College Football’s Friday Night Forecast
Friday night gives us a little bit of everything: an ACC shootout, a ranked Big Ten team traveling west, two late-night conference battles and an undefeated playoff contender defending its home turf.
The action actually begins at noon with a game moved because of the approaching hurricane. From there, football carries us deep into the night.
Here is the complete Friday lineup.
FLORIDA A&M AT ALABAMA STATE
Noon ET | SWAC TV
This game was originally scheduled for Saturday but was moved to Friday afternoon because of the expected impact of Hurricane Isaias.
Florida A&M enters at 1-4 and has struggled to generate consistent offense. Alabama State is 3-2 and should hold the advantage physically, particularly along the line of scrimmage. The Hornets are also playing at home, where this was scheduled to be their homecoming game.
JB’S PICK: Alabama State 31, Florida A&M 17
FLORIDA STATE AT LOUISVILLE
7 p.m. ET | ESPN
This is the most entertaining matchup of the early window.
Florida State comes in at 3-2 after a convincing 38-7 win over Virginia. Quarterback Ashton Daniels accounted for five touchdowns in that victory and finally gave the Seminoles the type of explosive performance they have been waiting to see.
Louisville is only 2-3, but the Cardinals are much more dangerous than that record suggests. All three losses have come by exactly three points. Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz has been efficient, and Louisville leads the country with eight offensive touchdowns of at least 50 yards.
The problem for the Cardinals is a defense that has allowed at least 30 points in four of five games. That is dangerous against a Florida State offense that may finally be finding its rhythm.
This feels like the highest-scoring and most unpredictable game on the Friday card.
JB’S PICK: Florida State 34, Louisville 31
WASHINGTON STATE AT UTAH STATE
9 p.m. ET | The CW
These are two 1-4 teams trying to keep their seasons from completely slipping away.
Washington State has shown flashes on special teams and has already produced two interception returns for touchdowns. Quarterback Caden Pinnick can also create problems with his legs, but the Cougars have struggled to turn individual explosive plays into consistent offense.
Utah State hasn’t been much better, but the Aggies are at home and enter as the more reliable offensive team. Neither defense inspires much confidence, so turnovers could decide this one.
JB’S PICK: Utah State 27, Washington State 23
NO. 20 IOWA AT WASHINGTON
9 p.m. ET | FOX or FS1
This may be the most intriguing game of the night.
Iowa is 4-1, but quarterback Hank Brown’s availability is uncertain. The Hawkeyes may have to turn to Jeremy Hecklinski against a Washington defense that has been good at creating turnovers.
Washington is 3-2 overall but 0-2 in Big Ten play. Both conference losses were competitive, and the Huskies remain dangerous at home. Quarterback Demond Williams’ mobility could stress an Iowa defense that has experienced some problems in the secondary.
History also works against the Hawkeyes. Kirk Ferentz has never won a regular-season road game west of the Rocky Mountains, and Iowa has lost its last 10 games in that situation.
Still, Iowa has the better defense, the better special teams and the more disciplined overall football team. If the Hawkeyes avoid giving Washington short fields, they can grind this game down and steal it late.
JB’S UPSET PICK: Iowa 20, Washington 17
WYOMING AT SAN JOSÉ STATE
9 p.m. ET | CBS Sports Network
Wyoming is coming off a 28-0 loss to North Dakota State and desperately needs to find something offensively. The Cowboys are 2-3, have a minus-six turnover margin and simply have not demonstrated that they can consistently threaten a defense through the air.
San José State is 3-2 and has won three of its last four games. The Spartans are also 1-0 in Mountain West play and have the more functional offense entering this matchup.
Wyoming’s defense may keep the Cowboys close for a while, but unless the offense produces a dramatic turnaround, San José State should gradually take control.
JB’S PICK: San José State 24, Wyoming 13
IOWA STATE AT NO. 8 BYU
10:15 p.m. ET | ESPN
This is the biggest game of the night in terms of the College Football Playoff.
BYU is 4-0 and has climbed to No. 8 in the country, but the Cougars may be without leading running back LJ Martin and standout linebacker Isaiah Glasker. Those injuries could make this a much more competitive game than the rankings suggest.
Iowa State is 3-2 and has an explosive playmaker in running back Aiden Flora, who recently produced 212 rushing yards and five total touchdowns against West Virginia. The Cyclones have also been strong on third down and against the pass.
The concern is Iowa State’s run defense. Even if Martin cannot play, BYU has enough depth to attack the Cyclones on the ground, control the clock and protect its home field.
I expect Iowa State to hang around longer than many people anticipate, but BYU should make the necessary plays in the fourth quarter.
JB’S PICK: BYU 27, Iowa State 20
JB’S FRIDAY NIGHT WATCH LIST
Best game: Florida State at Louisville
Most important game: Iowa State at BYU
Best upset opportunity: Iowa over Washington
Potential shootout: Florida State–Louisville
Potential defensive struggle: Iowa–Washington
Late-night sleeper: Wyoming at San José State
Friday night belongs to the road teams early, the home teams late and one ranked Hawkeye team looking to end a very long West Coast drought.
Turn on the lights. College football weekend starts now.
