Thursday Night College Football: Expert NCAA Football Picks & Predictions (10/1)

Thursday brings us plenty of football action to choose from. Not only do we have an AFC North Divisional Battle on Prime Video, as the Cleveland Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers in the NFL. But we also have not one, but two college games on the slate for our viewing pleasure. The C-USA and American Conferences begin league play, as Western Kentucky takes on New Mexico State in Las Cruces, and North Texas faces the Golden Hurricane in Tulsa. Keep reading for our expert NCAA Football picks below, and check out our CFB Week 5 best bets on Study Hall on the Betting News Youtube.

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NCAA Football Thursday's Predictions – October 1

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Western Kentucky Hilltoppers vs. New Mexico State Aggies NCAA Football Picks

Rodney Tisdale and the Hilltoppers finally won a game last week. Can they find another against a C-USA opponent?

We are simply not going to bet on this game. Both of these teams are 1-3 on the year, beginning conference play in a season that is already over. Western Kentucky lost three straight to Nevada, Georgia, and Indiana, but are coming off thumping Mercyhurst 52-7 last week. As for the Aggies, they lost to Florida State, beat Mercyhurst 51-14, then followed it up with losses to Hawaii and New Mexico.

I would lean with the Hilltoppers, just from a battle tested standpoint. They have played two top five teams in the country, sure, losing on an aggregate score of 108-20, but that should still prepare them for this league matchup on the road. I am also not convinced that New Mexico State is good enough to be favored over anybody in the FBS, yet here we are.

No play for me, as I'll be paying attention to the other NCAA Football game, as well as TNF on Prime.

Check out Picks and Statistics for Western Kentucky vs. New Mexico State here!

North Texas Mean Green vs. Tulsa Golden Hurricane NCAA Football Picks

Tayven Jackson led North Texas to a massive win over UNLV. Can they start out conference play with a victory?

Best Bet: North Texas ML (-105) BetOnline

We are confidently backing the Mean Green on the road as they head slightly up north to take on Tulsa in Oklahoma. Sure, the Golden Hurricane took down Oklahoma State at home in Week 1 of the season, upsetting the Big 12 Dark Horse as two touchdown home underdogs. But what have they done since? They barely beat Sam Houston, smacked an FCS squad, and then played a horrendous Arkansas Razorbacks team, losing 34-6 in the process.

Against Oklahoma State, Tulsa was out gained by the Cowboys, they were just 1/11 on third down, and in my mind, they lucked out based on some turnovers. Things weren't better against Arkansas, going for just 241 total yards and 5/14 on third down. Even against Power Four teams, that doesn't impress me.

North Texas is a rock solid G6 school, and they are much more battle tested. They faced the Indiana Hoosiers in Week 1, and actually out gained them in terms of total yards, despite the 52-16 scoreboard. After that, they beat UNLV 44-6, lost a close shootout to Texas State on the road, and are coming off a win over Houston Christian. But this team, led by QB Tayven Jackson, put up more yards than the defending National Champions, and they went a combined 17/28 on third down against UNLV and Texas State, two teams that are much better than Tulsa.

Facing the Golden Hurricane tonight should feel easy, and I see the Mean Green cruising to a victory.

Check out Picks and Statistics for North Texas vs. Tulsa here!

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