Multiple conference matchups are on the slate tonight, including Duke vs. Virginia at 7 p.m. ET and NC State vs. Stanford at 10:30 p.m. ET, both on ESPN. The American Conference is also on display when Army takes on Tulsa at 8:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
With players aiming to help their respective teams by getting into the end zone, who's on a hot streak or has a favorable matchup?
Let’s highlight our best college football Anytime TD scorer predictions for PrizePicks on Friday, featuring three players who could sniff pay dirt.
Make your college football TD scorer predictions on PrizePicks now!
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Best College Football Anytime TD Scorer Picks for PrizePicks – Friday, October 23
Conference matchups are critical in the Power Four because winning the conference could secure a playoff spot. It matters in the Group of Six, too, because the College Football Playoff committee has previously voted those teams in.
Teams are determined to find the end zone as a result, thus opening the door for a multitude of players to do the scoring on Friday night. Who's in a solid spot to potentially accomplish that feat?
Anytime TDs on PrizePicks include rushing, receiving, recoveries, and returns. PrizePicks often lists Anytime TDs as Demons and Goblins, meaning users can only select "More." For standard projections, users can select “More” or “Less.”
Demons are tougher to win but are the only way to get higher payouts. Meanwhile, Goblins are lower than a standard projection, but they are easier to win, so there is a lower payout.
All stats are via CFB Stats, PFF, and Game on Paper unless otherwise noted.
Duke vs. Virginia TD Scorer Prediction – 7 p.m. ET
Duke RB Nate Sheppard: 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)
Sheppard has been one of the nation’s most electric dual-threat RBs. In the first four games of the season, he had at least 116 rushing yards in each, but he’s missed the century mark in the last two games. However, he’s made up for it with at least 91 receiving yards in both.
He failed to score a rushing TD for the first time last week against North Carolina yet still found the end zone through the air. That's helped him lead the country in yards from scrimmage (1,079).
Unfortunately, Sheppard’s production hasn’t been enough Duke, who's lost two straight. Those struggles stem from a recent defensive regression. Duke'ss allowed 24.0 PPG over its last two, well above the club's season average of 16.0.
The good news is even if the defense keeps struggling, it may not affect Sheppard because he still plays a role in the passing game.
Sheppard’s matchup might be favorable against Virginia, which ranks 12th in the ACC in points allowed per game (20.7). This is an even better matchup for Sheppard, as the Cavaliers rank in the 15th percentile in the FBS for EPA/rush (+0.14) ceded.
The only concern is that QBs have accounted for 8 of Virginia's 10 rushing TDs allowed. Not ideal, but Sheppard is the focal point of the Duke offense with 20+ carries in five of six games. He'll get the goal-line carries, too.
Add Nate Sheppard + Duke to win to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Army vs. Tulsa TD Scorer Prediction – 8:30 p.m. ET
Army QB Cale Hellums: 0.5 Anytime TDs (Goblin)
Three things are guaranteed in life: death, taxes, and a service academy football program running the triple-option offense.
Army runs the triple-option better than anyone, leading the country in rushing yards per carry (6.5), rushing yards per game (357.5), and EPA/rush (+0.29).
Hellums leads an offense that emphasizes his rushing ability; as a result, he’s second in rushing TDs among QBs (13) and third in rushing yards (724). He’s also handling most of the carries inside the 5-yard line and has 10 of the team’s 14 goal-line TDs, including all 6 last week against Florida Atlantic.
This feels like a dream scenario for Army’s offense against Tulsa. The Golden Hurricanes have let opponents utilize the run game, allowing the third-most carries per game in the country (44.1) and sitting in the 11th percentile in rushing YPG (191.7).
Tulsa's been especially bad in the last three games against North Texas, Navy, and Rice, giving up 903 combined rushing yards and 8 rushing TDs.
This could be a game in which Hellum can run at will and reach the end zone.
Add Cale Hellums + Army to win to your PrizePicks lineup now.
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NC State vs. Stanford TD Scorer Prediction – 10:30 p.m. ET
NC State WR Keenan Jackson: 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)
NC State hasn’t had a great start to conference play, sporting just a 1-2 record. The offense hasn’t been particularly strong, scoring under 20 points in two of those ACC matchups. However, it can put points on the board against weaker defenses.
NC State scored 31 against Louisville, which ranks in the 26th percentile in PPG allowed (27.4), as well as 31 against Vanderbilt (29.7 PPG, 16th percentile). This week, the Wolfpack face an awful Stanford defense, which allows the fifth-most PPG in the FBS (36.5).
In these higher-scoring games, Jackson's been part of the offense. He has scored a TD in three of the last four games, and in each of those TD-scoring outings, NC State has produced at least 31 points.
If you think the Wolfpack can run up the score against one of the country’s weakest defenses, Jackson very well could find pay dirt.
Add Keenan Jackson + NC State to win to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Make College Football Picks on PrizePicks
Friday night presents some intriguing matchups, including an ACC clash between Duke and Virginia and an American Conference matchup between Army and Tulsa.
Who could find pay dirt? Make your college football predictions on PrizePicks. Just pick college football players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right.
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