Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, CFB/MLB Picks, CFB/MLB Free Picks, CFB/MLB Predictions 9/20/24

STANFORD @ SYRACUSE (SYR -8.5, 56.5)

OVER (1H) 28.5

The Orange are 2-0 and had a week off to prepare for this one. Stanford is 1-1 and had to fly across the country to play its first ACC game. Neither of these defenses are very good, but Stanford's is worse. The Cardinal's pass defense is awful, ranking 129th in the nation, allowing 353 yards per game. Syracuse QB Kyle McCord has thrown for 735 yards and 8 touchdowns in two games.

Syracuse is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games and 6-2 SU in the last 8 at home. The Orange will play with confidence tonight. Their defense is a little suspect though, giving up over 400 yards per game. Stanford is no offensive juggernaut, but they do score 27 points per game. They should contribute a score or two to the cause. Syracuse will come out pumped at home in primetime and blow it up early.

ILLINOIS @ NEBRASKA (NEB -7.5, 42.5)

UNDER 45.5*

It's the first time in a long time that these two programs have been ranked. There will be no question as to what each team wants to do tonight. Both play great defense and will try to establish the run. That will be more difficult for Illinois. Nebraska has the No. 1 run defense in the nation.

The Cornhuskers allow just 36 rushing yards per game and 1.6 yards per rush attempt. Illinois is no slouch. The Illini rank in the Top 25 in scoring defense and they are 27th against the pass. Nebraska freshman QB Dylan Raiola is going to have a tough time against the Illinois defense tonight.

Look for head coach Bret Bielema and the Illini to try and shorten the game. Illinois averages just 61 offensive plays per game. That ranks 107th in the country. This one should be an old-school, smash-mouth type of Big Ten football game.

*Coach Rick got the total at 45.5 earlier in the week. It may be wise to buy back the points to get over the key number of 45 now that the total is down to 42.5.

SEATTLE @ TEXAS (TEX -120, 7.5)

RANGERS F5 ML

Jacob deGrom gets his second start of the season for the Rangers. He was very good in his first, which also happened to be against Seattle. Coach Rick backed Texas on the F5 moneyline in that game and he likes it again.

In that first start, deGrom pitched 3.2 innings, struck out 4, and didn't allow an earned run. He threw 61 pitches and will likely be on a pitch count tonight. Remember though, it's Seattle. The Mariners have the worst batting average in the majors and they rank 25th in scoring.

On the other side, it will be George Kirby who just went 7 innings without giving up a run to the Rangers in his last start. The problem for Kirby and the Mariners is that start was that start was in Seattle where Kirby's ERA is 3.06. On the road this season, Kirby has a 4.10 ERA. That makes deGrom the better option but only in the F5.

Ylose expert Coach Rick Bowe delivers his daily Quick Picks. The Coach continues to roll up big wins in MLB, college football, the NFL, and much more. Coach Rick offers a unique perspective to handicapping. Check out his daily free picks right here and jump on his daily Best Bets, which you can find right here at Ylose.com/coach.