2026 Week 9 College Football Best Bets
2026 Week 9 College Football Best Bets
Apologies for missing last week’s two articles, as I was out of the country. But we will try to make up for it this week.
But boy, the last two weeks have shaped the college football landscape. The SEC continues to cannibalize each other, with big upsets across the league, along with the 12-teams in the middle of the conference beating each other at home. Ohio State won a battle of the top-ranked Big Ten teams, but lost their quarterback in the process. Notre Dame lost one of it’s two big games on the year, as they lost to BYU at home. But the Cougars, along with Texas Tech, lost road games in the Big 12 last week. Miami continues to roll in the ACC, and Wake Forest continues to make a push for the playoffs. Boise State, Oregon State, and New Mexico continue to roll in hopes for the 12-seed in the playoffs.
Week 9 of the college football season is the last in the month of October. We will welcome the debut of the first College Football Playoff bracket reveal this Tuesday after week 9. Teams will finally know where they truly stand just a month to go in the regular season. Plenty of games this weekend will help shape those rankings. Here are my 2026 week 9 college football best bets.
Odds courtesy of DraftKings as of October 29th. Please gamble responsibly and within your means. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Week 7: 4-2 (+1.63 Units)
YTD: 20-15 (+3.02 Units)
More: How to Build Your Own Football Projections for 2026: A Guide
(Friday) Baylor (4-3) vs. Central Florida (4-3)
Central Florida +1.5 (-122); O/U 47.5
Baylor ML (-110)
A major theme for this year’s college football season: fading a team after a major win. Last week, Central Florida had the win of the week, as they upset then-ranked #2 BYU in overtime. Now, they play a Baylor team that just parted ways with longtime head coach Dave Aranda. I’m banking on Baylor’s best effort of the year, while Central Florida might be riding a little too close to the sun. Give me the Baylor Bears to win on Friday night.
California (3-5) vs. North Carolina State (3-4)
North Carolina State -7; O/U 56.5
North Carolina State: 1st Half -3.5 (-118)
Another firing took place last week, as North Carolina State relieved long time head coach Dave Doeren of his duties after their loss to Stanford. Last year, the first game after a coach was fired, those teams went 8-4 ATS. To help the cause, California is traveling across the country and starting the game at 9:00 AM local time. I’ve loved this play this year: fading a west coast team as they head east for these early starts. The one game that failed to cash this year was when Arizona traveled to Morgantown to take on West Virginia; the Wildcats led at half 24-17, but West Virginia fumbled the ball on Arizona’s 2-yard line with 50 seconds left in the half to fail to cover. I think we get a Wolfpack team with a spark to start this game. I like them to cover the total, but will take the first half as a week 9 best bet.
More: 2026 College Football Futures
#25 Wisconsin (5-2) vs. Iowa (5-2)
Iowa -3; O/U 36.5
Iowa -3 (-118)
Another classic fade of a team coming off a high – Wisconsin after upsetting USC. It also helps that Iowa lost the Floyd of Rosedale against Minnesota last week in heartbreaking fashion. The Hawkeyes have lost 18 games since the start of the 2022 season; they are 11-5-1 ATS when coming off the loss. Since Luke Fickell took over as the Badgers head coach in 2023, Iowa is 3-0 against Wisconsin and has outscored them 94-16. I expect a bounceback from the Iowa offense that had terrible quarterback play from both Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski. I’m on the Hawkeyes for one of my 2026 week 9 college football best bets.
#17 Florida (5-2) vs. #3 Georgia (6-1)*
Georgia -12.5; O/U 55.5
Florida +12.5 (-112)
* Game played in Atlanta, Georgia
The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Except this time it will be played in Atlanta, Georgia, rather than Jacksonville, Florida.
