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Friday Night Lights.
There's something special about college football being played under the lights, and that's exactly what we have with a six-game slate tonight.
From Indiana vs. Northwestern in the Big Ten to Brown vs. Harvard in the FCS, we have you covered with picks and analysis for each game.
With so much action to get to, let's take a look at our college football picks and NCAAF predictions for the games on Friday, September 25.
Be sure to download the Action Network app for more expert picks and analysis!
College Football Pick, Predictions for Friday, Sept. 25
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college football betting staff is targeting from Friday's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 4 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 7 p.m. | |
  | 8 p.m. | |
  | 10:30 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Temple vs Army Pick
By Joshua Nunn
Army Black Knights
Army comes in 1-1 and fresh off a bye week with two weeks to think about how they gave their last game away against South Florida on Sept. 12.
The Black Knights held a 10-point lead with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, having held South Florida to 210 total yards up to that point. A pair of Bulls touchdown drives sandwiching an Army three-and-out rewrote the game's storyline.
The Cadets will now look to regroup on the road in what should be a must-win game in American Conference play.
Army's ground game has been effective so far, averaging 7.3 yards per attempt and 394 rushing yards through the first two contests.
Godspower Nwawuihe has been the power back, while Zach Mundell is averaging 21 yards per rush. Cale Hellums also consistently gains yardage on every carry.
The sweep-and-pitch game is working well, and Hellums threw the ball well against South Florida. The offensive line created surge at the line of scrimmage, and the offense was effective.
The Army defense played well for long stretches against South Florida. The Knights' stop unit had several fourth-down chances to get South Florida off the field and failed on all of them.
The defensive line created very little Havoc, but the linebacker unit, led by Elijah Walton and Jaquavious Moss, was all over the field.
Walton and Moss combined for 19 tackles, as Army did a good job of preventing explosive plays until the final drive of the game.
This unit will be fresh off a bye week with two weeks to prepare, while Temple is coming off a heartbreaking loss on Saturday.
Temple Owls
Temple has been in back-to-back high-pressure games, and I think it's fair to ask how much this team has left in the tank.
After hosting Penn State and playing the Nittany Lions very competitively for a half, Temple was at Toledo last week and blew a 42-28 lead by allowing two touchdowns in the final 65 seconds before falling in overtime.
Quarterback Jaxon Smolik went down early with an injury and is questionable for Friday afternoon's contest. Backup QB Ajani Sheppard completed 12-of-22 passes for 164 yards and three touchdowns in relief of Smolik.
Temple ran the ball effectively against Toledo, just as it has all season behind a great one-two punch of Keveun Mason and Sam Brown V.
These two have combined for 392 yards and four touchdowns, while Sheppard adds a great running element out of the quarterback position.
A go-to receiver needs to emerge, as no one has more than seven catches this season for the Owls. But overall, this offense has been efficient and effective.
Situational execution has improved, as Temple is converting 42% on third down and is a perfect 10-for-10 in scoring while in the red zone.
The Owls defense has been the issue the last two weeks, specifically in the second half of their game against Toledo. The Rockets were held to just 14 points in the first half before scoring on the opening possession of the third quarter and three times in the fourth.
Temple gave up 429 passing yards and allowed seven explosive pass plays. Now, it has to face Army's option scheme while deflated after blowing a big lead. It will also have significantly less rest and prep time. Tough assignment.
Temple vs Army Prediction
This line has Army as a 3-point favorite, and the total comes in at 48.5. I am going to take the Black Knights on the moneyline in the first half at -130.
Army is a physical team that will run the ball against this Temple defense, which is trying to prep for the triple option on just five days of rest.
Last year, Temple did a decent job against Army in preventing explosive plays and defending the scheme well, but that game came with a caveat. That game marked the second time Temple had prepped for a service academy, as the Owls had played Navy just a few weeks prior.
Trying to install an option principle defense on short rest against a team that has been off for 13 days will be a tall order for the Owls.
