This Friday features some pivotal matchups in college football. Tonight, we get two conference games, starting with an ACC matchup between #5 Miami and Wake Forest at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. There’s also a Big 12 clash when #22 Houston takes on #13 Texas Tech at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
Another game to keep an eye on is #21 Oregon’s first game since being upset by Oklahoma State, which sees them take on FCS program Portland State.
With two games determining the conference standings and another featuring a team primed for a rebound, these should be exciting games to follow. There could be plenty of scoring, but which players may find the end zone?
Below, we’ll highlight our best college football Anytime TD scorer predictions for PrizePicks on Friday, featuring three players who could reach the end zone in Week 3.
Make your college football Anytime TD scorer predictions PrizePicks now!
{{cfb_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Best College Football Anytime TD Scorer Predictions for PrizePicks – Friday, September 18
The conference matchups are nice on Friday night, and that's on top of Oregon needing a bounce-back victory after suffering one of the biggest upsets in college football history. Despite there only being three games on the docket, there could be ample Anytime Touchdown picks.
Anytime TDs on PrizePicks include rushing, receiving, recoveries, and returns. PrizePicks often list Anytime TDs as Demons and Goblins, meaning users can only select "More." For standard projections, users can select “More” or “Less.”
Demons are more difficult to win but are the only way to get higher than standard payouts. Meanwhile, Goblins are lower than a standard projection, meaning they are easier to win with a lower payout.
All stats are via CFB Stats, PFF, and Game on Paper unless otherwise noted.
#5 Miami vs. Wake Forest Anytime TD Scorer Prediction – 7:30 p.m. ET
Miami WR Malachi Toney: 0.5 Anytime TDs (Goblin)
Expectations are high for Miami after playing in last year's National Championship Game. Based on the team’s performance so far, it might be better than last season.
The key factor in the Hurricanes’ championship run will be QB Darian Mensah’s ability to lead the offense. While former Miami QB Carson Beck was efficient, he lacked Mensah's explosive arm. Mensah ranks second in the country in yards per attempt at 14.5; Beck managed only 8.1 last season.
The biggest beneficiary of Mensah’s cannon arm is WR Malachi Toney. He’s carried the momentum from his stellar freshman year when he finished fifth in receiving yards (1,211). This season, he ranks second in the nation with 330.
Toney uses his explosive speed to stretch the field vertically and tops the FBS in yards per route run (7.5). His connection with Mensah has produced several big plays, with Toney also leading the country in 40+ yard receptions (4).
This week, the Canes will face Wake Forest in a potentially favorable matchup given the Demon Deacons' struggling pass defense. Purdue torched Wake Forest through the air last week, allowing 329 passing yards.
Add Malachi Toney + Miami to win to your PrizePicks lineup now.
#22 Houston vs. #13 Texas Tech Anytime TD Scorer Predictions – 8 p.m. ET
Texas Tech RB J’Koby Williams: 0.5 Anytime TDs (Goblin)
Texas Tech’s goal is to return to the College Football Playoff and avoid an early exit. Last season, it controlled the Big 12, going 8-1 in conference play and cruising over BYU in the conference championship 34-7. It was embarrassed in its only playoff game, though, losing to Oregon 23-0.
The Red Raiders’ offense looks a little different, with QB Will Hammond starting after serving as the backup to former QB Behren Morton last season. They are leaning more into the run this season and rank in the 72nd percentile in rush play percentage at 59.0%, up from last year’s 52.1% mark.
Last season, Texas Tech RB Cameron Dickey was the primary back, leading the team in carries (209) and rushing yards (1,124). That's changed with RB J'Koby Williams leading the backfield.
He’s earned the role by outperforming Dickey in yards per carry (5.8), average yards after contact (2.3), and missed tackles forced (3).
Williams is also valuable as a pass catcher, ranking third on the team in receiving yards (73). For a QB like Hammond, who’s averaging just 3.3 yards per attempt, having a dependable RB to check the ball down to is important.
Houston has an excellent pass rush and already has 5 sacks in two games, so Texas Tech could try to get the ball out of Hammond’s hands as quickly as possible, possibly with short passes to Williams or by having him run the ball.
Add J’Koby Williams + Texas Tech to cover the spread to your PrizePicks lineup now.
{{cfb_offer_banner="/style-system/ui-components-playbook"}}
Houston WR Amare Thomas: 0.5 Anytime TDs (Demon)
Houston might finally be ready to compete in the Big 12. In its first two seasons in the conference in 2023 and 2024, it went a combined 8-16. Last year, it went 10-3, albeit with a blowout loss to Texas Tech.
QB Conner Weigman must have been thinking about this game for the last year, as he didn’t get to finish the previous matchup against Tech after suffering a concussion in the first half.
The biggest surprise has been the dual-threat man's improved passing. He currently owns career highs in completion percentage (69.0%), yards per completion (10.1), and passer rating (180.5).
Weigman’s ascent has helped WR Amare Thomas, and he’s proving to be one of the country’s most explosive receivers. He enters this matchup ranked 23rd with 101 yards after catch, which accounts for 62.3% of his 162 receiving yards.
Red Raiders CB John Curry may match up with Thomas. Last week, Curry struggled against Oregon State, allowing 8 receptions on 8 targets for 100 yards (including 56 YAC).
The Weigman-Thomas connection could be a critical game plan to help the Cougars pull off the upset, so Thomas may receive the majority of targets in this matchup.
Add Amare Thomas + Houston to win to your PrizePicks lineup now.
Make College Football Picks for Week 3 on PrizePicks
Each of these games has an intriguing storyline. Miami aims to continue its dominance and go 2-0 in the ACC against Wake Forest, and we also get a battle between two ranked teams in the Big 12. To cap things off, Oregon attempts to recover from its horrific loss last week.
Who could find pay dirt to help their teams on Friday? Make your Week 3 college football predictions on PrizePicks. Pick college football players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right.
With Team Picks, you can make predictions on college football game winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 36 states.
Stay locked in on Playbook for daily college football predictions, picks, and news all the way through the 2026 College Football Playoff.
Team Picks and Culture Picks are event contracts offered by Performance Predictions II, LLC d/b/a PrizePicks Predict, a CFTC-registered FCM and NFA Member. All event contract customers must be U.S. residents and 18+. Some event contracts may not be available in every state.Event contract trading carries significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone. No guarantee against loss is offered. Past results are not necessarily indicative of future results.Void where prohibited by law. Restrictions apply. For full terms of service see prizepicks.com/predict-regulatory. Team and Culture Pick Early Payouts subject to market liquidity. The content provided is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, or a recommendation to trade any commodity interest.
