College Football Week 9 Predictions | Saturday Picks Today, Best Bets

The intrigue of the 2024 college football season continues with an enticing Week 9 schedule. There are several crucial Top 25 matchups, intra-state rivalries, and teams desperately trying to stay bowl-eligible. We’re priming bettors for a profitable run, offering our top picks for today’s action.

North Carolina Tar Heels vs Virginia Cavaliers

Spread: North Carolina +3.5 (-110) | Virginia -3.5 (-110)
Moneyline: North Carolina +136 | Virginia -164
Total: OVER 59.5 (-106) | UNDER 59.5 (-114)

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It might not be the most glamorous of Saturday’s matchups, but there’s a distinct bettor-friendly advantage in the ACC tilt between the North Carolina Tar Heels and Virginia Cavaliers. The betting market has installed the Cavaliers as short -3.5 home chalk, but the edge lies in backing the underdog Tar Heels in this one. 

A four-game losing streak has tarnished North Carolina’s season outlook, but they remain a top-end offensive program. The Tar Heels have exceeded 24 points in all but one game during their losing streak while putting up a healthy amount of offense. They’ve gone north of 407 yards in every game, averaging 464.0 yards per game.

While the Tar Heels’ defense has been exploitable, Virginia doesn’t possess the personnel to take advantage. Moreover, Virginia’s offensive abilities come up well short of North Carolina’s. The Cavaliers are down to 378.0 yards per game over their past three, precipitating a decrease in scoring. Curiously, they’ve also struggled at home this season, going 2-2 with diminished metrics. 

North Carolina’s offense will be the difference in this one. Superior offenses have bested Virginia in two straight, a trend that should continue into Saturday’s intra-conference showdown. We’re taking the points on the underdog visitors. 

Recommended Play: North Carolina +3.5 -110

2024 Group of 5 Power Rankings | Week 9 of College Football Season

Texas Tech Red Raiders vs TCU Horned Frogs

Spread: Texas Tech +6.5 (-110) | TCU -6.5 (-110)
Moneyline: Texas Tech +180 | TCU -220
Total: OVER 66.5 (-112) | UNDER 66.5 (-108)

Fans of high-scoring football should be sure to tune into Saturday’s battle between the TCU Horned Frogs and Texas Tech Red Raiders. Neither program prioritizes defense, ensuring this one sails over the lofty total. 

Texas Tech’s pass defense will be their undoing in Week 9. The Red Raiders rank 114th out of 134 FBS schools in opponent passing yards per game, giving up a hefty 269.3 this season. Worse, they’ve lowered the bar over their recent sample, with their last three opponents averaging more than 333.0 per game. That inefficiency plays right into TCU’s strength. As expected, quarterback Josh Hoover has been a driving force in the Horned Frogs’ offensive success, averaging 324.3 passing yards per game. 

TCU’s pass defense has been effective, but their biggest liability is their rush defense. Opponents have torched TCU for an average of 181.7 rushing yards per game, ranking among the 30 worst teams in football. Texas Tech star running back Tahj Brooks has been an unstoppable force and will surely exploit that advantage at every opportunity. 

This game will turn into a track meet, with both teams breaking off substantial gains at every turn. Consequently, this one should easily eclipse 66.5 points. 

Recommended Play: Over 66.5 -112

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Maryland Terrapins vs Minnesota Golden Gophers

Spread: Maryland +5.5 (-115) | Minnesota -5.5 (-105)
Moneyline: Maryland +162 | Minnesota -196
Total: OVER 46.5 (-110) | UNDER 46.5 (-110)

A few weeks ago, the Minnesota Golden Gophers pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the college football season. In doing so, they’ve become a betting favorite for the casual fan. However, Minnesota’s perceived value has grown too much, leaving an edge in backing the Maryland Terrapins in Week 9. 

Despite their 4-3 record, the Golden Gophers have sub-optimal offensive metrics. So far this season, they rank 118th in total offense and 100th in scoring offense, hardly giving them the edge they need to cover 5.5 against an efficient Terrapins’ offense. Additionally, Minnesota has seen a deterioration of its defensive standing over its more recent schedule. Opponent yards and points per game are on the rise, suiting Maryland’s preferred style of play. 

Like their Week 9 counterparts, Maryland bested the USC Trojans at home. The Terrapins put up 29 points on 429 yards last week, representing the third time in four games that they’ve exceeded 400 yards and 28 points. Their biggest strength is their passing attack, which they can use to beat a Golden Gophers’ defense that gave up 293 passing yards last time.

This game has all the makings of a classic Big Ten battle, pitting strength against strength. Minnesota’s defense will be up to the challenge, but its offense isn’t good enough to pull away versus Maryland. We’re backing the Terrapins at +5.5 or better.

Recommended Play: Maryland +5.5 -115

LSU Tigers vs Texas A&M Aggies

Spread: LSU +1.5 (-110) | Texas A&M -1.5 (-110)
Moneyline: LSU +100 | Texas A&M -120
Total: OVER 54.5 (-115) | UNDER 54.5 (-105)

Football fans and betting enthusiasts must wait until the late window to catch one of the most intriguing matchups on the Week 9 schedule. The 14th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies welcome the eighth-ranked LSU Tigers to College Station in a battle for SEC supremacy. Both teams remain undefeated in conference play, giving the victor a leg up in the chase for a title game berth. 

Texas A&M’s loss to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is a distant memory. The Aggies have gone on to win six in a row while extracting maximum effort from their defense. Including Week 1’s loss, no opponent has scored more than 24 points against the Aggies. Ongoing success is validated by supporting metrics, with Texas A&M limiting opponents to an average of 332.7 yards per game overall and 316.2 at Kyle Field. 

LSU’s advantage lies on the offensive side of the ball, but we expect them to face some difficulties breaking through the Aggies’ defense. The Tigers have a one-dimensional offense, letting Texas A&M stack up against the pass. Further, lead running back Caden Durham is dealing with an undisclosed injury ahead of Saturday night’s contest, putting them at a more significant disadvantage. 

Back-to-back road games compound the Tigers’ issues. They’ll face a hostile environment and could struggle to move the ball consistently. We’re laying the points with the Aggies, expecting them to triumph at home.

Recommended Play: Texas A&M -1.5 -110

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