Make no mistake about this one; this is not going to be a battle of the titans by any means. This will be about as pedestrian and lackluster as any game one may come across. However, someone has to win, and my money is on UTEP to do just that. After all, Harris remains a question mark, and even if he is good to go, he will be spearheading the 126th-ranked scoring offense and will not be at 100%. This fact will undoubtedly put UTSA at a disadvantage. For UTEP however, there are not many games on its schedule that it may see as winnable. This match, however, is one game that the Miners know they can win and will be motivated to do so as they can end a rival’s recent supremacy in this series before whatever die-hards sweat this one out with the Miners.

Barring a minor miracle Georgia is going to win this game, and playing on the road means the spread is a few points friendlier. In fact, if the Bulldogs just win this one by last season's score, they'll cover. We're giving the points with UGA for our free college football pick.

Lest we also forget that Caleb Evans and several other upperclassmen recollect their dance with Memphis two years ago where the Warhawks played the Tigers tough in Memphis. UL Monroe will not be intimidated by this Memphis team and if anything they are delighted that they get to host the re-match with local support behind them. For UL Monroe this could very well be a case of unfinished business, and I expect the Warhawks to throw the kitchen sink at the Tigers. With a steady dose of Evans and Running Back Josh Johnson, Monroe could easily lose this by a mere touchdown. To play it safe, I'd say that number can be as high as two touchdowns-plus conversions. Either way, the three-point line move away from Memphis will be a pivotal ingredient in what I believe will be a profitable venture in taking the points.

Baylor is undefeated and came away with a win in their last game despite blowing a 20-point lead heading into the 4th quarter. They won last season at home facing Kansas State, and this game will be their biggest test, especially for their run defense. Kansas State looks to get over losing badly in their last match where their run defense was torched. They have a better rushing attack, and that will show in this game. The Wildcats will dictate the pace on the ground and control time of possession, and while their defense will give up some points, they will come out on top and cover the slight spread moving to 1-1 in Big 12 play and handing Baylor their first loss of the season.

We give Auburn the edge in the quarterback match-up and the comparison of the running games. And while Florida may own a slight advantage when comparing the two defenses, it's close. Also, the Tigers own the better record this season against quality opponents. We'll give the short spread here with Auburn for our free college football pick.

Auburn's the better team here, namely on defense, and Mississippi State is banged up on offense. Also, four of the last five meetings in this series have been decided by double-digits. So despite the recent betting trend in this rivalry, we're taking the Tigers for our free college football pick.

Kansas State won their last game even though they were outgained and had more turnovers. However, they found a way to win and won the last time facing the Cowboys in their house. Oklahoma State put up a fight in their previous game, and this game will be a close one as well. However, Hubbard will bounce back and have another big game, he has two 200+ rushing games already, and the Cowboys will win and cover handing Kansas State their first loss of the season.

Florida Atlantic has too much to overcome here. The Owls are in prime position to be “out-physicaled” by these 49ers who have the mental edge heading into this game. When Charlotte’s home presence is also factored into the mix, I certainly see FAU’s road cover streak coming to an end in this spot emphatically. The 49ers will wear down the Owls and run the ball down their throat to what can easily turn into a blow-out victory for the up-start Charlotte program.

Alabama is going to win this game; the only things that really matter are the point-spread and the margin of victory. The Tide, however, is also banged up, with several guys on both sides of the trenches either out or questionable. Also, the line on this game is inflated because 'Bama's playing at home and because of the final scores of the last two meetings (66-3 and 62-7). Meanwhile, Ole Miss got some good play out of its quarterbacks last week. We'll take the Rebs and the points for our free college football pick.

It may seem very tempting to fade Old Dominion here as some may think that the Monarchs may not be as enthusiastic about this affair compared to the last two games they played. Moreover, ECU will look like a very tempting Money Line play likely in many instances given their supremacy in this series. However, I will not buy into to either of these sentiments. Old Dominion will look to capitalize on what will be a definite step down in competition and take out all of its acrimony built up from their last two games this season on East Carolina. I can also see ODU wanting to wreck the Pirates as they have never won against them and ECU also ruined ODU's FBS debut (the first loss in this series a 52-38 ECU victory in 2013) and broke their hearts last year when they met again. Old Dominion will put the pedal to the floor and never look back. I can see this game getting ugly very quick. At the bare minimum, I have Old Dominion winning this game by a double-digit margin, but it could easily be a rout of three-scores plus.

