Free College Football Picks Week 2 Part 2-9/7/2024
California vs. Auburn College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
California at Auburn 3:30PM ET—California is 1-0 after their 31-13 home win to FCS UC Davis. The team finished at 6-7 last year for head coach Justin Wilcox. The Golden Bears return seven starters on offense with eight to the defense. Cal put up 30.2 points per game in 2023 with 4.4 yards per run. They threw for 226 yards per game with 6.7 yards per pass attempt. On defense they allowed 34 points with 3.8 yards per rush. They gave up 282 yards passing per game with 7.7 yards per pass attempt. Fernando Martinez returns to under center for his junior year. He completed 63% of his passes last year with 7.1 yards per pass attempt. He averaged 7.2 yards per pass attempt in the win against UC Davis last week with a touchdown. Auburn defeated Cal on the road last year 14-10. The Tigers are 1-0 after their 73-3 home win to FCS Alabama A&M. Auburn finished at 6-7 a season ago for head coach Hugh Freeze. The team returns nine starters on offense with eight to the defense. They put up 24.6 points per game in 2023 with 4.8 yards per run. The Tigers threw for only 147 yards per game with 6.3 yards per pass attempt. On defense they allowed 23.4 points a game with 4.5 yards per run. They allowed 59% pass completions with 7.6 yards per pass attempt. Payton Thorne returns for his senior season. Last year with Auburn he completed 60.9% of his passes for 6.6 yards per pass attempt. He did produce a strong opener against his FCS opponents.
The Pick:
California played Auburn tough last year. Thorne has struggled with downfield passing in his season last year and with Michigan St in 2022. This is an experienced Golden Bears team that showed the ability to get points on the boards. Play California +13.
Jacksonville St vs. Louisville College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
Jacksonville St at Louisville 3:30PM ET—Jacksonville St is 0-1 with their 55-27 home defeat to Coastal Carolina. The Gamecocks put up 357 yards with 123 rushing for 4.1 yards per run. They had three turnovers and went 1 of 10 on third down. On defense Jacksonville St allowed 552 yards to the Chanticleers with 294 rushing for 5.2 yards per run and 258 passing with 12.9 yards per pass attempt. Logan Smothers hit 7 of 13 passes for 61 yards and only 4.7 yards per pass attempt. He rushed for 2.1 yards a carry. Louisville is 1-0 after their 62-0 home win to FCS Austin Peay. The Cardinals finished at 10-4 last year for head coach Jeff Brohm. The team returns seven starters on offense with seven to the defense. They put up 28.8 points per game last season with 4.4 yards per run. Louisville completed 64.4% of their passes with 7.9 yards per pass attempt. On defense the team held opponents to 22.9 points a game with 3.4 yards per rush. The Cardinals held opposing quarterbacks to 56.6% completions with 7.5 yards per pass attempt. Texas Tech transfer Tyler Shough is under center. He completed 60.4% of his passes last season with 6.7 yards per pass attempt. Shough was productive last week against his FCS opponent.
The Pick:
Poor offensive production is troubling for the Gamecocks. Third down conversions and sputtering run game is the concern. Louisville defended well last season and were run stoppers and defended the pass well. Play Jacksonville St and Louisville under 58.
Temple vs. Navy College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
Temple at Navy—Temple is 0-1 after their 51-3 road defeat at Oklahoma. The Owls put up 197 yards with 1.9 yards per rush. They went 4 of 13 on third down and had four turnovers. Forrest Brock hit 12 of 25 for 128 yards and two interceptions. They surrendered 378 yards to the Sooners with 220 rushing for 6.1 yards per rush. Navy is 1-0 following their 49-21 home win to FCS Bucknell. The team finished at 5-7 last year. Head coach Brian Newberry will have seven starters back on offense and on defense. The Midshipmen put up only 17.1 points per game in 2023 with 4.2 yards per run. They completed 50.3% of their passes for 6.1 yards per pass attempt. On defense they allowed 24.5 points per game with 3.7 yards per run. They did allow 67% completions for 8.2 yards per pass attempt. Blake Horvath returns under center after seeing action in four games last year. He averaged 4.9 yards per run in 2023 and completed 50% of his passes. Last week he completed two touchdowns passes with a pick. He rushed for 4.7 yards per carry.
