FCS Picks/Friday Games

Opening week for the FCS continues on Friday night with four games on the schedule, including an intrastate battle between the Northern Colorado Bears and Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder. Kickoff is 9:00 pm ET

The Bears will take the field for the first time in two years following last year’s cancellation due to COVID-19. New head coach Ed McCaffrey takes over for Earnest Collins Jr, who was just 28-72 in his nine years at the helm. The former Broncos wide receiver is counting on a number of FBS transfers to get the program back to a competitive level, including his son, QB Dylan McCaffrey, who came over from Michigan.

The Buffs were an early-season surprise last year as they jumped out to a 4-0 record. But Karl Dorrell’s team finished with two losses by a combined 49 points to Utah and Texas.

Colorado should have little trouble winning this matchup tonight, but the Vegas spread of 38 looks too high according to Dunkel, which has the Buffs favored by just 30. Dunkel also projects the final score coming under the Vegas total of 56 ½.

Dunkel’s Pick: Northern Colorado (+38); Under

Below are all of Dunkel’s picks for Friday’s FCS schedule:

SEPTEMBER 3

St. Francis (PA) at Eastern Michigan
Time: 7:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: St. Francis (PA) 45.011; Eastern Michigan 80.607
Dunkel Line & Total: Eastern Michigan by 35 ½; 65
Vegas Line & Total: Eastern Michigan by 32 ½; 54
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Michigan (-32 ½); Over

South Dakota at Kansas
Time: 8:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: South Dakota 56.172; Kansas 71.429
Dunkel Line & Total: Kansas by 15 ½; 49
Vegas Line & Total: Kansas by 13; 56
Dunkel Pick: Kansas (-13); Under

Northern Colorado at Colorado
Time: 9:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Colorado 53.341; Colorado 83.112
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 30; 50
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado by 38; 56 ½
Dunkel Pick: Northern Colorado (+38); Under

South Dakota State at Colorado State
Time: 9:00 pm ET
Dunkel Ratings: South Dakota State 85.213; Colorado State 75.470
Dunkel Line & Total: South Dakota State by 10; 47
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado State by 3; 52 ½
Dunkel Pick: South Dakota State (+3); Under