Free College Football Picks For Today 9/5/2023
More College Football Picks Predictions Previews
Vanderbilt vs. Wake Forest College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Vanderbilt at Wake Forest 11AM ET—Vanderbilt is 2-0 on the year after their 47-13 home win to FCS Alabama A&M. They opened the year in Week 0 defeating Hawaii 35-28. Commodores’ offense has done a good job on third down at 54% conversions. They are rushing for 4.2 yards a carry. In their win against Hawaii the defense allowed 391 yards with 77.1% completion rate and 10 yards per pass attempt. Wake Forest is 1-0 after their 37-17 home win to FCS Elon. Dave Clawson is in his tenth year as head coach for the Demon Deacons. The team finished at 8-5 last season and had five starters return on offense with six to the defense. Their top running back returns as do their four top receivers. Starting quarterback Sam Hartman has transferred to Notre Dame. Sophomore Mitch Griffis in his debut as quarterback hit 19 of 30 for 329 yards and three touchdowns. Two starters return to the offensive line with only two starters return to the front seven. Half of the Demon Deacons starters only return. Second year quarterback for Vanderbilt Swann has played well in his early games. Play Vanderbilt +10.5.
Purdue vs. Virginia Tech College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Purdue at Virginia Tech 12PM ET—Purdue is 0-1 following their 39-35 home defeat to Fresno St. Purdue quarterback Hudson Card went 17 of 30 for 254 yards and two touchdowns. Boilermakers defense coughed up the game by allowing 371 passing yards with 8.2 yards per pass attempt. Virginia Tech is 1-0 after their 36-17 home win to Old Dominion. The Hokies ran under three yards a carry. Grant Wells hit 17 of 29 for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Hokies limited the Monarchs passing attack to 94 yards on 25 attempts and had five sacks. Purdue returned only half of their starters with only five back on defense. At home the Boilermakers allowed 487 yards to a Fresno St team with a first year starter at quarterback. Fourth year starting quarterback Wells played well in the opener. Play Virginia Tech -3.
Nebraska vs. Colorado College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Nebraska at Colorado 12PM ET—Nebraska fell to 0-1 after their 13-10 road defeat in Minnesota. Cornhuskers had success running the football with 181 yards on 37 carries. The passing game sputtered with Jeff Sims going 11 of 19 for 114 yards and three interceptions with a touchdown. The defense did a good job of halting the Golden Gophers rushing game with just a bit over 2 yards a carry. They limited Minnesota to 4.5 yards per pass attempt. Colorado sits at 1-0 after their 45-42 road win at TCU. Buffs running game generated loess that two yards per attempt. Huge game for Shedeur Sanders hitting 38 of 47 for 510 yards and four touchdowns. He averaged ten yards per rush attempt. Despite the win the Buffaloes have work to do on special teams and on defense. The Horned Frogs rushed for 262 yards on 37 carries. Cornhuskers offense a concern here. They are playing back to back road games. Lots of excitement for the Buffs first home game here. Their offense put up 588 yards on the road to TCU in the opener. Play Colorado -3.
Ball St vs. Georgia College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Ball St at Georgia 12 PM ET—Ball St fell to 0-1 after their 44-14 road defeat at Kentucky. The Cardinals did bring back seven starters on each side of the field. They ran for less than two yards a carry. Quarterback Kadin Semonza saw the bulk of the work going 15 of 21 for 165 yards and a touchdown. They gave up almost six yards a carry on the ground to the Wildcats and surrendered 241 passing yards. Georgia opened this season with a 48-7 home win to FCS Tennessee Martin. Kirby Smart returns for his eighth season as head coach for Georgia. The team finished at 15-0 and won the National Championship. They return six starters on offense with seven to the defense. Offensively the Bulldogs put up 41 points and 501 yards per game. On defense they limited opponents to 14 points and 297 yards a game. Three of their top four ball carriers returned as did their two top receivers. Sophomore quarterback Carson Beck is under center after serving as the backup last season. The team returns three starters on the offensive line with experience defensively in the secondary. Ball St senior quarterback Layne Hatcher was benched as he struggled with downfield throws and replaced with a freshman. Ball St is 0-6 to the spread on the road in non-conference. Ball St surrendered nearly six yards per rush to Kentucky. Back-to-back SEC opponents for the Cardinals. Play Georgia -42.5.