The Pick:
The Owls defense will struggle to contain this Navy option offense. They showed improvement last year and gave a good showing against Bucknell last week. The Midshipmen had struggles to defend the pass last year. Temple have up over six yards per run on the Sooner last week and in a tough spot to face this offensive system the following week. Play Temple and Navy over 43.
Baylor vs. Utah College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
Baylor at Utah—Baylor is 1-0 after their 45-3 home win to FCS Tarleton St. The team finished at 3-9 last year for head coach Dave Aranga who enters his fifth year on the hot seat. The Bears return nine starters on offense with nine to the defense. Baylor put up only 22.5 points per game last year with 3 yards per run. They threw for 276 yards per game with 7.3 yards per pass attempt. On defense they allowed 35.7 points per game with 5.1 yards per run. They allowed 66% completion rate with 8.9 yards per pass attempt. Dequan Finn transfers from Toledo to start at quarterback. Last year he completed 63.4% of his passes with 8.4 yards per pass attempt. He rushed for 563 yards with 4.6 yards per run. Utah is 1-0 after their 49-0 home win to FCS Southern Utah. The Utes finished at 8-5 in 2023 for head coach Kyle Whittingham. Returning are six starters on offense with nine to the defense. The team put up only 22.5 points per game last year with 4.2 yards per run. They threw for only 165 yards with 6.4 yards per pass attempt. On defense the Utes allowed 20.3 points per game with 3.1 yards per run. They held opposing quarterbacks to 59.1% completion rate and 7.2 yards per pass attempt. Utah is inexperienced at the running back position and offensive line. Cameron Rising returns under center after an injury cost him to miss last season. In two full seasons he completed 64.3% of his passes with 7.8 yards per pass attempt. He was efficient in the win against Southern Utah.
The Pick:
Line and running back inexperience a concern for the Utes. Finn is a dual threat quarterback that can keep the Bears competitive here. Eighteen starters return for the Bears. Play Baylor +14.5.
South Carolina vs. Kentucky College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
South Carolina at Kentucky 3:30PM ET—South Carolina is 1-0 after their 23-19 home win against Old Dominion. The Gamecocks gained only 288 yards with 174 rushing with 3.1 yards per carry. They did have a +3 turnover margin but converted only 5 of 18 on third down. On defense they allowed the Monarchs 305 yards with 108 rushing for 3.2 yards per run. LaNorris Sellers, a redshirt freshman, hit 10 of 23 passes for 114 yards. He did run for 68 yards and a touchdown. Kentucky is 1-0 after their 31-0 home win against Southern Miss. The Wildcats gained 317 yards with 148 rushing for 6.2 yards per carry. They limited the Golden Eagles to 131 yards with five rushing yards. The game was called in the third quarter due to lightning. Brock Vandagriff hit 12 of 18 passes for 169 yards and 9.4 yards per pass attempt. The Georgia transfer had three touchdown throws and a pick.
The Pick:
Tough environment for this South Carolina red shirt freshman. His inaccurate passing against Old Dominion a concern. They couldn’t crack 300 yards of offense against ODU. Kentucky stuffed the Golden Eagles ground attack. Play Kentucky -10.
Charlotte vs. North Carolina College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
Charlotte at North Carolina—Charlotte is 0-1 after their 30-7 home defeat to James Madison. The 49ers gained 324 offensive yards with 131 rushing for 4.2 yards per run. They had three turnovers and went 7 of 19 on third down. On defense Charlotte allowed 417 yards to the Dukes with 194 rushing for 4.7 yards per rush. The 49ers allowed 12.2 yards per pass attempt. Max Brown, a Florida transfer, completed 22 of 45 for 193 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. He averaged only 4.3 yards per pass attempt. North Carolina is 1-0 after their 19-17 road win at Minnesota. The Tar Heels gained 252 yards with 147 rushing for 3.6 yards per carry. They limited the Golden Gophers to 244 yards with 79 rushing for 2.4 yards per carry. Quarterback Max Johnson lost for the season. Conner Harrell saw limited work and hit 2 of 4 for 34 yards and 8.2 yards per pass attempt. He showed accuracy in his freshman season in mop up duty and played in their bowl game last year.
