Each week, I will use this space to tell you what I think are a few of the best bets heading into the weekend. I will also throw in an upset of the week, which will be a team that is at least a touchdown underdog that I am picking to win outright.
I will also give you picks on other games involving potential College Football Playoff teams. There may be scenarios for teams I am not listing that get them CFP consideration, but I do not consider them likely.
Last week’s picks had a bit of a close-but-no-cigar feel to them. As a result, I went 1-2 to drop to .500 overall. The upset special lost, but covered, so is now 2-6 straight up and 3-5 ATS. I feel good about this week’s pick, though.
Here are the best bets for Week 9 with odds from Caesars Sportsbook.
Week 9 Picks
Duke at No. 13 Wake Forest
Featured Game | Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs. Duke Blue Devils
The Demon Deacons have one of the most prolific offenses in the country, averaging 43.5 points per game. Nobody has held Wake Forest under 35 points yet. While their defense has not been spectacular, it is good enough to keep Duke three or four touchdowns behind their offense. Pick: Wake Forest (-16.5)
Purdue at Nebraska
Featured Game | Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Purdue Boilermakers
Purdue’s streak of hitting the under in every game this season came to an end in the 30-13 loss against Wisconsin, but only by a few points and largely thanks to five turnovers. The Boilermakers have scored exactly 13 points in four of their last five games. Nebraska’s offense has been hit-or-miss and will lean “miss” against a stingy Purdue defense. Pick: Under (52)
Florida State at Clemson
Featured Game | Clemson Tigers vs. Florida State Seminoles
Unlike Purdue, Clemson is still perfect on hitting the under this season and this game figures to be no exception. That may be especially true now that the Tigers have a quarterback controversy. Florida State is playing better as of late, but does not figure to be the first team to put 30 on Clemson’s defense. While I’m at it, how are the Tigers 10-point favorites over anyone right now? They have yet to beat any FBS team by double digits. That will not change this week, either. Picks: FSU +10, Under 47
Upset of the Week
Navy at Tulsa
Featured Game | Tulsa Golden Hurricane vs. Navy Midshipmen
The Midshipmen are tough matchup because they run the triple option. That requires a lot of discipline defensively to slow them down. Cincinnati, which has laid waste to its schedule so far, had quite a battle with Navy last Saturday. Tulsa has won the games it should, but it’s not winning by much. This seems like a big number and I think Navy can win outright. Pick: Navy (+340)
Other CFP candidates
- Florida vs. No. 1 Georgia Pick: Georgia (-14)
- No. 2 Cincinnati at Tulane Pick: Cincinnati (-24.5)
- Texas Tech at No. 4 Oklahoma Pick: Oklahoma (-20)
- No. 20 Penn State at No. 5 Ohio State Pick: Ohio State (-18.5)
- No. 6 Michigan at No. 8 Michigan State Pick: Michigan (+4.5)
- Colorado at No. 7 Oregon Pick: Oregon (-24)
- No. 9 Iowa at Wisconsin Pick: Iowa (-3)
- No. 10 Mississippi at No. 18 Auburn Pick: Auburn (+2.5)
- North Carolina at No. 11 Notre Dame Pick: Notre Dame (-3.5)
Which college football picks can you make with confidence in Week 9, and which top-10 team will go down hard? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread — all from a proven computer model that has returned almost $3,900 in profit over the past five-plus seasons — and find out.