Army head coach Jeff Monken talked in his press conference about situational execution and how his team had chances to close out that game against South Florida and blew it. The Knights have been sitting around thinking about it all week, and I fully expect them to come out and execute, specifically in the first half.
I love the running back play I have seen. Mundell's explosiveness and versatility are going to show up on Friday.
This game is going to be played at 4 p.m. in Philadelphia, and there probably won't be a lot of people attending. The atmosphere won't get Temple overly “jacked up,” and I worry about the Owls coming out flat after blowing their game against Toledo.
Army is tremendously motivated in a must-win situation, as the Black Knights can't afford to drop to 0-2 in league play. I think they win this game, but I really think we get a strong start. Army will have a halftime lead.
Pick: Army 1H ML (-130 · BetMGM)
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UAB vs Navy Pick
By Joshua Nunn
Navy Midshipmen
Navy enters this game off a rare early-season loss; its first September regular-season loss since head coach Brian Newberry’s first season with the Midshipmen.
The pass defense was shredded badly in the first half as FAU built a 31-7 halftime lead, and starting quarterback Braxton Woodson went down with a lower-leg injury early in the third quarter that will keep him on the sidelines against UAB.
Jackson Gutierrez led a couple of touchdown drives while FAU was playing a relaxed, prevent-style defense with the game well in hand.
The Mids are missing the explosiveness from the last two seasons and have become very reliant on the quarterback run.
Navy had a couple of explosive pass plays in the second half. However, it did go scoreless on seven of its first eight possessions, and the offensive line allowed the FAU defense to creep into the backfield regularly.
A lack of rushing success in early downs also created situations where Navy had to pass on third down, and both quarterbacks struggled to execute. It'll be interesting to see how the offense looks coming out of the bye week, especially with Gutierrez getting practice reps with the starting offense.
The defense was shredded against the pass against FAU, as the secondary couldn't maintain good defensive positioning in the first half.
Easton Messer created separation on two long touchdown receptions in the first quarter, and FAU quarterback Caden Veltkamp threw for over 300 yards in the first half.
Navy did have success against the run, but the metrics were aided by a long snap that went over the head of FAU punter Reed Chandley, which he punted into the end zone. This resulted in a team rushing attempt for -52 yards.
UAB has a much better rushing offense and should be able to succeed on the ground against the Navy front in this matchup.
UAB Blazers
UAB comes in at 1-2 on the season, but the Blazers have looked much more competitive than what we saw last season, and the team is receiving much better coaching.
UAB has made it a priority to run the football, but head coach Alex Mortensen talked about being more balanced in his approach this week.
Ryder Burton threw the ball well in the opener, and UAB receivers Ty Mims, EJ Reid and CJ Smith will be able to create advantages in the passing game against this Navy defense.
As long as the offensive line holds up here, UAB will move the football and have chances to score.
The defense shut out Louisiana in the second half last week and held UL Monroe to just three points in the second half the week before.
The in-game adjustments made by the coaching staff have been effective, and this is going to be the fourth consecutive season UAB has seen this Navy Wing-T attack.
There should be familiarity with the scheme, and UAB has played much improved football on defense this year.
The Blazers have allowed just 166 passing yards the last two weeks while also limiting the explosive plays.
Navy is really going to have to work for everything in this matchup on the road.
UAB vs Navy Prediction
This line opened with Navy as 10-point favorites, with a total set at 51.5. Money has come in on UAB, and the line currently sits at 7.5. We're playing the home 'dog here.
UAB has run the ball effectively this season, and the Blazers have three capable running backs in Rod Robinson II, Bam McReynolds and Ja’Vin Simpkins.
Expect the ground game to set the tone, which will open up Burton and the passing game to take shots against this Navy secondary.
The Mids have one of the nation's worst secondaries, grading out at 125th nationally in explosive passes allowed and 124th in pass play success rate.
UAB will have chances to connect on the deep shots.