The Pick:
Good defensive effort by the Tar Heels in the opener. Charlotte pass defense a concern allowing big plays. The run defense is a concern as well. Harrell has the game experience against West Virginia in their bowl last year. Play North Carolina -22.5.
Northern Illinois vs. Notre Dame College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
Northern Illinois at Notre Dame—Northern Illinois is 1-0 after their 54-15 home win to FCS Western Illinois. The Huskies finished at 7-6 in 2023 for head coach Thomas Hammock entering his sixth season. They return eight starters on offense and on defense. NIU averaged 26.1 points per game last season with 5.3 yards per run. They complete only 57.1% of their passes with 6.6 yards per pass attempt. Defensively the Huskies held opponents to 21.6 points per game with 4.3 yards per run. Opponents completed only 56.1% of their passes with 6.3 yards per pass attempt. They do return their top rushers, top receivers along with four from the offensive line. Ethan Hampton is starting at quarterback. He has seen limited action the past three seasons in a backup role. He has a career 57.6% completion rate with 5.9 yards per pass attempt. He had a strong performance in the opener against his FCS opponents. Notre Dame is 1-0 after their 23-13 road win at Texas A&M. The Fighting Irish put up 356 yards with 198 rushing for 5.8 yards per run. They had a +2-turnover margin. On defense Notre Dame held the Aggies to 246 yards with 100 passing yards for 3.3 yards per pass attempt. Riley Leonard hit 18 of 30 for 158 yards with only 5.3 yards per pass attempt. He rushed for 63 yards.
The Pick:
Notre Dame’s physicality on the offensive line will open plays in the running game as they averaged 5.8 yards per run on an SEC defense on the road. Hampton’s efficient work for the Huskies in the opener encouraging to their chances of getting some points up on the board. Play Northern Illinois and Notre Dame over 45.
Eastern Michigan vs. Washington College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
Eastern Michigan at Washington—Eastern Michigan is 1-0 following their 28-14 road win at UMASS. The Eagles gained 375 yards with 134 rushing for 3.8 yards per carry. They allowed 329 yards to the Minutemen with 3.7 yards per run and only 5.9 yards per pass attempt. Cole Snyder hit 17 of 29 for 241 yards and a touchdown. He had a rushing touchdown. Washington is 1-0 after their 35-3 home win to FCS Weber St. Washington finished at 14-1 last year. Jedd Fisch is in his first season with the school and will have one starter back on offense with four to the defense. The team put up 36 points per game last year with 4.3 yards per run. The passing game produced 344 yards per game with 9 yards per pass attempt. On defense the Huskies allowed 24.8 points per game with 4.7 yards per run. Opponents completed 59.3% of their passes with 6.7 yards per pass attempt. Mississippi St transfer Will Rogers to start at quarterback. The past three seasons he has a career 69.4% completion rate with 6.8 yards per pass attempt. He had a good debut last week against their FCS opponents.
The Pick:
Cole Snyder is a transfer from Buffalo who will be effective for the Eagles. Lots of transfers came over to this Huskies team that is inexperienced on both sides of the football. Rogers has experience as a quarterback but is not very efficient. Play Eastern Michigan +25.
