Friday. Night. Lights.
There's always something special about a college football Friday, when the slate of games serves as an appetizer of sorts for the main course of wall-to-wall Saturday action.
That's exactly what we have tonight with five games on the docket. North Texas vs. UTSA, Wyoming vs. Colorado State, UCLA vs. Washington and Houston vs. Arizona make up our FBS slate, while Howard vs. NC Central will hold it down for the FCS.
Our college football writers came through with a pick for all five matchups. So, whether you're looking to bet a Big Ten battle or find an FCS gem, we have you covered.
Continue reading for our Friday college football picks and predictions — and be sure to check back tomorrow for even more NCAAF betting coverage.
Friday College Football Picks and Predictions
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college football writers are targeting from Friday's slate of NCAAF games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 9 p.m. | |
  | 10:15 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
North Texas vs. UTSA Pick
By John Feltman
It's Friday Night Lights in Texas in what should be a high-scoring affair when the North Texas Mean Green (5-4, 2-3) travel to San Antonio, Texas, to take on the UTSA Roadrunners (4-5, 2-3). Friday's kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Both teams have had disappointing seasons, but what's unique about the matchup is that their strengths are opposites.
Oddsmakers have the Mean Green as a -2 road favorite with a robust total set at 72.5.
Who doesn't love a classic offensive slugfest on a Friday night in Texas? Let's dive into my North Texas vs. UTSA predictions and college football picks for Friday, Nov. 15.
North Texas Mean Green
I wasn't happy with North Texas over the weekend, as it consistently vomited all over itself in the red zone. I'm sure the loyal listeners of the "Big Bets on Campus" Podcast heard me work over quarterback Chandler Morris' pathetic effort, as it was a game UNT easily should have won.
The officiating did not do the Mean Green any favors, as a few game-changing calls by the zebras impacted the game's outcome. Despite all that nonsense, Army had zero business winning that matchup.
If you've been backing the Mean Green, this was the second game in recent weeks in which they brought you inside the torture chamber. I felt like Sonny Corleone during the toll booth scene in "The Godfather."
Anyway, this is a plus matchup for the Mean Green passing attack. Although they looked awful on the goal line last week, they still consistently moved the ball down the field.
North Texas ranks 36th in Pass Success Rate and 22nd in EPA/Pass. It's an elite passing team and thrives with constant explosive plays.
It's no picnic going up against an elite UTSA defensive trench, but the Roadrunners are vulnerable in the back end.
The one area of concern is the UTSA defensive line causing a lot of Havoc, but the Mean Green's offensive line does an excellent job at limiting it.
North Texas is one-dimensional; it doesn't even try to pretend it isn't. UNT runs the ball just 40% of the time, which is the strength of the UTSA defense.
As strong as the Roadrunners' defensive line has been, they're outside the top 90 in Finishing Drives allowed. Unless Morris decides to mimic last weekend's performance, I expect the aerial attack to explode for many points here.
The defense is putrid, though. The Mean Green sit outside the top 100 in most defensive metrics, including Havoc and Pass Success Rate allowed.
UTSA Roadrunners
It's been a strange season in San Antonio, as the UTSA program has risen over the last several years under head coach Jeff Traylor. They've become America's gambling darlings, but a 4-5 start to the season was not on many people's bingo cards.
The glory days of quarterback Frank Harris and running back Sincere McCormick are in the rearview mirror, leading to the Owen McCown show.
McCown has 20 touchdown passes and four interceptions and draws a juicy matchup here.
The Mean Green defense unit only gets a few stops against competent offenses, and I expect few here despite the Roadrunners' underwhelming metrics.
The defensive front has been imposing. UTSA ranks in the top five in Rush Success Rate allowed and Havoc, and leads the nation in Defensive Line Yards.
The secondary has been destroyed by opposing passing attacks all season long. In fact, this is one of the nation's worst defenses at preventing pass explosives. That's a horrific area to struggle in against the Mean Green, and I expect them to be catching their breath the majority of the afternoon.
