Free College Football Picks Week 1 Part 2-8/27/2024
Eastern Michigan vs. Massachusetts College Football Pick Prediction 8/31/2024
Eastern Michigan at UMASS—Eastern Michigan finished at 6-7 last season for head coach Chris Creighton who is in his 11th year with the program. The team returns four starters on offense with six to the defense. The Eagles were 118th in scoring last year putting up 14.2 points per game with struggles in both the running and passing game. EMU held opponents to only 27 points per game with good performance in defending the pass. Buffalo transfer Cole Snyder starts at quarterback. The senior last year completed 54.6% of his throws for 2109 yards. He had a strong 2022 with the Bulls. UMASS went 3-9 in 2023 for head coach Don Brown who is in his third season. The Minutemen return five starters on offense with six to the defense. The team put up 22.5 points per game last season with struggles on third down conversions. Their defense sat 132nd in the nation in points allowed by giving up 39.4 per game. They gave up 5.9 yards per rush attempt and big plays as well in the passing game with 9 yards per pass attempt. The team lost their top two running backs and key receiver to the portal. Quarterback Taisun Phommachanh returns for his senior season. He completed 61.2% of his passes last year with 6.6 yards per pass attempt.
The Pick: Three straight bowl appearances for the Eagles. An upgrade at quarterback. Playmakers transfer in from big programs. The defense gets healthier after decimated with season ending injuries to three players. Minutemen defense is a concern as is their ability to replace top playmakers. Play Eastern Michigan +2.
Colorado St vs. Texas College Football Pick Prediction 8/31/2024
Colorado St at Texas—Colorado St was 5-7 last year for Jay Norvell who is in his third season at the school. Returning are seven starters on offense with seven to the defense. The Rams offense produced 24.7 points per game and struggled on the ground. They averaged 291 yards passing per game. Colorado St was a poor defensive team that coughed up 30.5 points per game. They were exploited in the pass defense as they allowed 72.2% completion rate for 7.9 yards per attempt. Brayden Fowler Nicolosi completed 62.1% of his passes for 7.4 yards per pass attempt. Texas finished at 12-2 straight up in 2023. Steve Sarkisian is in his fourth year at the program and will have seven starters return on offense with eight to the defense. The Longhorns put up 35.8 points per game last season by rushing for 5 yards a carry with accurate quarterback play. On defense they held opponents to 18.9 points per game and were best in the nation getting off the field on third down. They held opponents to 2.9 yards per rush but allowed 7.1 yards per pass attempt. Their offensive line returns four starts but lost quality starts on the D Line. Quinn Ewers returns at quarterback. He showed improvement in 2023 by completing 69% of his passes for 8.8 yards per pass attempt.
The Pick:
Colorado St is inexperienced on the defensive line. The balance of the Longhorns offense will result in a high volume of points from their side. The Rams figure to be high volume in passing here which will contributed to a high scoring game. Play Colorado St and Texas over 60.
FIU vs. Indiana College Football Pick Prediction 8/31/2024
FIU at Indiana—FIU finished at 4-8 in 2023 for head coach Mike McIntyre who is in his third season with the school. The Golden Panthers return eight starters on offense with six to the defense. This was a poor offensive team that put up 20.6 points per game and were near the bottom of college football on third down. They rushed for just 3 yards a carry and had below average play at quarterback. Defensively they surrendered 33.6 points per game and allowed 4.8 yards per rush along with 7.9 yards per pass attempt. Keyone Jenkins returns for his second season at quarterback. He completed 58.4% of his passes for 7.3 yards per pass attempt with 11 interceptions. Indiana went 3.9 last year. Head Coach Curt Cignetti is in his first year with the school. The Hoosiers return nine starters on offense with 11 to the defense. They put up only 20.5 points per game with 3.2 per rush and 6.7 yards per pass attempt. The defense gave up 32 points with 4.4 yards per rush attempt along with 257 yards passing per game. Kurtis Rourke will start at quarterback as he transfers from Ohio after four seasons. Cignetti brought playmakers and defensive players in from his James Madison team.
The Pick:
The Hoosiers experience on defense the key here along with their coaching change. FIU’s offense will struggle here. Play FIU and Indiana under 51.5.
Kennesaw St vs. UTSA College Football Pick Prediction 8/31/2024
Kennesaw St at UTSA—Kennesaw St finished at 3-6 straight up in their final year in FCS. Brian Bohannon is in his ninth season with the school and has seven starters on offense back with nine on defense. Their defense was the best side of the field for the Owls. Davis Bryson expected to start. He has seen limited action in four games the past two seasons. He is a threat to run with two rushing touchdowns and 8.6 yards per rush average. UTSA went 9-4 in 2023 for head coach Jeff Traylor now in his fifth season. The Roadrunners return seven starts on offense and to the defense. The team sat 27th in total offense by putting gup 31.9 points per game with 4.3 yards per run. On defense they limited foes to 24.1 points per game and only 3.7 yards per run. They must replace their starting quarterback, Frank Harris. Returning for UTSA as their top three rushers. Key starters on defense exit via the portal. Owen McCown is expected to start at quarterback. The junior saw limited work the past two seasons. He posted a good performance in their bowl game against Marshall.
The Pick:
Kennesaw St run threat quarterback could be troublesome for a Roadrunners team losing talent on the defensive side. The loss of Frank Harris is big for this program. Play Kennesaw St +25.
Akron vs. Ohio St College Football Pick Prediction 8/31/2024
Akron at Ohio St—Akron went 2-10 in 2024 for head coach Joe Moorhead in his third season. The Zips return three starters on offense with six to the defense. The Zips were 129th in scoring offense by putting up 15.5 points per game. The team rushed for only 3.1 yards per run and averaged only 5.4 yards per pass attempt. On defense they allowed 28.6 points per game with 4.2 yards per run. Akron held opposing quarterbacks to 57% completions. Exiting for the Zips is their starting quarterback along with their top receivers and running back. NC State and Cal transfer Ben Finley will start at quarterback. The senior completed 57.4% of his passes last year for 6.1 yards per pass attempt. Ohio St finished at 11-2 last year for head coach Ryan Day who is in sixth year at the school. The Buckeyes brought back six starters on offense with nine to the defense. The Buckeyes put up 35 points per game with 4.2 yards per run. The passing game generated 261.6 yards per game. They were second in scoring defense by allowing 11.6 points per game. Team rushed for only 3.5 yards per carry on the Buckeyes with 5 yards per pass attempt. Chip Kelly was hired as offensive coordinator. The defense is loaded with talent and the team can retain their elite status on that side of the football. Will Howard will start at quarterback. The senior transfers from Kansas St where he completed 61.3% of his passes last year with 7.4 yards per pass attempt. A threat to run as he had nine rushing touchdowns and averaged 4.3 yards per run.
The Pick:
Akron will be challenged to get points on the board. Would expect the Buckeyes to have a sizable lead and play their backups in the final quarter and milk clock. Play Akron and Ohio St under 50.
Miami vs. Florida College Football Pick Prediction 8/31/2024
Miami at Florida—Miami finished at 7-6 last year for head coach Mario Cristobal who is in his third season with the school. The Hurricanes return nine starters on offense with seven to the defense. Miami averaged 30.1 points per game last season with five yards per run and 250.4 yards passing. The defense allowed 24.1 points a game holding opponents to 3.5 yards per run and 56.5% completion rate. Miami received quarterback Cam Ward and running back Damien Martinez in the portal. Ward completed 66.7% of his passes last year with 7.7 yards per pass attempt and eight rushing touchdowns. Florida went 5-7 in 2023 for head coach Billy Napier who is in his third season. The Gators return eight starters on offense with six on defense. They put up 26.5 points per game last year with 4.1 yards per run. They did complete 71.9% of their passes. On defense the team gave up 29.5 points per game by allowing 5.1 yards per run and 8.5 yards per pass attempt. Graham Mertz completed 72.9% of his passes last year with 8.1 yards per pass attempt.
The Pick:
Mertz improvement last year encouraging. The Florida defense has one more year of experience. Ware a former FCS quarterback will face an SEC defense here on the road. Play Florida +3.
UTEP vs. Nebraska College Football Pick Prediction 8/31/2024
UTEP at Nebraska—UTEP finished at 3-9 last season. Scotty Walden is in his first year with the program that returns four starters on offense with five to the defense. They produced only 19.2 points per game last year and were 120th on third down conversions. The team rushed for only 3.5 yards per rush and got inaccurate play at the quarterback position. Defensively the Miners allowed 29.8 points per game plus surrendered 5.6 yards per run. UTEP must replace their top receiver and two top running backs. The team does transfer some Austin Peay players. Cade McConnell completed 53.5% of his passes with 8.4 yards per pass attempt. He returns as starter. Nebraska went 5-7 in 2023 for head coach Matt Rhule who enters his third season. The Cornhuskers were 120th in scoring offense last season putting up 18 points per game getting inaccurate passing but running for 4.4 yards a carry. The defense held opponents to 18.3 points per game and only three yards per game. Nebraska held its opponents to only 6.1 yards per pass attempt. They do have experience on the offensive line. Freshman quarterback Dylan Raiola will get the start.
The Pick:
Nebraska’s experience on the offensive line is the key here. The Miners run defense could be a major issue here and make it a long day for UTEP here. The Miners will struggle to score on this Cornhuskers defense. Play Nebraska -27.5.