NCAAF Pick: Rutgers -5 (-110) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
The college football Week 8 slate has plenty of exciting action. Our AI proprietary model has given us a few bets that we’ll attack. Which ones are you taking?
Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Indiana Hoosiers
Saturday, October 21, 2023 – 12:00 PM EDT at Memorial Stadium
Our AI Model believes Rutgers will earn a 26-18 win against Indiana on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights could be bowl-eligible for the first time in a long time. As -5 favorites at the top sportsbooks, there’s value in Rutgers.
Rutgers’ Defensive Dominance
Rutgers had been the laughingstock of the Big Ten for a long time. But with a win against Indiana, they’ll be bowl-eligible, with plenty of games left on the schedule.
Rutgers has only added 326.9 yards per game this season. But that’s been enough since the defense allowed 277.4 yards per game this year.
The Scarlet Knights are great at converting tackles. They’re also spectacular in the secondary and have been above-average up front against the run and as a pass rush.
Teams have only earned 160.6 yards per game in the air against Rutgers this year.
Meanwhile, the Rutgers offense has earned 164.9 yards per game on the ground. That’s more than they’ve earned in the passing game. Kyle Monangai has been seriously unstoppable for the Scarlet Knights, as he’s rushed for 635 yards and seven touchdowns this season.
Indiana’s got a solid defense. They’ve allowed 374.7 yards per game, with 217.2 yards in the air. However, the run game has still allowed 157.5 yards.
The Pick
You can expect Rutgers to have success in the run game. And if Indiana’s pass rush doesn’t get to the quarterback, the passing game will have success too.
Grab Rutgers here. I agree with the AI Model.
NCAAF Pick: Rutgers -5 (-110) at BetOnline
Pittsburgh Panthers vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Saturday, October 21, 2023 – 03:30 PM EDT at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium
Our AI Model believes Wake Forest will earn a four-point win at home against Pittsburgh. As small favorites, the AI model and I both like Wake Forest to cover the spread.
Can Panthers Be Trusted?
The Pittsburgh Panthers earned a monumental win over Louisville last weekend. It was a trap game for Louisville, and Pittsburgh capitalized.
But I’m not ready to start believing in Pittsburgh.
The Panthers’ starting quarterback Christian Veilleux only added 200 yards passing and completed under 50% of his passes. The run game also added only 2.7 yards per carry.
Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
The Panthers have averaged just over 300 yards per game, including only 193.8 yards in the air. The offense has quality runners, but the offensive line hasn’t played well.
Meanwhile, Wake Forest took a loss to Virginia Tech after benching its starter, Mitch Griffis, for poor play. Neither quarterback played very well, and the run game added only 1.1 yards per carry on 31 carries.
That wasn’t impressive either. However, Wake Forest still has an offensive line capable of moving Pittsburgh’s defensive line. They’ve played well throughout the season.
The Pick
The Demon Deacons also have a terrific defense that has dominated in coverage and has looked great against the run.
If you look at the games from last week, you’d take Pittsburgh. But if you looked at the entire season and how it has all gone, Wake Forest is the better team.
NCAAF Pick: Wake Forest -1½ (-110) at Bovada (visit our Bovada Review)
Toledo Rockets vs. Miami (OH) RedHawks
Saturday, October 21, 2023 – 04:00 PM EDT at Yager Stadium
Our AI Model suggests that the Miami (OH) RedHawks will win Saturday’s game by ten points against Toledo, 30-20. At just -1, there’s plenty of reason to pick Miami (OH) to win this game.
Teams’ Winning Streaks
Both teams are on massive winning streaks. However, Miami (OH) has the better wins, including an overtime road win against Cincinnati.
Miami (OH) has earned 375.4 yards per game this year behind Brett Gabbert. He’s got a 70.8 QBR and has thrown 14 touchdowns with only four interceptions. He might not have the better offensive line or receivers, but he’s the best quarterback in this game. He makes things happen and has his team believing.
Toledo has allowed just 180.3 yards in the air this season. However, they’ve also given up nearly 158 yards on the ground. Miami (OH) has earned 162.3 yards on the ground and will have success moving the football with the run game.
On the other hand, Toledo is led by Dequan Finn. He’s been excellent for Toledo, earning 1,265 yards with 12 touchdowns and five interceptions. He’s working with a better pass protection but will still have trouble scoring against the RedHawks secondary that has held teams to 200.6 yards per game in the air.
The Pick
The RedHawks will need to tackle better. However, the rest of the defense is pretty comparable to Toledo’s.
With a comparable defense and the better quarterback at home, why not take the RedHawks in this spot?
NCAAF Pick: Miami (OH) -1 (-110) at Bovada
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
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