Free College Football Picks Week 1 Part 6-8/31/2024
James Madison vs. Charlotte College Football Pick Prediction 8/31/2024
James Madison at Charlotte 8PM ET—James Madison went 11-2 last year. Head coach Bob Chesney is in his first season with the school that returns eight starters of offense and nine to the defense. The team put up 33.8 points per game last year with 3.7 yards per run. The team threw for 293.2 yards per game with 8.7 yards per pass attempt with great accuracy. On defense the Dukes allowed 20.8 points per game with 2.7 yards per run with 258.7 yards passing. The team must replace their top receivers. Dylan Morris is a quarterback transferring in from Washington. He has seen limited action the past three seasons completing for 60.6% completions with 7.2 yards per pass attempt. Charlotte finished at 3-9 in 2023 for head coach Biff Poggi who enters his third season. The 49ers have six starters back on offense with five to the defense. The team averaged only 16.9 points per game last season with 3.7 yards per run. They passed for 171.6 yards per game and 6.1 yards per pass attempt. Defensively Charlotte allowed 30.9 points per game with 4.7 yards per run. They allowed 64.4% completion rate with 7.7 yards per pass attempt. They do bring in a quarterback transfer from Florida and a running back from Iowa St. Max Brown in limited work with Florida last year hit 67.9% of his passes for 192 yards and an interception. He averaged 6.9 yards per pass attempt.
The Pick:
James Madison has experience, and the 49ers are rebuilding with no foundation. The Charlotte defense is the concern as their leaders from last year exiting the program. Play James Madison -8.
New Mexico vs. Arizona College Football Pick Prediction 8/31/2024
New Mexico at Arizona 10PM ET—New Mexico is 0-1 after their 35-31 home defeat to FCS Montana St. The Lobos put up 324 yards with 152 rushing for 5.4 yards per run. They were only 1 of 8 on third down. Devon Dampier hit 18 of 26 for 172 yards and a touchdown for 6.6 yards per pass attempt. On defense they allowed 567 yards to the Bobcats with 362 rushing for 7.7 yards per run. Arizona finished at 10-3 on the year. Brent Bannan is in his first year as head coach for the school. Returning are eight starters on offense and seven to the defense. The Wildcats put up 34.3 points per game last year with 4.4 yards per run. They threw for 309.7 yards passing per game with 8.5 yards per pass attempt. The Wildcats held opponents to 22.6 points per game with 3.8 yards per run. They surrendered 244.2 yards passing per game with 7.3 yards per pass attempt. Many playmakers return for the Wildcats and have four starters back on the offensive line. Noah Fifita completed 72.4% of his passes last year for 8.6 yards per pass attempt.
The Pick:
Arizona must replace their entire defensive line. There was a coaching change for the Wildcats with Jeff Fisch moving to Washington. Their pass defense struggled last year. The coaching change in New Mexico to Bronco Mendenhall is a positive. Play New Mexico +31.
Wyoming vs. Arizona St College Football Pick Prediction 8/31/2024
Wyoming at Arizona St 10:30PM ET—Wyoming went 9-4 in 2023. Head coach Jay Sawvel is in his first season with the team that returns six starters on offense with seven to the defense. The Cowboys put up 24.8 points per game with 4.4 yards per run. They threw for only 165.8 yards per game with 6.9 yards per pass attempt. On defense the Cowboys held opponents to 22.8 points per game with 4.3 yards per pass attempt. They gave up only 58.4% completion rate with 6.4 yards per pass attempt. Their running back and line has experienced. They must replace their top two receivers. Evan Svoboda will start as quarterback. He saw limited work as a backup last year completing 60.5% with 5.3 yards per pass attempt. His rushing numbers netted only 3.2 yards per carry. Arizona St went 3-9 last year for head coach Kenny Dillingham who is in his third season. The Sun Devils return six starters on offense with four to the defense. They put up only 17.2 points per game with 3.6 yards per run. Quarterback play was inefficient with 55% completions with 5.6 yards per pass attempt. On defense ASU allowed 32.8 points and 412 yards per game. They allowed 4.3 yards per run with 65.3% completions with 7.5 yards per pass attempt. Michigan St transfer Sam Leavitt will start at quarterback. He saw limited work hitting on 65.2% of his passes with 6 yards per pass attempt. He rushed for 5.2 yards a carry.
The Pick:
The Cowboys defensive coordinator takes over as head coach. There is continuity on this Wyoming defense. Quarterback play was all run and no pass last year. They have a chance now to make things happen through the air. ASU really sunk down badly last year. Play Wyoming +7.