It’s time for Week 9, and a full slate of college football! That can only mean one thing – it’s time for predictions. Lots of good football and interesting match-ups. Be sure to check out the ATS picks at the end.
Top 25
(25) South Carolina 24 Missouri 21
My model loves Missouri +5 here ATS, and I’ll take them to cover. But the Gamecocks are a better team. South Carolina has used good defense, special teams, and a strong rushing attack to win 5 games so far this season.
(24) NC State 20 Virginia Tech 13
Let’s be honest, with QB Devin Leary, the Wolfpack win this game by 3+ TDs. However, he’s out for the season. NC State still has a good defense, while Virginia Tech has been extremely bad this season on offense. I see a low scoring, one possession game where VT covers 13.5, but loses outright.
(21) UNC 34 Pittsburgh 31
UNC has the advantage at QB in this game, and it’s not even close. Drake Maye will once again lead the Tar Heels to a victory with a stellar offensive perfomance. Expect Pitt to also score and keep this one close, but the Tar Heels are the better team.
UCF 27 (20) Cincinnati 24
Cincinnati defeated SMU last week while UCF got blown out by ECU. Hardly anyone will give the Knights a chance in this game, but I’m going to pick them outright. QB John Rhys Plumlee will need an excellent game and UCF will need to contain Bearcats LB Ivan Pace Jr.
(17) Illinois 31 Nebraska 17
Illinois has an incredible defense and one of the top RBs in college football in Chase Brown. If the Illini play their style of football, they’ll win this game by two scores.
(16) Syracuse 21 Notre Dame 20
My model loves Notre Dame in this game, but it’s clear the Cuse are the better team. Syracuse wins but I’ll take the Irish +3.
Texas A&M 28 (15) Ole Miss 24
Last week I picked LSU to win vs Ole Miss in a pick someone called “questionable,” and this week I’m picking the Rebels to once again lose. If the Aggies can control the rushing attack of Ole Miss, then they’ll put Jaxson Dart in a tough spot, and he will make some big mistakes.
(14) Wake Forest 38 Louisville 35
The Demon Deacons led by QB Sam Hartman can score with ease on just about anyone. If Louisville QB Malik Cunningham is healthy and playing to his capabilities, the Cards offense can also score a lot of points. This will be a back and forth high scoring game, and Sam Hartman gets the job done in the end for the Win.
(12) UCLA 38 Stanford 21
Stanford has really fallen off as a program and UCLA is angry coming off a loss to the Ducks. The Bruins roll in this one.
(10) USC 49 Arizona 35
Arizona is capable of scoring points with Jayden de Laura at QB, and they’ve made a leap as a program. This Wildcats team is capable of winning this game, but they don’t quite have the offense to do so. USC should score 40+ points in this one, and I expect a big game from QB Caleb Williams.
(22) Kansas State 31 (9) Oklahoma State 28
I’m not sure if Adrian Martinez starts at QB for the Wildcats, but my model loves KSU to win this game. Backup Will Howard is a capable QB, but he will need an outstanding game if he starts for KSU to win. I love what Oklahoma State has done this season and I trust QB Spencer Sanders, but I have to trust my model on this one. Not confident about it but I’m rolling with KSU.
(8) Oregon 42 California 14
The Golden Bears are no match for the Ducks. QB Bo Nix is playing incredible and this offense is humming. Ducks by 4 TDs.
(7) TCU 42 West Virginia 38
How sick would it be if the Mountaineers actually pulled off this upset at home? My model absolutely loves WVU +8. I’m not sure WVU can actually get this upset unless JT Daniels plays spotless at QB. But they’ll keep it close. TCU QB Max Duggan has played so well he’s in my Top 5 for the Heisman, and I trust him to get the Horned Frogs a close and tough fought win.
(4) Michigan 42 Michigan State 14
Michigan State had an excellent season last year and knocked off Michigan. In a rivalry game it’s hard to discount a team. But from what I’ve seen this season, I don’t know how the Spartans keep this one close. Michigan has an excellent rushing attack and Sparty will have a tough job stopping them. Give me Michigan to win and cover -22.
(3) Tennessee 38 (19) Kentucky 28
Tennessee only scoring 38 sounds scary to predcit, but Kentucky slows this game down on offense and plays decent defense to hold the Vols under 40. If Kentucky wants to win this game, they’ll need a BIG game from QB Will Levis. This is an excellent opportunity to prove his draft stock.
(2) Ohio State 35 (13) Penn State 21
Penn State got destroyed vs Michigan, but bounced back with a nice performance last week vs Minnesota. PSU will be ready to play at home and I expect them to put up a fight. However, the Buckeyes are just a much better team with a much better QB and offense. I like Buckeye QB CJ Stroud to have a good game, even if WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba doesn’t play. Buckeyes win but PSU covers +15.5
(1) Georgia 38 Florida 14
Georgia has struggled this season vs some teams we wouldn’t expect, and they’ve also looked dominant vs what seems to be a legit Oregon Team. If the Dawgs play to their capabilities, they should win this one easily. If they don’t and QB Anthony Richardson plays his A+ game, then the Gators will have a shot.
Top Unranked Games
- Arkansas 28 Auburn 17
- Iowa State 34 Oklahoma 31
- Miami 24 UVA 21
- Toledo 33 Eastern Michigan 31
- Marshall 31 Coastal Carolina 24
- FAU 27 UAB 24
- Texas Tech 35 Baylor 28
Remaining Games
- ECU 35 BYU 34
- La Tech 31 FIU 21
- Boston College 31 UConn 17
- Florida State 35 Georgia Tech 10
- Miami OH 27 Akron 16
- Houston 38 USF 23
- Rice 35 Charlotte 31
- Minnesota 24 Rutgers 14
- Georgia State 31 ODU 28
- UMass 20 NMSU 17
- WKU 42 North Texas 24
- Iowa 28 Northwestern 13
- Appalachian State 42 Robert Morris 14
- SMU 35 Tulsa 28
- Navy 20 Temple 17
- South Alabama 36 Arkansas State 23
- Boise State 38 Colorado State 7
- Arizona State 27 Colorado 20
- UTEP 28 MTSU 26
- SJSU 42 Nevada 10
- Fresno State 24 SDSU 20
- Wyoming 34 Hawaii 17
Free ATS Picks
(Season Total 62.5%)
- FAU +5
- Michigan -22
- Texas A&M -1.5
- Kansas State -1
- Notre Dame +3
- Missouri +5
- West Virginia +8
- EMU +7
- Louisville +4
- UCF -1.5
- Penn State +15.5
Interested in winning money in DFS? Check out our podcast!