Utah vs. Baylor College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Utah at Baylor 12PM ET—Utah is 1-0 on the year after their 24-11 home win to Florida. Utes win despite gaining only 270 yards of offense. They ran for nearly four yards a carry. Starting quarterback Cameron Rising sat out with his knee injury. Bryson Barnes went 12 of 18 for 159 yards and a touchdown. Utah held Florida to under one yard a carry on the ground with 333 passing yards on 44 attempts. The Utes returned nine starters on defense. Baylor fell to 0-1 with their 42-31 home defeat to Texas St. Dating back to last year the Bears have lost five straight. Baylor ran for just over three yards a carry. Quarterback Blake Shapen went 21 of 31 for 303 yards and two touchdowns. On defense the Bears held the Bobcats to 3.5 yards a carry. Baylor got torched through the air as the Bobcats threw for 298 yards on 30 attempts. Rising and running back Jackson questionable for Utah. Bears starting quarterback Blake Shapen is out with a knee injury. Sophomore Sawyer Robertson to start. He saw limited action in three games last year. Last week he went 6 of 12 for 113 yards with a pick but 9.4 yards per pass attempt. Could be backup quarterbacks on the field for Utah in this road spot. The Utes ran for only 3.5 yards per carry in the win against Florida. Despite their loss last week, the Bears did put up 524 offensive yards. Play Baylor +7.5.
Notre Dame vs. NC State College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Notre Dame at NC State 12PM ET—Notre Dame is 2-0 after their 56-3 home win to FCS Tennessee St. They opened with a dominating 42-3 win on a neutral field to Navy. In the Navy win the Fighting Irish rushed for 6.5 yards a carry. Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman went 19 of 23 for 251 yards and four touchdowns. They limited the Midshipmen to 169 yards with 2.5 yards per rush. Fighting Irish have eight starters back on defense. NC State is 1-0 after their 24-14 road win at Connecticut. Wolf Pack ran the football 46 times for 209 yards. Virginia transfer quarterback Brennan Armstrong hit on 17 of 26 for 155 yards. Wolf Pack did allow six yards per rush to the Huskies but held them to 113 passing yards on 27 attempts. Only five returned to the defense for the Wolf Pack. Hartman is a major upgrade at quarterback for the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame defense not tested year facing Navy and Tennessee St in their first two games. Armstrong is in his fourth year as a starting quarterback in FBS football. Fighting Irish averaging 500 yards per game. Respect the Wolf Pack getting 24 points on the road against an improved Huskies team. Play Notre Dame and NC State over 51.5.
James Madison vs. Virginia College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
James Madison at Virginia 12PM ET—James Madison is 1-0 after their 38-3 home win to FCS Bucknell. Curt Cignetti returns for his fifth season as head coach for the Dukes. The team went 8-3 in 2022 and returned six starters on offense with seven to the defense. The team put up 37 points and 452 yards a game last year. On defense they limited the opposition to 21 points and 289 yards per game. JMU lost two of their top three rushers and lost four of five of their top receivers. Quarterback Todd Centeio has exited the program. USF/Arizona transfer Jordan McCloud hit 7 of 11 in the opener for 144 yards with two touchdowns. All five starters return to the offensive line with inexperience defensively in the back seven. Virginia is 0-1 following their 49-13 road defeat to Tennessee. Cavaliers ran for nearly 2.5 yards a carry. Quarterback Tony Muskett was 9 of 17 for 94 yards. The Cavs gave up four sacks. Virginia gave up 287 rushing yards on 52 carries. In the end Virginia did allow 499 yards to the Volunteers. Muskett is questionable with an injury. Freshman Anthony Colandrea may start in his place. He saw work last week and went only 2 of 7 for 12 yards. Dukes are inexperienced on offense. Their defense has allowed single digit scoring to three of their past four opponents. Play James Madison and Virginia under 42.5.
Troy vs. Kansas St College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Troy at Kansas St 12PM ET—Troy is 1-0 on the year following their 48-30 home win to FCS Stephen F Austin. Jon Sumrall returns for his second season as the Trojans head coach. The team went 12-2 last year and returned six starters on offense with six to the defense. Offensively they posted 25.6 points and 360 yards per game running for only 3.3 per attempt. The defense was solid in 2022 by allowing 17 points and 327 yards per game. Their top running back returns but their lost their top two receivers. Gunnar Watson returns at quarterback. Only two starters return to the offensive line with inexperience defensively in the back seven. Kansas St is 1-0 after their 45-0 home win to FCS Southeast Missouri St. Chris Klieman returns for his fifth season as head coach. The Wildcats finished at 10-4 last year and returned eight starters on offense with five to the defense. In 2022 the team put up 32 points and 419 yards per game. Defensively the Wildcats limited foes to 22 points and 375 yards per game. They lost their top two running backs and two of their top three receivers. Quarterback Will Howard returns. All five starters are back on the offensive line with lack of experience defensively in the back seven. Trojans 6-0 in their past six as an underdog. Troy is carrying a long win streak dating to last year. Wildcats are inexperienced on defense. Gunnar Watson playing in his fourth season at quarterback for the Trojans and improving with throws downfield. Play Troy +16.
