College Football Picks & Previews

At ScoresandStats, we provide weekly coverage of the NCAAF season, offering predictions and detailed matchup breakdowns in our blog. Best of all, these picks are accessible to everyone, regardless of your subscription status.

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Latest Previews and Predictions

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Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Central Florida Knights Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 4th 2023

The Big 12 has not been kind to conference newcomers UCF and Cincinnati. In their first year in the league, neither squad has come up with a Big 12 win. That will change on Saturday when the Bearcats (2-6, 0-5) play host to the Knights (3-5, 0-5). Both programs have enjoyed glory years of recent vintage. UCF, for example, went 13-0 in 2017 and 35-4 over a three-year span that also included 2018 and 2019.
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Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Illinois Fighting Illini Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 4th 2023

Minnesota will try to become bowl eligible when it hosts Illinois in a Big Ten Conference matchup on Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis. The Golden Gophers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) are looking for their third win in a row after knocking off then-No. 24 Iowa and Michigan State in their two most recent games. They sit in a four-way tie for first place in the West Division along with Iowa, Wisconsin and Nebraska. Minnesota coach P.J.
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Michigan State Spartans vs. Nebraska Cornhuskers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 4th 2023

Nebraska will try to use the same formula that has led to a three-game win streak when it visits Michigan State on Saturday in East Lansing, Mich. The Cornhuskers (5-3, 3-2 Big Ten) have limited their last three opponents to a combined 30 points, most recently beating Purdue 31-14 at home to move within a game of being bowl eligible for the first time in seven years. Overall, they’re allowing 18.6 points per game, sixth
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Duke Blue Devils vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 2nd 2023

Duke has been put in several situations to showcase its overall improvements this season. Now comes a game against visiting Wake Forest where getting back on track will be the main storyline. Having lost three of their last four, the Blue Devils will face the Demon Deacons in Atlantic Coast Conference play on Thursday in Durham, N.C. “I have to put these guys in better positions to be successful because we don’t have much time,”
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Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Cincinnati Bearcats Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 28th 2023

Oklahoma State’s Ollie Gordon II is averaging 176.8 yards rushing over his last four games in the ultra-competitive Big 12, and Cincinnati’s run defense is giving up just 100.7 yards per contest this season. When the teams meet Saturday night in Stillwater, Okla., Oklahoma State’s ground game will face its biggest test since settling on Gordon as the main man when conference play began. The sophomore picked up 121 yards on 18 carries against Iowa
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Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. North Carolina Tar Heels Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 28th 2023

After absorbing an upset loss in their latest outing, the No. 17 North Carolina Tar Heels will aim to bounce back when they travel to Atlanta on Saturday to face Georgia Tech. The Tar Heels (6-1, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) saw their unbeaten record blemished and their hopes of making the College Football Playoff diminished when they lost 31-27 to visiting Virginia last week. North Carolina was just 4-of-15 on third- and fourth-down conversions in
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Auburn Tigers vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 28th 2023

Two offensively challenged teams will hook up when Auburn hosts Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon. After a 7-3 road win over Arkansas last week, Zach Arnett’s Bulldogs (4-3, 1-3 SEC) enter the matchup with the Tigers ranked 12th in the 14-team SEC in total offense (351.1 yards per game) and 11th in scoring offense (26.9 points per game). With starting quarterback Will Rogers out last week due to a shoulder injury, backup Mike Wright got
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California Golden Bears vs. Southern California Trojans Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 28th 2023

Cal and No. 24 Southern California both come into their Saturday Pac-12 Conference matchup in Berkeley, Calif., looking to pull out of two-game losing streaks. USC (6-2, 4-1 Pac-12) followed its first defeat of the 2023 season — a 48-20 rout on Oct. 14 at then-No. 21 Notre Dame — with its first conference loss last week, falling 34-32 to then-No. 14 Utah. The Trojans fought back from a 14-point, third-quarter deficit to pull ahead
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Louisville Cardinals vs. Duke Blue Devils Pick & Prediction OCTOBER 28th 2023

There have been so many positives for No. 20 Duke and No. 18 Louisville this season, a season of breakthroughs for both teams. Now, with the Atlantic Coast Conference rivals meeting Saturday in Louisville, Ky., one of them is about to pick up their first losing streak of the season. Louisville (6-1, 3-1 ACC) had a week to stew after its lone defeat, while Duke (5-2, 2-1) will be taking on its fourth nationally ranked

Free NCAAF Picks

The college football regular season spans around 800 games, delivering nonstop action from late August through December. While not every matchup grabs the attention of casual fans, each game holds valuable betting opportunities for those looking to find an edge. 