UMASS vs. Toledo College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
UMASS at Toledo—UMASS is 0-1 after their 28-14 home defeat to Eastern Michigan. The Minutemen gained 329 yards with 152 rushing for 3.7 yards per run. On defense they allowed 375 yards to the Eagles with 3.8 yards per run but 241 passing with 8.6 yards per pass attempt. Taisun Phommachanh hit 20 of 30 for 177 yards with only 5.9 yards per pass attempt. He took six sacks. Toledo is 1-0 after their 49-10 home win to FCS Duquesne. The Rockets finished at 11-3 last season for head coach Jason Candle. The team returns four starters on offense and defense. They put up 29.3 points per game last season with 5.4 yards per run and 208 yards passing for 7.9 yards per pass attempt. On defense the Rockets held opponents to 21.6 points per game with four yards per attempt. They held opponents to 54% completions with 6.3 yards per pass attempt. Toledo must replace their starting quarterback and all five on the offensive line. They are experienced in the receiver position. Junior Tucker Gleason will start at quarterback. He saw limited action the past three seasons with a career 48.9% completion rate with 7.2 yards per pass attempt. He produced a good performance in his opener against an FCS school.
The Pick:
The Minutemen dropped a 14-point decision at Eastern Michigan. Their pass defense in the opener is troubling. Toledo is a better MAC team. Gleason experienced in the program a plus as well as having his playmakers in the passing game. Play Toledo -18.5.
Iowa St vs. Iowa College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
Iowa St at Iowa—Iowa St is 1-0 following their 21-3 home win to FCS North Dakota. The Cyclones finished at 7-6 last year for head coach Matt Campbell. They put up 25.9 points per game in 2023 with 4 yards per run and 256 passing yards with 8.5 yards per pass attempt. On defense they held opponents to 24 points per game with 3.9 yards per run with only 56.4% completion rate with 6.8 yards per pass attempt. They return ten starters on offense with nine on defense. Quarterback Rocco Becht returns at quarterback. Last season, he completed 62.9% of his passes with 8.5 yards per pass attempt. He put up strong numbers in his opener against FCS North Dakota. The Hawkeyes are 1-0 after their 40-0 home win to FCS Illinois St. Iowa finished at 10-4 last season for head coach Kirk Ferentz. The Hawkeyes return ten starters on offense with eight to the defense. They put up 15.4 points per game with 3.4 yards per run. The passing game was inaccurate and inefficient. Defensively they held opponents to 14.8 points per game with 3.1 yards per run. Opponents completed only 56.1% of their passes against them with 5.1 yards per pass attempt. Cade McNamara returns this season after being injured in 2023. He had a career 61.1% completion percentage with 7.4 yards per pass attempt. The numbers were way down in his five appearances last year. He had a good debut against his FCS opponent.
The Pick:
A healthy McNamara and the change in offensive coordinator are the key here. Hawkeyes are experienced and have performed well over the years in their home stadium. Play Iowa -3.
Michigan St vs. Maryland College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
Michigan St at Maryland 3:30PM ET—Michigan St is 1-0 after their 16-10 home win to FAU. The Spartans put up 293 offensive yards with 179 rushing for 4.8 yards per run. They turned it over three times. On defense they allowed 248 yards to the Owls with 132 rushing for 2.8 yards per run. Aiden Chiles hit 10 of 24 for 114 yards and two interceptions. Maryland is 1-0 after their 50-7 home win to Connecticut. The Terrapins gained 629 yards with 248 rushing for 5.4 yards per run. They forced three turnovers. On defense they allowed 310 yards to the Huskies with 88 rushing for 2.9 yards per run. Billy Edwards hit 20 of 27 for 311 yards and two touchdowns.
The Pick:
The Terrapins’ offensive production was impressive. Michigan St young quarterback ineffectiveness against FAU is not encouraging for this road spot. Neither were the three turnovers. Play Maryland -9.5.
