Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, NFL/CFB/CBB Picks, NFL/CFB/CBB Free Picks, NFL/CFB/CBB Predictions 12/23/24

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, NFL/CFB/CBB Picks, NFL/CFB/CBB Free Picks, NFL/CFB/CBB Predictions 12/23/24

NORTHERN ILLINOIS vs. FRESNO STATE (NIU -3.5, 38.5)

NORTHERN ILLINOIS -3.5

It's another garbage bowl game featuring two mediocre teams that won't have their starting quarterback (both are in the transfer portal) as well as a number of other players who decided to opt out of the game. Fresno State won't have six of its defensive starters. Northern Illinois will be down two defensive starters.

Fresno State struggled to run the ball all season and the Bulldogs rank 128th in Rush Success Rate. NIU's defense is pretty good, even without the two starters. Remember, NIU beat Notre Dame 16-14 earlier this season and they are a top 20 defense. NIU is 8th in the nation in Pass Success Rate and 13th in scoring defense, allowing 18.7 PPG.

I don't see Fresno State having much success on offense. NIU should be okay. Backup QB Josh Holst will get the benefit of having a solid running game. NIU is 18th in the nation in rushing, averaging 197.8 yards per game. That will help the Huskies grind out a win.

NEW ORLEANS @ GREEN BAY (GB -14, 42.5)

JOSH JACOBS UNDER 20.5 RUSH ATTEMPTS

It's football weather tonight in Green Bay. There will be freezing temperatures and some snow is in the forecast. It makes sense for Green Bay to hand the ball off to RB Josh Jacobs, the NFL's seventh-leading rusher. However, it also makes sense for the Packers to limit Jacobs' carries tonight in preparation for next week's showdown with Minnesota.

Jacob's has only gone Over 20 carries in 4 of 14 games this season. He averages 18.9 carries per game and I think Green Bay will use Chris Brooks and Emanuel Wilson a tad more to take some of the load off of Jacobs before next week's big game.

MIDDLE TENNESSEE @ TENNESSEE (TEN -26.5 142.5)

TENNESSEE -26.5

This should be a blowout win for the nation's No. 1 team. Tennessee is 10-0 SU and 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games. Middle Tennessee is off to a good start. The Blue Raiders are 9-3 SU this season, but they are no match for the Vols. Middle Tennessee is ranked 136th in the latest KenPom ratings and they have not seen a defense like this.

The Vols are No. 2 in scoring defense limiting opponents to just 55.9 points per game. Tennessee is No. 1 opponent FG percentage, holding teams to just 33.9 percent shooting from the floor. The Vols also average over 81 points a game and I like them to win big at home tonight.

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.