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College Football Picks

Free College Football Expert and Computer Picks For Every Game Jan. 2, 2026

Rice Owls logo RICE @ Texas State Bobcats logo TXST Fri, Jan 2 • 1:00 PM ET
1 Expert Pick 9 Computer Picks
Spread
Texas State Bobcats logo TXST -15.5 (-115)
Best Odds
Pick made: yesterday
JD Yonke image
JD Yonke
Betting Analyst

Rice is one of the worst teams in Bowl Season and is arguably even worse than its 5-7 record. Texas State is much better than its 6-6 record and should be close to full strength. The Bobcats generated more plays of 50+ yards than any other team and should find many of those against a Rice defense ranking dead last in explosives allowed (136th).

View 10 Picks
Navy Midshipmen logo NAVY @ Cincinnati Bearcats logo CIN Fri, Jan 2 • 4:30 PM ET
1 Expert Pick 10 Computer Picks
Total
Navy Midshipmen logo Cincinnati Bearcats logo u53.5 (+100)
Best Odds
Pick made: yesterday
Andrew Caley image
Andrew Caley
Senior Betting Analyst

This is an honourable mention Service Academy game. Cincinnati will be without star QB Brendan Sorsby, who has entered the transfer portal. That should mean a heavy dose of the running game. Mix that with the Navy modified Wing T offense, and possessions should be limited in this game. Give me the Under.

Receptions
CA
Cyrus Allen o2.5 Receptions (-170)
Projection 3.9258 (Over)
Best Odds
Pick made: 4 minutes ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
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Wake Forest Demon Deacons logo WAKE @ Mississippi State Bulldogs logo MSST Fri, Jan 2 • 8:00 PM ET
1 Expert Pick 10 Computer Picks
Spread
Mississippi State Bulldogs logo MSST -3.5 (-102)
Best Odds
Pick made: yesterday
Andrew Caley image
Andrew Caley
Senior Betting Analyst

Wake Forest was powered by its defense this season, and its best player, stud defensive tackle Mateen Ibirogba, entered the transfer portal. But the Demon Deacons are also down their best offensive player too. Demond Claiborne has declared for the NFL Draft. Mississippi State was underrated this season and was a few plays away from having three more wins this season. I'll lay with the Bulldogs here.

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Arizona Wildcats logo ARIZ @ SMU Mustangs logo SMU Fri, Jan 2 • 8:00 PM ET
1 Expert Pick 7 Computer Picks
MoneyLine
Arizona Wildcats logo ARIZ (-110)
Best Odds
Pick made: 15 hours ago
Douglas Farmer image
Douglas Farmer
Betting Analyst

The opt-out situations in the Holiday Bowl are rather vague, particularly as Arizona head coach Brett Brennan will not confirm any before taking the field. But do not expect any particular Wildcats position group to be abandoned, and with a relatively full roster, Arizona is distinctly better than SMU. In particular, the Wildcats’ defense will shut down the Mustangs’ inconsistent offense.

TD Passes
Noah Fifita logo
Noah Fifita u1.5 TD Passes (+122)
Projection 1.4617 (Under)
Best Odds
Pick made: 11 hours ago
EV Model Rating
Star rating: 4 out of 5
View 8 Picks

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