Since Covid, we have five instances of this matchup. I’m not talking about Florida versus Georgia; I’m talking about Florida offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner going against Georgia. Faulkner was in the same role at Georgia Tech from 2023 to 2025; Georgia Tech went 0-3, but each of the three were within eight points, and all were played on a neutral field. In the years Faulkner was not at Georgia Tech, Georgia thumped Georgia Tech, 45-0, in 2021. 2022 was a little closer, but still a beatdown with Georgia winning 37-14. My point: this is not the first time Florida’s offensive gameplan will take on a trustworthy, sound Georgia defense. Both teams are coming off a bye; Georgia is just 2-5 ATS coming off the bye after the Covid-shortened season. I’ll take the points with the Gators.
UTEP (1-6) vs. North Dakota State (6-2)
North Dakota State -24.5; O/U 42.5
North Dakota State -24.5 (-112)
The Fargodome is not an easy place to play, especially for a bad UTEP team. In their three home games against FBS teams, North Dakota State has allowed 24 points, and are +68 in scoring differential. For UTEP, this is their fourth road game of the year. Two came against Power Four teams in Oklahoma and Michigan, but they did lose 61-7 on the road against conference foe New Mexico. They are also 0-4 ATS after a bye under Scotty Walden, and are 0-3 ATS in conference play in the Mountain West. I think North Dakota State can make this ugly, similar to New Mexico. I like the Bison big in this one.
More: 7 Dark Horse Teams to Make 2026 College Football Playoff
#2 Ohio State (6-1) vs. USC (6-2)
USC +6.5; O/U 51.5
Under 51.5 (-108)
The under has cashed in each of Ohio State’s three road contests this year, with the average score being 42 PPG. Now, you are without Julian Sayin after he injured his shoulder against Indiana. You did benefit from the bye to prep true freshman Luke Fahey – or Tavion St. Claire, whoever is announced as the starter. But this will still be their first start, and it comes in opposing territory against a desperate USC team. I would expect the Buckeyes to heavily rely on the ground game to help ease the start for either quarterback, and their defense to step up as they have this year on the road. For Ohio State, this is purely survive and advance, and hope you get Julian Sayin back for the playoffs. I’ll take the under in this Big Ten matchup.
Mississippi State (4-3) vs. #11 Texas (5-2)
Texas -20.5; O/U 50.5
Mississippi State: Team Total Under 14.5 (-120)
Mississippi State quarterback Kamari Taylor announced earlier this week he will miss the rest of the year with a turf toe injury. He missed the entire game at LSU; Mississippi State lost that game 31-0. He did play in the first quarter against Oklahoma last week, but the Bulldogs did not score in that span. They did manage to score 15 points last week, but one score was on a trick play, and the other came with two minutes remaining. Now, Mississippi State goes on the road again in Austin to take on Texas with their backup quarterback, Parker Puckett. I’m not sure we will see much from Mississippi State, as they have better odds to win two of their next three at home to reach bowl eligibility. I am banking on Texas to shutdown the Mississippi State offense, and keep them under this total.
Outright Underdogs (.5 units)
Week 6: 2-1 (+1.53 Units)
YTD: 4-16 (-3.33 Units)
Maryland vs. Illinois +114
The first game in the post-Mike Locksley era for the Terrapins. Illinois is coming off a huge win over a far superior team (on paper) in Oregon. I’m banking on a spark in the Terrapins as they start this new chapter in College Park.
Cincinnati vs. #6 Utah +210
Utah comes off a huge win over Houston last week. Now, they travel to Cincinnati before a potential top-10 matchup next week against BYU. Cincinnati is also coming off a major high, knocking off a then-ranked #8 Texas Tech by 13. I think Cincinnati can play spoiler again this week against the Utes. I’m on Cincinnati for another upset.
USC vs. #2 Ohio State +200
Will it be three straight weeks where a top-2 team loses? I think there is a chance. USC needs a win to try and right the ship this year. Otherwise, 7-5 is truly on the table for the Trojans. I’ll take USC to win as a home dog against a true freshman in their first start.
What is your favorite 2026 week 9 college football best bets? Let me know on X!
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