North Texas vs South Alabama Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

In this article, we will formulate a North Texas vs South Alabama prediction for this College Football Week 1 game on Saturday, August 31st, at Hancock Whitney Stadium.  Let’s take a look at a North Texas Mean Green vs South Alabama Jaguars pick. To formulate this prediction, we will examine:

-The Mean Green recent form and recent player performance 

-The Jagaurs recent form and recent player performance

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving North Texas

-Recent Betting trends and streaks involving South Alabama

-Recent betting trends in games played between North Texas and South Alabama

-A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for Today’s Game between the Mean Green and Jaguars. 

North Texas Believes This Could be a Special Year

North Texas believes this could be a special year, but for that to happen, they are going to need a few things to go their way. Last season, the North Texas offense was elite, and they believe it can be the same here this season. Chandler Morris is over from TCU, and he’s going to need to have a big year. Last year at TCU, he threw for 1,532 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions. Ikaika Ragsdale expects to have a big year on the ground, while Minnesota transfer Zach Evans also plays to play a big role. The top receiver back is Damon Ward. 

On defense is where North Texas struggled, and that side of the ball is going to need to be a lot better. The secondary especially is young, and there is expected to be some growing pains. It feels like a lot of games this season will come down if the offense can score enough to make up for some struggles with the defense. 

Why North Texas Will Beat South Alabama

• North Texas has covered the spread in six of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams.

Can South Alabama Build on the Last Couple of Years?

South Alabama was long the laughingstock of college football, but in the last couple of years, they have finally seemed to turn around the program. Over the last two games, they have finished with a 17-9 record. There was a change at quarterback and Major Applewhite has come in to continue to build on the success of the last few years. Gone is quarterback Carter Bradley, and they now turn to Gio Lopez, who did play a bit last season. Collin Lacey was the top wide receiver last season, but he has moved on to Louisville. There is still a ton of talent in the wide receiver room, though. 

On defense, South Alabama has a lot of talent back, and they believe they will be better. Wy’Kevious Thomas is one of the best players in the Sun Belt, and he is going to be the anchor of the defense. Gavin Forsha came from Kansas State, and he’s expected to be one of the best linebackers in the conference. 

Why South Alabama Will Beat North Texas

• South Alabama has won six of its last seven games against non-conference opponents at Hancock Whitney Stadium.
• North Texas has lost six of its last seven games against opponents from the Sun Belt Conference.
• The home team has covered the spread in four of North Texas’ last five games.
• North Texas has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games against non-conference opponents.

North Texas vs South Alabama Prediction

North Texas is going to have no issue scoring, much like they did last season. The Mean Green were an elite offensive team last year, and it’s going to be much of the same here. I don’t trust their defense, though, and that is going to be the difference here. South Alabama is going to continue the strong offensive output that they had last year, and this game is going to be a shootout. Back the over to cash here with ease. This is one of my favorite plays on the board.