College Football Picks

Western Michigan’s devotion to the run should backfire against a top-15 Group of Five rush defense, and without that run game, the Broncos’ offense may not produce at all. Kennesaw State’s offense is not only better, it is also more balanced, which should allow it to find a few moments of success.

Memphis ended the season by dropping its last three games to cost itself a genuine Playoff chance. And now the Tigers head coach, Ryan Silverfield, has taken over at Arkansas. Then why back Memphis in the Gasparilla Bowl? Because this offense should throw for days against NC State's defense, wretched against the pass all season.

The volume that Cuevas should get the role of safety blanket makes this an attractive play

Not the ideal matchup for a WR that is explosive reliant with an offense likely taking a cautious approach

No one finds more glee in making fun of Mario Cristobal's coaching acumen than yours truly. But he got one thing definitively right this season: Miami's defensive line. It will be the best unit in the game and faces an offense that has looked increasingly worrying. That is enough of an edge to have faith in the underdog, even if it is coached by Mario Cristobal.

Miami's defense has a penchant for allowing big plays (101st in explosiveness). Concepcion is used as a field stretcher (12.7 aDOT) and has been remarkably efficient this season (2.71 yards per route run), so he has the talent to win this matchup.

We have seen this movie before. Tulane fails to move the ball, a pass-first team with a failing run game against one of the better passing defenses in the country. Those failures lead to short possessions which lead to more Mississippi scoring opportunities. Do not expect this sequel to stray much from its 45-10 debut back in September.

The Rebels will want to get this game won, protect the star players, and get out of town. They'll also want to hold their best plays with a new coaching staff in anticipation of a game with Georgia.

That's why I'm expecting plenty of running with Kewan Lacy and company once they get a strong lead. Additionally, Tulane's passing game is going to struggle to find plays and points which is why the run game will be its focus. 

The increased focus on running the ball for both teams, especially for the Rebels as they look to simply get the job done and get out, will help lead this one under a total they didn't reach in the first meeting. 

I'm not one of those people complaining about JMU being in the CFP. The Dukes are a good football team. They are just in the wrong place at the wrong time against Oregon. The Ducks have a very good QB in Dante Moore who could be getting some weapons in the passing game. They also have an elite running game that will wear you out over the course of 60 minutes. That's what will happen to JMU here as Oregon marches over its team total.

James Madison struggled with Troy in the Sun Belt title game. And let’s be painfully clear: Troy’s offense is wretched, ranking No. 119 in the country in the regular season in expected points added (EPA) per offensive snap, per CFB-graphs.com. Yet while quarterback Goose Crowder was healthy, the Trojans made the Dukes miserable. Oregon should run this up early. James Madison may notch an opening-drive score, courtesy of the script, but after that, expect this game to be one-sided.