X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

College Football Betting Picks: Against The Spread 9/6/24 And Week 1 Results

Mike's CFB betting picks against the spread for Friday, September 6, 2024. Which teams can you win money before Saturday this week? How did the picks go for Week 1 of the 2024 season?

The NFL is booting the college boys off of Thursday this week so we don't have any college games until Friday. There are three games on Friday with two of them as FBS vs. FBS matchups. We'll get the spread picks for those. We'll also go back over the first full week's results. Not only do I want to know how I'm doing, but I want you to know as well.

I am in the process of compiling a spreadsheet of all my picks and bets for the last 10 years. One look at that will tell you which teams I have a pretty good read on and which ones I struggle with. I'm going to hold myself accountable because I think it makes me better. I came out 33 betting points ahead last season despite going 391-402 against the spread.

I still won where it counts, but I'm aiming for 51% this year. I finished at 49.31% last year. I think that's an attainable goal. I started 1-1 in Week 0, so I guess that's holding serve. On to this week!

Featured Promo: Get any Props Premium Pass for 30% off using code WIN. Win more with our two new Props Optimizer tools -- one for PrizePicks Props, and one for Sportsbook Betting Props. Find optimal prop bets and get our recommended picks daily! Go Premium, Win More!

 

CFB Betting Picks for Friday, September 6

I will pick every college football game every week. Not a top five. Not a top 10. All of them. Big deal, right? Lots of people make picks. Well, I do them all against the spread. I take the odds of each game and average them out at all the Vegas casinos and round to the nearest half. There will be no ties here. Ties are for the other (European) football.

BYU at SMU (-11.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

We didn't learn jack about BYU last week and SMU struggled against Nevada in Week 0. I feel like this is a touch high, especially if the Ponies are going to keep running two quarterbacks out there. Give me BYU.

Duke at Northwestern (-2.5)

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

There's something magical about that little palace by the lake. Give me Northwestern.

Want some CFB DFS tools? If you like what you see here, don't forget to sign up for your RotoBaller CFB DFS Premium Pass. Use code MARTENY and receive 10% off your purchase! You'll love the College Football DFS Lineup Optimizer, DFS Cheat Sheets, and Premium Slack Chatrooms to help you out in real time.

 

CFB Betting Picks - Last Week's Results

I promised transparency and you will get it, warts and all. I don't like to be wrong, but I will admit when I am. Why listen to someone if they won't admit the good or the bad? This year's results will be tracked on this sheet. I have tabs for previous seasons on there and will update the all-time stats on the 2024 tab when I get caught up.

Winners against the spread will be in BOLD. My result will follow. Let's see how the first full week went!

North Carolina (-1.5) at Minnesota: HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5

I didn't dream the game would be this close, especially after it was announced that Darius Taylor wouldn't play. Minnesota once again has a full stable of running backs and the defense is solid. Carolina lost Max Johnson for the year, but he didn't play well when he was in there and Conner Harrell almost beat him out in camp.

Coastal Carolina at Jacksonville State (-2.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1

Ethan Vasko looked really good in this one. Once again, Jacksonville State has another QB controversy on its hands. It spent all of its first season in FBS in the same boat.

Temple at (16) Oklahoma (-42.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

Jackson Arnold threw four touchdown passes and didn't even pass for 150 yards. It was one of those games.

Florida Atlantic at Michigan State (-13.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

This game did stay close. FAU shut out Sparty in the second half, but couldn't quite pull it out. UMass transfer Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams looked like the best player on the field. Maybe next time Aidan Chiles will think twice before running his trap...

Western Michigan at Wisconsin (-23.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

I bet the Broncos and the points in my parlays but forgot to change it here. Lesson learned. Wisconsin didn't look explosive in this game, but it didn't need to, either.

TCU (-9.5) at Stanford: MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

Stanford's defense still didn't come up with big plays and QB Ashton Daniels led the team in rushing. This is a game that TCU should have covered.

(14) Clemson vs. (1) Georgia (-12.5) at Atlanta: HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5

Georgia won this game by a massive score without the top two running backs on the depth chart. That's who Carson Beck is. He's the limousine driver that no one notices until you need him to get you out of a sticky situation.

Clemson hung around for a while, but it was apparent early on that Cade Klubnik isn't a lot better than he was last year. He still missed a lot of throws. It wasn't all the Georgia defense.

(8) Penn State (-8.5) at West Virginia: MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5

This game was never in question. The Penn State defense dominated this game. It was a solid game for Drew Allar and Harrison Wallace III became a household name. Julian who (and also...KeAndre who)?

Virginia Tech (-13.5) at Vanderbilt: MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5

This one was doomed from the beginning. Tech's offense was discombobulated the entire first half. By the time it finally got things going, Kyron Drones got hurt. He tried to come back in during overtime, but you could tell that he was no longer a threat to run.

