Vegas’s College Football Week 9 Picks & Predictions

There are some big “must watch” college games this Saturday and that’s what I want to cover. These are really tough to call, but here are my two cents. I actually like the Maryland and Pittsburgh picks more than the high-profile matchups below.

#8 OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS @ #1 TEXAS LONGHORNS -12.5

I was a bit surprised the line was this high. I love Texas to win this one. Oklahoma St. is playing at a high level. Both teams are 7-0 and averaging more than 45 PPG. Both teams are perfect against the spread this year. Texas has the edge at QB with Colt McCoy who is the frontrunner to win the Hiesman and Texas has the better defense. With the home field, I see them winning this one, but will they run away with the game just like the Missouri game? That’s difficult to say. I don’t like the high spread for a game that should be an offensive showdown. This one is too close to call with the spread. I love Texas to win outright, but I don’t like giving up 12.5 in what should be a close game. I’m not indicating to take the points by the prediction as I can also see a Texas beat down just like the Missouri game. It’s just your best bet to avoid this spread or tease it to Texas -5.5 with another game.

Prediction — Texas 38 – Oklahoma State 28

#9 GEORGIA BULLDOGS @ #11 LSU TIGERS -1.5

I like the Bulldogs in this one. They have a much better QB in Matthew Staffard than LSU and have more playmakers with WRs JR Green and Mohamed Massaquoi and RB Knowshon Moreno (6.0 YPC, 11 TDs). Both teams are averaging 31 PPG and Georgia’s D looks better than LSU as LSU’s D has been a huge dissappointment (see their game against Florida). On a neutral field, Georgia should win this one, but how much of an affect will having to play the game in LSU’s house have? That’s the only thing that makes this a difficult pick.

Prediction — Georgia 31 – LSU 24

#3 PENN STATE NITTANY LIONS -2.5 @ #10 OHIO STATE BUCKEYES

My colleague, Brandon Phillips, likes Ohio State in this one. I think it may be a better bet to take seeing as they are at home with a solid defense, but you can’t ignore Penn State’s explosive offense. They’re averaging over 45 PPG compared to Ohio State’s 27 PPG. Both defense are allowing less than 14 PPG. You can make the argument that Penn State has had a much easier schedule though. They have one common opponent: Wisconsin. And both had to play them on the road. Penn State won that one 48-7 while Ohio State only escaped with a 20-17 win. So far nobody has been able to stop Penn State’s RBs Evan Royster (893 yards, 7.7 YPC — that’s sick — and 10 TDs) and Stephon Green (5.9 YPC, 4 TDs). I like Penn State in this one because their offense has been outstanding, but I’m not too confident in them having to go into Ohio State to win that one.

Prediction — Penn State 31 – Ohio State 24

MY OTHER WEEK 9 NCAA PICKS:

MARYLAND -11 OVER NC State — Maryland (5-2) has played phenomenal at home and NC State (2-5) has a lot of defensive issues as they allow over 30 PPG. Maryland dominated the game last year 37-0. NC State has been lucky to have 4 straight home games, but they went 1-3 in that stretch getting blown out by South Florida and then losses to Florida State and Boston College. Maryland is off an impressive 26-0 win over Wake Forest (4-2) last week. I like Maryland a lot in this one, especially that they’re at home where they are 4-0 this year against a team that is 0-2 on the road.

Prediction — Maryland 31 – NC State 10

PITTSBURGH -9.5 OVER Rutgers — Rutgers (2-5) is 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games on grass. That’s not the only reason I like Pittsburgh (5-1), who will be returning home for the first time in 4 weeks. Pittsburgh has been playing great lately by winning 5 straight games, their last 3 being on the road. The rolled over Navy 42-21. The game before that, they stunned the Bulls in Tampa 26-21 and beat Syracuse 34-24 on the road the week before that. Pitt should be jacked to finally get back at home. Rutgers has been struggling to put points in the board. They’re averaging just over 10 PPG in their last 3 and 0-3 on the road.

Prediction — Pittsburgh 27 – Rutgers – 13

Solid Week 9 College Football Teaser: Texas -5.5 (you could also make an argument that OKST +19.5 is the way to go but l love Texas at home), Maryland -4, Pittsburgh -2.5, Georgia +8.5.