The UAB defense will have a chance to set the edge and force the issue against the Navy offense, which was forced to stretch running plays sideline to sideline last time out against FAU.
The effectiveness of the fullback dive isn't there right now for the Midshipmen, and Navy has been heavily reliant on its quarterback running. Gutierrez is going to face some pressure and is going to now have to make decisions as the primary quarterback, which he's not used to doing.
UAB made some really nice defensive plays last week and has been excellent on third down defensively. Navy hasn't converted as efficiently this year as we've seen in the past and is going to have to fight for everything on the road.
This spot is a major opportunity for UAB, and I expect the best effort of the season out of the Blazers, who will have a chance to win this game in the fourth quarter.
Pick: UAB +7.5 (Play to +7)
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Rutgers vs Howard Pick
By John Feltman
Howard Bison
Howard has already stepped up to the Big Ten level once this season, and it was every bit the mismatch you’d expect. Yes, Indiana is worlds better than Rutgers, but it’s still notable.
The Bison were blanked by Indiana, 55-0, while generating only 57 yards and four first downs. The advanced box score somehow looks even worse, as Howard finished with -0.59 EPA/Play, a 17% Success Rate and just 1.4 YPP.
Indiana also generated Havoc on 30% of Howard’s offensive snaps.
That’s the number that immediately caught my attention.
Quarterback Ja’Shawn Scroggins has been productive against comparable competition, throwing for 467 yards and four touchdowns while adding another 79 yards on the ground.
But the offensive line simply couldn’t give him enough time against Indiana’s front. Scroggins averaged just 2.16 yards per dropback in that matchup while Howard produced an explosive play rate of only 2%.
Now, the Bison have to deal with another massive disadvantage in the trenches against Rutgers.
Howard does have some talent on the perimeter, particularly wide receiver Se’Quan Osborne, but those weapons don’t mean much if Scroggins spends the afternoon operating behind the sticks.
I just don't think this stays competitive, and considering oddsmakers already had Rutgers at -29 in the opener where they were completely dismantled by UMass, it seems like they're begging people to bet the Bison.
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
This is undoubtedly a disgusting number to lay with an 0-3 football team. But I’m willing to get dirty.
Rutgers’ offense finally showed what it’s capable of last week against USC, piling up 460 yards in a 42-35 loss while consistently trading punches with one of the most explosive offenses in the country.
Quarterback Dylan Lonergan returned from injury and threw for 252 yards and three touchdowns, while running back Antwan Raymond added 122 yards and a score on the ground.
WR KJ Duff is the matchup nightmare here.
Duff already has 419 receiving yards and six touchdowns, ranking third nationally in receiving yards and tied for second in receiving touchdowns.
Rutgers also ranks 19th nationally in EPA/Play offensively and 23rd in opponent-adjusted offense.
The Scarlet Knights haven’t consistently finished drives this season, but that concern matters considerably less against a Howard defense that allowed Indiana to post a 54% Success Rate and +0.51 EPA/Play.
Rutgers vs Howard Prediction
Laying 43 points with Rutgers requires a strong stomach, but this is one of those spots where the matchup matters more to me than the sticker price.
Howard’s one previous game against Big Ten personnel resulted in a 0th-percentile EPA/Play performance, a 17% Success Rate, and a 30% Havoc Rate allowed.
That’s complete offensive destruction. I understand Indiana is in its own class compared to this dumpster fire Rutgers team, but last week showed me enough that the Knights can lay the hammer down offensively.
Rutgers doesn’t need its defense to suddenly become elite; it needs to create enough negative plays to continually give Lonergan, Raymond, and Duff strong field position so they can rack up explosives early and often.
Offensively, the matchup couldn’t be softer, and I expect a ton of points from Greg Schiano’s team.
Indiana generated a 54% Success Rate and averaged 8.33 YPP against Howard, and Rutgers enters off 460 yards against USC.
There’s a situational angle here, too.
