CFB Picks 09/13: Clash Of The Cougars
Only three games are on Friday night’s College Football slate, but that’s more than enough action for gamblers to get involved in.
With only one matchup laying a double-digit spread, there's an opportunity to turn a nice profit.
North Carolina Tar Heels (+3) @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons, 6:00 PM:
North Carolina (2-0) has been one of the biggest surprises early on this season, and that’s large in part to head coach Mack Brown. The Tar Heels defeated the Miami Hurricanes 28-25 in thrilling fashion as a five-point underdog.
North Carolina lead 17-3 after the first quarter but failed to find the endzone again until the final minute of the game. Quarterback Sam Howell lead a nine-play, 75-yard drive capped off with a 10-yard connection to wide receiver Dazz Newsome. Howell completed 16-of-24 passes for 274 yards and two touchdowns.
Wake Forest improved to 2-0 after taking care of business and covering the spread against the Rice Owls, winning 41-21.Â
Junior quarterback Jamie Newman had another stellar game completing 21-of-27 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns, adding six carries for 29 yards.
Freshman running back Kenneth Walker III broke off a monster 96-yard touchdown run, finishing the day with 125 yards on nine carries.
The Tar Heels were able to pull off the road win in Miami, and I anticipate coach Brown to navigate another road win by finding a way to limit an explosive Demon Deacons offense.
Pick: North Carolina (+3) @ -110
#24 Washington State Cougars @ Houston Cougars (+9), 9:15 PM:
The only ranked team in action on Friday night are the 24th-ranked Washington State Cougars. Washington State heads on the road to face a tough challenge in the Houston Cougars.
Last week, Washington State didn’t break much of a sweat defeating Northern Colorado 59-17, scoring 58 or more points for the second consecutive game.
Senior quarterback Anthony Gordon was on point completing 31-of-39 passes for 464 yards, four touchdowns, and an interception.
Meanwhile, Houston (1-1) bounced back from a tough loss to #4 Oklahoma and defeated Prairie View 37-17. Senior quarterback D’Eriq King had himself a day, accounting for three total touchdowns (two rushing and one passing), completing 15-of-26 passes for 139 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
I’ll even place some action on the moneyline at +280. The Over/Under is set at 75.5, and my money is on these teams going well over that total. If this game turns into a shootout, I like the experience and quarterback play of King for Houston to bring home the win at home.
Pick: Houston (+9) @ -110
Kansas Jayhawks @ Boston College Eagles (-21), 7:30 PM:
There isn’t much to get excited about in this matchup with the spread sitting at 21 points in favor of Boston College (2-0), who seem far and above their upcoming opponents.
The Eagles handled the Richmond Spiders 45-13. Junior quarterback Anthony Brown was efficient completing 8-of-14 passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns.
Running back duo AJ Dillon and David Bailey both had solid days on the ground. Bailey lead the team rushing 13 times for 97 yards; Dillion had 17 carries for 86 yards and two touchdowns.
The Kansas Jayhawks (1-1) suffered an ugly loss against Coastal Carolina 12-7. Running backs Pooka Williams Jr. and Khalil Herbert were the lone contributors on offense. Williams Jr. had 22 carries for 99 yards; Herbert had eight carries for 82 yards and a touchdown.Â
I also wouldn’t be surprised if the Eagles pitched a shutout against Kansas.