Week 15 College Football Picks Breakdown!

The Jacksonville State Gamecocks have a season record of 8-4 after their recent loss to Western Kentucky, which concluded with a score of 19-17. The Gamecocks were ahead 10-7 in the second quarter, but they managed only a single score in the second half, resulting in their defeat. In total, the Gamecocks gained 328 yards, had one turnover, and succeeded in 2 out of 13 third-down conversions. Logan Smothers threw for 62 yards, while Tyler Huff rushed for 97 yards on 13 attempts.

The Pick:

Finishing at the pinnacle of the C-USA standings, the Gamecocks are recognized for having one of the premier rushing offenses in the country. Conversely, Western Kentucky has experienced setbacks in two of their last three outings, despite having a commendable passing attack. While I generally disapprove of teams playing consecutively, I am inclined to give the advantage to Jacksonville State. The Gamecocks have shown considerable strength this season, and I doubt their ground game will be thwarted in two successive games. Back Jacksonville State to cover the spread at home.

UNLV vs Boise State Prediction College Football Picks 12/6/24

UNLV at Boise State at 8 PM ET

In their most recent encounter, UNLV achieved a commanding victory over Nevada, scoring a total of 38 points, which secured a decisive win. Hajj Malik Williams successfully completed 14 out of 21 passes, accumulating 168 yards and throwing two touchdowns. Additionally, Jai’Den Thomas contributed significantly with 15 carries for 135 yards and one touchdown. Currently, UNLV averages 38.8 points per game for the season, while their defense concedes an average of 22 points. The offense is positioned 7th in the league rankings, whereas the defense stands at 37th.

In their most recent matchup, Boise State competed against Oregon State, achieving a total of 34 points to secure the victory. Ashton Jeanty delivered an impressive performance, accumulating 37 carries for 226 yards and scoring one touchdown. Additionally, Maddux Madsen contributed significantly with 195 passing yards and two touchdowns. Throughout the season, Boise State has been averaging 40.58 points per game, while their defense has allowed an average of 23.2 points. The offense is currently ranked third in the league, whereas the defense holds the 51st position.

The Pick:

While Boise State features a more talented running back, I assert that UNLV has the upper hand at quarterback. I anticipate a strong performance from Hajj Malik Williams, and I am convinced that the team's potential is elevated with him at the helm. The burden of expectation lies heavily on Boise State in this game, which will play to UNLV's advantage. Scoring will not be a critical factor in this encounter. I predict that UNLV will secure the win. Back them on the money line.

Tulane vs Army Prediction College Football Picks 12/6/24

Tulane at Army at 8 PM ET

The Tulane Green Wave triumphed over Temple and Navy in their recent matchups. They have now recorded five straight victories on the road. Darian Mensah is performing exceptionally well, completing 65.6 percent of his passes for a total of 2,514 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. In the receiving department, Mario Williams and Dontae Fleming have combined for 1,408 yards and 5 touchdowns. Additionally, the ground attack of the Tulane Green Wave averages 212.9 yards per game, with Makhi Hughes leading the charge with 1,306 yards and 15 touchdowns.

The Army Black Knights secured a victory against UTSA but faced a defeat against Notre Dame. They have achieved eight consecutive wins at home. Bryson Daily has a completion rate of 56.6 percent, accumulating 860 passing yards, 8 touchdowns, and 1 interception. The duo of Casey Reynolds and Noah Short has amassed a total of 714 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. Furthermore, the Army Black Knights' rushing offense is averaging 312.5 yards per game, with Daily leading the team with 1,348 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns.

The Pick:

The Tulane Green Wave may be regarded as the more balanced squad, having achieved a commendable 9-3 record against the spread this season. Nevertheless, the current betting line appears to show a lack of respect for Army, especially considering their impressive home record and only one defeat this season. Army is proficient in its rushing attack and has demonstrated one of the strongest defensive units. Furthermore, they have covered the spread in three of their last four outings as underdogs, with each of those instances culminating in outright victories. This line seems illogical to me. I would opt for the points with Army.

Iowa State vs Arizona State Prediction College Football Picks 12/7/24

Iowa State at Arizona State at noon ET

During the game against Kansas State last weekend, the Cyclones secured a 29-21 win, highlighted by a 17-point second quarter and a five-point fourth quarter. Rocco Becht threw for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Jayden Higgins emerged as the leading receiver, amassing 53 yards and a touchdown on three catches.

In their matchup against Arizona on Saturday, the Sun Devils encountered minimal challenges. By halftime, Arizona State had established a commanding lead of 35-0 and ultimately secured a decisive victory with a final score of 49-7. Sam Leavitt completed 291 passing yards and recorded three touchdown passes, while Cam Skattebo led the rushing attack with 177 yards on 21 carries, contributing three touchdowns to the team's success.