Often, the best betting value lies in games featuring less well-known teams or matchups that may seem less thrilling, were overlooked performances and market inefficiencies can lead to strong profit potential.

Here are some of our free NCAAF picks for this week’s games:\

COLLEGE FOOTBALL
CFB
2024-10-31 19:30
Open
TULANE
1 PICKS
CHARLOTTE
CFB
2024-11-01 19:00
Open
GEORGIA STATE
4 PICKS
CONNECTICUT
CFB
2024-11-02 12:00
Open
DUKE
2 PICKS
MIAMI FLORIDA
CFB
2024-11-02 15:30
Open
NORTH CAROLINA
3 PICKS
FLORIDA STATE

How to Gain Access to Premium College Football Picks

Looking to get access to top-quality NCAAF picks? Our handicapper services offer a curated selection of expert picks from seasoned professionals to boost your chances of success.

With our Starter tier, you’ll receive a limited number of picks along with consensus betting data. For more in-depth coverage, our Starter Plus, Classic, and Premium tiers provide increasingly greater access to expert selections.

If you prefer flexibility, you can also purchase individual picks from a handicapper for a one-time fee.

For the best value, we suggest the Classic package, which unlocks almost all of our services and ensures you receive expert NCAAF picks on a weekly basis.

How to Choose a Handicapper: What to Look For in a Professional

When selecting a college football handicapper, it’s essential to find someone who offers more than just predictions. A top-tier handicapper brings expertise, transparency, and a track record of success to help guide your betting strategy. 

Here are the key qualities to consider when choosing a college football handicapper:

Proven Track Record and Consistency

The first thing to look for in a handicapper is a documented history of success. A reputable handicapper will have a proven track record of delivering consistent results over multiple seasons, rather than cherry-picking wins or relying on a few standout bets. 

They should provide detailed records of their past picks, showing both wins and losses to give you a clear and transparent view of their performance. This demonstrates accountability and long-term profitability, which is crucial for sustained success in college football betting.

In-Depth Analysis and Research

A reliable handicapper doesn’t rely on gut feelings or trends alone. Instead, they base their picks on thorough research and in-depth analysis of statistics, matchups, team dynamics, injuries, and betting market trends. They should have a clear process for evaluating games and providing well-thought-out predictions. 

A great handicapper will also explain the reasoning behind their picks, helping you understand the logic and data driving their decisions. This is a sign that they put genuine effort into their work, rather than offering quick, uninformed guesses.

Transparency and Accountability

Transparency is critical in choosing a reliable handicapper. A trustworthy expert will be upfront about both their successes and failures. They won’t promise unrealistic results or guaranteed wins, as the nature of sports betting involves inherent risk. Instead, they’ll be clear about their methods, openly share their process, and stand by their results—good or bad.

Look for handicappers who provide detailed explanations for each pick, showing the reasoning behind their choices. This level of transparency helps you understand how their predictions are made and gives you more confidence in the betting decisions you make.

Specialization in College Football

Sports handicapping requires deep knowledge, and you’ll want to select a handicapper who specializes in college football. Experts who spread themselves too thin by covering multiple sports may lack the depth of knowledge required to make accurate picks consistently in college football. A college football specialist will have a keen understanding of the teams, players, and coaching strategies that make a difference on the field.

These experts stay up-to-date with team dynamics, player injuries, roster changes, and how specific matchups influence the outcome of a game. Specialization ensures the handicapper can give you the most informed and accurate picks based on their in-depth knowledge of the sport.

Realistic Expectations and Money Management

Lastly, a good handicapper promotes responsible betting and realistic expectations. They won’t make wild promises of overnight success or tell you to bet recklessly. Instead, they’ll guide you on how to manage your bankroll effectively and bet within your limits. A solid betting strategy is about long-term profitability, not chasing quick wins.

The right handicapper will focus on a disciplined approach, teaching clients how to manage losses, stay consistent, and grow their bankroll over time through smart, calculated bets.

 

Our Current Best NCAAF Handicappers

At ScoresandStats, we have a great selection of football handicappers to shadow. Below is a look at some of our top current NCAAF handicappers:

To get a closer look at each handicapper’s stats for a particular sport, you can visit their profile to see their recent wagers, wins, and losses. 

