Skip to Main Content

Live & Upcoming

Today's Top Free Expert Picks

This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
  • expert headshot
    Brad Thomas
    Lord BLT
    SMU
    -152
    Money Line
    Picked: Sep 1 @ 1:21pm

    Analysis

    I could be wrong on the extent of Kevin Jennings’ injury, but what I saw from Florida State’s defense doesn’t warrant the Seminoles being anywhere near a three-point underdog. I’m staying away from the spread and taking SMU moneyline. Florida State’s secondary was absolutely torched, and Jennings is one of the most prolific passers in College Football when healthy. On the other side, Ashton Daniels fell back into the same bad habits we saw at Stanford and Auburn. He held the ball too long, and the offensive line didn’t hold up nearly as well as I expected. Florida State is still a team in decline. SMU is better coached, more talented, and simply the better team. Give me the Mustangs moneyline.
  • expert headshot
    Josh Nagel
    +275
    (67%)
    6-3 in Last 9 SMU ATS Picks
    FSU +3.5
    -115
    Spread
    Picked: Sep 2 @ 12:50pm

    Analysis

    Many football observers are down on FSU’s trajectory following a relatively lackluster performance in its 34-17 win over New Mexico State, and the seat is getting warmer under Mike Norvell. The spread moved 1-1.5 points as a result, but this could be one of the better spots to back the Seminoles. SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings might be the best offensive player in this game, but a hand injury sidelined him for much of the preseason. Moreover, he and the Mustangs have been erratic, especially early. Last year, they started 2-2, with losses to Baylor and TCU, before surging down the stretch. We’ll chomp down on our mouthpiece and take the points with a vulnerable but viable home underdog to close out Week 1.
  • expert headshot
    David Bearman
    The Undertaker
    SMU -2.5
    -122
    Spread
    Picked: Sep 5 @ 4:54pm

    Analysis

    Florida State was only up 17-10 at the break over a bad New Mexico State team, ranked 123rd in SP+ last season. The Aggies started an FCS transfer, who threw all over FSU's secondary. The SMU Mustangs are ranked in top-25 in returning production, including QB Kevin Jennings, who is going to love this FSU defense. And they bring back 3/5ths of the OL. The SMU's defense is strong against the rush (12th in EPA per rush), which is what the Noles like to do.
  • expert headshot
    Matt Severance
    #4
    +275.5
    (60%)
    3-2 in Last 5 NCAAF Picks
    FSU +3.5
    -127
    Spread
    Picked: Sep 6 @ 9:02am

    Analysis

    This is our only 3.5 for the Labor Day night matchup from Tally, and I'm not sure if the other books will follow suit (some are still at 2.5) so we'll go today. While I'm enjoying the Noles being terrible the past couple of years, I just don't believe they are this bad with all that Sunshine State talent on the roster. Ideally this comes down to the wire and SMU wins it on a field goal as time expires, but our model has FSU winning. The Noles do have the advantage of a Week 0 game under their belts. Have to say, though, that none of the experts at the Noles 247 site have them covering so that's not ideal. I wouldn't go lower.
  • expert headshot
    Mike Tierney
    +260
    (71%)
    5-2 in Last 7 NCAAF ATS Picks
    SMU -2.5
    -122
    Spread
    Picked: Sep 6 @ 2:38pm

    Analysis

    Even with FSU having played in Week 0 -- and even with SMU coach Rhett Lashlee opining that the Seminoles should be favorites by at least a touchdown -- let's side with the Mustangs. The 'Noles were unimpressive in a 17-point win, outgaining New Mexico State by a mere 100 yards. SMU welcomes back most of its offensive production. QB Kevin Jennings has accumulated 20 wins with the 'Stangs, including a demolishing of FSU two years ago, and should be in the early Heisman Trophy picture. The O-Line is loaded with NFL prospects. Until the 'Noles reverse their ATS trend -- 2-8 in the last 10 games -- they can't be trusted.

Betting Spotlight

See More

Fantasy Football Draft Prep

See More

More Headlines

247 Sports
247sports-running-backs.jpg

Why college football no longer produces superstar running backs 

Predicting which former five-stars will break out and who busts this fall 

Heat Check: Crystal Ball projections, latest buzz from Sunshine State 

SportsLine
jeremiah-smith-ohio-state-buckeyes-imagn-images.jpg

FSU vs. SMU Monday CFB picks from 10,000 simulations

2026 Fantasy football positional rankings, cheat sheets

NFL model simulates every Week 1 game 10,000 times

Betting

getty-kylian-mbappe-vinicius-junior-real-madrid-january.jpg

DraftKings Sportsbook review and promo code 2026

Kalshi promo code: CBSSPORTS for $25 in bonuses (September 2026)

ProphetX promo code: Use CBSSPORTS To Trade $50, Get $75 Bonus Funds

Fantasy

getty-josh-downs-colts.jpg

Jamey Eisenberg's Fantasy Sleepers 3.0: Draft day values to target

Heath's final players to avoid: Fantasy Football busts in 2026

Fantasy buys: Blake Corum, Jared Goff headline five mid-round steals

NFL

tua-tagovailoa-falcons.jpg

Falcons name Week 1 starting quarterback

Predicting every NFL team's final record, plus SB pick for 2026

NFL Week 1 early odds: Cowboys road favorites vs. Giants

College Football

Western Michigan v Michigan

Winners, losers, grades from dramatic Week 1 in college football

Inside Western Michigan's day after controversial loss to Michigan

Washington vs. Washington State prediction, spread, live stream

Golf

charlie-woods.jpg

Charlie Woods signs deal with TaylorMade to join Tiger on roster

The Power 18 golf rankings: Scheffler goes distance as Clark rises

Tiger Woods takes plea deal for reckless driving in DUI case

Soccer

untitled-design-2026-09-07t155546-264.png

The best 10 players Mourinho coached: Cristiano, Milito and more

Serie A hot takes: Fiorentina mistaken to fire Grosso after 0-3 start

Arsenal's best summer addition? Martin Odegaard finding his form

NBA

untitled-design-410.png

Simmons signs with Kings as former No. 1 pick tries to salvage career

Worst deal in NBA history? Clips' Kawhi signing now rivals Luka trade

Report: Rockets, Amen Thompson agree to $208 million extension

NCAA Basketball

ncaa-sept4.png

Candid Coaches: Who is the most powerful person in college basketball?

Inside UNC basketball's $20 million roster

Wife of Alabama basketball coach Nate Oats re-joins staff

NCAAW Basketball

koval-getty.png

Ukrainian Koval confirms she left LSU after team added Russian recruit

Ukrainian player leaves LSU after Mulkey signs Russian recruit

Paige Bueckers, Geno Auriemma didn't speak for weeks during title run

MLB

eddings-getty.png

Cardinals, Rockies players tilt hats in protest of 'power-hungry' ump

2026 MLB playoff picture: Standings, current bracket, projections

One approach has taken over MLB -- what happens when it stops working?
Around the Web Promoted by Taboola