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Thursday night cfb betting picks: east carolina & buffalo

Thursday Night Betting Picks | Football Showdown: ECU vs. NC State & Buffalo vs. Minnesota

By

Dmitry Ivanov

Aug 29, 2025, 07:39 AM

2 minutes reading time

East Carolina plays NC State and Buffalo faces Minnesota in college football games.

As college football enthusiasts gear up for Thursday evening's action, two games stand out for bettors. With East Carolina facing NC State and Buffalo squaring off against Minnesota, trends indicate a strong under and a solid spread bet are in play.

Insightful Trends and Picks

East Carolina vs. NC State - Points Under

  • Game Time: 6:00 PM CST

  • Pick: East Carolina/NC State Under 62 (-110)

  • Trends: Every time NC State has been a home favorite against East Carolina, the total has been 61 points or fewer. Historically, NC State shows a 3-7 record Over/Under in Week 1 as a home favorite and a dismal 0-2 against AAC teams.

"It looks like another under for NC State this Thursday."

East Carolina's recent performances also signal a likelihood of low scoring. Their last five outings totaled 52 points or less, and they are 1-4 Over/Under in Week 1 as a road underdog.

Buffalo vs. Minnesota - Spread Bet

  • Game Time: 7:00 PM CST

  • Pick: Buffalo U +17.5 (-110)

  • Performance Overview: Minnesota struggles against MAC teams. Their record drops to 1-7 ATS when favored by more than 15 points. Buffalo, however, shines in Week 1 games as road underdogs, going 7-2 ATS overall and 8-3 when facing Big Ten teams.

"Trail by more than 15? Not a good sign for the Gophers," one bettor remarked.

Key Takeaways

  • Buffalo's Strength: 7-2 ATS as a road underdog in Week 1.

  • Minnesota's Weakness: 0-2 ATS when hosting Buffalo in the past.

  • Historical Matchups: NC State's home games against ECU yield low point totals consistently.

Bettors are weighing these statistics heavily as they look to capitalize on the games tonight. Will Buffalo's potential prevail against Minnesota's historical struggles, and can East Carolina keep scoring minimal against NC State? Time will tell.

Forecasting the Field

Bettors should expect an uphill battle for both East Carolina and Buffalo in their respective showdowns tonight. Early predictions lean toward a low-scoring game between ECU and NC State, with about a 65% chance of the total remaining under 62 points, influenced by NC State's historical performance against AAC teams. Meanwhile, Buffalo has a strong shot at covering the spread at +17.5, with around a 70% probability based on Minnesota's past struggles against MAC opponents. Underperformance from the Gophers could play a significant role, adding to Buffaloโ€™s chances of keeping it competitive.

Unlikely Connections in Sports History

In 2007, the New York Mets found themselves leading the National League East with a 7-game advantage in September, only to collapse in the final weeks of the season. This unexpected fall from grace can be likened to Minnesota's situation with its poor record against MAC teams and the potential for Buffalo to pull off a shocking performance tonight. Just as the Mets strived to maintain their lead despite historical trends, Minnesota must confront factors that could work against them. The unpredictability of sports often mirrors life, showcasing how quickly fortunes can change when the odds seem stacked.