College Football Friday Showcases 15 Games for Fans

Posted on: November 24, 2017, 05:00h. 

Last updated on: November 22, 2017, 04:30h.

Casino.org Staff Writer Read More
Expertise: Commercial Gaming.

While Thanksgiving provides us with three NFL games, the day after the holiday has a buffet of college games with 15 of them on the television from morning running into the night.

Miami Hurricanes
Miami is No. 2 in the country and in line to go to the College Football Playoffs for the first time. They face Pitt in one of 15 games on the day after Thanksgiving. (Image: USA Today Sports)

The first game is Western Michigan at Toledo and kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. The final contest begins 11 hours later with UCLA hosting Cal.

In between there are rivalry games, major conference showdowns, Associated Press Top 25 teams and one team that is in the top four of the College Football Playoff Rankings.

Here is a look at some of the marquee match ups that will keep fans and bettors occupied for most of the day.

First Wave Features Miami

Texas Christian University vs. Baylor

The Horned Frogs are No. 10 in the country and earlier in the year was challenging to be one of the four teams in the college playoff. An upset loss to Iowa State, where they were a seven-point favorite, and a drubbing by Oklahoma ruined their chances.

They are still in line for a major bowl game and don’t want hapless Baylor ruining that. They are 24-point favorites to their Texas adversaries in a contest that stretches back to 1899 and is known as “The Revivalry.”

Miami vs. Pittsburgh

The No. 2 Hurricanes are listed third in the College Football Playoff Rankings and would like stay there. Pitt lost its chance to go to a Bowl game when it lost to No. 24 Virginia Tech last week.

The Panthers view this as their biggest game of the season and can play spoiler if they upset Miami, who have struggled in their last two road games, only winning by five and four points.

The oddsmakers don’t think they will lose and have the Hurricanes a 14-point favorite.

Battle of Top 25 Teams

South Florida vs. Central Florida

This afternoon contest features two teams in the Top 25 and one of only four undefeated teams remaining. South Florida should have been without a loss as well, but the No. 22 squad was upset three weeks ago by Houston at home. The Knights have been perfect this season, but could still only manage to climb to No. 13 in the AP Top 25.

They are also on a four-game losing streak against the spread. They opened as a 9 ½-point pick against the Bulls, but the line has moved to 11. They are also motivated, having lost the last two meetings.

Virginia vs. Virginia Tech

The No. 24 Hokies haven’t lost to Virginia since 2004 and the sportsbooks don’t think it will happen this year despite being on the road. The team is a 7-point favorite and at some places it has moved up a half-point.

Some bettors believe it is a little low, since the Cavaliers have lost four of their last five games, including a 44-28 thrashing at Miami last week. VT won last week against Pitt, but is on a three-game losing streak against the spread.