Free College Football Picks Week 1 Part 5-8/30/2024
Southern Miss vs. Kentucky College Football Pick Prediction 8/31/2024
Southern Miss at Kentucky 7:45PM ET—Southern Miss finished at 3-9 last year for head coach Will Hall who is in his fourth season at the school. The Golden Eagles return four starters on offense with six to the defense. The team produced only 21.6 points per game last year with 4 yards per rush. Passing game was poor with 49.4% completion rate. On defense they allowed 37.7 points per game with 5 yards per run. They gave up 260 passing yards per game with 9.2 yards per pass attempt. The quarterback situation is upgraded through the portal and an efficient running back return. Florida St transfer Tate Rodemaker is the starter at quarterback. He saw limited action the past two seasons with a 57.5% completion rate with 8.8 yards per pass attempt. Kentucky was 7-6 last year for head coach Mark Stoops in his 12th season. Seven starters return on offense and defense. The Wildcats put up 29.2 points per game last year with 4.9 yards per run. They threw for 204.3 yards passing per game with 7.3 yards per pass attempt. On defense Kentucky allowed 26.6 points per game with only 3.3 yards per rush. They allowed 67.9% completion rate with 241.7 yards passing per game. The team loses their starting quarterback and lead running back. Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff will start at quarterback. He threw 18 passes last year with 66.7% completion rate and 9.2 yards per pass attempt.
The Pick:
The Wildcats pass defense is in question. The upgrade at quarterback for the Golden Eagles is the key for this cover here. Play Southern Miss +28.
Georgia St vs. Georgia Tech College Football Pick Prediction 8/31/2024
Georgia St at Georgia Tech 8PM ET—Georgia St finished at 7-6 last year for head coach Dell McGee who is in his first year with the school. The Panthers averaged 26 points per game in 2024 with 4.7 yards per rush. They got accurate passing game with 67.2% completions with 7.1 yards per pass attempt. On defense they allowed 29.7 points per game with 4.4 yards a carry. They allowed 268.8 yads passing per game last season with 8.1 yards per pass attempt. Christian Veilleux expected to see action at quarterback. The Pittsburgh transfer completed 51.1% of his passes with 6.4 yards per pass attempt. Georgia Tech is 1-0 after their 24-21 victory last week in Dublin against Florida St. The Yellow Jackets put up 336 yards with 5.3 yards per run. Haynes King hit 11 of 16 for 146 yards with 9.1 yards per pass attempt. On defense they held Florida St to 291 yards with 193 passing for 7.1 yards per pass attempt.
The Pick:
The Panther’s defense is the concern here. Georgia Tech is experienced on offense but not on defense. Play Georgia St and Georgia Tech over 55.5.