Vanderbilt won a game while being seven or more points down in the fourth quarter for the first time in 61 games. This is a team that only won two games last year. I watched enough of Diego Pavia at New Mexico State last year to know that he was a talented player on a really bad team. I thought this year would be more of the same.

Vandy's offensive line and defense looked really good in this game. We won't remember by the time the Commodores get to SEC play, but this is a win they can hang their hats on. Tech was a dark horse to win the ACC this year.

Connecticut at Maryland (-20.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

Turns out that the Terps didn't need Taulia Tagovailoa after all. UConn's defense was the strength of the team last year. Tai Felton made them look like a Pop Warner secondary.

Kent State at Pittsburgh (-24.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

This was a nice debut for Eli Holstein. He gave Pitt the quarterback it has been missing since Kenny Pickett made himself into a first-round pick by Year 5. The running game is in good hands with Desmond Reid.

Yes, Kent is a Group of Five school, but it had a pretty good defense last year. You couldn't tell it here. This is the Pitt offense that has been missing for the last two years.

Akron at (2) Ohio State (-48.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1

I was close. The Zips lost by 46 instead of 45. If they had managed to score a TD instead of two field goals, I would have been Nostra-freaking-damus.

Colorado State at (4) Texas (-31.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

Colorado State isn't a bad team. Texas is just that good.

(19) Miami (FL) (-2.5) at Florida: HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5

You know ... if Florida had played a good game, it would have given Billy Napier some much-needed goodwill. Miami scored 41 on the Gators, which tied for the highest Hurricanes point total in the series (57 games). Not only is goodwill a pipe dream now, but Florida could have a historically bad season with that schedule.

Cam Ward was as-advertised. Xavier Restrepo couldn't be corralled. The defense looked good. Miami is going to party like it's 1986.

Florida International at Indiana (21.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

This Indiana team is going to be fun to watch.

UTEP at Nebraska (-27.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

A balanced Nebraska offense is dangerous with that defense on the other side of the ball. It's UTEP, so don't get too excited, but the schedule is set up for Nebraska to make a run.

Eastern Michigan at Massachusetts (-2.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1

I knew better. #neverUMASS

Ohio at Syracuse (-17.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

A slow start doomed this for me. Of course, allowing 203 rushing yards to Anthony Tyus III didn't help...

Kennesaw State at UTSA (-24.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

Kennesaw looked pretty good. What was more concerning was UTSA's inability to run the ball. It won't get very far this season if that remains the case.

Miami (OH) at Northwestern (-3.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

I'm telling you ... this palace has magic within its walls.

Boise State (-12.5) at Georgia Southern: HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

All the talk about the Malachi Nelson/Maddux Madsen saga, and we completely forgot about this guy.

Old Dominion at South Carolina (-20.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

Forget the cover...the Gamecocks barely broke 20!

North Texas at South Alabama (-6.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

It was too much Chandler Morris for the Jags.

Western Kentucky at (5) Alabama (-31.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

Nothing to see here. It's just like old Alabama with a new offensive genius at the helm.

UNLV at Houston (-2.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4

This is the game that I was most wrong about. Houston had no pulse. Every time it had a positive play, it was followed by a few negative ones. What a dominant performance by the UNLV defense.

Sam Houston at Rice (-9.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

This was an easy pick. I wish I would have put more on it. Sam Houston might have an offense to go with that stout defense this year.

Nevada at Troy (-9.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

It's nice to see Texas transfer Savion Red getting some run this year. The irony is that he would probably be getting the same run had he stayed in Austin with CJ Baxter done for the season.

(7) Notre Dame at (20) Texas A&M (-2.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4

Many Notre Dame fans (and fans of various ACC schools) opined that Sam Hartman might have held the Irish back last year instead of enhancing the offense. I never agreed. After watching this game, I'm starting to think they may have been onto something.

Fresno State at (9) Michigan (-20.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

I was feeling really good about this pick for the first 50 minutes or so. Michigan ultimately made me sweat it.

UCLA (-14.5) at Hawaii: MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1

For the life of me, I can't figure out how the UCLA offense was this bad with the braintrust of Deshaun Foster and Eric Bieniemy on the sidelines calling plays. Maybe Ethan Garbers is that bad...

Southern Mississippi at Kentucky (-25.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

That Kentucky defense is still top-notch. The offense, on the other hand...

Georgia State at Georgia Tech (-19.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1

Malik Rutherford is throwing his hat in the ring for best receiver in the ACC.

James Madison (-7.5) at Charlotte: HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

I almost raised this bet when the line started falling. I should have.

New Mexico at (21) Arizona (-31.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1

Tetairoa McMillan took everyone's mind off of how badly the Arizona defense played at times.

