Michigan lost last week so it’s always a terrific time of year when we pair that with a Notre Dame victory. Coming up this week we have an early ACC game to watch, a Mountain West showdown late on Friday, plus more Big Ten and SEC action on Saturday before the Big 12 sends us off at night. But first, a quick look back at last week’s picks.

2024 Betting Record

ATS: 30-36-1
SU: 42-25-0

This was a poor week from me. Oklahoma State losing but being able to cover and the Illinois “upset” were the only wins against the spread. I picked Oregon and Indiana to win but not cover when they both did easily. Wins by Louisville, Alabama, and Texas didn’t come either. Still we rise.

Week 9 Games to Watch

All times are Eastern. Rankings are from the AP Poll.

Thursday Games

Syracuse [+6] at #19 Pittsburgh
7:30 PM, ESPN

Miami has been getting all the attention in the ACC for still being undefeated despite living on the edge of nearly several losses lately. Take a look up north and Pittsburgh is still unbeaten despite being 52nd(!!!) in the latest FEI rankings. That’s 40 spots lower than the Hurricanes. Visiting Syracuse has been quietly very solid on offense this year. It’s time for Pitt to lose.

Syracuse 38
Pittsburgh 30

Friday Games

#17 Boise State [-3] at UNLV
10:30 PM, CBS Sports

We might have some playoff implications in this game. If Boise State wins they could cruise to the Group of 5 playoff spot while continuing to rise inside the top 15 later this fall. With a UNLV win, they’d become the favorite in the Mountain West and would force themselves to be a part of the playoff conversation for that auto-bid. Can you bet against the machine that is Ashton Jeanty at this point, though? If he were a Notre Dame back he’d need less than 200 more yards to break the single-season record. He’s played 6 games to date.

Are Heisman moments in the MWC even allowed??

Boise State 46
UNLV 42

Saturday Games

Nebraska [+25.5] at #4 Ohio State
12:00 PM, Fox

This was looking like a really good season for Nebraska (that Colorado win in week 2 does look better and better) but getting blasted by Indiana last week put things into perspective. This isn’t a bad Cornhuskers team and their defense (maybe not last week) has been pretty solid this year. They just can’t get anything going on offense and Dylan Raiola looks to have hit a true freshman wall. This is a tough bounce back opportunity for the Corn.

Ohio State 40
Nebraska 13

Washington [+6.5] at #13 Indiana
12:00 PM, Fox

The Hoosiers will be without quarterback Kurtis Rourke (thumb surgery) as they look to remain undefeated this weekend with the Huskies coming to Bloomington. Sophomore quarterback Tayven Jackson (7 of 8 for 91 yards, 21 rushing yards, 2 TD) looked sharp in relief last week so maybe Indiana will be okay. In the grand scheme, an upset here would make sense with a more “talented” team on the schedule. Washington isn’t anywhere close to last year’s team but they are still pretty good and I’m guessing the perfect season ends this weekend for the Hoosiers.

Washington 29
Indiana 27

#20 Illinois [+21.5] at #1 Oregon
3:30 PM, CBS

Illinois coming off an emotional win against Michigan and having to travel out west is a recipe for a bad loss. This spread was much larger earlier in the week but has been coming down a little bit all week. Unfortunately, Illinois won’t be facing an anemic offense this weekend and the Ducks will win very comfortably against a far less talented team.

Oregon 39
Illinois 14

#21 Missouri [+13.5] at #15 Alabama
3:30 PM, ABC

It’s unclear if Brady Cook will be available this weekend. He probably will be but…prepare yourself for some Drew Pyne snaps against Alabama this weekend. There might be a sub-3 yards per attempt coming very soon from the former Notre Dame quarterback. I have to think the Tide roll easily on Saturday. If they lose for a 3rd time the natives are going to be in a bad mood about their new coach.

Alabama 29
Missouri 10

#5 Texas [-18.5] at #25 Vanderbilt
4:15 PM, SEC Network

Surely, the Commodores can’t pull off a huge home win again? Here comes pissed off Texas!

Texas 42
Vanderbilt 17

#8 LSU [+2.5] at #14 Texas A&M
7:30 PM, ABC

This is a massive game in the SEC. All of a sudden, the Tigers and Aggies are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the league. For Texas A&M, this could be it. If they win, they’d be heavily favored to get to 7-0 in the SEC and might clinch a league championship appearance before the regular season finale against Texas (by the way, we could see a repeat of that game in said league title game). I still don’t understand how the AP has LSU ranked this high (their USC loss looks so much worse now and their best win Ole Miss has worsened too). The home team has won the last 7 meetings in this series. I’m taking the road team and their better offense, though.

BK could be poised for his 2nd SEC title game appearance in 3 years.

LSU 30
Texas A&M 23

Kansas [+10] at #16 Kansas State
8:00 PM, ESPN2

The Sunflower Showdown! I can’t express how disappointing Kansas’ season has been thus far, especially losses to TCU and Arizona State. It looked like last year maybe they’d be the more competitive team coming into 2024 from this rivalry and it hasn’t happened. The Jayhawks have also lost an incredible 15 straight to Kansas State, too. Jalon Daniels has looked a little more like himself lately so I’m hoping we get a great game.

Kansas State 52
Kansas 48