College Football Week 9 betting odds: Picking Top 25 teams against the spread
By Brad Rowland
Maryland (+17) over No. 10 Iowa
Maryland is bad. I repeat. Maryland is bad. Because of that, you will not hurt my feelings by going in the other direction, but the love for Iowa is speeding out of control. Yes, the Hawkeyes have posted some big-time victories with wide margins, but Iowa’s offense is beaten up by injury and I can’t endorse a 17-point number in a conference game. Staying away is probably the best course of action, but if forced to choose, I’ll go with Maryland after they competed hard against Penn State a week ago.
No. 9 Notre Dame (-10) No. 21 Temple
This is the public side, but I don’t care this time. Temple is a nice story and their defense is quite good compared to their competition. Still, Notre Dame is a real national title contender, and the jump in competition is going to be too much for the Owls. To be clear, I would not place a ton of confidence in this side, and I’m telling you to stay away unless absolutely necessary. Big road favorites aren’t my thing, but if forced to choose, I’m taking the Irish in Philadelphia.
Washington State (+12) over No. 8 Stanford
Luke Falk! Washington State’s passing game is very real, to the point where Falk leads the country in completions, attempts and completion percentage (72.9%), while leading the Pac-12 in passing touchdowns (26) and passing yards (2,885). You’re telling me that I’m getting double-digits at home with a guy who is playing out of his mind to this extent? Give me the points! Yes, Stanford scares me a little in that they are playing extremely well, but this game is everything for Wazzu and it feels like a “kitchen sink” game of the highest order.
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