Thursday NCAA Football Predictions, Odds & Best Bets

Published: Thu Oct 17, 2024, 9:10 am ET

Read Time: 5 minutes

Kyron Drones has 16 total touchdowns and 5 interceptions on the year - California Virginia Tech Picks

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Thursday Night Football is here in the NFL as the Denver Broncos take on the New Orleans Saints, but we also have two games on the college gridiron as well! So of course, we had to dig in and find our best bets for the football action tonight!

Be sure to check out all of our NCAA Football game pieces and Expert Picks for the entire weekend, but for now, let's look at tonight's games!

Thursday Night NCAA Football Best Bets

Georgia State vs Marshall Best Bets

Will Marshall take down Georgia State at home?

AJ Turner runs for over 9.5 yards per carry this season

Betting Odds

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Georgia State +9 (-113)
Marshall -9 (-107)
Over/Under 51.5

Best Bet: Marshall 1H -4.5 (-110) Bovada

We are betting on the Thundering Herd to come out firing, like they've done all season long. I especially like that they are back at home, coming off a very tough loss on the road, now facing a much inferior opponent. For starters, Marshall has covered this number in 4/6 games this season. The two they didn't cover? At Ohio State and at Virginia Tech. Marshall was down 14-28 to the Buckeyes and 7-10 to the Hokies at halftime.

However, at home, they are crushing teams early, outscoring their three opponents 62-20 in the first half at home. Now, Marshall loves to run the ball. As a team, their QB has the most carries on the team, and they have twice as many rushing yards as they do through the air. This means that they will milk the clock, march down the field and keep Georgia State's offense on the sidelines.

The Thundering Herd should live up to the name and have no problem running the ball, as the Panthers give up 200 yards per game and 5 yards per rush, with those stats inflating to 225 and 6.6 on the road this season. Marshall is going into a bye week so there is no worry of a look ahead spot, and even last week, they led 16-3 at half before melting down in the fourth quarter.

Back at home, I like Marshall to start hot, and we can get in and out with this bet after they lead at halftime by two scores. I honestly like this number up to 6.5.

Boston College vs Virginia Tech Best Bets

Stephen Gosnell is a solid WR2 for the Hokies

Back Stephen Gosnell to go over his receiving yards line tonight

Betting Odds

Boston College +7.5 (-110)
Virginia Tech -7.5 (-110)
Over/Under 48.5

Best Bets: Stephen Gosnell Over 29.5 Receiving Yards (-114) BetOnline

Now, I lean with Virginia Tech in this game, and do think we see plenty of points. Kyron Drones does like to run, but he can still sling it, and the way to attack this Boston College defense is certainly through the air. The Golden Eagles rank 30th in rushing yards allowed while they are 89th in passing yards allowed per game.

Stephen Gosnell is the WR2 and should not be confused with his brother Benji who plays Tight End. This season, Gosnell has 15 catches for 276 yards and caught his first TD pass of the season in their last game. With both teams coming off a bye week, I see BC focusing on Jaylin Lane, which will open up the deep ball for Gosnell later in the game.

The Senior Wideout has cleared this line in 4/6 games, posting 50+ in each of those games. He averages 18.4 yards per reception, and has a catch of at least 21+ yards in 5/6 games this season. In a game where I expect points, I see this guy getting a minimum of 3 receptions, which should be plenty to clear this line. When he does cover 30+ receiving yards, he typically goes over, ending games with 72, 54, 21, 23, 53, and 53 yards this season, so this could be a ladder spot if you're feeling frisky.

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Nate Hornung

Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.

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