There are a number of exciting match-ups on the college football slate this week. It will be interesting to see how some of the top contenders try to hang on to their respective spots in difficult conference match-ups.
Here’s a look at the best point spread picks for college football week 9.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Syracuse Orange
Notre Dame vs. Syracuse Picks
Best Bet: Syracuse -3
The Orange showed a lot last week by giving Clemson all it could handle on the road. Notre Dame bounced back from a bizarre loss to Stanford by beating up UNLV.
Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader is having a strong season, having passed for 1601 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Orange also have an outstanding tailback in Sean Tucker, who has 698 rushing yards and six touchdowns this season.
Notre Dame has struggled mightily on offense this year. The Fighting Irish are 100th in scoring offense, putting up 23.7 points per game. Notre Dame will have trouble in the dome and lose to Syracuse.
Arkansas Razorbacks at Auburn Tigers
Arkansas vs. Auburn Picks
Best Bet: Arkansas -4
Arkansas is coming off a much-needed bye week that was preceded by a big win over BYU. The Razorbacks still have outstanding quarterback K.J. Jefferson and were undone by a three-week slide that started with a game where it lost to Texas A&M when a field goal went off the upright.
Auburn has had a nightmarish season. The Tigers are likely to fire coach Bryan Harsin and have lost three straight. Arkansas will win this one to stay out of the basement.
Miami Hurricanes at Virginia Cavaliers
Miami vs. Virginia Picks
Best Bet: Virginia +2
It’s hard to trust the Hurricanes. Miami is likely better than Virginia, which does have a talented quarterback in Brennan Armstrong. The Hurricanes, however, have struggled to stop strong passing attacks. Miami allows 248.7 yards per game through the air, which ranks 93rd nationally.
There’s a chance the Hurricanes will win this game, but it is worth taking a look at Virginia at home.
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State
Best Bet: Oklahoma State -1
The Cowboys redeemed themselves by rallying from a double-figure deficit to stay alive in the race for the Big 12 title game.
A banged-up Wildcats squad fell apart in the second half to take its first conference loss of the season last week against undefeated TCU. Most devastating for Kansas State was the loss of quarterback Adrian Martinez early in the game.
There may be a chance Martinez can return for this game, but if he can’t, it will be difficult for Kansas State to keep up with the Cowboys. The Cowboys have an efficient offense that is able to put up points in a hurry.
Missouri Tigers at South Carolina Gamecocks
Missouri vs. South Carolina Picks
Best Bet: South Carolina -4.5
The Gamecocks have won four straight games to sneak into the top 25. South Carolina has been especially good at home, winning four of its five games there this season. Missouri is just barely hanging out above the basement in the SEC East and is 0-3 away from home this season.
The Gamecocks will win this one by a touchdown.