Wyoming at Arizona State (-7.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2

I know that Wyoming's offense will never set the world afire, but wow, it looked REALLY bad.

(23) USC vs. (13) LSU (-4.5): MISS!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3

Miller Moss looked good for the Trojans, but the defense was the real story in this one. With how awful that defense was last year, Trojans fans have to feel good about this one.

Boston College at (10) Florida State (-16.5): HIT!

Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4

My BC outright bet saved my weekend. I went too heavy on Virginia Tech and West Virginia.

 

College Football Betting Season Results

I had a decent first "full" week, going 20-17. That puts me at 21-18 on the season. We're ahead of Vegas! That's what counts. I should have gained some decent points this week.

The weekly totals follow the bet. Season totals are in parentheses.

1. 2-4 (2-4) = -2
2. 8-5 (8-6) = 4
3. 6-4 (6-4) = 6
4. 1-2 (2-2) = 0
5. 3-2 (3-2) = 5

I'm up 13 points to start the season. I can't tell you exactly how much I am up overall because in updating my spreadsheet for all past seasons, I found some "bookkeeping errors" back in 2015 and 2016. I'll get those updated sometime soon so we know exactly where I stand.

However, I am having issues finding all of my 2019 and 2020 articles. This may take longer than I planned.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More College Football Analysis

[jiffyNews category_include='21032' post_limit='8' headline='More Betting Picks'

POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Glasnow

Fans 11 in Seven No-Hit Innings Monday
Slade Cecconi

Takes No-Hitter Into Eighth Inning Monday
Max Muncy

Batting Cleanup in Return to Dodgers
New York Knicks

Ben Simmons Reportedly Declined Knicks' Contract Offer
Younghoe Koo

Falcons Auditioning Kickers, Could Replace Younghoe Koo
Denver Broncos

Sean Payton Says Broncos Need to be Better With Run-Pass Balance
Tank Bigsby

Eagles Acquiring Tank Bigsby From Jaguars on Monday
George Kittle

Likely Out 3-5 Weeks, Could Land on Injured Reserve
Chase Burns

to be Activated on Friday
Brock Purdy

Dealing With Multiple Injuries, Could Miss Week 2
Tyler Glasnow

Cleared to Start on Monday
Logan O'Hoppe

Placed on Concussion Injured List
Christian Yelich

Returning on Monday
Elias Pettersson

Feeling "Good" Ahead of Season
NHL

Alex Formenton Rejoins Swiss Team
NHL

Grigori Denisenko Heads Back Home
CAR

Kevin Labanc Joins Hurricanes for Tryout
Ross Colton

Healthy for Start of Season
Daniel Palencia

Cubs Place Daniel Palencia on Injured List With Shoulder Strain
Pete Crow-Armstrong

Returning on Monday
Sean Murphy

Done for the Year With Hip Labral Tear
Alec Bohm

Lands on Injured List With Cyst in his Shoulder
Trea Turner

Going on Injured List, Phillies Hope to Have him Back for Playoffs
Brock Bowers

Considered Day-to-Day With Knee Injury
Jonathan Taylor

is "Good" After Taking a Hit to his Neck in Week 1
Caio Borralho

Suffers His First UFC Loss
Kyle Stowers

Suffers Setback on Rehab Assignment?
Nassourdine Imavov

Extends Win Streak
Mauricio Ruffy

Gets Submitted
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Taps Out Mauricio Ruffy
Michael King

Expected to Return on Tuesday
Russell Wilson

Remains the Giants Starter
Trea Turner

Undergoing MRI Exam on Monday
Paul Craig

Retires After UFC Paris Loss
Denny Hamlin

Earns his First Cup Victory at Gateway
Kyle Larson

Damage Ruins Kyle Larson's Chance At a Top Finish at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Scores his Third Top-10 Finish at Gateway
Joey Logano

Maintains his Perfect Top-Five Streak at Gateway
Ryan Blaney

Struggles and Recovers for a Top-Five Finish at Gateway
Modestas Bukauskas

Scores First-Round Knockout
Bolaji Oki

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Xavier Worthy

Week-to-Week with Dislocated Shoulder
Mason Jones

Scores Comeback Win
Rhys McKee

Suffers Third-Round TKO Loss
Axel Sola

Successful In His UFC Debut
Robert Ruchała

Robert Ruchala Unsuccessful In His UFC Debut
William Gomis

Bounces Back In The Win Column
Derrick Henry

Scores Twice but has Costly Fumble on Sunday
Lamar Jackson

Shines With Three Total Touchdowns in Loss to Bills
Keon Coleman

Leads the Team With 11 Targets on Sunday
Josh Allen

Totals Four Touchdowns in Win Over Ravens
Chase Elliott

Gets Lucky but Still Has Best Run at Gateway
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Wins Stage 2, but Was Let Down by Strategy
Tyler Reddick

Despite Bad Luck, Tyler Reddick Does What he Needed to Do
Chase Briscoe

Recovers from Incident with Daniel Suarez to Finish Second
William Byron

Late Caution Foils William Byron's Shot at Gateway Victory
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates Targets in Seattle, Records 124 Receiving Yards in Week 1
Puka Nacua

Leads Rams in Targets, Catches, and Receiving Yards in Week 1
Logan O'Hoppe

Exits After Concussion Scare, Status Remains Unclear
Christian McCaffrey

Logs 31 Touches in Season Opener
Travis Etienne Jr.

