Check out our free Bears vs Falcons pick and preview for NCAAF week 1 game in Fort Worth. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this week’s NCAAF matchup.

Bears vs Falcons Pick & Preview: NCAAF Week 1 Betting Odds

On Thursday, December 22nd at 7:30 PM ET, the Baylor Bears and Air Force Falcons at Amon G. Carter Stadium in Fort Worth, TX. ESPN is carrying television coverage for game. In a non-conference matchup, the Bears are -6 point favorites on the road. The over-under point total is currently set at 49.5.

Bears vs Falcons Matchup at a Glance

  • Sport: NCAAF
  • Teams: Baylor Bears at Air Force Falcons
  • Where: Fort Worth at Amon G. Carter Stadium
  • Date: Thursday, December 22nd
  • Betting Odds:
  • BAYL -6, BAYL -236 | AIRF +188 O/U 49.5

Bears Preview:

The Bears take on the Air Force Falcons with a Big 12 record of 4-5 while going 6-6 overall.

Baylor is coming off a 11 loss to Texas by a score of 38-27. The Bears entered the game as 10.0 point road underdogs, making this an ATS loss. The two team’s combined to score 65 points, surpassing the over-under betting line of 55.0. In the win, the team’s defense gave up a total of 402 yards, with 208 coming on the ground. So far, the team is ranked 61st in rush yards allowed per game. Currently, Baylor is ranked 119th in passing yards allowed and is coming off a game in which they gave up 194 yards through the air.

Coming into this week’s game, the Baylor offense is averaging 33.58. So far, big plays have been hard to come by for the unit, as they rank poorly in explosive plays in both on the ground and through the air. However, they have an opportunity to put together an above average performance vs a Air Force defense ranked 44th in EPA. This season, the Baylor offense has turned to the run at a below average rate. But, this week they have an opportunity to move the ball on the ground as Air Force has struggled up front. For the year, the Bears are averaging 194.08 yards per gameon the ground. Heading into the game, the Bears will be looking to turn things around in the passing game, as their per game average of 235.08 yards places them 82nd in the NCAA. So far, they are the 124th ranked team in attempts per contest (30.75).

Falcons Preview:

As the Falcons travel to take on the Baylor Bears, they have an overall record of 9-3. This includes going 5-3 in Mountain West action.

In their last game, Air Force defeated San Diego State 13-3, despite being the 2.0 point underdogs. With their 16 combined points, the two teams remained below the over-under line of 43.5. In the loss, the team’s defense gave up a total of 187 yards, with -1 coming on the ground. So far, the team is ranked 9th in rush yards allowed per game. Currently, Air Force is ranked 9th in passing yards allowed and is coming off a game in which they gave up 188 yards through the air.

Coming into this week’s game, the Air Force offense is averaging 27.67. So far, big plays have been hard to come by for the unit, as they rank poorly in explosive plays in both on the ground and through the air. However, they have an opportunity to put together an above average performance vs a Baylor defense ranked 74th in EPA. Look for Air Force to establish the run against Baylor as not only do they hand the ball off at an above average rate, but they have one of the better rush success rates in college football. In addition, opposing team’s have found success on the ground vs the Baylor front seven. Heading into the game, the Falcons will be looking to turn things around in the passing game, as their per game average of 67.75 yards places them 219th in the NCAA. So far, they are the 228th ranked team in attempts per contest (6.67).

Odds & Free Betting Analysis for this NCAFF Game

In terms of betting, the Bears have an ATS record of 6-5-0. Their current over-under record sits at 7-4-0. When looking at their past 5 road matchups, Baylor has an ATS record of 3-2-0 while averaging 36.2 per game. The team went 3-2-0 overall in these games.

In terms of betting, the Falcons have an ATS record of 6-6-0. Their current over-under record sits at 5-7-0. Air Force has played well in their previous 5 home games, going 4-1-0 straight up. In this stretch, they averaged 19.8 points per game while allowing 10.2. The team’s also performed well vs the spread at 1-4-0.

Bears vs Falcons Pick

Free Spread Prediction: Air Force Falcons 6

Free Spread Prediction: Under 49.5