Thursday College Football Picks & Predictions: Best Bets for Oct. 22
By Chris Amberley in College Football
Published:
- Three games make up the Thursday college football slate for Oct. 22
- I’ve broken down each side and total using scoring, efficiency and turnover numbers
- Read below for the Thursday college football picks and predictions, including best bets for Oct. 22
Three college football games are on tonight’s slate, and each one features a favorite of at least 9.5 points.
James Madison (7-0) visits Appalachian State at 7 p.m. ET as an 11-point favorite. Liberty (5-1) travels to Kennesaw State (1-5) for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff, and Memphis hosts East Carolina at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Below, I break down the side and total for each game, including line movement and betting splits. Keep reading for my Thursday college football picks and predictions, including best bets for the Oct. 22 matchups.
Thursday College Football Picks and Predicitons
All three of my Thursday college football picks side with the favorite against the spread, while the totals split between one Over and two Unders. The number to watch is Memphis -10.5, which has already crossed 10 after opening at 9.5. Prices were checked at BetMGM on October 21 and are rounded to American odds. Compare the current college football odds before kickoff.
College Football Best Bets for Thursday, Oct. 22
Thursday CFB Pick #1: Liberty vs. Kennesaw State
Liberty opened as a 10-point favorite before the market bumped the number down slightly to -9.5. The total saw a minor upward tick, moving from an opening 49.5 up to 50.5.
Liberty brings a high-scoring air raid and ground attack into this matchup, averaging 31.2 points and 415.8 total yards per game. They excel on third down conversions with a 45.2% success rate and boast a clean +3 turnover differential.
While Kennesaw State shows some improved offensive trends, their 22 points per game pale in comparison. My Liberty vs. Kennesaw State prediction has the favorite dictating the pace and covering the 9.5-point spread. Given Liberty’s firepower and Kennesaw State’s 90.9% red zone efficiency, betting the Over 50.5 offers solid value.
Thursday CFB Pick #2: James Madison vs. Appalachian State
The James Madison vs. Appalachian State spread is now -11, but I can still buy the alternate -10.5 at a slightly higher price. The total is 56.5, and the college football public betting splits snapshot leans toward the road favorite. The Dukes currently command 76.68% of the spread handle from 62.42% of the tickets.
The James Madison offense is racking up 42.9 points and 461 total yards per game. With a +6 turnover differential and an aggressive defensive scheme compiling 18 sacks, they are well equipped to handle Appalachian State.
The home underdog averages 29.5 points and has committed seven turnovers this season. I am laying the points with the road favorite here. Despite explosive scoring from the visitors, slower, methodical efficiency from Appalachian State suggests a controlled game script, making the Under 56.5 a smart angle.
Thursday CFB Pick #3: East Carolina vs. Memphis
Down in Memphis, the spread opened at 9.5 before creeping over the key number to -10.5. Betting splits show balanced action, with 57.6% of the spread handle on 56.3% of the tickets. The total also increased from 53.5 to 54.5, even though the Under drew 83.07% of the handle.
Memphis boasts a formidable offense, averaging 35.4 points and an impressive 512.6 yards per game. They hold a massive edge moving the chains, converting third downs at a 45.1% clip compared to East Carolina’s 31.3%.
The Pirates struggle to match that production, managing just 23.5 points and 339.5 yards per contest. With such a massive statistical gap, my East Carolina vs. Memphis prediction backs the home favorite to cover the 10.5-point spread. However, lackluster scoring output from the visitors and 11 offensive turnovers on the season for Memphis point toward a lower-scoring affair, making the Under 54.5 my total play.
For the sportsbook’s current welcome offer, see our BetMGM promo code page. You can also compare these matchups through the prediction market apps.
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.
