Picks for 9/19/26

College Football
Vanderbilt -3 over NC State (win)
Rotation #134 / 12:45 PM EST
The Jared Curtis era begins in Nashville today as the five-star freshman and Vanderbilt’s highest-rated recruit makes his first start. There will be growing pains, but Vanderbilt should be able to hand the ball off to senior running backs Sedrick Alexander and Makhilyn Young to loosen up an NC State front seven that lacks experience. Curtis can then take his one-on-one shots. Wolfpack QB CJ Bailey has plenty of big-game experience, but NC State lacks proven talent at receiver, so it may be hard to generate offense on the road against a talented Commodores secondary. Vanderbilt has the bodies up front to contain the Wolfpack running game and exploit its size advantage in the trenches and at receiver. Take Vanderbilt.

College Football
USC -21.5 over Rutgers (loss)
USC/Rutgers Over 57.5 (win)
Rotation #147 / 3:30 PM EST
Greg Schiano is on the hot seat at Rutgers, and his team will be outmatched in almost every game this season. Rutgers doesn’t have a proven quarterback, and its main offensive bright spot, Antwan Raymond, is questionable to play today. Rutgers’ best chance to get big plays is through the air against a USC defense still getting familiar with Gary Patterson’s play calling. The Rutgers receivers do have good size. The Trojans are far superior in this matchup. Jayden Maiava is a great quarterback, and USC has no shortage of running backs, led by Waymond Jordan and King Miller. The Trojans will attack a young Scarlet Knights secondary and a front seven that lacks big-name talent. It’ll be tough to slow them down. I don’t like playing massive spreads, but I just don’t know how Schiano is going to slow Lincoln Riley’s team down today. Take USC. Take the Over. No Parlays.

College Football
South Carolina -4 over Mississippi State (loss)
Rotation #164 / 4:15 PM EST
Mississippi State got an impressive road win over Minnesota last week and looks much better than it did last year. The Bulldogs have size on their offensive line and can run with Fluff Bothwell and dual-threat QB Kamario Taylor. I don’t know if I trust the inexperienced Taylor’s arm enough to pull off a road win in conference play against an improved South Carolina team that was also just 1-7 in SEC play last year. Gamecocks QB LaNorris Sellers has plenty of big targets, led by Nyck Harbor. South Carolina has a little more talent on defense and a size advantage in the back end that can challenge receivers on jump balls. The Gamecocks also have a distinct advantage in the return game with Vicari Swain and Harbor. I like South Carolina better in all three phases. Take South Carolina.

College Football
Ole Miss +3 over LSU
Rotation #198 / 7:30 PM EST
Lane Kiffin will face his old team in Oxford this evening. All we have heard this offseason is about his coaching job and the Tigers, but very little about Ole Miss. Kiffin left a stacked football team led by players he recruited, and the Rebels’ locker room should have some hard feelings and a desire for revenge. QB Trinidad Chambliss is a special dual-threat player. Kewan Lacy will make a lot of money at the next level, and the Rebels have a wealth of talent at receiver. The Rebels are physical and won’t be scared of the #7-ranked Tigers. Both teams are outstanding and can make a deep playoff run. I give the edge to Ole Miss’ defense, which is stacked at all levels and can disrupt a Tigers team that likes to play fast. Fast is fun to watch, but early in the season it can lead to sloppy mistakes. LSU QB Sam Leavitt was downgraded to doubtful and then, miraculously, upgraded the next day. What’s up with that? Take Ole Miss.

College Football
Virginia -10.5 over West Virginia
Rotation #188 / 7:30 PM EST
West Virginia is another team we talked about that likes to play fast. It’s fun to watch, and against weaker competition, it can make a team look unstoppable. Still, early in the season, as the competition gets tougher, that style can haunt teams, especially those that aren’t the most experienced. The Mountaineers have an inexperienced offensive line with four new starters. The running back room is brand new, as is QB Michael Hawkins. I like Virginia much more, especially in the trenches. The Cavaliers have the most experienced offensive line in college football and will use their size advantage to run the ball and give QB Beau Pribula time to find his targets downfield. West Virginia has a lot of defensive turnover on its roster and is very inexperienced heading into its first road game of the season. Tony Elliott had a great campaign in 2025 and is looking to build on it. The Cavaliers are the better program right now and should win by double digits. Take Virginia.