Dominates Backfield Touches in Jacksonville, Posts Monster Day
Jayson Tatum

"Moving Around Way Better"
Russell Wilson

Giants Won't Commit to Russell Wilson as Week 2 Starter
Drake London

Day-to-Day with Shoulder Sprain
George Kittle

and Jauan Jennings to Undergo MRIs
Jake Moody

49ers to Evaluate Kicker Position After Jake Moody Struggles
Daniel Palencia

to Miss Time With Shoulder Injury
Byron Buxton

Exits Early With Knee Contusion
Trea Turner

Suffers Hamstring Strain
Ryan Blaney

Should Contend at Gateway
Denny Hamlin

Fastest in Qualifying, the Favorite to Win at Gateway
Christopher Bell

Looking for Redemption at Gateway
Joey Logano

Has Been Elite at Gateway
Austin Cindric

Should Be On Your Radar at Gateway
AJ Allmendinger

Could Be a Sleeper Again at Gateway
Tyler Reddick

Southern 500 Near-Miss Makes Tyler Reddick a Stronger Option for Gateway
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace a Likely Gateway Contender
Alex Bowman

a Long Shot to Advance in Playoffs
Austin Dillon

Richard Childress Racing Looks Slower at Gateway, Which Will Hurt Austin Dillon
Shane Van Gisbergen

Starts 18th in Gateway Debut
Bubba Chandler

to Make First Start on Sunday
Samuel Basallo

Exits Early with Hand Injury
Jeremy Swayman

Ready to Get Back on Track
Connor McDavid

Aiming for More Goals
NJ

Luke Glendening Signs Tryout Deal With Devils
Dylan Harper

Hoping to be Ready for the Opener Versus Dallas
EDM

Derek Ryan Retires From Hockey
Connor Zary

Agrees to Three-Year Deal With Flames
Carey Price

Canadiens Trade Carey Price to Sharks
Rasmus Hojgaard

Finishes Tied For Second at Omega European Masters
Tyrrell Hatton

Finishes Tied for 32nd at LIV Indianapolis
Matt Fitzpatrick

Finishes Fifth at Omega European Masters
Patrick Cantlay

Finishes Tied For Second in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Xander Schauffele

Finishes 42nd in 2025 FedEx Cup Standings
Caio Borralho

Set For A Title Eliminator Bout
Nassourdine Imavov

Looks To Earn A Title Shot
Mauricio Ruffy

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Benoît Saint Denis

Benoit Saint Denis Set For UFC Paris Co-Main Event
Modestas Bukauskas

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Paul Craig

In Dire Need Of Victory
Mason Jones

Set for Main-Card Bout
Bolaji Oki

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Rhys McKee

Set To Open Up UFC Paris Main Card
Jon Rahm

Looks to Prove His Importance on European Ryder Cup Team
Tommy Fleetwood

Among Leaders of European Ryder Cup Team
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Close to Triple-Double Versus Serbia
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic Fills Box Score Against Turkey
Nikola Jović

Nikola Jovic Shakes Off Minor Injury
E.J. Liddell

Inks Two-Way Deal With Nets
NBA

Ben Simmons Reportedly Considering Retirement
P.J. Washington

Agrees to Four-Year, $90 Million Extension
Sepp Straka

Gets Captain's Pick to Join Team Europe
PGA

Victor Hovland to Make Third Ryder Cup Appearance for Team Europe
J.J. Spaun

Set to Represent Team USA for First Time at Bethpage
Russell Henley

Makes First Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Harris English

Named to Ryder Cup Team for Second Time
Justin Thomas

Making Fourth Ryder Cup Team Appearance at Bethpage
Ben Griffin

Making First Career Ryder Cup Appearance at Bethpage
Bryson DeChambeau

Set to be Part of Team USA at Bethpage
Santi Aldama

Bags Double-Double in Losing Effort
Guerschon Yabusele

Erupts for 36 Points Against Poland
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Leads Slovenia Into Next Round at EuroBasket
San Antonio Spurs

Stanley Umude Signs Training Camp Deal With Spurs
Reece Beekman

Joins Magic for Training Camp
Justin Minaya

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Magic

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP