Free College Football Picks For Today, Thursday 8-29-2024
North Carolina vs. Minnesota College Football Betting Pick Prediction 8/29/2024
North Carolina at Minnesota 8PM ET—North Carolina finished at 8-5 in 2023 for head coach Mack Brown who is in his sixth season and second stint with the school. The Tar Heels return five starters on offense with seven to the defense. The team put up 32.5 points per game last year with 4.8 yards per rush attempt. The team passed by 296.9 points per game. On defense they surrendered 29 points per game with 4.4 yards per run. They allowed 245.9 yards passing per game with 7.5 yards per pass attempt. Brown went into the transfer portal to replace Drake Maye with Max Johnson from Texas A&M. Johnson completed 62.1% of his passes last year for 7.6 yards per pass attempt. Minnesota went 6-7 last year for head coach P.J. Fleck in his eighth season now with the school. The team put up 20.9 points per game in 2024, sitting 102nd in the nation. They rushed for 4.1 yards per run and struggled at the quarterback position with accuracy. On defense they gave up 26.7 points per game and allowed 4.7 yards per run. They allowed 62.4% completions for 7.3 yards per pass attempt. The Golden Gophers return playmakers and are experienced on the offensive line. Max Brosmer will start at quarterback. He transfers from New Hampshire and comes off a year where he completed 64.1% of his passes with 7.5 yards per pass attempt and five touchdowns.
The Pick:
Fifteen starters back for the Golden Gophers. Looks like they might have found a quarterback. North Carolina defense the concern here and having to replace the third pick in the NFL draft at quarterback. Golden Gophers run game should thrive here. Play Minnesota +2.5.
Coastal Carolina vs. Jacksonville St College Football Betting Pick Prediction 8/29/2024
Coastal Carolina at Jacksonville St 8PM ET—Coastal Carolina went 8-5 in 2023 for head coach Tim Beck who is in his third season with the program. The Chanticleers return six starters on offense with six on defense. They put up 24.5 points per game with 4.1 yards per run. The passing game produced 260.6 yards per game with 8 yards per pass attempt and 66.2% completion rate. Defensively they allowed 25.3 points per game with 4.7 yards per run. They held opposing quarterbacks to 57.5% completions with 7.1 yards per pass attempt. Coastal Carolina saw Grayson McCall transfer to NC State. They lost their top two receivers. Ethan Vasko is expected to see action at quarterback. Vasko completed 62.3% of his passes with 6.4 yards per pass attempt when he relieved McCall. He rushed for 5.8 yards a carry. Jacksonville St went 9-4 last year for head coach Rich Rodriguez who is in his third year with the school. Returning are five starters on offense with four to defense. The Gamecocks put up 28.6 points per game last season with 4.8 yards per run. Quarterback accuracy was poor. On defense they limited opponents to 22.7 points per game with only 2.8 yards per run. They allowed 251.7 yards passing per game with 7.3 yards per pass attempt. Logan Smothers returns for his senior year at quarterback. Their top rushers are back. Smothers completed 56.9% of his throws last year with 6.3 yards per pass attempt. He is a threat to run as he finished with seven rushing touchdowns.
The Pick:
Coastal Carolina’s losses on offense the concern as is their rush defense. The Gamecocks strength is rushing the football and they should exploit this weakness of the Chanticleers. Play Jacksonville St -3.