Free College Football Picks For Today 8/31/2021
More College Football Picks Predictions Previews
Indiana vs. Iowa Pick Prediction 9/4/2021
Indiana vs. Iowa—College football pick is Iowa Hawkeyes -3.5. Concern for Indiana is starting quarterback Michael Penix who returns from his second torn ACL. This is a serious injury and Penix is a running type quarterback. Last year the team averaged 360 yards per game which was a significant drop from 2019. Iowa returns fourteen starters from their 6-2 year. They closed 2020 with six straight wins including a 28-7 home win to Wisconsin to close the regular season. The back seven on defense is experienced for the Hawkeyes. Head coach Kirk Ferentz stresses defense and the Hawkeyes have allowed fewer than 20 points per game the past five seasons. Play Iowa -3.5.
Western Michigan vs. Michigan Pick Prediction 9/4/2021
Western Michigan vs. Michigan—College football free pick is Western Michigan and Michigan to play over the total of 68 points. Western Michigan returns nineteen starters from last year. Returning is quarterback Kaleb Eleby and four offensive linemen with playmakers. They were a high potent offense with a poor defense in 2020 as they average 41.7 points per game with 480 yards. Eleby was third in quarterback efficiency in 2020 passing for 18 touchdowns, 2 picks and 65% completion rate. Wolverines an experienced offense with all eleven starters back on offense with the announcing of quarterback Cade McNamara who started one and appeared in four games last season. All five offensive lineman return and will block against a mid-major defense which is an ideal situation in the opener for great pass protection and big plays in the running game. Michigan was a leaky defense last year allowing 34.5 points and 434 yards per game in 2020. Play Western Michigan and Michigan over 68.
Fresno St vs. Oregon Pick Prediction 9/4/2021
Fresno St vs. Oregon—Free pick is Oregon Ducks -20.5. Fresno St is an experienced team but takes a huge step up in class playing at Oregon. Concern for the Bulldogs have been the play of their defense past two seasons but allowing 30 points per game and an average of 425 yards. Ugly losses at the end of the season saw Fresno St allow 37 points at Nevada and 49 at New Mexico. Oregon returns nine starters back on offense. Senior quarterback Anthony Brown is under center. He has hit entire offensive line back an that is ideal against a mid-major team this early in the season. This is the defending PAC 12 champion after their seven point win to USC late last season. Speed and strength and fast track too much here. Ducks have averaged around five yards per rush past two seasons and return nearly everyone. Play Oregon -20.5.
San Jose St vs. USC Pick Prediction 9/4/2021
San Jose St vs. USC—College football pick is USC Trojans -14. USC opened with five straight wins to start 2020 then dropped the PAC 12 title game to Oregon by seven. This team is experienced with seventeen starters back from last season including quarterback Kedon Slovis. Trojans defense showed improvement holding opponents to 370 yards per game. Four returning starters from the offensive line and six from their front seven on defense. San Jose St was a good story last year, but the Mountain West was way down last year. In the Arizona Bowl the Spartans were crushed 34-13 to Ball St. Have concerns about transfer quarterback Nick Starkel facing tough competition because he was ineffective in his time at Arkansas. USC speed and strength and play at the quarterback position the difference. Play USC -14.
Miami Ohio vs. Cincinnati Pick Prediction 9/4/2021
Miami Ohio vs. Cincinnati—College football free pick is Cincinnati Bearcats -23. Bearcats finished the regular season undefeated and earned Peach Bowl berth losing by three to Georgia. Returning is junior quarterback Desmon Ridder and will have two of his targets back. Four return from the offensive line. Bearcats defense was outstanding holding opponents to 16.8 points and 325 yards per game. The run game generated 5.6 yards per game and with an experienced line there will be big plays. Miami Ohio played in only three games last season. They went 2-1. In their step up game the Redhawks were pounded 42-10 at Buffalo. Miami Ohio ran for only 3.8 yards per carry and completed only 55.3% of their passes all against MAC teams. Play Cincinnati -23.
Oregon St vs. Purdue Pick Prediction 9/4/2021
Oregon St vs. Purdue—Free pick is Oregon St Beavers +7. This is an experienced Oregon St team returning nineteen starters from last season. They upset Oregon last year in the PAC 12 and were involved in many close games. The entire offensive line returns for junior quarterback Tristan Gebba or transfer QB Sam Noyer. This was an offense that moved the football for 409 yards per game and put up 29 points. Purdue has been a disappointment under Jeff Brohm. They come off a 2-4 season in 2020. This is an experienced team but struggled defensively allowing 399 yards and 29.8 points per game. Five of their six games were decided by seven points or less. They finished the regular season losing to Northwestern, Minnesota, Rutgers and Nebraska. No Ohio St, Wisconsin, Michigan or Michigan St on the schedule last year. Play Oregon St +7.
Nevada vs. California Pick Prediction 9/4/2021
Nevada vs. California—College football pick is California Golden Bears -3.5. Cal head coach Justin Wilcox have built strong defensive culture at Cal in his tenure. This is an experienced team returning seventeen starters back. Quarterback Chase Garbers many of his players back with four offensive lineman. Golden Bears were able to beat Oregon last year 21-17. Nevada is experienced and had success against a down Mountain West conference. Their two losses last year came against bowl teams in San Jose St and Hawaii as the offense stalled. Cal defense difference here as is a healthy Garbers who was banged up last year. Play Cal -3.5.
BYU vs. Arizona Pick Prediction 9/4/2021
BYU vs. Arizona—College football free pick is Arizona Wildcats +12.5. BYU returns only 11 starters from last year with the defense returning four. Gone to the NFL is Zach Wilson. In addition to breaking in a first year starter the team replace two starters at wide receiver a right guard and right tackle. Their front four and secondary combine to return one starter. Prior to last year the Cougars were 18-21 the previous three seasons under head coach Kalani Sitake. Arizona rebuilds under first year head coach Jeff Fisch who served as the quarterback coach at New England. Seventeen starters return but an important culture change with Fisch now at the school. The fast track in Las Vegas will help the speed for the Wildcats. Play Arizona +12.5.