Best CFB Bets: Friday Nov. 23

Following a Thanksgiving slate that featured just one FBS game, Friday’s college football schedule presents a number of intriguing matchups that kick off rivalry week across the sport. After hitting on a solid 59% of our bets to this point throughout the season, we look at the best lines for Friday of Week 13.

#17 Iowa (9-2) @ Nebraska (5-6), 11am CT

Despite boasting one of the worst offenses in decades, Iowa has locked themselves into the Big Ten championship, with the chance at a potential NY6 bowl. Per Action Network, Iowa is bottom 15 nationally in both rushing success and passing success, which has resulted in a point total of 24.5 for this matchup.

Nebraska announced earlier in the week their plans to start Chubba Purdy at QB (brother of Brock Purdy), who went 15/24 through the air for 169 yds last week in his first real appearance versus Wisconsin. Defensively, Iowa ranks 8th in pass success and 21st in rush success, so don’t expect much movement from Nebraska’s offense.

The Huskers are vying for their first bowl berth in more than a half decade, but Iowa’s stellar defense should prevail in Lincoln.

Best Bet: Iowa +3 (-120)

UTSA (8-3) @ #23 Tulane (10-1), 11am CT

Tulane’s only loss this year came at the hands of top-15 ranked Ole Miss, a game in which starting QB Michael Pratt was sidelined due to injury. Both teams come into New Orleans this week perfect in conference play, with the winner likely set to face SMU in the AAC Championship game.

The Green Wave have struggled in past weeks to an extent – eking out one possession wins against Rice, ECU, and Tulsa in the last month, while UTSA comes into this game on fire after a 49-21 win last week against USF.

Tulane has more talent on both sides of the ball, specifically on the defensive end, so trust Tulane to do just enough to pull out a win at home.

Best Bet: Tulane ML (-160)

#16 Oregon State (8-3) @ #6 Oregon (10-1), 7:30pm CT

Assuming Oregon takes care of business in this matchup, the Ducks are the heavy favorites to make the College Football Playoff with a win in the Pac-12 championship (-170). Oregon has put up a whopping 148 points in the last 3 weeks (with wins over Cal, USC, and Arizona State) and have not lost a step in any matchup this season at home.

However, the one team that could slow Oregon’s hot streak might just be their in-state rival. Oregon State nearly knocked off undefeated Washington last weekend and has gone toe-to-toe on the road with some of the Pac-12’s better teams, namely Arizona.

The Beavs are catching two touchdowns on the road this week, which based on the final score between USC and Oregon a few weeks ago, is too many to turn down.

Best Bet: Oregon State +14 (-122)