The Pick:

The Sun Devils experienced a comfortable victory against their in-state rival, Arizona. In this match, Arizona State achieved 24 first downs and amassed an impressive total of 646 yards, including 284 rushing yards, while allowing only 210 yards, with 84 of those rushing, to their opponents. This performance marks the fourth time in the last five games that they have scored 28 or more points, with the only exception being a 24-point effort against Kansas State, which resulted in a 10-point win. On the other hand, Iowa State is poised to be a challenging opponent in the championship game. In their most recent game, the Cyclones recorded 22 first downs and gained 324 yards, with 187 rushing yards, against a strong Kansas State team. Iowa State has also scored 29 or more points in four consecutive games, achieving a record of 3-1 during this stretch. Given these factors, it is anticipated that Arizona State will rely significantly on their rushing attack, akin to Kansas's strategy in their upset victory over the Cyclones on November 9, where they accumulated 237 rushing yards. If the Sun Devils can effectively execute their ground game and limit Iowa State's offensive opportunities, an Arizona State cover appears likely.

Ohio vs Miami-OH Prediction College Football Picks 12/7/24

Ohio at Miami (OH) at noon ET

The Ohio Bobcats currently stand at 9-3 for the season, having secured a victory over Ball State with a score of 42-21 in their most recent game. In terms of offensive performance, the Bobcats outgained Ball State, totaling 475 yards against 375. The turnover count was equal at two for each team, and the Bobcats demonstrated efficiency on third downs, converting 7 out of 10 opportunities. Parker Navarro played a pivotal role, passing for 169 yards with three touchdowns and one interception, in addition to rushing for 110 yards and scoring two touchdowns.

With a season record of 8-4, the Miami RedHawks triumphed over Bowling Green in their latest game, winning 28-12. The RedHawks outperformed Bowling Green in total yardage, amassing 376 yards against their opponent's 261. Although they faced a setback in the turnover department, losing 2-1, and struggled on third down with a conversion rate of 40%, Brett Gabbert managed to throw for 255 yards, achieving three touchdowns alongside two interceptions. Keyon Mozee also made a notable impact, rushing for 108 yards and scoring one touchdown.

The Pick:

Miami triumphed over Ohio earlier this year, finishing the game with a score of 30-20. It is important to highlight that the score stood at 30-6 in the fourth quarter before Ohio found the end zone twice in the final moments. This upcoming game is anticipated to be a thrilling clash between two teams that are currently in excellent form. Miami has recently achieved back-to-back wins by double digits against NIU and Bowling Green. Consequently, back the RedHawks for a win in this matchup.

Georgia vs Texas Prediction College Football Picks 12/7/24

Georgia at Texas at 4 PM ET

The Georgia Bulldogs are poised to participate in the SEC title game once again, having wrapped up the season with a commendable overall record of 10-2, including a 6-2 record in SEC matchups. Carson Beck has thrown for a total of 3,429 yards, achieving 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, with a passing accuracy of 65.1%. Trevor Etienne has contributed significantly with 477 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns, while Nate Frazier has added 587 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns to the team's efforts. Arian Smith leads the receiving corps with 709 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns, while Dominic Lovett has recorded a team-high 53 receptions for 571 yards and 6 touchdowns. Dillon Bell has also made notable contributions with 37 catches for 433 yards and 4 touchdowns.

The Texas Longhorns approach this contest with the intention of making a notable impression in their first season within the SEC, having concluded the regular season with a strong overall record of 11-1, including a 7-1 performance in SEC competition. Quarterback Quinn Ewers has thrown for 2,307 yards, achieving 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, with a passing accuracy of 67.3%. Arch Manning has also made a significant contribution, throwing for 939 yards, 9 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions, with a completion rate of 67.8%. On the ground, Quintrevion Wisner leads the team with 812 rushing yards, while Jaydon Blue has recorded 562 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, and Jerrick Gibson has added 342 rushing yards and 4 touchdowns. In the receiving category, Gunnar Helm has the highest number of receptions at 48 for 600 yards, followed by Isaiah Bond with 510 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns, and Matthew Golden with 576 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.

The Pick:

While Texas is undoubtedly seeking vengeance and has a wealth of experience in crucial games, it is important to recall that Georgia, as the underdog in Austin during their first meeting, faced no difficulties in overcoming the Longhorns. I am of the opinion that Georgia's familiarity with high-pressure situations in championship games, along with the location of the match in Atlanta, grants them a slight edge. That said, I will be backing Georgia and the points.

