Week 13 College Football Friday Night Picks Today, Best Bets

This hurts to say, but this is the final Friday night slate of the college football season. Of course, we still have a full slate in Week 14, but the majesty of playing under the bright lights on Friday will be lost to the entire day of action that precedes it. We intend to make the most of the remaining schedule, starting with the trio of games in Week 13.

Temple Owls vs UTSA Roadrunners

Spread: Temple +16.5 (-106) | UTSA -16.5 (-114)
Moneyline: Temple +530 | UTSA -780
Total: OVER 55.5 (-114) | UNDER 55.5 (-106)

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Inconsistent defensive efforts have limited the UTSA Roadrunners‘ ceiling this year, but they won’t face much of a challenge on Friday night. The 5-5 Roadrunners host an underwhelming Temple Owls side that is already bowl-ineligible and just trying to limp to the end of the season. 

Of course, that’s without even considering UTSA’s scoring prowess. The Roadrunners have seen a dramatic increase in production and scoring over their recent schedule. The AAC also-rans have topped 44 points and 516 yards in each of their past three contests. More impressively, they’re averaging 545.0 yards and 45.7 points per game over that stretch. The Roadrunners are primed for sustained success against a laughable Owls defense. 

While Temple held the FAU Owls in check last week, that was an outlier in an otherwise unbecoming record. Their two prior opponents eclipsed the 50-point threshold. The Tulane Green Wave dropped 52 on the Owls, with the East Carolina Panthers recording 56. Moreover, both teams reached at least 500 yards of total offense. 

UTSA has several pronounced advantages in this one. The Roadrunners’ offense should thrive against an inferior Owls defensive unit, while their defense will get a break against the unproductive visitors. In the end, UTSA should run away with this one, easily covering the double-digit spread.

Recommended Play: UTSA -16.5 -114

2024 Group of 5 Power Rankings | Week 13 of College Football Season

Purdue Boilermakers vs Michigan State Spartans

Spread: Purdue +13.5 (-105) | Michigan State -13.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Purdue +430 | Michigan State -600
Total: OVER 48.5 (-105) | UNDER 48.5 (-115)

It’s been a tough go for the Michigan State Spartans and Purdue Boilermakers. But at least it was expected to be. Sadly, Michigan State has exceeded expectations en route to a 4-6 record, while the Boilermakers have fallen to just 1-9 on the season. There’s plenty more at stake for the Spartans who are looking to win out and sneak into a bowl game. Still, we don’t like their chances of covering the hefty number against Purdue.

Michigan State has barely scored 13 points in any of its past three outings. They haven’t recorded more than 17 points in any of those contests, with a paltry average of 14.3 points per game. Predictably, that correlates with ineffective production, as the Spartans have been held to an average of 296.0 yards per game over that sample. 

Purdue has ran a gauntlet of top teams recently. Three of their past four opponents are ranked inside the top five, eroding their season-long metrics. Nevertheless, they’ve stacked up well against inferior opponents all season. Versus teams with a sub .500 record, the Boilermakers are averaging 413.0 yards of total offense and 30.0 points per game. Granted, a season-opener against FCS Indiana State is propping up those metrics, but they’ve recorded at least 20 points in all three of those games. 

There’s no salvaging the season, but Boilermakers can at least try and end the season with their heads held high. We’re expecting them to hang tough against the Spartans and cover the +13.5 spread.

Recommended Play: Purdue +13.5 -105

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UNLV Rebels vs San Jose State Spartans

Spread: UNLV -7.5 (-106) | San Jose State +7.5 (-114)
Moneyline: UNLV -275 | San Jose State +220
Total: OVER 61.5 (-110) | UNDER 61.5 (-110)

The Mountain West Championship Game contestants still need to be determined, and the UNLV Rebels are doing their part to upset the party. The Rebels need to win out and hope the Colorado State Rams stumble, but could still need help in the tiebreaker calculations to usurp the Rams. Offense is what’s gotten UNLV to its 8-2 record and we don’t expect them to take their foot off the pedal against the San Jose State Spartans on Friday night.

A mid-season quarterback change did nothing to hamper the Rebels’ offensive success. They’re averaging more yards than at any point this season, with the Rebels up to 449.0 over their previous three contests. However, there’s an inverse relationship with scoring, implying they are progression candidates over their last few games. UNLV has seen a dip in output, with their points per game falling to 31.3 over the three-game sample. Sustained production should start to yield more points, and that upward trajectory starts against the Spartans. 

San Jose State doesn’t possess the defensive faculties to stymie the Rebels, but it definitely has the offense to keep pace. The Spartans have seen an increase in offensive production lately, averaging 457.3 yards per game over their last four. That’s bumped their season-long average up to 437.6, pushing the Spartans into the top 25 in total offense.

Expect these teams to trade points all night. Both the Rebels and Spartans run their offenses without consequence, and we’re anticipating another strong showing from both programs. In the end, this one should easily sail over the 61.5 total.

Recommended Play: Over 61.5 -110

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