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NCAAF betting: Top 5 best bets for Week 9
We were able to bang out another winning week last week. There is nothing better than when you take an over on a game and one team gets there all by themselves (thank you, Michigan — as predicted, too). This week is a little lighter on marquee matchups than last, which I kind of like. Sometimes those games suck up all the oxygen and then disappoint, especially this season with scoring being down.
Results to date:
Last week: 3-2
Season to Date: 22-17-1
Week 9 Best Bets
Michigan State @ Minnesota
Saturday, Oct. 28, 3:30 p.m. ET
Golden Gophers -7
Michigan State was just shut out by Michigan. Now the Gophers are not quite as good as Big Blue but their defense has been very reliable this season (mostly: I am ignoring the stomping they took from Michigan, too). There is a good chance the Gophers keep the Spartans out of the end zone again and win something like 20-9. That would work just fine.
This is a great teaser spot for sure. Minny dominated MSU last season too, winning 34-7. We don't need that, just a solid performance in front of the home crowd.
USC @ Cal
Saturday, Oct. 18, 4 p.m. ET
Trojans -10.5
USC has broken my heart a few too many times this season. Let's not forget their losses are to Notre Dame and Utah though, a couple of tough, talented programs. Cal is not in that league and I am not buying into USC QB Caleb Williams suddenly being figured out. Look for the Trojans to have their most complete game in some time on Saturday afternoon. It is a good spot for visitors.
The number might as well be -13 but I think the Trojans are going to win by 17+ so I am not sweating it too much.
Wyoming @ Boise State
Saturday, Oct. 28, 5:30 p.m. ET
Cowboys +5
My how things have changed, fading Boise State on the blue turf. Wyoming might be the better team this season and they have covered the last four against the Broncos (and seven of the last eight). I love that Wyoming leans on its defense because that always travels better. The Cowboys are 0-2 on the road but those losses are to undefeated Air Force (they covered) and Texas. The Cowboys have also had an extra week to prep.
This number is in the dead zone so as long as you like Wyoming +7 you can feel pretty comfortable here.
Oregon State @ Arizona
Saturday, Oct. 28, 10:30 p.m. ET
Beavers -3
The Beavers are a 3-point road loss from a perfect season (you might not have noticed). They are still in the hunt for the Pac-12 title game, too. They have a difficult close to the year with back-to-back games against Washington and Oregon but this week they are in a good spot. Playing on the road with just a small number to cover we do not need domination. Their brand of gritty mistake-free football will work just fine.
For sanity sake, do not bet this one over -3.
Purdue @ Nebraska
Saturday, Oct. 28, 3:30 p.m. ET
Cornhuskers -2.5
I think I swore off Nebraska earlier in the season. They have won four of five though and even though they are nowhere near ready to push Michigan or Ohio State they are sneaking up a tier in the Big Ten under head coach Matt Rhule. At home against Purdue, they can win another clunker with strong defense and an offense that scores just enough — see recent wins over Northwestern and Illinois.
Similar to the game above, make sure you get a good number here. Right now it is perfect.
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