It seems like we’ve been treated to amazing displays of college football the past few Saturdays. Between upsets and standout performances, it’s been a fun little stretch recently, and hopefully that can continue into Week 9.

The matchups on paper aren’t quite as appealing as weeks past, but this is college football. Anything can and will happen! I mean, I thought I had this season figured out after the 4th or 5th week. Surely enough, teams are making me look foolish! 

 

 

 

I didn’t have a wager on the game, but even an undefeated Liberty team lost to a Kennesaw State squad that had yet to win a game this season in its inaugural Division I campaign. Again, anything can and will happen. 

That said, I’m eager to showcase my CFB best bets for Week 9!

CFB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets: Saturday, 10/26

This article highlights my favorite CFB best bets for the matchups on Saturday, October 26th. Be sure to check out my midweek CFB predictions, which are already available. 

There, I provide more betting insights for Thursday and Friday nights, aiming to gain some momentum as we approach the weekend! Below, you can find my Tulane vs. North Texas prediction, BYU vs. UCF prediction, Michigan State vs. Michigan prediction and more. 

For updates on my unit totals, refer to the midweek edition of CFB picks, as I’m currently holding off on any changes while the games are still in progress!

*All CFB best bets to be placed at 1 Unit unless otherwise specified. Be sure to follow me on X/Twitter @stevenw_hall!

 

 

 

Tulane vs. North Texas Prediction: Saturday, October 26th

This matchup should provide plenty of fireworks right from the start! Tulane sits in a first-place tie with Navy and Army (that feels weird to even type) in the AAC and, based on how those teams have looked thus far, can’t afford to falter. The Green Wave know how to score, but so does North Texas. 

Similarly, both teams have been prone to allowing their opponents to score in certain instances. Tulane is a ground-dominant team as they rank 22nd in rushing yards per game (205.3) but just 82nd in passing yards (213). The Mean Green are sort of the opposite, powered by the nation’s 3rd best aerial assault (360.6 passing yards per game). Each are inside the top 15 in the country in points per game as well.

I could break down the defenses, but to keep it short and sweet, I don’t expect much of that to be played on Saturday. This should be a back-and-forth kind of contest where both offenses move the ball with ease. The key here is North Texas playing at home. 

They’re 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS this season when this is the case, winning by an average of nearly 25 points. Plus, Tulane is giving up 29 points per game on the road this campaign. Whichever way this one goes, I don’t see it being more than a one possession game in the end, so my CFB prediction will ride with the Mean Green.

 

 

 

BYU vs. UCF Prediction: Saturday, October 26th

Does this line make any sense? Not one bit. Is it more than likely a trap? 100%. Am I falling right into that trap? You bet. I rode BYU in last week’s midweek version of CFB best bets, and then Ollie Gordon II happened. They were miraculously able to come out with a victory and stay undefeated, but that one feels more like an anomaly than anything. 

The Cougars had been rock-solid all year on defense and Oklahoma State had been struggling offensively. Things happen, but I still believe in BYU, especially against a UCF team that’s lost 4 straight. We have yet to see this Knights bunch put together a complete game. It’s either a great offensive showing or a great defensive one; never both. 

Their pass defense in particular has been horrid and I expect Cougars QB Jake Retzlaff to take advantage of that with his favorite receiver (see below). Yes, UCF put up 35 last week against Iowa State, but they also gave up 38. And they also only averaged 15.7 points per game the 3 weeks prior. 

Even if the Knights are able to keep up with the scoring pace of BYU, their defense seems like it’ll struggle to get a stop when they most need it. Add the Cougars to our list of CFB best bets for Week 9.

 

 

 

Michigan State vs. Michigan Prediction: Saturday, October 26th

Man, oh man how this game has lost some of its glory recently. We’ve seldomly got to see both of these teams square off when they’re having good seasons, and in 2024, they get set to battle as two extremely average ball clubs. For CFB best bets purposes, I’ll take it. 

I just don’t know how in the world the Wolverines can be favored in any remaining games, including this one, other than maybe Northwestern. They’re 1-6 ATS this season and looked dreadful yet again last week at Illinois. And that was coming off a bye. Oh yeah, their best player (CB Will Johnson) is also banged up. Need I go on? I shall. 

Michigan State looked really good in their win against Iowa as QB Aidan Chiles is starting to take much better care of the football. And that’s really where their main problem was; they have a solid offensive line and skill position players, and the defense has been much better than expected. 

If Michigan has no success running the football, they’ll have no success at all. We’ve all witnessed one of the worst passing attacks in the modern era up to this point, and I just have no faith in their offense to do anything. And, if it weren’t for self-inflicted errors, the Illini would have put up a lot more than 21 points against the Wolverines last week. 

It’s also a rivalry game; it has to be close, right? Don’t be afraid to sprinkle MSU money line, but I’ll be safe and take the points. FWIW: this line is moving like crazy, so be sure to take that into account. 

 

 

 

Best CFB Prop Bets & Other Picks - Saturday, 10/26