College Football: Top-15 Week 9 Picks
Alabama and Washington keep rolling on, while Ohio State suffered a step back against an unranked Penn State squad. Some intriguing match-ups are on the slate, making Saturday a great night.
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide are on a BYE
#2 Michigan Wolverines visit Michigan State Spartans
The Buckeyes loss puts Michigan in a prime position to win the Big Ten East and a route to the conference championship game. They can't have a let down against Michigan State, despite Sparty being -4 in conference play. Vegas isn't fond of Michigan State's chances as the Wolverines come in favorited by 24.5 points. Hard to say that the spread will be covered but Michigan should take the W.
#3 Clemson Tigers visit #12 Florida State Seminoles
Clemson should win the ACC Atlantic Division, but the Seminoles won't be making it easy as they aim to keep what minimal hopes they have at a divisional crown alive. DeShaun Watson should be able to lead the Tigers over the Noles by enough of a margin to cover the 4 point spread.
#4 Washington Huskies visit #17 Utah Utes
UDub has been demolishing opponents by huge margins, and the Utes are hobbling. Coming off a 52-45 win over UCLA, Utah allowed for a backup QB to throw for five scores (with 4 INTs granted), so Browning must be licking his chops. Washington is a 10-point favorite, and I see this as an easy lock.
#5 Louisville Cardinals @ Virginia Cavaliers
Lamar Jackson will continue to pad his stats, already at 34 total touch downs. Virginia is pretty miserable this year, and Louisville will be on the door to knocking to cover the 33.5 spread.
#6 Ohio State Buckeyes hosts Northwestern Wildcats
After being upset by the Nittany Lions, no way does Ohio State have a let down against the Wildcats, especially at home. Even then, Northwestern isn't a bad side and will stick within the 26.5 spread.
#7 Nebraska Cornhuskers @ #11 Wisconsin Badgers
Nebraska will most likely represent the B1G West in the conference title game, but the Badgers won't make it easy. Wisconsin has two losses, against Michigan and Ohio State, both within a possession and come in 8.5 point favorites. I don't trust their offense to cover, let alone beat the Huskers here.
#8 Baylor Bears @ Texas Longhorns
Baylor needs to run the table and hope for some more upsets (like Ohio State) to sneak into the college football playoffs. Unfortunately for Texas, the Bears will be aiming to put up points to get more national attention and a 3.5 line is way too little.
#9 Texas A&M Aggies vs New Mexico State Aggies
Another late-season SEC cupcake for Texas A&M to ram. A line of 43.5 may not be enough for New Mexico State to stay within.
#10 West Virginia Mountaineers @ Oklahoma State Cowboys
Like Baylor, West Virginia needs to keep a goose egg in the loss column and hope for domino's to fall their way. Unfortunately for them, the Cowboys will probably take this one despite being 3.5 point dogs.
#13 Boise State Broncos @ Wyoming Cowboys
Boise State should continue its undefeated run, but Wyoming will give them a solid scare to stay within the 13.5 line.
#14 Florida Gators @ Georgia Bulldogs
Florida leads the SEC-East by the slimmest of margins and they need a win against the Bulldogs while being 8 point favorites. I like Florida to take this one going away.
#15 Auburn Tigers @ Ole Miss Rebels
Auburn coming in as only 4.5 point favorites doesn't do them justice.
