Tuesday College Football Best Bets, Picks & Predictions 10/17

⭐  Best Bet: Liberty -14.5 (-110) at BetMGM

It's been a successful first year for new Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell, with the Flames 6-0 in his debut season with the program. The Flames will look to make it a 7-0 start with a win over Middle Tennessee State. Liberty has also been one of the better teams against the spread, going 5-1 against the spread this season.

We're going to continue to ride Liberty's momentum and like Liberty -14.5 (-110) at BetMGM. Middle Tennessee State has been one of the worst teams against the spread, covering in just two of seven games this season. 

Liberty holds every major statistical advantage. The Flames rank 12th in the country in yards per game (479) and in yards per play (6.8). Liberty also has the 16th-highest-scoring offense, averaging 35.3 points per contest. 

Meanwhile, Middle Tennessee State has one of the softest defenses in the country. The Blue Raiders give up 274.5 passing yards per contest, ranking 112th. Middle Tennessee State also doesn't force many turnovers, averaging just 0.7 per contest. 

We expect the Flames to move the ball with ease against a soft Blue Raiders defense that doesn't create enough havoc to keep this one close. 

Best Bet: Liberty -14.5 (-110) at BetMGM

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⭐ Western Kentucky-Jacksonville State Over 59.5 (-110) at FanDuel 

Record-wise, Jacksonville State hosting Western Kentucky sets up as the top game in Conference USA on Tuesday. Jacksonville State enters 5-2, while Western Kentucky is at 4-2 and 2-0 in conference play. But instead of taking a side, we're going to look at the total. 

We're going with Western Kentucky-Jacksonville State Over 59.5 (-110) at FanDuel. Western Kentucky is one of the most pass-heavy teams int eh country, ranking fifth in pass play percentage (63.4%) and has been excellent at avoiding sacks, ranking second in the nation in sack percentage on passes (1.38%). This could create issues for a Jacksonville State defense ranking 88th in yards allowed per pass (7.9) and 91st in passing yards allowed per game (250.2). 

Jacksonville State prefers to run the ball, ranking eighth in rushes per game with 43.7 and 14th in rushing yards per game (198.5). Western Kentucky also struggles against the run, giving up 4.9 yards per carry, ranking 108th in the country and 120th in rushing yards allowed (201.8). 

Each team's strengths match up with their opponents' weakness, so we like both teams to be able to put up points. 

Best Betting Pick: Western Kentucky-Jacksonville State Over 59.5 (-110) at FanDuel

CLICK HERE to bet on the Western Kentucky vs. Jacksonville State game!

⭐ South Alabama -17.5 (-110) at BetMGM 

South Alabama hosts Southern Mississippi in a Sun Belt contest that we project as being one-sided. Southern Miss is just 1-5 on the season and has been one of the worst teams on offense in the country this season. 

We like  South Alabama -17.5 (-110) at BetMGM. It's been a struggle for Southern Miss on offense, averaging just 20.4 points per game, 107th in the nation. The Golden Eagles are 112th in yards per play (4.6) and also have one of the worst passing offenses. Southern Miss is 129th in completion percentage (48.8%) and 126th in yards per pass (5.6). The Golden Eagles also rank 131st in defending the pass, giving up 10.2 yards per attempt. 

South Alabama has been one of the better passing teams in the country, ranking 29th in completion percentage (64.8) and 47th in yards per game (256.4). The Jaguars should also be able to maintain drives. South Alabama ranks 24th in third-down conversion percentage (46%), and southern Miss gives up 39.6 points per contest, which ranks 128th in the country. 

Southern Miss has too many deficiencies on both sides of the ball to keep this one close. Look for South Alabama to win big.

⭐ South Alabama -17.5 (-110) at BetMGM

Best Betting Pick: Southern Mississippi +17.5 (-110) at BetMGM

CLICK HERE to bet on the Southern Mississippi vs South Alabama game!