Yeah baby. It’s Friday. That means that we not only have a nice appetizer of college football betting action tonight but a full board of bets coming Saturday. We get you ready for the Week 4 odds, breaking down our favorite picks and predictions: from props, team totals, derivatives, spread and totals. Giddy up!
MORGAN MAGIC
James Morgan is expected to return to action Friday night as Florida International visit Louisiana Tech in Conference USA action. Morgan missed last week’s 30-17 victory over New Hampshire due to injury but should be back under center against the Bulldogs.
That said, he might have a short leash. He completed just 48.9 percent of his passes while watching backup Kaylan Wiggins single-handedly beat the Wildcats, raking up 127 yards through the air and another 187 and two touchdowns on the ground. Wiggins is expected to see at least one series, even if Morgan is fit to return.
Louisiana Tech has struggled with dual-threat QBs but might not have to worry about that here. Add in the fact that the Bulldogs rank 48th in yards allowed per play and boast one of the top DBs in college in Amik Robertson, and we like the hosts to cover.
THEY KNOW WHAT’S COMING
Scheming for the Air Force Falcons’ offensive attack is a simple exercise, at least in terms of what to expect. And that’s the Boise State Broncos have awaiting them as they welcome the Falcons to the blue turf of Albertsons Stadium.
The Falcons, ironically, have a stout ground attack that has seen them average 6.1 yards per carry on 117 rush attempts (compared to just 13 pass attempts on the season). Seven different players have at least five carries on the season; five of them (Kadin Remsberg, Taven Birdow, Joshua Stoner, Christian Mallard, Nolan Eriksen) average more than 6.5 YPC so far.
That all said, Boise State has limited opponents to a 3.5 YPC average in 2019 while racking up a Mountain West-best 27 tackles for loss. Look for the Broncos to do enough on defense to hold Air Force below its 23.5-point team total.
EARLY UPSET?
The Utah Utes will look to continue their incredible start to the season as they visit the USC Trojans in a marquee Friday night encounter at LA Memorial Coliseum.
Getting off to a good start will be critical for the modestly-favored Utes, and they’ve had trouble doing so away from familiar confines, having averaged just nine first-half points in their previous four road and neutral-site games dating back to the latter stages of 2018. USC, by comparison, is averaging 20.5 first-half points in its opening two home games this year, and 19.3 first-half points for the season.
While the Utes might still pull this one out, there’s plenty of value in taking the host Trojans to either cover the +1.5 first-half spread (-110) or win the opening two quarters outright (+120).
SIT WILL START
Artur Sitkowski is in, and McLane Carter is out as the Rutgers Scarlet Knights prepare for a Saturday encounter with rival Boston College.
Sitkowski will take over as the starting quarterback while Carter remains in the concussion protocol after getting knocked out of the Scarlet Knights’ 30-0 loss to Iowa in Week 2. Sitkowski came on in relief but completed just 4 of 11 pass attempts for 19 yards with an interception. Sitkowski wasn’t any better last season, completing just 49.1 percent of his passes while compiling 18 interceptions against just four touchdown passes.
The Eagles might have just given up 48 points to Kansas, but the Jayhawks didn’t have Sitkowski under center. Look to Boston College to cover with ease in this one.
