College Football Week 9 betting odds: 10 best bets against the spread

Oct 22, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) scores a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 22, 2016; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. (4) scores a touchdown against the Purdue Boilermakers in the first half at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 21, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Davis Webb (7) scores a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during overtime at Memorial Stadium. The California Golden Bears defeated the Oregon Ducks 52-49 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 21, 2016; Berkeley, CA, USA; California Golden Bears quarterback Davis Webb (7) scores a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks during overtime at Memorial Stadium. The California Golden Bears defeated the Oregon Ducks 52-49 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Here are the 10 best bets against the spread in Week 9 of the college football season.

For the most part, posting a .500 record isn’t a great thing in the sports world. However, last week’s college football slate was highly eventful and treacherous and, for the most part, escaping with a 5-5 output is probably a win. This week, the schedule normalizes just a touch, though, and that should open up the opportunity to make some headway on an otherwise positive season-long mark in picking games against the spread.

Before we get to the selections, let’s check in on where we are:

  • Last Week: 5-5
  • Season: 45-33-1

From there, let’s roll with the picks. Best of luck to us all.

Georgia Southern (+5) over Appalachian State

I love this spot so much. Thursday nights are fantastic when it comes to weird football and we’re getting points with a very frisky team in Georgia Southern. The X-factor is that nearly 80 (!) percent of the money is coming in on Appalachian State and, well, the line still fell from an opening mark of six to where it currently stands. Translation? The smart cash is on the home underdog and so are we.

California (+16) over USC

I don’t understand this line and that, admittedly, scares me to death. The Trojans are playing better football right now after winning three straight games, but they absolutely should not be laying more than two touchdowns against a competent Cal team. Make no mistake, USC is going to score whenever and however they want here, but can they stop the Golden Bears on a regular basis? I’m going to say no. This feels like a “who has the ball last?” shootout and give me the cushion.

Next: Penn State/Purdue and MSU/Michigan