Rutgers is 0-3, Schiano is sitting on 99 career wins with the program, and the Scarlet Knights desperately need a performance that changes the temperature around this team before returning to Big Ten play. I don’t expect Schiano to call off the dogs early.
If Howard struggles to reach double digits, Rutgers reaching the 50s should be enough.
Hold your nose, and lay the number.
Pick: Rutgers -44.5 (-108)
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Brown vs Harvard Pick
By Joshua Nunn
Harvard Crimson
Harvard came into this season with a very different offensive feel after Jaden Craig departed for TCU in the offseason.
Charlie Smith started his first college game last week against New Hampshire, completing 11-of-19 passes for just 71 yards.
Cole Allen and Xaviah Bascon split the workload at running back while combining to rush for 113 yards on 27 carries.
The Crimson ran the ball on 67% of their offensive snaps against New Hampshire, but struggled to get much of the offense going for long stretches.
Smith missed some downfield throws while working out the jitters of being a starting quarterback for the first time. Harvard didn't display the same level of offensive potency, scoring only as many points as it did because it was set up by New Hampshire turnovers and special teams miscues.
Harvard had touchdown-scoring drives of 13, 32 and 25 yards, and converted just 3-of-12 third-down attempts.
The stout Harvard front showed up in the opener while regularly making plays in the New Hampshire backfield. Sean Line had 10 tackles and a pair of sacks, while Josh Fedd also had two sacks.
Harvard registered seven sacks overall against New Hampshire QB Brooks Bentley while the defense made 11 tackles-for-loss. The coverage unit struggled with some of the quick passing New Hampshire deployed, but it allowed just one explosive passing play.
New Hampshire didn't have much success on early downs and found itself in a third-down situation 20 times in this game.
This Harvard defense is going to be a problem for teams in the Ivy League this season and will likely round into what amounts to the conference's best stop unit.
Brown Bears
Brown battled through turnovers, negative plays and a lack of offensive consistency in its 17-10 win over New Haven on the road on Saturday afternoon.
The pass-happy Bears saw quarterback James Murphy complete 26-of-38 passes for 343 yards with a pair of interceptions. Murphy was under pressure consistently and was sacked four times.
Matt Childs ran the ball for 53 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also hauled in three pass receptions for 87 yards.
Brown scored its second touchdown with 12 minutes remaining in the second quarter, but could only manufacture three more points the rest of the way as the offense regularly stalled out while failing to convert on third down.
This offense will have to execute at a high level in key situations if Brown wants to move the ball against Harvard on Friday.
The Brown defense played really well in holding New Haven to 278 total yards and 10 points. Of the 74 plays run by the Chargers against Brown’s defense, only one went for longer than 20 yards, and the Bears also registered three sacks.
The Brown coverage unit stayed disciplined and kept the damage limited to underneath throws while the front played very well against the run, allowing just 2.3 yards per carry.
Brown will need the spirited defensive effort to carry over against Harvard this week if the Bears want to find themselves in a close, competitive game, something this series has seen a lot of in recent years.
Brown vs Harvard Prediction
This line opened with Harvard listed as a 13.5-point favorite with a total set at 49.5. I like the under in this matchup.
Harvard doesn't have nearly the offensive potency we've come accustomed to seeing from this Crimson team. The quarterback play is down several notches, as Smith lacks the dual-threat capabilities of his predecessor and struggles under pressure.
Smith struggled with his ball placement on deep throws, forcing the ball into coverage on several occasions.
I don't think the Crimson are going to register explosive plays on the pass, and every drive will have to be methodical.
The Crimson offense also struggled running the ball against New Hampshire on third down. Many of the conversion attempts were short-yardage attempts, and the Crimson offensive line couldn't assert its dominance over the New Hampshire front.
Nate Bailey did wiggle out of trouble on one touchdown run, but Harvard was set up for three short-field touchdowns due to special teams coverage errors.
This game is being played at a neutral venue in Pawtucket, RI, and the current weather forecast calls for a sustained wind of 15-18 MPH with 33-40 MPH gusts during the game.
