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College football picks, schedule: Predictions against the spread, odds for top 25 games Friday in Week 13

Rivalry Week kicked off with the Egg Bowl on Thursday, but Friday provides a full slate of college football games to whet your appetite for Saturday. With games set from noon ET through the evening, you can spend Black Friday in the comfort of your home shopping online while watching — and perhaps wagering — on college football.

Among the top storylines Friday are No. 21 San Diego State looking to hold onto its one-loss status entering the final College Football Playoff Rankings, Texas and Nebraska both looking to end their seasons on positive notes despite their disappointing records, No. 16 Iowa trying to do what it can to earn a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game, No. 25 Arkansas attempting to best Missouri in their annual Thanksgiving weekend showdown, and No. 20 NC State hoping to hold off rival North Carolina as it aims for a top-tier bowl game. 

While winning is all that matters for the standings, we care about whether these teams will cover their spreads. Be sure to stick with CBS Sports throughout the day for college football coverage from the opening kickoff onward. Let’s take a look at our expert picks for a loaded Friday in Week 13.

Odds via Caesars Sportsbook | All times Eastern

Boise State at No. 21 San Diego State

Noon | CBS, CBSSports.comCBS Sports App — When Boise State struggles to run the ball, its offense becomes far less efficient. San Diego State has the manpower to limit George Holani and muck up the game. The only opponents that have reached 30 points against the Aztecs are Utah and Fresno State. If San Diego State can play the game on its terms in the home finale, the Aztecs will emerge victorious. Prediction: San Diego State (+2.5) — Shehan Jeyarajah

Kansas State at Texas

Noon | Fox, fuboTV (Try for free) — Kansas State didn’t score a touchdown in the second half of a 20-10 loss to Baylor last week. Much of that is attributable to the Bears defense, but it’s a bad omen as the Wildcats prepare for the regular-season finale with quarterback Skylar Thompson’s status uncertain. K-State coach Chris Klieman said this week that there is an “outside shot” Thompson plays. Assuming he doesn’t, Texas should snap its six-game losing streak and cover at home. The Wildcats just aren’t the same without Thompson. Prediction: Texas (-3) — David Cobb

No. 16 Iowa at Nebraska

1:30 p.m. | Big Ten Network, fuboTV (Try for free) — I was already leaning Iowa’s direction for this one, and then the Adrian Martinez injury news came. It became an easier decision from there. While Nebraska has fought hard all season long and is better than its record suggests, it’s hard to count on them with a backup quarterback against an Iowa team with so much left to play for. I’d take the Hawkeyes all the way to Iowa -3, depending on how far the line has moved since the Martinez injury announcement. Prediction: Iowa (+3.5) — Tom Fornelli

Missouri at No. 25 Arkansas

3:30 p.m. | CBS, CBSSports.comCBS Sports App — Arkansas will polish off its surprising season with an emphatic win over the downtrodden Missouri defense. Simply put, this is a matchup nightmare for a defense that hasn’t been able to stop a nosebleed, much less a rushing attack. Lay the points and enjoy the victory lap. Prediction: Arkansas (-14) — Barrett Sallee

North Carolina at No. 20 NC State

7 p.m. | ESPN, fuboTV (Try for free) — This one is going to be fun. With a projected total of 62, the Wolfpack and Tar Heels could exceed it entering the fourth quarter. The difference in this game will be NC State’s defense, which should be able to limit North Carolina on enough series that it wins by a touchdown. UNC has already clinched bowl eligibility, but NC State is looking at an outside chance for a New Year’s Six berth or top-tier bowl game. As long as this stays under a full touchdown, back the Pack. Prediction: NC State (-6) — Adam Silverstein

Which college football picks can you make with confidence in Week 13, and which top College Football Playoff contender gets a huge scare? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all from a proven computer model that has returned almost $3,700 in profit over the past five-plus seasons — and find out.

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