College Football Picks - Free Weekly ATS Predictions

This affair is not a clash of titans by any means and chances are it will be a very sloppy game with a lack of explosive plays. However, we have to like UTEP chances here as they are the hungrier of the two teams and we have to like that spot in a virtual pick-em scenario.

When you compare the overall schedules of both these teams, New Mexico State has had a tougher road, yet they have one more win to their credit. Texas State did not have to play Utah State or Minnesota on the road. Instead, they opted for Texas Southern and a visit to Rutgers (the weakest team in the B1G by far) outside of their Sun Belt Conference schedule. This will be the difference maker in this one. We are getting the better team at a better price. Aggies pull the upset.

These two offensive powers should be able to go up and down the field on one another all day long in Houston to tempt a play on the inflated total line. I do see quite a few points going up on the board, but I am staying away from that bet altogether.

This should actually be a very entertaining game that stays within a touchdown until the final gun so I will take the points on the road team with the Bulls covering ATS as underdogs.

Given the inconsistency that Southern California showed last week, let alone all season this is a team that cannot be trusted with this kind of lumber to spot here and now. Arizona State has rumbled with some big dogs already this season, and they even managed to knock one of them out in Tempe (Michigan State). Look for the Sun Devils to bring it’s A-game and at least keep this one close, if they don’t pull the upset.

The Stanford Cardinal were supposed to contend for a spot in the College Football Playoffs this season, but the injury to Love has held them back. Washington State has burst onto the scene with the most explosive passing attack in all of college football. Stanford is tough to beat at home, but they don’t have enough offense to beat the Cougars.

This is one of the best rivalry games in college football, and this year’s chapter should be another classic. There will be plenty of future NFL players on the field in this game, and there will be heavy hitting going on. The winner of this game still has a shot at the College Football Playoffs, while the loser will miss out. Georgia should be able to hold off their rival at home in this game, but Florida will keep the game close.

Virginia Tech should win this game SU and cover the 3.5 points at home, but this team has failed to live up to expectations more than once this season. The Hokies had to play from behind to get past a Tar Heels’ squad that has just one SU win this season. Georgia Tech has been tough to figure out as well, but anytime you can effectively run the ball, you have a chance to win.

While I am not sure if the Yellow Jackets can win this game SU, the extra half point on a field goal spread makes them an attractive play ATS this Thursday night.

It’s difficult determining if Maryland is as good as the team who at home in their opener beat a good Texas team 34-29 or are they more like the team that was never in it on the road against Michigan in a 42-21 shellacking? I think they’re closer to the first one. The Terrapins had an extra week to add to their overconfidence after a 42-13 crushing of the Gophers and came out flat against the Wolverines. Iowa has played well from the “get go” losing only to Wisconsin who were able to move the ball well on the ground against them racking up 210 yards on 44 carries for a 4.8 YPC. Maryland has a similar style offense to the Badgers but can be slowed down on the ground as shown against Temple and Michigan. On the other side of the ball, the Terps have had difficulty against teams with a balanced offense which the Hawkeyes do possess. However, Iowa comes into this game with a few things against them. They'll be without first-string fullback Brady Ross whose strength is opening holes for the running game and as an outlet receiver on 3rd downs. Iowa may also be limited in the passing game with weather reports forecasting winds in the mid 20’s. I foresee a tight defensive battle similar to the Hawkeyes game against the Cyclones earlier this season.

There is little doubt that FIU will probably win this game. However, covering by this quantity of points could be quite hard to come by. Both teams are due for a correction against the market. Often high point spreads such as these generate such a correction. With this being said, Rice offers tremendous value here as they have a favorable match-up from an offensive schematic perspective. Even if FIU gets up big, there is plenty of backdoor potential here. However, Rice won't have to resort to such measures they will keep this one closer than their line indicates. This is more likely to be a two-score game.

This game will be one that is physical and probably defensive-oriented which is more or a rarity for Pac 12 teams. However, the teams involved are more inclined to roll up their sleeves than dazzle spectators. Nevertheless, Southern California is the more battle-tested of the two outfits, and they will march into Salt Lake City and continue their winning ways.

The Cowboys have been in similar predicaments before when we saw the supremely undervalued in their own stead. For the upperclassmen on Wyoming, 2016's wins over Air Force and Boise State ring a bell and come to mind. Look for these results to be the material that Cowboys hone to take it to Utah State. An upset is not out of the question by any means. Take the points.

Florida Atlantic will implement a heavy dose of Devin Singletary, and the rest will be history. A coached up Owls will find itself in the position their best win of the year and emerge back on both the conference and perhaps New Year’s Six radar with a win here. Tremendous value here on a likely short-priced favorite.

Hawaii is already eligible for a bowl game this year, so in that regard, they have met expectations and shattered them in the way they did it. Now it is time for the Rainbow Warriors to come back to orbit. BYU is the best team that Hawaii likely has faced all season and the Cougars will make it their business to make sure they know.

The strength of schedule is a big factor in determining the actual quality of two teams. On paper, CC looks better, but they played a far easier program to get where they are. That difference will be instrumental in determining the victor here. For Monroe, this contest is a step back, and they will take full advantage. The Warhawks outright get the call.

Pittsburgh could be an exciting test for Notre Dame coming off a pair of lopsided victories against ranked teams, but I am not sure that the Panthers have the talent on both sides of the ball to keep things close if the Irish bring their "A Game".

Notre Dame has failed to cover in the two games it closed as a double-digit favorite, but its offense continues to get stronger and stronger with each passing week. My lean is towards the Irish covering the three touchdowns at home, but my ‘best bet’ play in this one is the OVER on the 56-point total line.

The Buffaloes bread and butter is their offense. While they have exceptional talent scattered across the ranks, they have yet to go up against a defense as good as USC’s. The Buffaloes have been giving the punches all year long, now they will be getting a few tossed back at them. Given the fact, we don’t know what kind of jaw this team has, the more seasoned of the two will prevail. Swallow the points.