Mississippi vs. Tulane College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Ole Miss at Tulane 3:30PM ET—Mississippi is 1-0 on the year with their 73-7 home win to FCS Mercer. Lane Kiffin is in his fourth season as head coach for Ole Miss. The team finished at 8-5 last year and returned nine starters on offense with seven on defense. Rebels averaged 33.5 points and 496 yards per game in 2022. Defensively they held opponents to 25.5 points and 388 yards per game. Four of their top rushers are back but lose their top two receivers. Quarterback Jaxson Dart returned at quarterback. Four starters return to the offensive line with experience defensively in the secondary. Tulane is 1-0 on the year with their 37-17 home win to South Alabama. That is nine of ten point spread covers for the Green Wave. The team ran for 3.7 yards per attempt. Quarterback Michael Pratt was efficient with 14 of 15 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns. Tulane limited the Jaguars to under three yards per rush and just 6.3 yards per pass attempt. Each team lost three fumbles, but the Green Wave had five sacks. Ole Miss has lost five of six FBS games. Tulane defense did a good job on South Alabama. Dart struggled during the second half of last seas. Pratt has been impressive with his downfield passing the past five games. Play Tulane +7.5.
Texas A&M vs. Miami College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Texas A&M at Miami 3:30PM ET—Texas A&M is 1-0 after their 52-10 home win to New Mexico. Aggies gained 411 yards with 4.6 yards per rush. They limited the Lobos to 222 yards and only 3 of 13 conversions on third down. Texas A&M held the Lobos to 2.8 yards per rush and 4.7 per pass attempt. Quarterback Conner Weigman hit 18 of 23 for 236 yards and five touchdowns. Miami is 1-0 following their 38-3 home win to Miami Ohio. Strong offensive performance with 250 rushing yards on 36 carries. Tyler Van Dyke hit on 17 of 22 for 201 yards with a touchdown and interception. They held the RedHawks to under two yards per carry and 164 passing yards on 24 attempts. Both teams experienced 20 starters back for Texas A&M and 19 for Miami. Both teams are experienced. Weigman’s accuracy is a concern based on his numbers from last season. Hurricanes defense was strong last week. Van Dyke’s downfield passing ability encouraging as well. Play Miami +4.5.
Western Michigan vs. Syracuse College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Western Michigan at Syracuse 3:30PM ET—Western Michigan is 1-0 after their 35-17 home victory to Stephan F. Austin. Lance Taylor enters his first season as head coach for the Broncos. The team finished at 5-7 last season and returned eight starters on offense with two to the defense. They saw the offense plummet in 2022 by averaging 19 points and 302 yards per game. On defense they held foes to 24.1 points and 352 yards per game. Their top two running backs have left but return three of their top four receivers. Quarterback Jack Salopek returns. Old Dominion transfer Hayden Wolff backs up at quarterback. Four starters return to the offensive line with inexperience in all levels of defense. Syracuse is 1-0 after their 65-0 home win to FCS Colgate. Dino Babers is back for his eighth season as head coach. Orange finished at 7-6 in 2022 and returned seven starters on offense as well as on defense. They put up 27.7 points and 375 yards per game last year. On defense the Orange limited their opponents to 23 points and 329 yards per game. Syracuse loses their top running back but returns two of their three top receivers. Quarterback Garrett Shrader is back. Three offensive linemen return with experience defensively in the back seven. Salopek struggled with accuracy last year with 49.1% completions and 6.1 yards per attempt. Play Western Michigan and Syracuse under 54.5.
Texas St vs. UTSA College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Texas St at UTSA 3:30PM ET—Texas St is 1-0 after their 42-31 road win at Baylor. Bobcats rushed for 3.7 yards per attempt. Quarterback TJ Finley hit 22 of 30 for 298 yards and three touchdowns. Bobcats limited the Bears ground attack to just over three yards a carry. They allowed 416 passing yards on 44 attempts. UTSA is 0-1 after their 17-14 road defeat at Houston. Roadrunners rushed for 5.9 yards a carry. Frank Harris completed 18 of 36 for 209 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. They held Houston to less than three yards per run and 233 passing yards on 34 attempts. UTSA finished with a -3-turnover margin. LSU/Auburn transfer Finley upgraded this Bobcats offense. Entering the season, he had seen action in eighteen games the previous three seasons. Struggles for Harris are a concern here. Play Texas St +12.5.