UTSA vs. Texas St College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
UTSA at Texas St 4PM ET—UTSA improved to 1-0 after their 28-16 home win to Kennesaw St. The Roadrunners put up 416 yards with 76 rushing for 2.2 yards a carry. They went only 4 of 14 on third down. On defense they held the Owls to 253 yards with 51 rushing for 1.3 yards a carry. Owen McCown completed 28 of 38 for 340 yards and three touchdowns. Texas St is 1-0 following their 34-27 home win to FCS Lamar. The Bobcats went 8-5 last year for head coach G. J. Kinne. They returns seven starters on offense with four on defense. They put up 33.3 points per game. They gained 440 yards offensively per game with 4.2 yards per run. The passing game produced 66.3% completions with 8 yards per pass attempt. Defensively they allowed 33 points per game with 397 yards. Teams rushed for 4.1 yards per game against them with 242 passing for 7.6 yards per pass attempt. James Madison transfer Jordan McCloud will start at quarterback. Last year he completed 68.2% of his passes with 8.9 yards per pass attempt. He passed for 35 touchdowns and 10 picks. He had a huge day last week against his FCS opponent.
The Pick:
The quarterback situation is sound with the Bobcats behind McCloud. McCown was effective in his opener for the Roadrunners. There will be lots of passing with points put up in this game. The defense is a question mark for Texas St. Play UTSA and Texas St over 64.
Middle Tennessee St vs. Mississippi College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
Middle Tennessee St at Mississippi 4:15PM ET—Middle Tennessee St is 1-0 after their 32-25 home win to FCS Tennessee Tech. The Blue Raiders finished at 4-8 last year. Head coach Derek Mason is in his first season with the team and will have four players returning on offense with three to the defense. They put up only 23.3 points per game last year with 3.6 yards per run. They completed 66.1% of their pass attempts for 7.2 yards per pass attempt. On defense Middle Tennessee St allowed 29.4 points per game with 3.9 yards per pass attempt. They allowed 254 passing yards with 7.1 yards per pass attempt. Nicholas Vattiato returns at quarterback for his fourth year at the program. Last season he completed 66.8% of his throws for 7.2 yards per pass attempt. Last week he completed 57.1% of his passes for 6 yards per attempt against his FCS opponent. Ole Miss is 1-0 after their 76-0 home win to FCS Furman. The Rebels went 11-2 in 2024 for Lane Kiffin. Returning are 10 starters on offense with 10 to the defense. They put up 31.9 points per game last season with 4.3 yards per run. Quarterback play was effective. On defense the Rebels held their opponents to 23.8 points per game with 4.1 yards per run. Opponents completed 61.4% of their passes against them for 7.4 yards per pass attempt. Jaxon Dart returns under center. Last year he completed 65.1% of his passes with 9.4 yards per pass attempt. He came off a huge performance in the opener against his FCS opponent last week.
The Pick:
Tough spot for this inexperienced Blue Raiders team facing one of the projected best offensive teams in the nation. Giving up 25 points to an FCS team last week for Middle Tennessee St is not encouraging. Play Ole Miss -41.5.
Marshall vs. Virginia Tech College Football Pick Prediction 9/7/2024
Marshall at Virginia Tech 4:30PM ET—Marshall is 1-0 after their 45-3 home win to FCS Stony Brook. The Thundering Herd finished at 6-7 last season. Charles Huff will have five starters back on offense with five on defense. They put up only 22.9 points per game last season with 3.7 yards per run. The passing game generated only 6.8 yards per attempt. On defense the Thundering Herd allowed 29.7 points per game with 4.5 yards per run. They held opposing quarterbacks to 59% completions with 7 yards per pass attempt. Senior quarterback Stone Earle starts at quarterback as he transferred from North Texas. He saw limited work the past two seasons completing 56.3% with 6.6 yards per pass attempt and averaging 5.3 yards per run. He had two touchdown passes in his win against an FCS opponent but averaged only 6.1 yards per pass attempt. Virginia Tech is 0-1 after their 27-24 road defeat to Vanderbilt. The Hokies gained 271 yards with 181 rushing for 3.8 yards per rush. On defense they allowed 397 yards to the Commodores with 322 passing with 9.5 yards per pass attempt. Kyron Drones hit 22 of 33 for 322 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.
The Pick:
The Hokies pass defense an issue. Drones is probable shaking off a leg injury which was reported as cramping. Their running back Tuten is questionable. The Hokies got their offense going in the second half. Play Marshall and Virginia Tech over 52.