It will be a good test against a solid offensive line for the defensive front, and the offense will get a boost. But I can't back the home 'dog here, especially with the uncertainties in the back end of the defense.
North Texas vs. UTSA Prediction
I'm begging for misery now, but I must take North Texas here. As much as I was disgusted with its performance against Army, it's primed to bounce back in a big way here.
It might seem it's overwhelmed by UTSA's defense at first glance, but after digging into the secondary metrics, you realize how prone the Roadrunners have been to allowing big plays. Morris loves to sling the rock, whether to the opposite team or not.
I have concerns about the Mean Green defense, but I have enough faith in Morris to outduel the Meep Meep offense.
North Texas will find another way to torture me, so stay tuned for next week's recap, where I convince myself again to take it against East Carolina.
Pick: North Texas -1 (Play to -2)
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Wyoming vs. Colorado State Pick
The best way to bet Wyoming Cowboys (2-7, 2-3 MWC) vs. Colorado State Rams (6-3, 4-0) on Friday night is the over/under. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network.
The Cowboys are coming off a 49-45 win over New Mexico prior to their bye week for 1 of their 2 Mountain West wins on the season.
The Rams, meanwhile, have remained undefeated in conference play and have won 4 straight. Colorado State most recently beat Nevada, 38-21, on the road before a bye week of its own.
Friday's odds list the Rams as -9.5 home favorites, while the over/under has been on the move and now sits at 47.
Let's transition to my Wyoming vs. Colorado State predictions and college football picks for this Mountain West matchup on Friday, Nov. 15.
Wyoming Cowboys
Evan Svoboda wasn't the answer at quarterback. After entering November with horrible offensive metrics across the board, Wyoming gave the reins to Texas native and freshman Kaden Anderson.
Last week, he led a 49-45 win over New Mexico after Wyoming closed as a 9-point underdog.
Anderson threw for multiple scores and rushed for another. Overall, the Cowboys have quietly covered three straight, despite a 2-7 overall record.
The first year of the post-Craig Bohl era is very un-Craig Bohl-y. Wyoming is 4-5 against the spread and 6-3 to the over.
The Cowboys' offensive stats may be noisy due to the quarterback change. They really only had one way to go after yanking Svoboda.
Nonetheless, Wyoming has struggled to get a push up front, ranking 127th in Line Yards and making things tough on the ground game.
Colorado State Rams
In the first three weeks of the season, Colorado State was blown out by both Colorado and Texas, and failed to cover as a big favorite against Northern Colorado.
The Rams have since covered six straight, including five as favorites. Our public betting trackers show that Colorado State is both the public and sharp side, though it's early in the cycle. The Rams are generating 72% of the tickets and 80% of the money to cover.
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi leads an offense that's outside the top 100 nationally in Pass Success.
Wyoming vs. Colorado State Prediction
Midseason quarterback moves can offer edges. Wyoming gets a big boost ceiling-wise with Anderson under center, and he's provided a dual-threat edge.
Frankly, the script plays out favorably for an over.
While I truly don't think Fowler-Nicolosi is good, he shouldn't play much of a factor Friday because Colorado State should be able to run at will.
The Rams are just outside the top 20 in rush rate this season. If they're consistent with their game plan for Week 12, they should register more success on the ground.
Not only does Wyoming allow 6.7 yards per play this season, but it also ranks fourth-worst in college football in yards allowed per rush.
I really wouldn't worry much about a run-heavy team draining the clock or taking up too much time; Wyoming doesn't generate any Havoc, and is awful in Finishing Drives.
Success and points for Colorado State should force Anderson, a freshman quarterback starting to gel down the stretch, to play with more pace, recklessness and more variance for an over.
The opener reflected a lot more of what Wyoming looked like with Svoboda under center. Over 47 is a good look and I'd play that all the way up to 50.5.