Marshall vs Louisiana Prediction College Football Picks 12/7/24

Marshall at Louisiana at 7:30 PM ET

In their recent encounter with the Dukes, Marshall faced a formidable challenge. The Herd required double overtime to secure a narrow 35-33 victory, following an impressive second-half comeback from a 24-7 deficit. Byron Braxton contributed significantly by passing for 120 yards and one touchdown, while Jordan Houston led the rushing attack with six carries for 50 yards.

In the contest held on Saturday against LA-Monroe, Louisiana went into the second half with a score of 13-13. Following this, the Cajuns managed to score 24 points, leading to a 37-23 victory. Chandler Fields threw for 188 yards, with two touchdown passes and one interception. Zylan Perry emerged as the top rusher, accumulating 150 yards on 19 carries, along with two touchdowns.

The Pick:

Since their narrow 24-22 defeat to South Alabama on November 16, the Cajuns have managed to score a total of 88 points over the course of two games. On the other hand, Marshall's statistics against a strong James Madison team last weekend were not particularly impressive. The Herd recorded a total of 261 yards (141 of which were rushing), achieved 17 first downs, and converted 5 out of 15 attempts on third down, yet they still managed to secure a tough victory. This achievement marks the fifth instance in the last six games where Marshall has scored 31 or more points, all of which resulted in wins. With an average of 200.4 rushing yards per game this season, the Herd will depend heavily on their ground game to limit Louisiana's offensive opportunities. In contrast, the Cajuns are more effective in the passing game, averaging 265.7 yards per game compared to 180 yards rushing, enabling them to score quickly. For Louisiana's defense to be effective, it must perform at a high level, and if they can make crucial stops at pivotal moments, the Cajuns will be well-positioned for success.

Clemson vs SMU Prediction College Football Picks 12/7/24

Clemson at SMU at 8 PM ET

Clemson suffered a setback on Saturday with a loss to South Carolina, which appeared to eliminate their chances of securing the ACC Championship. Nevertheless, a few hours later, Miami's defeat at the hands of Syracuse brought them back into contention. In the game against South Carolina, Cade Klubnik completed 24 of 36 passes for a total of 28 yards, recording no touchdowns and one interception. This season, Clemson's offense is averaging 35.7 points per game, while their defense concedes an average of 21.6 points. The offense is currently ranked 14th in the league, while the defense stands at 34th.

SMU's most recent game saw them go up against California, where the offense managed to score 38 points, and the defense held the opposition to a mere six points, securing the win. Kevin Jennings had another impressive outing, completing 20 of his 30 attempts for 225 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions. Brashard Smith also played a key role, finishing with 16 carries for 68 yards and a touchdown. The offensive unit of SMU has been robust throughout the season, averaging 39.2 points per game, while the defense has conceded an average of 19.8 points.

The Pick:

SMU stands out as the stronger team, and their defense is anticipated to excel in this contest. Cade Klubnik is expected to face challenges in effectively moving the ball through the air. In contrast, Kevin Jennings is likely to have another successful game in the passing department, which will contribute to an early lead for SMU. I firmly believe that SMU will secure a comfortable W.

Penn State vs Oregon Prediction College Football Picks 12/7/24

Penn State at Oregon at 8 PM ET

The Penn State Nittany Lions are enjoying a successful streak, having recently defeated Purdue, Minnesota, and Maryland. They have achieved five straight victories in away games. Quarterback Drew Allar is excelling with a completion percentage of 71.6, totaling 2,668 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. The receiving tandem of Tyler Warren and Harrison Wallace III has amassed 1,557 yards and 9 touchdowns. On the ground, the Nittany Lions are averaging 194.7 yards per game, led by Nicholas Singleton, who has recorded 733 yards and 7 touchdowns.

The Oregon Ducks are entering this phase of the season following triumphs over Maryland, Wisconsin, and Washington. They have recorded six straight victories in games not played at their home venue. Dillon Gabriel is performing exceptionally well, completing 73.5 percent of his passes for a total of 3,275 yards, along with 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. The duo of Tez Johnson and Evan Stewart has combined for 1,298 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns. Furthermore, the Ducks' ground game is averaging 170.9 yards per game, with Jordan James leading the charge, having accumulated 1,166 yards and 13 touchdowns.

The Pick:

Coach James Franklin's reputation precedes him. His teams often appear unprepared for crucial games, leading me to withhold my support until I see a tangible change. Penn State's recent performance as an underdog is concerning, with a record of 0-9 straight up and 2-7 against the spread in their last nine outings. I do not have faith in Franklin's capacity to win in this scenario. I anticipate that Oregon will triumph by a touchdown on Saturday evening.