College Football Week 9 betting odds: Picking Top 25 teams against the spread
By Brad Rowland
The performance in Week 7 was unacceptable in this space, and we did something about it. Week 8 was much kinder to the handicapping public, with an 11-7 mark overall, and we are back with yet another attempt to make extra jelly beans for our readers.
As a reminder, “fade the public” is always the motto, and we will keep you informed with a pick on each game that includes at least one member of the AP Top 25. Let’s get to the games.
No. 24 UCLA (-20.5) over Colorado
For long-time readers, Jim Mora’s team is not my favorite to back on a regular basis, but we were on the Bruins at the right time last week. This week’s contest is much scarier in my view, with a big-time number staring UCLA in the face against Colorado, but the principle is the same. The Bruins cannot be trusted in anything approaching a “big game”, but when the pressure is off and no one is watching, this team is very talented and will perform as such. Lay the big number with Josh Rosen and this potentially dynamic offense.
No. 23 Pittsburgh (+3) over North Carolina
A Thursday night home underdog! For the life of me, I cannot understand why North Carolina is favored in this spot. The Tar Heels and Panthers are both 6-1, meaning that Pittsburgh being ranked in the polls means very little to me, but I still don’t trust North Carolina and they were sharply on the road side of the number against Virginia last week. Pitt wins this game outright in my mind, and even if they don’t, there is a bit of candy to entice you on the home team.
Next: Teams 20-16