Pick: Over 47 (Play to 50.5)
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Howard vs. NC Central Pick
By Joshua Nunn
The Howard Bison (4-6, 1-2 MEAC) take on the North Carolina Central Eagles (6-3, 2-1) on Friday, Nov. 15 in MEAC action. The game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET and can be seen live on ESPNU.
NC Central is still vying for the MEAC crown, while Howard has been disappointing over the last four weeks. Now, the Bison are just hoping to avoid another losing season.
We have a unique situation here, as both of these teams are coming in off a loss to South Carolina State their last time out.
The projected line for this matchup has NC Central as a favorite of 14 points with a total projected at 52.5.
Let's dive into my Howard vs. NC Central predictions and college football picks for this FCS clash on Friday, Nov. 15.
Howard Bison
SC State defeated Howard last week by a score of 38-14 in a game that could have been uglier for the Bison. They were outgained by 150 yards in the game and fell into a 21-7 hole by halftime.
Howard came up with defensive stops inside its own 30-yard line to stay in it three times in the first half, but the Bulldogs blew it open in the second half.
The Bison have been extremely underwhelming offensively this season while lacking big-play ability.
Their quarterback play has been average at best, as Ja’Shawn Scroggins is completing just 54% of his passes with an 8:8 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
The NC Central defense has been solid against the pass this year, allowing just 161 yards per game and a completion percentage of just 58%.
The Bison are run-oriented, and running back Jarett Hunter is having a solid season with 696 yards and five touchdowns, but the explosiveness hasn't been there.
NC Central Eagles
NC Central is coming off a bye week and lost on the road last time out against South Carolina State. The Bulldogs were in firm control early and raced out to a 17-0 halftime lead. NC Central actually made a late second-half push and had a chance to take the lead before a turnover ended the drive.
South Carolina State has been the best team in the MEAC, and NC Central had been playing really good football before running into that buzzsaw.
NC Central quarterback Walker Harris has been a difference-maker this year for the Eagles. It was a hard enough task replacing program record-setter Davius Richard, but Harris has done well to fill the big shoes left behind.
Harris has completed 62% of his throws with a 17:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Receiving threats Joaquin Davis and Markell Quick are big-play threats who can gain yards in bulk, unlike Howard.
While Howard's pass defense numbers look solid, the competition needs to be considered. The Bison's last five opponents before SC State are all offensively challenged foes who don't present anything close to the offensive attacks of SC State or NC Central.
Howard vs. NC Central Prediction
I would lay the points with NC Central in this matchup. The Eagles are the significantly more talented team and play better in all three phases.
I have concerns about Howard being able to move the football through the air during passing situations. The offensive line for has been overwhelmed at times and has surrendered 23 sacks this year, along with 63 tackles for loss.
NC Central has found ways to force pressure, resulting in 23 sacks and 13 interceptions defensively. I would expect a lot to be put on Scroggins' shoulders in passing downs, but he should struggle to make accurate throws and extend drives here.
The Eagles also have one of the top third-down defenses in the MEAC, allowing conversions on just 30.5% of attempts.
Howard has a tendency to attempt fourth-down plays frequently, and those attempts have proven to be futile more often than not. The Bison are just 10-for-26 on fourth down this year, and NC Central will likely welcome those fourth-down attempts all game.
I look for big plays for NC Central offensively through the air and for the Eagles to post a big number here.
The talent gap is wide, and the MEAC is a league where the top teams in the league typically beat the lower-tier teams by four touchdowns, not two.
Pick: NC Central -14
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UCLA vs. Washington Pick
By Greg Liodice
Two new Big Ten teams square off on the West Coast, as the UCLA Bruins (4-5, 3-4 Big Ten) head to Seattle to face the Washington Huskies (5-5, 3-4) on Friday night. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on FOX.
After an abysmal — and I mean abysmal — start to the season, UCLA has won 3 straight games. Last week's 20-17 win over Iowa was a special situation when the Hawkeyes rolled out their 5th-string quarterback. Ethan Garbers had better days after throwing two picks, but TJ Harden made a difference with 131 rushing yards.