Georgia is the better team here and should win this game, but Notre Dame has enough to keep things interesting. Also, playing at home means the line on the Bulldogs is inflated.  And on top of that, we have no problem betting against the public flow. We'll take the Irish and the points here for our free college football pick.

Oklahoma has had Texas' number in their house in the last several years and has won four straight against them overall. All good things must come to an end, and the winning streak for the Cowboys over the Longhorns will end in this game. This contest will be a high scoring game, but Texas has the better QB, and they will expose the weaknesses of Oklahoma State. This game will not be a blowout, but Texas will get the win and cover the spread sending the Cowboys to their first loss of the season. 

This will be a renaissance game for the Panthers who I expect will take out their frustration on this Panthers team with style. A cover will never be in question here as I expect the Panthers wreak havoc from the opening kick-off and paste UNH. This game will be over by the half, but I expect FIU to savor the flavor and build continuity. Florida International can win this game by several scores, and I advise all to lay this number with confidence.

Kentucky had its day last season in Gainesville, but Florida is the better team in this match-up, mainly on defense, and should win this game. And playing on the road means the spread is a bit friendlier. We're giving the points with the Gators for our free college football pick.

Many of the games in the last several seasons between these teams have been close, and this one will be close as well. Iowa State was far from impressive in their win over Northern Iowa, but they have had two weeks to get ready for this game. These teams will play it close until the 4th quarter when Stanley will take over and lead the Hawkeyes to a win, and they will also cover the spread as well.

I can see this game being settled by two scores, but this game will never truly get away from UTSA. Given the styles of play and methodical pace that both teams generally play at, a two-touchdown lead can seem daunting to overcome. UTSA will malinger for three quarters until Army finally puts them away. I can't see Army getting ahead by more than three touchdowns, especially since both their passing and kicking game are suspect. The Black Knights will be forced to go for touchdowns only, and they will do so in the most one-dimensional way imaginable which makes this number seem a bit hard to overcome. Should the Black Knights get up by more than two scores nothing is stopping a late junk-time touchdown to bring Frank Wilson's Road Runner crew under this number, as well.

Alabama's going to win this game, so the only thing that really matters is the point spread. If this game were being played in Tuscaloosa, the Tide would probably be favored by 33-34 points, but playing on the road means the spread is a bit more amenable. Also, while Coach Saban has shown a tendency to ease up on lesser non-conference foes, he doesn't do that with SEC opponents or former assistant coaches. We're betting 'Bama here, and we're getting down early before that spread goes any higher.

Take Alabama -26

Do I think Norfolk State can actually win this game? I wouldn't suggest that, but stranger things have happened. Here is what will happen. The Spartans will hang around in this game for longer than Coastal Carolina hopes for. Even if Coastal Carolina were to jump out to a lead, I don't see the Monarchs going away so easily. After all, NSU trailed ODU by 14, and they still managed to claw their way back into the game where it was too close for comfort for the Monarchs. There is little question that Coastal Carolina will have their eye off the ball heading into this game as there will be a slew of parties and celebrations throughout the week and all the more makes them susceptible to come in flat on Saturday. I see this game being settled by one possession. Grab the inflated points.

Against Arizona, the Rainbow Warriors committed six turnovers, and they gave up 539 yards of total offense. With respect to this narrative, Arizona was literally a yard away from sending the game to overtime. Had the contest gone to extra time who is to say that Hawaii gets the job done and pulls off the victory? Oregon State now enters into this contest playing the role that Hawaii did in its previous effort. Given the offensive connotation that will undoubtedly surround this game, I much rather have points to work with as opposed to spotting them. Furthermore, should Hawaii play sloppy as it did against Arizona, I don't like their prospects of pulling another rabbit out from under their hat. I am going to go ahead and put the Rainbow Warriors on upset alert.

As a whole, I was keen to believe that Texas State would take a step forward in 2019. This is their first opportunity to do so. Opening up on the road as a tune-up opponent against one of the trendiest teams in the country that boasts a top-12 ranking is not a good way of measuring the potential of this Bobcats team. However, playing against a notable mid-major that overachieved in Week One is an excellent barometer for determining what this Texas State bunch can do. I would not be shocked by any stretch if the Bobcats won this one outright, but I will play it conservative and take the points.