Friday CFB Predictions: Best Bets Across the Night’s Slate (Nov. 6)
By Chris Amberley in College Football
Published:
- Friday night college football brings three betting angles across two games
- A short home number and two stingy defenses shape my card
- Keep reading for my Friday CFB predictions, including the best bets across the night’s slate for Nov. 6
Friday’s college football slate gives bettors two games worth attacking: South Florida at East Carolina and No. 22 New Mexico at Nevada. Each matchup offers a clear betting advantage once you look past the records.
USF arrives at 6-2 while ECU sits at 4-4, but the Pirates have produced more yardage per game. In Reno, a 7-1 New Mexico team meets a 3-5 Nevada squad with one of the country’s stingiest pass defenses.
Below, I break down my Friday CFB predictions and best bets across the night’s slate.
Friday College Football Best Bets
Odds as of Nov. 5, 2026, 6:38–6:43 p.m. ET.
The key number on the college football odds board is the short East Carolina spread. A 51¢ Kalshi contract implies a 51% chance the Pirates win by three or more. In the New Mexico vs. Nevada odds, the 38.5 total at -110 implies a 52.4% breakeven on the Under. Compare prices with our College Football betting apps.
Friday CFB Prediction #1: East Carolina -2.5 vs South Florida
- Pick: East Carolina -2.5 (51¢ on Kalshi)
South Florida owns the better record and the stronger profile on paper. The Bulls score 27 points per game, allow just 14.5 and sit at +5 in turnover margin. Quarterback Michael van Buren has completed 116 of 181 passes for 1,273 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions.
That makes this East Carolina vs. South Florida prediction a bet on a short home number rather than a talent mismatch. ECU averages 351 total yards per game, ahead of USF’s 314.6, and its defense is coming off a 17-9 win over Temple.
The risks are real. The Pirates convert just 31.3% of third downs and carry a -2 turnover margin, while USF has scored on 25 of 26 red zone trips, field goals included. Still, at 51¢, I’ll back ECU to protect home turf by a field goal or more. New users can claim the Kalshi promo code and get a bonus to use on tonight’s game.
Friday CFB Prediction #2: Nevada +10 vs New Mexico
- Pick: Nevada +10 (-108 at BetMGM)
New Mexico is 7-1 and ranked No. 22 in the AP poll and No. 25 in the coaches poll heading into Friday’s 9 p.m. ET kickoff on CBSSN. The Lobos average 35 points and 213.1 rushing yards per game, and they won 21-16 at San Jose State last time out.
Nevada is 3-5, but its defense brings real strengths into this matchup. The Wolf Pack allow 156.9 passing yards per game, eighth in FBS, and hold opponents to a 30.3% third-down rate, 10th nationally. They also held UCLA to 303 total yards, 141.4 below the Bruins’ previous average.
My New Mexico vs. Nevada prediction leans on those third-down stops. A run-heavy Lobos attack that stalls on third down can burn clock without pulling away, which keeps 10 points in play for the home underdog. Grab the BetMGM promo code to tail this wager.
Friday CFB Prediction #3: New Mexico vs Nevada Under 38.5
- Pick: Under 38.5 (-110 at bet365)
New Mexico’s defense is just as impressive as its record. The Lobos allow 81.6 rushing yards per game, best in the Mountain West, and 258.1 total yards, second in the conference. They have also intercepted 17 passes.
Pair that unit with a Nevada defense that limits passing yards and third-down conversions, and sustained drives could be hard to find on both sides. New Mexico’s 35-point scoring average is the clear risk, but its last game produced just 21 points.
Two strong defenses and a run-first favorite point toward a lower-scoring game. That is the angle behind my Under in this Friday night matchup.
Sports Writer
As SBD's resident Swiss Army Knife, Chris covers virtually every sport including NFL, PGA, NBA, MLB, NCAAB, NCAAF and the Olympics. A true grinder, he'd rather pick off small edges in the player props market than swing for the fences with a 5-leg parlay.
