College Football Picks Today: 3 Friday Games – October 16, 2026
Friday night college football features three intriguing conference matchups: Memphis at Tulane, Washington at Purdue, and Appalachian State at Coastal Carolina.
With the American Conference, Big Ten and Sun Belt all represented, Friday's slate presents three different handicapping challenges. ASA examines recent results, rushing efficiency, quarterback execution, defensive matchups, scheduling and the available betting numbers.
Our approach is straightforward: evaluate the game, evaluate the price and avoid forcing a selection when the value is not there.
Three Games on the ASA Board
Memphis Tigers at Tulane Green Wave
Memphis vs. Tulane
Yulman Stadium
Memphis travels to New Orleans for an important American Conference matchup against Tulane. The Tigers enter 5-1 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while the Green Wave stand at 2-3 overall and 0-1 in the American.
Memphis is coming off a convincing 38-13 victory over UAB in the Battle for the Bones. The Tigers scored 28 second-half points and controlled the game with a balanced offensive performance.
Running back Jaylin Carter rushed for 132 yards on 19 carries against UAB, helping Memphis accumulate 230 rushing yards. The Tigers' defense also contributed with multiple sacks and an interception.
Tulane presents a different challenge. The Green Wave are playing at home and have won three of their last four meetings with Memphis, including a 38-32 victory in 2025.
The matchup therefore creates a compelling contrast between Memphis' stronger current record and Tulane's recent success in the series.
Evaluate whether Memphis can establish its running game against Tulane's defensive front. The Tigers' ability to sustain drives, avoid turnovers and protect the football will be important when assessing the point spread and total.
Washington Huskies at Purdue Boilermakers
Washington vs. Purdue
Ross-Ade Stadium
Washington travels to West Lafayette for a Friday night Big Ten matchup against Purdue. Both programs enter with 3-3 records, making this an important opportunity to move above .500.
Purdue is coming off a significant offensive performance against Minnesota, highlighted by running back Fame Ijeboi.
Ijeboi earned Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week honors after rushing for 195 yards and three touchdowns. He forced 18 missed tackles in that game and has emerged as one of the conference's most productive running backs.
Through six games, Ijeboi has accumulated 549 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns. According to Purdue's official athletics department, he also leads the nation with 48 forced missed tackles.
Washington must find a way to contain that rushing production without exposing its defense to explosive passing opportunities.
For Purdue, establishing the running game can help control possession, create manageable third downs and reduce the burden on the passing attack.
Watch Washington's run defense against Ijeboi, Purdue's ability to sustain drives and each team's third-down efficiency. The available point spread should be evaluated alongside the expected possession and field-position battle.
Appalachian State Mountaineers at Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Appalachian State vs. Coastal Carolina
Brooks Stadium
Appalachian State travels to Conway, South Carolina, for a Sun Belt Conference matchup against Coastal Carolina. The Mountaineers enter 3-2, while the Chanticleers are 2-4.
Appalachian State is looking to build momentum in conference play. The Mountaineers have an opportunity to improve their position in the Sun Belt East race, but Coastal Carolina's home-field advantage presents a meaningful challenge.
The teams have developed a competitive recent history. Coastal Carolina rallied to defeat Appalachian State in their 2025 meeting, demonstrating how quickly momentum can change in this matchup.
Coastal Carolina is also preparing a special Friday night atmosphere at Brooks Stadium, with the program promoting a 1990s-themed event for the game.
For handicappers, the important questions involve quarterback efficiency, explosive plays, rushing consistency and which defense can generate stops without giving up favorable field position.
Evaluate Appalachian State's ability to execute away from home and Coastal Carolina's offensive consistency. Turnover margin, third-down conversions and explosive-play prevention could determine whether either team creates a meaningful advantage against the spread.
Five Factors That Matter on Friday's NCAAF Board
1. Rushing Efficiency
Memphis and Purdue both enter with notable running back production. Establishing the run can improve offensive efficiency and help control game tempo.
2. Conference Familiarity
All three matchups involve conference opponents. Coaching adjustments, opponent tendencies and recent meetings provide useful context.
3. Turnover Margin
Turnovers can create short fields and change the outcome of otherwise competitive games. Ball security deserves close attention.
4. Point-Spread Value
A stronger record does not automatically make a team the correct betting side. The available spread must accurately reflect the matchup.
5. Home-Field Advantage
Tulane, Purdue and Coastal Carolina all host nationally televised Friday games. Crowd environment and travel should be considered without overstating their impact.
Final Market Check
Review updated injuries, starting lineups and betting numbers before kickoff. The value available early in the week may change as new information enters the market.
How ASA Evaluates Friday's College Football Betting Markets
Friday's games present three different handicapping profiles. Memphis brings a strong early-season record into a difficult conference road matchup. Washington and Purdue enter with identical records but potentially different offensive strengths. Appalachian State and Coastal Carolina meet in a Sun Belt contest where turnovers and explosive plays could become decisive.
For point-spread analysis, ASA compares each team's strengths and weaknesses with the number being offered. For totals, the focus shifts toward offensive efficiency, expected pace, defensive consistency and scoring opportunities.
Moneyline evaluation requires estimating the probability of each team winning and comparing that assessment with the market price.
Identifying the likely winner is not the same as identifying the best wager. The price is part of the prediction, and a game without sufficient value does not require a selection.
Three Friday Games. Only Qualified Value Makes the Card.
Memphis at Tulane, Washington at Purdue and Appalachian State at Coastal Carolina each present a different set of matchup factors.
ASA evaluates offensive and defensive efficiency, current form, conference context, personnel availability, situational advantages and the available betting price before determining whether an opportunity qualifies.
Our objective is disciplined football handicapping, not forcing a selection on every nationally televised matchup.
Official College Football Sources
Advanced Sports Advisors provides sports handicapping opinions and informational analysis. ASA is not a sportsbook and does not accept wagers. Sports betting involves financial risk. No prediction, selection or historical result guarantees future performance. Verify current betting numbers, injuries, player availability and game information before making any wagering decision.