Local weather forecasts call for even stronger sustained winds during the game. Brown isn't going to be able to throw the football and will have no choice but to resort to running the ball more.
I like the Bears' primary back — Child — and believe he'll be able to have moderate success against the Harvard front, but Brown is going to have to take its time and slow the pace to take advantage any time it crosses midfield.
The Bears should run the football in this one, and I seriously doubt we'll see 38 pass attempts — as we did in the opener against New Haven.
This game should be a slow-burning slog, and the wind will play a factor. As mentioned, Harvard doesn't have the same level of offensive punch we've seen in prior seasons, and both teams will run the ball a lot.
Look for field-goal kicking and passing to be affected by the wind, and for both defenses to step up and limit big plays.
Pick: Under 49.5 Points
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Indiana vs Northwestern Pick
By Ryan Minion
Northwestern Wildcats
Northwestern is off to a fantastic start to its 2026 campaign, prevailing in each of its first two matchups under head coach David Braun.
Braun recently signed a contract extension and has already made a massive impact in the transfer portal.
The effectiveness of Northwestern’s offseason moves in the portal is evident through its 41-7 blowout victory over Colorado.
The most significant move this offseason came via landing former Michigan State QB Aidan Chiles, who's off to a phenomenal start, throwing for over 500 yards with four touchdowns and zero interceptions.
The Wildcats also brought in Chip Kelly to take over as offensive coordinator, a decision that's clearly paid dividends in the first two victories.
Kelly’s new offensive schematics have already led to WR Griffin Wilde's breakout season and Florida State transfer RB Gavin Sawchuk thriving in the new system, as well.
Former Oklahoma State LB Kobie McKinzie has made an immediate impact out of the transfer portal, logging 13 tackles and a sack.
Braun’s bunch boasts an elite secondary highlighted by DBs Robert Fitzgerald and Damon Walters, who rank atop the defense in tackles.
While Northwestern’s defense has looked impressive, heading on the road to play reigning-champion, fifth-ranked Indiana will be a far greater challenge.
Indiana Hoosiers
In what was one of the most impressive national title runs in recent memory, the reigning-champion Hoosiers have picked up right where they left off in 2025, prevailing in each of their first three games in convincing fashion.
While a ton of uncertainty surrounded head coach Curt Cignetti’s offense before the 2026 season began after Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza left for the NFL, the speculation has since been put to rest.
In one of the biggest moves in the transfer portal this offseason, Indiana landed former TCU QB Josh Hoover, who has since led the Hoosiers’ offense to nearly 49 points per game over his first three starts in Bloomington.
Indiana is loaded with elite playmakers on the offensive side of the football, with Hoosier WR Charlie Backer retaining his 2025 WR1 spot. That's deserved, especially with the junior wideout having already caught 12 passes for 272 yards and six touchdowns.
Michigan State transfer wideout Nick Marsh is also off to a phenomenal start to his first season in Bloomington.
Indiana boasts a two-headed monster in its backfield, with Boston College transfer RB Turbo Richards leading the way and Lee Beebe Jr. playing a vital role thus far as a second tailback.
The Hoosiers’ defense has been remarkable as well, allowing opponents just 16 points over the first three weeks of the season and posting consecutive shutouts in the team’s last two matchups.
Indiana returned six starters under defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, with tackles Tyrique Tucker and Mario Landino both playing key roles for the defensive unit.
Linebackers Rolijah Hardy and Isaiah Jones add more experience to Indiana’s front seven, while transfers DE Tobi Osunsanmi and CB A.J. Harris have also made key contributions.
Cignetti is on a mission to make Indiana the first program to win consecutive championships since Georgia did so in 2021.
Indiana vs Northwestern Prediction
We're in for a Big Ten showdown on Friday night as both Indiana and Northwestern put their respective unbeaten records on the line in a huge conference matchup.
While the Wildcats have looked impressive under the team’s new offensive system, I doubt Kelly’s offense will be efficient against a stout Hoosier defense on Friday night.
