Analysis of College Football Matchups: Washington vs. Rutgers and Miami vs. Virginia Tech on Friday

• Friday night college football features two intriguing matchups: Washington vs Rutgers and Miami vs VA Tech
• The Huskies have a prime opportunity to pull off an upset against the Knights as slight underdogs
• See the best way to bet on these Friday night college football games below

College football fans are in for a treat this Friday night with two compelling matchups on the docket. We’ve got a Big Ten showdown between Washington and Rutgers, plus an ACC clash featuring Miami and Virginia Tech. Both games offer intriguing betting value that deserve our attention.

The “new” Big Ten continues to deliver exciting non-traditional matchups. Who would have thought we’d see Washington visiting Rutgers on a Friday night in September? Meanwhile, the ACC tilt between the Hurricanes and Hokies has all the makings of an old-school, defensive slugfest.

Let’s break down the best ways to bet these Friday night college football tilts. I’ve made expert predictions for both contests.

Friday College Football Odds

All odds as of Sept. 27 from ESPN Bet. Claim the ESPN Bet promo code to sign up and tail our picks.

Washington vs Rutgers Prediction

The Washington Huskies enter their first-ever Big Ten road game as slight underdogs, but all signs point to an upset brewing. Senior quarterback Will Rogers has been nothing short of spectacular, completing 75.7% of his passes for 1,048 yards and eight touchdowns without a single interception through four games.

Will Rogers and the @UW_Football offense are FIRING on all cylinders 🔥

429 yards and 4 TDs on the day for the senior QB 😤 pic.twitter.com/XYmnKjL8Zt

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 23, 2024

Washington’s balanced attack ranks among the nation’s best, sitting 9th in passing success rate and 8th in rushing success rate. This potent offense will test a Rutgers defense that has feasted on weaker competition so far.

Defensively, the Huskies have been stifling opponents, allowing just 10.3 points and 237.5 total yards per game. They rank 11th nationally in both total defense and scoring defense. This unit should give Rutgers fits all night long.

The betting line movement also favors Washington, as sharp money has pushed the spread down from the opening number. I’m expecting Will Rogers and company to make a major statement in their Big Ten road debut.

•  Pick: Washington ML (+105 at ESPN Bet)

Miami vs VA Tech Prediction

While Miami’s offense has been scorching hot, averaging over 50 points per game, I’m all over the under in their Friday night clash with Virginia Tech. Several factors point to a lower-scoring affair than oddsmakers are projecting.

First and foremost, the weather forecast at Hard Rock Stadium calls for less-than-ideal conditions. High humidity, temperatures in the mid-80s, and a 50% chance of rain should slow the pace and limit explosive plays. Add in 10 mph winds, and both passing attacks could struggle to find their rhythm.

🌧️ Weather Update for Friday Night’s Game 🌧️

Current forecast shows a 50% chance of rain at kickoff. Pack your ponchos, Hurricane fans! ☔️#GoCanes 🙌 pic.twitter.com/XYmnKjL8Zt

— Canes Football (@CanesFootball) September 25, 2024

Virginia Tech’s defense is no pushover, either. The Hokies rank 28th nationally in passing yards allowed per game and boast the second-best pass defense in the ACC. This unit should make life difficult for Miami QB Cam Ward and limit the Hurricanes’ big-play potential.

On the flip side, the Hokies’ offense has been inconsistent against quality opponents. They managed just 27 points against Vanderbilt and 23 last week versus Rutgers. Miami’s defense should be able to contain this unit.

With the total having dropped from 57.5 to 54.5 since opening, sharp money clearly agrees that points will be at a premium. Trust the weather and strong defenses to keep this one under the number.

• Pick: Under 54.5 (-115 at MGM)

College football fans are in for a treat this Friday as two exciting matchups are set to take place. The Washington Huskies will face off against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, while the Miami Hurricanes will take on the Virginia Tech Hokies. Both games are sure to be thrilling contests with plenty of action on the field.

The Washington vs. Rutgers game is an intriguing matchup between two teams looking to make a statement early in the season. The Huskies are coming off a solid season and are looking to build on their success, while the Scarlet Knights are hoping to turn things around after a disappointing campaign last year. Washington boasts a strong offense led by quarterback Dylan Morris, who will look to exploit Rutgers’ defense with his arm and legs. On the other side of the ball, the Huskies’ defense will be tasked with containing Rutgers’ dynamic offense, led by quarterback Noah Vedral. This game has the potential to be a high-scoring affair with both teams capable of putting up points in a hurry.

In the Miami vs. Virginia Tech matchup, fans can expect a hard-fought battle between two ACC rivals. The Hurricanes are coming off a strong season and have high expectations for this year, while the Hokies are looking to bounce back after a disappointing campaign. Miami’s offense is led by quarterback D’Eriq King, who is one of the most dynamic playmakers in college football. He will look to exploit Virginia Tech’s defense with his arm and legs, while running back Cam’Ron Harris will provide a strong rushing attack. On defense, the Hurricanes will be led by linebacker Zach McCloud, who will look to shut down the Hokies’ offense. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, will rely on quarterback Braxton Burmeister to lead their offense and running back Raheem Blackshear to provide a spark in the running game. This game has all the makings of a classic ACC showdown with both teams looking to make a statement early in the season.

Overall, both matchups on Friday promise to be exciting games with plenty of action on the field. College football fans should be sure to tune in to see which teams come out on top in these highly anticipated contests.