College Football Late Slate Best Bets for Saturday, September 12th
Saturday's early college football board is already underway, but several strong positions remain on the evening schedule.
For these college football late slate best bets for September 12, we are using only same-day Picks & Parlays matchup recommendations from games beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET or later.
- South Alabama +10 vs Tulane
- San Jose State -20.5 vs Cal Poly
- USC -30.5 vs Louisiana
For the complete Saturday board, visit the Picks & Parlays college football picks page.
Late Slate Best Bet: South Alabama +10 vs Tulane
Current spread: South Alabama +10
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South Alabama gives us the underdog position on the late card.
Picks & Parlays originally recommended South Alabama +9.5, and the current market has actually improved the number to approximately +10.
The Jaguars opened the season by beating Southeastern Louisiana 39-14 and produced 395 total yards, including 241 on the ground.
That rushing production is important against a Tulane team that enters Saturday looking for answers after a 17-3 loss at Duke.
The Green Wave managed only 54 rushing yards in that opener and failed to score an offensive touchdown.
Tulane faced the much stronger opening opponent and should perform better at home, but asking the Green Wave to win by double digits is a different question than simply asking them to win.
Quarterback Bishop Davenport protected the football in South Alabama's opener, completing 18 of 27 passes without an interception, while the Jaguars' rushing attack gave the offense a reliable way to stay ahead of the chains.
Tulane running back Jamauri McClure has also been dealing with a foot injury, adding another variable to an offense still searching for rhythm.
Weather should not create a major obstacle. Current game forecasts call for warm, cloudy conditions in New Orleans with only light wind.
The original P&P handicap liked South Alabama at +9.5. Getting approximately +10 strengthens the position.
Read the complete South Alabama vs Tulane picks and prediction.
Best Bet: South Alabama +10
Late Slate Best Bet: San Jose State -20.5 vs Cal Poly
Current spread: San Jose State -20.5
San Jose State returns home after opening its season with two consecutive road games.
Picks & Parlays backed the Spartans at -20.5, and that same number remains available Saturday afternoon.
Cal Poly deserves respect after a 2-0 start, but this is a significant step up against an FBS opponent whose passing game has already produced at a high level.
San Jose State quarterback Luke Weaver has thrown for 550 yards and five touchdowns through two games. He is coming off a 316-yard, three-touchdown performance in the Spartans' 27-21 win at Eastern Michigan.
That passing attack is the central matchup advantage.
Cal Poly has been competitive offensively, but its defense has allowed opponents to move the ball through the air. San Jose State should be able to create explosive plays without abandoning its normal offensive structure.
The gap between the programs has also been substantial in recent meetings. San Jose State beat Cal Poly 59-3 when they last met in 2023.
That result does not determine Saturday's game, especially with an improved Cal Poly team, but it illustrates the talent difference the Mustangs have to overcome on an FBS field.
Conditions in San Jose look favorable for offense, with temperatures in the mid-70s, few clouds and almost no wind expected around kickoff.
The market has not forced us to chase the favorite. P&P recommended -20.5, and -20.5 remains the current number.
Read the full Cal Poly vs San Jose State picks and prediction.
Best Bet: San Jose State -20.5
Late Slate Best Bet: USC -30.5 vs Louisiana
Current spread: USC -30.5
The final play comes from the latest game on our card.
Picks & Parlays originally recommended USC -31.5. The current market has moved back to approximately -30.5, giving bettors a full point of improvement.
USC enters 2-0 after shutting out Fresno State 39-0.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava has been exceptionally efficient, completing 48 of 54 passes for 635 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions through USC's first two games.
The defense has been just as important.
USC allowed only 116 yards in the Fresno State shutout, continuing an encouraging early-season turnaround under defensive coordinator Gary Patterson.
Louisiana is 1-0 after beating Lamar 38-7, but Saturday represents a dramatic increase in opposition quality.
The Ragin' Cajuns also enter the matchup without multiple receivers, including Landon Strother, Trenton Chaney and Shelton Sampson.
USC has its own injury questions, but the Trojans' depth advantage is considerably larger than Louisiana's, particularly at the skill positions.
The weather in Los Angeles is not expected to interfere with the favorite's offensive advantage. Current projections call for clear conditions around 80 degrees with light wind.
P&P projected USC to win 52-17 while laying 31.5. At a current number around -30.5, the market now gives us a slightly better version of the same wager.
Read the complete Louisiana vs USC picks and prediction.
Best Bet: USC -30.5
Why These Three Saturday Night College Football Picks?
The late slate has plenty of other possibilities, but these three give us distinct matchup profiles without recycling the earlier all-day Winners & Whiners Best Bets card.
South Alabama is a double-digit underdog with enough rushing production to shorten the game and stay competitive.
San Jose State is a home favorite whose passing attack creates a major matchup problem for an FCS opponent.
USC is a heavy favorite, but the current number has improved from the original P&P recommendation while the Trojans continue to show advantages on both sides of the ball.
Most importantly, none of the three requires bettors to chase a worse number than the one supporting the original handicap.
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College football spreads can move quickly as kickoff approaches, particularly once final availability information reaches the market. Compare the current number before placing a wager.
College Football Late Slate Best Bets for September 12
The strongest remaining Picks & Parlays-supported plays are:
- South Alabama +10
- San Jose State -20.5
- USC -30.5
South Alabama gives us the points, San Jose State provides a manageable home favorite, and USC closes the night with an improved spread compared with the original recommendation.
That makes this a genuinely separate late-slate product rather than a second version of Saturday's earlier college football roundup.
Odds, injuries and sportsbook promotions can change. Verify current prices and eligibility before wagering. Gambling involves risk. Bet responsibly.
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