Once again, there could be some rather intriguing affairs involving teams not in any of the Power-5 conferences.
In the MAC, the Buffalo Bulls can take a major step toward a division title with a Tuesday win.
There are also a pair of interesting pairings in the American Athletic Conference, with the always-exciting Houston-Southern Methodist showdown, as well as UCF trying to build off last week’s huge win over Cincinnati.
Independents Notre Dame and Liberty drew Clemson and Arkansas, respectively. Liberty has forged into the top 25 in the Associated Press poll with its 7-1 start.
Something to consider for those two bets online is the two games in the MAC Tuesday have totals of 63 and 59.
Let’s check the latest NCAAF picks, stats, injury reports, and NCAAF predictions. We’ve plenty of NCAAF expert picks for you to consider.
Game of the Week
Buffalo Bulls vs Ohio Bobcats
- Date, time (TV): Tuesday, Nov. 1st, 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
- Line: Buffalo -3
First place in the Mid-American East Division is at stake when Ohio (5-3, 3-1) hosts division-leading Buffalo (5-3, 4-0).
In the wide-open MAC, the Bulls and Bobcats are two of the four teams that have allowed less than 100 points in conference play.
Ohio is second in the MAC in total offense, but last in total defense, however.
Quarterbacks Kurtis Rourke (Ohio) and Cole Snyder (Buffalo) have a combined 28 touchdown passes and eight interceptions.
Buffalo safety Marcus Fuqua had three interceptions in last week’s win over MAC West Division-leading Toledo.
Congrats to @UBFootball junior safety Marcus Fuqua, who has been named Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA)! 🏈#UBHornsUP | #MACtion pic.twitter.com/LZCKYUyrk8
— #MACtion (@MACSports) October 25, 2022
The home team has won 10 of the last 11 games in this series, three of the last four decided by seven or fewer points..
Other Games to Watch
UCF Knights vs Memphis Tigers
- Date, time (TV): Saturday, Nov. 5th, 3:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
- Line: UCF -3½
UCF (6-2, 3-1) is coming off a huge win, as the Knights handed Cincinnati its first conference loss since 2019. Now, they travel to face a 4-4 Memphis team looking to snap a three-game losing streak. The losses (Houston, East Carolina and Tulane) were by a total of 13 points.
Two of the top three rushing defenses in the American Athletic Conference will meet.
Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan missed last season\’s game against UCF. He has thrown four interceptions over the last two games. Meanwhile, UCF quarterback Mikey Keene completed 15-of-21 passes in his 2022 debut.
UCF has won 13 of the last 14 games between the teams. Memphis has covered against the college football betting lines in half of the last eight contests.
Houston Cougars vs SMU Mustangs
- Date, time (TV): Saturday, Nov. 5th, 7 p.m. ET (NFL Network)
- Line: SMU -3
Flying under the radar compared to the game last season, the teams now have a combined three losses in American Athletic Conference play.
SMU (4-4, 2-2) has had injuries at the quarterback position. Tanner Mordecai missed last week’s win over Tulsa, while there are reports Preston Stone could miss the rest of the season. Houston’s (5-3, 3-1) Clayton Tune has 2,208 yards (21 touchdowns, four interceptions).
Two of three AAC players with at least 60 catches figure to have key roles in this game. SMU’s Rashee Rice has 62 catches (conference-leading 982 yards). Houston’s Nathaniel Dell leads the conference with 10 receiving touchdowns.
It’s interesting that just three of the last eight games between the Cougars and Mustangs have finished over the college football odds total.
UTSA Roadrunners vs UAB Blazers
- Date, time (TV): Saturday, Nov. 5th, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Line: UTSA -1
It will be strength against strength. Conference USA-leading UTSA (6-2, 4-0) is tied for the lead in scoring offense, while UAB (4-4, 2-3) has the top-scoring defense in the country.
Noah Wilder leads UAB with 75 tackles. He is going to see plenty of UTSA running back Brenden Brady, coming off a season-high 112 rushing yards (two touchdowns).
UAB had won four games in a row in this series before the Roadrunners emerged with a 34-31 win a season ago, listed by the sportsbook as a 3½-point favorite.
Liberty Flames vs Arkansas Razorbacks
- Date, time (TV): Saturday, Nov. 5th, 4 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
- Line: Arkansas -13½
Liberty (7-1) is coming off an impressive win over Brigham Young. Johnathan Bennett completed 24-of-29 passes (247 yards, two touchdowns), 46 rushing yards as well.
The Liberty defense held BYU to 71 rushing yards.
Since missing the game against Mississippi St., Arkansas quarterback K.J. Jefferson has 601 yards (six touchdowns, no interceptions, 57 rush yards) in the next two contests.
Liberty has to slow down the Hogs’ duo of Drew Sanders and Jordan Domineck, as they have a combined dozen sacks.
Liberty lost its two previous games against SEC teams, outscored, 80-14.
Clemson Tigers vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish
- Date, time (TV): Saturday, Nov. 5th, 7:30 p.m. (NBC)
- Line: Clemson -4½
This was supposed to have serious College Football Playoff implications. It still does if you’re the visiting Tigers.
Clemson has been living dangerously of late, wins by six points against both Florida St. and Syracuse. The Tigers are coming off a bye. Perhaps that helps solve passing-game issues,
Notre Dame is coming off a road thrashing of Syracuse, now 2-0 against the ACC this season.
Audric Estime ran through ‘Cuse (146 yards, two touchdowns) last week.
Clemson has won four of the six games between the schools. The last meeting came in the 2020 ACC title game when Notre Dame spent the season in the conference. Clemson was a 34-10 winner when listed as a 10½-point favorite.