 Here’s a look at the recent NCAAF stats for Robert Ferguson:

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Ferguson has made their success by betting on the spread. They currently boast a win rate of over 50%.

How College Football Handicappers Find Value

College football handicappers use a blend of data analysis, trends, and market insights to identify value in betting lines. The goal is to spot games where the odds don’t accurately reflect the likely outcome, providing bettors with an edge. 

Here’s a closer look at how professional handicappers uncover value in college football and the tools they rely on:

Advanced College Football Statistics and Metrics

Handicappers go beyond wins and losses, diving into advanced stats to better understand a team’s true strengths and weaknesses. These key college football-specific metrics provide deeper insight:

  • Yards per Play (YPP): Measures offensive and defensive efficiency by tracking how many yards a team gains or allows per play, helping assess overall team performance.
  • Turnover Margin: Tracks the difference between turnovers forced and turnovers committed, a key factor in determining which teams control the game.
  • Red Zone Efficiency: Looks at how well a team scores or defends inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, offering insights into execution in critical situations.
  • Third-Down Conversion Rate: Gauges a team’s ability to sustain drives and control possession, a vital stat for both offense and defense.

By analyzing these metrics, handicappers can identify teams that are over- or underperforming compared to traditional measures like win-loss records or point differentials

Recent Trends and Team Form

While season-long performance is important, handicappers also focus on recent trends to detect changes in team momentum. A team trending up or down might offer value if the betting lines haven’t fully adjusted. Key trends include:

  • Recent Game Performance: How well a team has played in its last few games, particularly against similar competition or under specific conditions like home vs. away games.
  • Impact of Injuries: Injuries to key players or their return to action can significantly alter a team’s performance. A star player coming back after an absence might make a team undervalued if the betting market hasn’t caught on.
  • Coaching Adjustments: Changes in strategy or lineup, especially mid-season, can lead to improved performance. Handicappers often catch these improvements before the betting lines reflect them.

Public Betting Trends and Line Movement

Understanding public betting behavior and how sportsbooks adjust lines is another strategy handicappers use to find value. By monitoring how the public bets, handicappers can exploit inefficiencies in the market. Common strategies include:

  • Fade the Public: Betting against popular public picks can create value, especially when the majority of bettors are backing one team and pushing the line in their favor.
  • Sharp Money Movement: Tracking where professional or “sharp” bettors are placing their money can provide insight into the smarter side of a game. Sharp bettors often move lines based on in-depth knowledge, creating opportunities for handicappers to capitalize.

Situational Factors in College Football Betting

Handicappers also evaluate situational factors that can significantly impact a game’s outcome. These factors are often overlooked by the general public but can play a crucial role in predicting performance. 

Examples include:

  • Home-Field Advantage: College football teams typically perform better at home due to crowd support, comfort with the environment, and reduced travel fatigue. Some teams have particularly strong home-field advantages.
  • Travel and Fatigue: The college football schedule can be demanding, especially for teams playing multiple road games in a row or coming off a short week. Handicappers consider travel distance and rest days when assessing team performance.
  • Weather Conditions: Outdoor games are heavily influenced by weather, especially in parts of the country where conditions like heavy rain, snow, or strong winds can alter a team’s game plan. Handicappers analyze how certain teams perform under adverse weather conditions.

Market Inefficiencies and Overreactions

College football betting markets are not always perfectly efficient, and handicappers look to exploit these inefficiencies. Public perception, media hype, and recency bias often cause overreactions that skew betting lines, creating value for sharp bettors. Areas of focus include:

  • Overreaction to Injuries: When a key player is injured, betting lines may overreact, making a team appear weaker than they really are. A sharp handicapper will evaluate the team’s depth and adaptability to find value in this situation.
  • Recency Bias: Bettors tend to overvalue a team’s most recent performance, whether it’s a big win or a significant loss. Handicappers find value by betting against inflated lines resulting from this bias.
  • Undervalued Teams: Teams that struggle early in the season but start to improve may offer significant value before the betting market fully adjusts. Handicappers identify these under-the-radar improvements and capitalize on the market’s delayed reaction.

Combining Tools to Find Value

By combining advanced statistics, situational analysis, and an understanding of market movements, college football handicappers can uncover value where betting odds don’t align with the true probabilities of a game. Whether it’s identifying an undervalued team, taking advantage of public betting trends, or spotting inefficiencies in the market, professional handicappers use these strategies to offer informed picks that help their clients gain an edge.

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