As we get closer to the College Football Playoff, choosing four teams could be complicated. Oregon, after all, routed UCLA to take the front-runner slot in the Pac-12. If the Ducks can win out, should the playoff committee overlook the 49-3 undressing that Oregon took from Georgia in Week 1? Ole Miss looked like a potential surprise in the SEC until LSU dealt them a lesson at home. The Rebels still face Alabama, and if they can give the Crimson Tide a second SEC loss, wouldn’t Ole Miss gain consideration for a playoff slot, especially if they take the SEC West and either knock off Georgia or play them close? What about Tennessee? Then there’s TCU, who remained unbeaten, but they have either been behind or tied in the second half of three straight games, and they have benefited from knocking out an opponent’s starting quarterback against Oklahoma, Kansas and Kansas State. Does anyone think TCU could hang with anyone in the SEC? The Horned Frogs still have to play Texas and Baylor in the Big 12 – and they have to play at West Virginia this weekend. Take a look at our Week 9 sports betting picks.
NCAA News: Sure Losers for Week 9
→ Thursday, October 27
#14 Utah Utes (-8) at Washington State Cougars
(10:00 pm ET, FS1)
This line opened at Utah -9 and has already ticked downward, and to be honest, this is a real road test for Utah. Washington State has covered in three straight games at home, including a 44-41 loss to Oregon. Utah is back in business as far as Pac-12 title contention after beating USC in Week 7, but Washington State also beat Wisconsin on the road. It’s interesting to note that Washington State has made the under pay six times in seven games, with the exception that crazy loss at Oregon. Utah has permitted at least 40 points to both UCLA and USC, but Washington State has only broken the 24-point barrier a few times this season. They have wideout Renard Bell and tailback Nakia Watson both on the questionable list. Utah’s offense ranks in the nation’s top ten in success rate, but they tend to grind the ball up and down the field rather than turn in chunk plays. The Utes are in the bottom 40 among FBS programs in players per minute. I see Utah governing the rhythm and keeping things close. But if things stay under the 55 ½ point total, can Utah still win by more than a touchdown? Washington State to cover.
→ Saturday, October 29
#8 Oregon Ducks (-17) at Cal Golden Bears
(3:30 pm ET, FOX / FS1)
With Bo Nix at quarterback, the Ducks have become an offensive powerhouse, putting up at least 40 points in six games in a row (and winning five of those six against the spread. Cal has not permitted more than 31 points in any game this season, but they haven’t played a team that has Oregon’s offensive talent. The Ducks are 5-2 in their last even road games, and Nix has put up an amazing 17:3 TD:INT ratio. On the ground, the Ducks run for 241.7 yards per game, with Bucky Irving leading the team with 536 yards and a pair of scores. The defense has been a bit porous, permitting 28.8 points per game, although D.J. Johnson already has four sacks. Cal has won six of seven at home, and quarterback Jack Plummer has a 12:3 TD:INT ratio. The defense has been serviceable, permitting 21.7 points. Oregon has covered just once in their last six road games, but they have covered in five of their last six overall. Can Oregon put on this much of a beating? Cal to cover.
College Football Betting Odds
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