It’s been an inconsistent season for the Huskies, who have fallen in 3 out of their last 4. It wasn’t so happy in Happy Valley, as they were embarrassed by Penn State, 35-6, last week.
Quarterback Will Rogers was pulled after the first half, and head coach Jedd Fisch turned to true freshman Demond Williams Jr. However, you should expect Rogers to be back in the saddle this time.
Where does the betting value lie? Read further for my UCLA vs. Washington predictions and college football picks for Saturday, Nov. 16.
UCLA Bruins
Turnovers have been the bane of Garbers’ existence this season. He was having a solid stretch against Nebraska and Rutgers but fell right back into his ways last week.
Most expected this season to be a rough one for the Bruins, so the fact that they’re 4-5 is a massive boost.
Whatever season-wide metrics I’d usually point out like Success Rate, explosiveness and EPA don’t have a whole lot of merit, because they’re all bad. However, Garbers has been wildly efficient in the past three games, completing 74% of his passes.
Logan Loya has been a favorite of Garbers because injuries have depleted this team. UCLA has barely seen J. Michael Sturdivant all season, and tight end Moliki Matavao missed last week's game.
Another pain point has been the run game. Harden’s 131-yard game may have been an aberration since he only ran for over 50 yards once this season prior.
The defense may be trending up, though, as the Bruins only let Iowa’s Kaleb Johnson — who usually runs for 7.1 yards per carr —, rush for 3.3 YPC last week.
For a team like Washington and its efficient run game, this is certainly something to watch out for.
Washington Huskies
Rogers getting demoted last week had to be a kick in the gut. The senior quarterback has had himself an impressive season, but as of late, his play has dropped off.
In the past three games, he’s thrown three interceptions and a whopping zero touchdowns. That’s with his weapons mostly healthy.
Denzel Boston came out with a quality performance against USC, but Giles Jackson has been virtually invisible in the past three games after a strong start to the season.
Most of the attack has been on the back of Jonah Coleman. If you’ve read my stories throughout the season, you’ll know I’m a big Coleman guy. He’s a bull in a china shop who can run after contact. However, he has a tall task ahead of him.
Defensively, this team does do a lot of things right.
Carson Bruener and Alphonzo Tuputala have been tackling machines, and Washington’s secondary is red hot. Thaddeus Dixon is among the leaders in pass breakups with eight, and Jordan Shaw isn’t too far off with six.
The one problem I see, though, is how many points the Huskies have given up. It hasn’t been the easiest schedule, and they’ve mostly been on the road, but they’ve allowed close to 32 points per game in the past four.
UCLA vs. Washington Prediction
I wonder about this game because it features two teams going in completely opposite directions.
UCLA has proven it can dismantle its opponents’ run game, and it doesn’t matter what’s in front of it. The three-headed monster of Carson Schwesinger, Kain Medrano and Oluwafemi Oladejo have combined for 17.5 tackles for loss.
Can Coleman break through that? He ran for just 24 yards on 11 carries against Penn State, which is ironically a worse run-stopping team than UCLA.
The one caveat is that Washington is undefeated at home. Most of its victories came in front of its home fans at the start of the season, and then after the Huskies struggled, it returned home to defeat USC.
So, it’s clear there’s a big advantage to playing on home turf. I’m just not very optimistic about the Huskies' prospects for the rest of the season.
There seems to be a lot of trouble brewing in Seattle. With the Huskies’ questions under center and UCLA’s run-stopping ability, I’m banking on this to either be a close game or a Bruins victory.
Pick: UCLA +4.5
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Houston vs. Arizona Pick
By Joshua Nunn
The Houston Cougars (4-5, 3-3 Big 12) take on the Arizona Wildcats (3-6, 1-5 Big 12) on Friday night in Tucson, Arizona. The game kicks off at 10:15 p.m. ET and can be seen live on FS1.
