneyline at +190 on DraftKings.
Pick: Penn State +2.5, Penn State ML (0.5 unit)
Delaware at Maryland
 Delaware Moneyline/Spread | +1500 / +7.5 |
 Maryland Moneyline/Spread | -5000 / -7.5 |
| Total | 21.5 |
| Time | Saturday · 12:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | Big Ten+ |
Odds via BetMGM
Maryland enters this weekend as the top team in the nation after defeating Notre Dame, 11-10. The Terps host Delaware and I’m targeting the total of 21.5 in this matchup.
Last week, Maryland took advantage of unsettled situations against Notre Dame, scoring several goals on fast breaks, but they won’t need to push transition against a team like Delaware. This offense is built to grind opposing defenses down and score late in the shot clock and that strategy is particularly effective against inferior opponents. Delaware’s leading faceoff man OJ Morris is also one of the best in the nation and the easiest way for the Terps to limit his impact is long, drawn-out possessions.The pace stats reinforce both teams’ desire to play slow, with the Terps ranking fourth-slowest in pace according to Lacrosse Reference. The Blue Hens are not too far behind, ranking sixth-slowest.
Ultimately, this bet on the under is based on the defensive prowess on both ends. Maryland ranks second in adjusted defensive efficiency with an adjusted goals allowed per possession rate of just 18.9%. Delaware’s defense has been solid as well, ranking 22nd in adjusted defensive efficiency. Even at 21.5, this total is too high. Bet Under 21.5 at -110 on BetMGM.
Pick: Under 21.5
Johns Hopkins at Syracuse
 Johns Hopkins Moneyline/Spread | +130 / +1.5 |
 Syracuse Moneyline/Spread | -160 / -1.5 |
| Total | 24.5 |
| Time | Sunday · 2 p.m. ET |
| TV | ESPNU |
Odds via bet365
Syracuse hosts Johns Hopkins with both teams coming off wins. While both teams are even on paper, I think the Orange edge out the Blue Jays enough to bet them on the spread.
Both offenses are very efficient, with Syracuse’s fifth-ranked offense ranking slightly above Hopkins’ 12th-ranked offense in terms of adjusted offensive efficiency. Faceoffs are also slightly in favor of the Orange, with Syracuse posting the second-highest adjusted faceoff percentage to the Blue Jays’ ninth-ranked adjusted faceoff percentage, excluding garbage time.
However, the real mismatch is found when comparing these defenses. The Orange have been very strong defensively, ranking 11th in adjusted defensive efficiency excluding garbage time and Harvard’s second-ranked offense was the only one to have an extremely high amount of success. Meanwhile, Johns Hopkins ranks 33rd by the same metrics. While this Johns Hopkins defense is still solid, they’ll have their hands full with a Syracuse offense that has plenty of weapons and is able to attack the Blue Jays in a variety of ways. Johns Hopkins didn’t look too impressive against Virginia and will have a long day if they allow a similar amount of quality scoring chances to Syracuse.
I expect the Orange to be able to pull away in this one and recommend betting Syracuse -1.5 at -105 on bet365, BetMGM or DraftKings.
Pick: Syracuse -1.5
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