Back Cignetti’s Hoosiers to keep on rolling.
Pick: Indiana -20.5
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Cal vs Clemson Pick
By RoadToCFB
Clemson Tigers
If it weren’t for a two-and-a-half-hour lightning delay, Clemson might be starting 1-2 with a 41-point blowout loss to LSU and a home loss to North Carolina.
Down 17-15, Clemson’s offense sputtered out for a third week in a row despite the change from Christopher Vizzina to Tait Reynolds at QB. You can even pinpoint the weather delay in the following EPA chart:
…and win expectancy.
But we don’t live in the land of if, and Clemson brings a 2-1 record — and a whole lot of recent momentum — into its Friday night game at Cal.
Reynolds is clearly the superior quarterback, and even with the injury, Dabo Swinney was making the switch. But red zone issues plague this team, and that’s a play-caller issue.
"New” OC Chad Morris has led Clemson to touchdowns on just 33% of red zone drives so far this season, third-to-worst in the country.
The other major concern comes up front. In both games against power-conference foes, Clemson’s defensive line has been manhandled in the run game, giving up 3.5 line yards per carry and three 100+ yard rushers.
Swinney has been under a lot of scrutiny and, after a few years of failing to meet expectations, the wheels on this team could fall completely off. It likely would've been this past week if not for the fourth-quarter comeback.
Cal Golden Bears
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele took the college football world by storm last year, gave new head coach Tosh Lupoi his first recruiting win by remaining at Cal, and came into this year with a ton of buzz.
But with that buzz came lofty projections for Cal, especially as it added two strong receivers in the portal, Chase Hendricks and Ian Strong. We haven’t seen those lofty projections hit, though.
Last year, Cal’s offense finished 74th in points per drive and, against FBS competition this year, it’s been far below average (94th).
Cal’s Week 2 win over Syracuse came with a 45% postgame win expectancy (per SP+) and benefited from Syracuse QB Steve Angeli turning the ball over three times and getting benched. The offense managed just 14 points, half of them coming on a short 30-yard field after an interception.
At some point, we have to separate Sagapolutele projections from what the offense is actually showing us. Currently, it’s bad news in Berkeley.
Cal’s defense has been serviceable — at times even pretty darn good — even with a 45-point outing on its hands (UCLA scored 21 in the fourth quarter, twice on short fields after interceptions and once on a 53-yard rushing explosive).
It needs to get off the field more often on third down, but this is a dependable unit as long as the offense doesn’t surrender short fields off turnovers.
Cal vs Clemson Prediction
Depending on when you bet, you can get plus odds on either side. For those looking to back Cal at home, the line opened short (+1.5) in a lukewarm 50.5-point total.
Clemson travels out to Berkeley for its first West Coast conference matchup ever and does so on a short travel week (Cal was at home last week). The Tigers return home in Week 5 for a huge game against Miami, making this a potential lookahead spot.
Swinney isn’t coaching for his job here, either – he’s still owed $57 million if fired this calendar year, and he’s likely going out on his own terms with two of the program’s three national championships.
That cross-country travel and coming off an emotional comeback win could spell a recipe for a total flat spot.
Take a survey of Cal’s offensive output in Week 2: 14 offensive points and one touchdown drive of more than 30 yards. Red-zone scoring has been poor this year (61.5% touchdown rate, 78th), and Clemson still fields a top-50 passing defense.
Despite the betting line, a win here would definitely play like an upset given recent program caliber, and I expect JKS to shoulder much of the weight to get it done.
When not totally overmatched (see: LSU), Clemson’s red zone defense has been decent and could be strong if Lupoi forces the issue with JKS. The Tigers held North Carolina to two critical red zone field goals last week.
I don’t trust Clemson’s offense enough to back the Tigers outright, so I’ll take a more isolated fade of Cal’s offense.
Pick: Cal Team Total Under 24.5 (-115 · FanDuel)
