It’s the first full week of college football, and Friday may seem like more of a bridge to get to the main course. Don’t fall for the trap, as the limited slate still provides tremendous value. From Wisconsin opening its season to an expected rout of the Temple Owls by Oklahoma, we have some nice areas to exploit with help from our Underdog Optimizer to find the best CFB Underdog pick’em predictions.
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Underdog Fantasy CFB Pick’em Predictions Today
Want more CFB pick’em strategy? Check out our other CFB articles and CFB +EV picks, and be sure to explore our guide to Underdog Fantasy!
Tyler Van Dyke H/L Than 255.0 Passing Yards
There’s a small price to pay for a heavy advantage against an opponent. That’s what both Wisconsin and Ohio State have done over the first two week of the season. It is not to say that Western Michigan is overlooking the Badgers with the Buckeyes on deck; rather the smaller school of the three is getting paid to get blasted. With a 24-point line at the time, Wisconsin is primed to control this game, and Tyler Van Dyke is going to need a closer game or multiple huge plays to pass 255 yards.
The Broncos are 17th in returning production despite being large dogs over the first two games. They have enough starting talent back to keep this close enough, mainly on defense. While there’s possibility of a blowout, the Badgers will run it up before Van Dyke hits 256 yards in the air. It is not an easy correlation to take what he’s done in Miami and try to paste it to Wisconsin’s offense. Instead, it’s more likely he will merge into the system than control it. Lower than 255 passing yards is the play.
Underdog Fantasy Pick’em Prediction: Tyler Van Dyke Lower Than 255.0 Passing Yards
Tiger Bachmeier H/L Than 38.5 Receiving Yards
Stanford is far from what it once was, as the now-struggling university opens with a tough matchup. TCU and coach Sonny Dykes had a fantastic offseason with returning starters and the transfer portal. While we like TCU to win, Stanford should find a way to cover. That won’t transfer over enough to the Cardinal offense and ultimately will limit Tiger Bachmeier‘s production.
It’s truly the only way the Cardinal can keep this respectable enough to cover. Even in a 7- to 10-point loss, Stanford should close down enough Horned Frogs drives; it’s just a matter of can the offense score. Bachmeier has crushed this projection in the past, but those came in shootouts. Even in a tighter loss to Washington last year, he cleared 90 receiving yards.
That changes in closer games dictated by tempo and defense. TCU might hold Stanford to two scores and a field goal; that would be the ceiling. Don’t be shocked to see Stanford struggle despite returning talent, as it’s the type of talent not just the bodies.
Underdog Fantasy Pick’em Prediction: Tiger Bachmeier Lower Than 38.5 Receiving Yards