Houston won 2 straight over Utah and Kansas State before a well-deserved bye week. While the win over Utah isn't as surprising given the Utes' injuries and offensive struggles, the 24-19 upset over a ranked Kansas State team could certainly be a shot in the Cougars' arms.
Arizona, meanwhile, has not lived up to expectations in head coach Brent Brennan's first season in Tucson. The Wildcats have lost 5 in a row and are coming off a 56-12 drubbing at the hands of UCF.
Still, Arizona comes into this game as a -1.5 favorite with the over/under set at 46. So, where does the betting value lie?
Let's dive into my Houston vs. Arizona predictions and college football picks for this Big 12 battle on Friday, November 15.
Houston Cougars
Houston comes in off a bye while riding a two-game win streak. The Cougars have defeated Utah and Kansas State in back-to-back weeks as home underdogs.
Houston has found a renewed energy on defense, specifically up front.
The run defense has allowed just 90 yards per game on 3.0 yards per carry the last two weeks and should have success here against an Arizona offensive line that has been really bad several weeks in a row.
The Cougars are allowing just 133 yards per game on the ground, and the rush defense has been consistently solid outside of two performances against Iowa State and Kansas.
Arizona is running for just 115 yards per game, but the ground game seems to have gotten weaker as the season has progressed. The rush numbers have decreased five weeks in a row, cratering two weeks ago at UCF when the Wildcats ran the ball 25 times for five total yards.
The offensive line play has been poor from a pass-blocking perspective as well.
The Wildcats have surrendered 19 sacks on the season with 13 of those coming in the last three games. There have also been an abundance of negative plays that have limited Arizona’s ability to extend drives.
Arizona Wildcats
Arizona has been one of the more disappointing teams in the country this year, as the Wildcats come in losers of five straight games before a bye week last week.
The Wildcats have been largely non-competitive with three blowout losses in their last four games.
The offense has really struggled in conference play, averaging just 17 points per game while being being outgained by 71 yards per game in league play.
The run defense has been especially bad, surrendering 511 yards combined over the last two games while ranking just 99th nationally in Defensive EPA Per Rush for the season.
Arizona has been prone to allowing explosives on the ground as well, as the unit ranks just 92nd in Rushing Explosiveness Allowed.
Offensively, Houston wants to run the football and will be seeking to establish the ground game early and often against this Arizona front seven. Houston has 90 offensive rush attempts in the last two weeks and has committed to the ground game.
I like the dual-threat element added by the quarterback switch to Zeon Chriss, who's a solid runner. Arizona has struggled with mobile quarterbacks all season and will be up against it trying to contain this multi-faceted rushing attack.
Houston vs. Arizona Prediction
We have two teams here on two different trajectories, so I'm going to take Houston in this game.
The Cougars have played really solid defense the majority of the way this year. The stop unit has yielded just 139 yards per game and has held four of their last five opponents under 21 points.
Houston ranks seventh nationally in Success Rate allowed and 13th in Defensive EPA Per Play and should have success here against a struggling Arizona offense.
The Wildcats have relied on the pass game and have a major weapon in Tetairoa McMillan, who has hauled in 63 passes for 1,066 yards and six touchdowns on the season. McMillan exploded against WVU back in October but has been otherwise contained in recent weeks.
The opposition has been able to create pressure on quarterback Noah Fifita, which has resulted in sacks or throwaways. This has severely limited the offense's ability to get McMillan the football.
Houston is going to make this tough on Arizona as well, as the Cougars are excellent against the pass. They rank ninth nationally in Passing Success Rate allowed and 20th in Passing Explosiveness surrendered.
We're starting to see things come together for Houston in Year 1 under head coach Willie Fritz. This team has played well in three of its last four games and is starting to peek at the right time.
Take the Cougars on the moneyline to go on the road and grab another Big 12 win.
Pick: Houston ML +105
