College Football Picks Friday: 3 Predictions and Best Bets for Tomorrow

Friday’s College Football Picks in Summary

• Tulane -9.5 (-110)
• Baylor-UCF Under 48.5 (-115)
• Kent State -7.5 (-104)

Friday night's college football slate features three FBS games, giving bettors action from the early evening through a 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff.

Tulane visits Charlotte to open the night before Baylor and UCF square off in a tight Big 12 matchup. The slate concludes with Kent State traveling west to face Sacramento State.

Here are our three best college football bets for Friday, with one pick from each game.

All college football odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. Lines may change after this article is published.

Friday’s Best College Football Predictions, Picks

Tulane -9.5 (-110)

Tulane at Charlotte — 7:00 p.m. ET

The Tulane Green Wave haven't exactly been an offensive juggernaut this season, but this matchup should give them an opportunity to put up one of their better scoring performances.

The Charlotte 49ers have surrendered 40.6 points and 465.1 total yards per game. Charlotte has been particularly vulnerable through the air, allowing 278.0 passing yards per contest while permitting opponents to complete 71.8% of their passes.

That defense has already been lit up for 59 points by Memphis and 50 by North Texas. Tulane averages only 20.3 points per game, but the Green Wave have also shown a higher ceiling lately, scoring 31 in a win over Memphis two games ago.

Charlotte's defense makes laying fewer than 10 points with Tulane appealing.

Baylor-UCF Under 48.5 (-115)

Baylor at UCF — 7:30 p.m. ET

This Big 12 matchup could turn into a defensive battle.

The Baylor Bears have been excellent defensively, allowing only 16.1 points and 340.1 total yards per game. Their run defense has been particularly impressive, holding opponents to 104.1 rushing yards per game.

That could create problems for the UCF Knights, whose offense has generated 163.3 rushing yards per game. UCF has been solid defensively in its own right, surrendering 23.0 points per game while limiting opponents to 118.0 rushing yards per contest.

There's also been a strong under trend with Baylor. Five of the Bears' seven games have finished under the total, and Baylor has allowed 25 or fewer points in six of its seven contests.

With both defenses capable of slowing down what the opposing offense does best, 48.5 points looks a little high.

Kent State -7.5 (-104)

Kent State at Sacramento State — 10:30 p.m. ET

Neither offense has been particularly productive this season, but Kent State should have the edge against one of the weakest teams on its schedule.

The Kent State Golden Flashes enter at 3-5 after a 35-20 win over Akron in which quarterback Dru DeShields threw for 294 yards and four touchdowns. Wideout Wayne Harris was the biggest beneficiary, producing 156 yards and three scores on nine receptions.

Sacramento State is just 1-7 and has surrendered 32.9 points and 371.5 total yards per game. The Hornets have been especially susceptible on the ground, giving up 177.0 rushing yards per contest.

There's admittedly some risk in asking Kent State to cover more than a touchdown on the road after its struggles away from home this season — especially given how far away this game is. However, those road games included trips to South Carolina, Ohio State, Western Michigan, and South Florida. Sacramento State represents a massive drop in competition.

The Hornets recently lost 34-17 to Ball State, a team Kent State defeated 26-13 earlier this season. Coming off its best offensive performance of the year, Kent State has enough advantages to create separation in the Friday night finale.

College Football Betting FAQ

What is a point spread in college football betting?

The point spread is designed to account for the expected difference between two teams. The favorite must win by more than the listed spread for a bet on that team to cover while the underdog can cover by winning outright or losing by fewer points than the spread.

What is a college football moneyline bet?

A moneyline wager is simply a bet on which team will win the game. Favorites typically have shorter odds and smaller potential payouts while underdogs generally offer larger potential returns.

What does over/under mean in college football?

An over/under, also known as the game total, is a wager on the combined number of points scored by both teams. Bettors can choose whether the final combined score will finish over or under the set total.

What are college football player props?

College football player props are wagers based on an individual player's performance rather than the final outcome of the game. Depending on availability, common markets can include passing yards, rushing yards, receiving yards, touchdowns, and other statistical categories.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.