Miami Ohio vs. Massachusetts College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Miami Ohio at UMASS 3:30PM ET—Miami Ohio is 0-1 on the year with their 38-3 road defeat to Miami. Red Hawks struggled on the ground with 51 rushing yards on 25 carries. Brett Gabbert hit on 12 of 21 for 127 yards. Defensively they struggled to stop Miami by allowing 493 yards with 250 rushing on 36 carries. Red Hawks allowed 243 passing yards on 25 attempts. UMASS fell to 1-1 after their 59-14 road defeat to Auburn. The Minutemen defense struggled allowing 2809 rushing yards on 44 carries. They surrendered 203 passing yards on 25 attempts. UMASS quarterback Taisun Phommachanh hit 8 of 16 for 55 yards and an interception. First home game for the Minutemen after back to back road games. They showed good offensive performance at a bowl team last year in New Mexico St putting up 41 points. UMASS runs for 5.3 yards per carry. Phommachanh is averaging 7.5 yards per pass attempt this year. Play Massachusetts +7.
Iowa vs. Iowa St College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
Iowa at Iowa St 3:30PM ET—Iowa is 1-0 after their 24-14 home victory to Utah St. They allowed the Aggies over four yards per rush but limited their passing attack to only 4.4 yards per attempt. Hawkeyes sputtered offensively on the ground gaining 88 yards on 36 carries. Cade McNamara went 17 of 30 for 191 yards with two touchdowns. Iowa St is 1-0 after their 30-9 home win to FCS Northern Iowa. Iowa St head coach Matt Campbell is in his eighth season with the team as head coach. Cyclones were a disappointing 4-8 in 2022 and return nine starters on offense with six to the defense. The offense put up just 20 points and 370 yards per game a year ago. On defense they limited opponents to 20 points and 286 yards per game. Their top two running backs returned with three of their top four receivers. Quarterback Hunter Dekkers is back in 2023 but doubtful with investigations pending. Freshman Rocco Becht was impressive in the opener. Four starters returned to the offensive line with inexperience defensively in the front seven. Hawkeyes’ poor running against Utah St the concern backing the Hawkeyes on the road in this rivalry game. Play Iowa St +4.
UTEP vs. Northwestern College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
UTEP at Northwestern—UTEP improved to 1-1 after their 28-14 home win to FCS Incarnate Word. The opened the year with a 17-14 road defeat at Jacksonville St. In that loss the Minors rushed for over 3.5 yards per carry. Quarterback Gavin Hardison was 17 of 29 for 208 yards and a touchdown. The defense held Gamecocks 67 passing yards but 208 rushing on 44 carries. Northwestern fell to 0-1 with their 24-7 road defeat at Rutgers. Their offense has been held to single digit scoring in five straight games dating back to last year. The offense produced 12 rushing yards on 22 carries. Ben Bryant hit on 20 of 35 for 169 yards. They limited the Scarlet Knights to just under four yards per run and 5.62 yards per pass attempt. Wildcats surrendered five sacks. Short week for Northwestern after their loss on Sunday at Rutgers. Their offense produced only 201 yards. Hardison is completing 64.3% of his throws with 7.2 yards per attempt which is a huge improvement from last season. Miners are rushing for 5.4 yards per attempt. Play UTEP -1.5.
UNLV vs. Michigan College Football Pick Prediction 9/9/2023
UNLV at Michigan—UNLV is 1-0 after their 44-14 home victory to FCS Bryant. Barry Odom is in his first season as head coach for UNLV. The Rebels went 5-7 a year ago and returned six starters on offense with seven to the defense. The team put up 26 points and 352 yards per game last season. On defense they limited foes to 28.5 points and 384 yards a game. Their top rusher exits, as do two of their top three receivers. Quarterback Doug Brumfield is back under center. UNLV returns three offensive linemen this season with experience defensively in the back seven. Michigan is 1-0 with their 30-3 home victory to East Carolina. They held the Pirates to under four yards per rush and 132 passing yards on 29 attempts. The Wolverines rushed for four yards per carry. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy was 26 of 30 for 280 yards and three touchdowns. Rebels leaned heavily on their ground game in the opener which will be extremely difficult here. Blumfield averaged only 5.2 yards per attempt against their FCS opponent at home last week. Michigan defense too tough and the Rebels will struggled to get points. Play UNLV and Michigan under 57.5.