This week’s college football slate is a particularly interesting one. Not just because of the matchups, but it’s also the first week following the initial 2024 CFP Rankings rankings. 

Based on where certain teams landed, they may be feeling more pressure than ever before to avoid that costly slip up. And the teams on the outside looking in know they can’t falter as well. We truly are getting into the best times of the season when the stakes simply couldn’t be any higher!

 

 

 

Of course, we won’t stop shelling out our weekly CFB best bets, which is what I’ve done below. We’re getting so close to landing in the green each week it feels like, and in my midweek CFB predictions, I suggested to even alternate some spreads, and then parlay them together. 

Last week, for example, if you alternated Penn State to, say, +7.5, and alternated Florida as well, just to be safe, you wound up in the green. A few points make all the difference sometimes.

CFB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets: Saturday, 11/9

Down below, I'm thrilled to present my top CFB best bets for Saturday, November 9th. For further insights, be sure to check out those aforementioned midweek CFB predictions, which are already posted and feature CFB picks for the Thursday and Friday matchups to prepare you for the weekend!

Now it’s time to break down my Ohio State vs. Penn State prediction, Florida vs. Georgia prediction, Texas Tech vs. Iowa State prediction and more. To monitor unit totals, remember to revisit the midweek CFB predictions, as I’ll maintain those figures until the early games conclude!

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

 

 

 

Minnesota vs. Rutgers Prediction: Saturday, November 9th

We’ll start the Week 11 CFB best bets with a Big Ten matchup between the Golden Gophers and Scarlet Knights. Even coming off of a bye though, I still find it hard to trust this Rutgers team, whether it’s offense, defense or coaching. 

They’ve lost 4 in a row now, including to a bad UCLA team at home, and haven’t even looked competitive in some of the others. They continue to trust QB Athan Kaliakmanis but he continues to fall well short of what’s needed as a DI starter. 

Oddly enough, he actually transferred from Minnesota, but it’s safe to say the Gophers have been the winner of that breakup. Max Brosmer took some time to get comfortable but he’s playing great recently. Nothing that will “wow” you on the stat sheet, but mistake-free football. Add in the fact that RB Darius Taylor has started to look like a beast on the ground and their offense should be in good shape against a porous Rutgers defensive unit. 

Really though, the defense is what Minnesota is built on. They allow just 290.6 yards per game (9th in country) and 16.8 points (12th). They’ve rattled off 4 straight wins coming against some teams much better than the Scarlet Knights and have covered in 5 straight. I like for them to extend those streaks to 5 and 6, respectively, by the time this one’s said and done.

 

 

 

South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt Prediction: Saturday, November 9th

From a road favorite to a home dog, we visit South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt next in our CFB best bets for Week 11. I know the Gamecocks just beat Texas A&M, but it feels like the Commodores just can’t seem to get any respect from the sportsbooks. 

They were underdogs last week at Auburn for some reason and won by double digits. This is a good football team and an even better one when playing at home, just ask Alabama. South Carolina is also going on the road for just the third time since Week 2, adding to Vandy’s case. 

It’s certainly an interesting matchup, I will say that. Both teams have covered the spread at a tremendous rate this season and both rely heavily on their defensive units to win games. The difference will come down to just a few key plays, and I think when you stack up the offenses against each other, the Commodores have the guy that can best make something happen in those moments. 

Diego Pavia “has that dog in him”, as the kids say, and plays exactly like it. LaNorris Sellers on the other side has been good, especially recently, but I question if he can keep up this type of consistent play. Even if the Gamecocks wind up winning, I don’t see it being by much, so I’ll take Vandy.

 

 

 

BYU vs. Utah Prediction: Saturday, November 9th

A little in-state rivalry action to round out our Week 11 CFB best bets, because why not? This one doesn’t start until 10:15 PM ET, but it could very well be worth watching. In my opinion though, I don’t think it will be because there’s a clear-cut better team. 

Coming into this campaign, we knew Utah’s season hinged mightily on the health of QB Cam Rising. He wound up getting a few games in this season, but that’s been it, and with that, the Utes’ offense has been horrid. They’re 105th in the nation in points scored per game at 22.8 and haven’t broken the 20-point threshold in any of their last 4 games. 

Their defensive numbers are solid, but the offenses they’ve faced all season certainly aren’t anything to write home about. As for the Cougars, they’re in prime position to secure a CFP spot, but it starts with a win here. They have one of the most balanced offenses in college football and have rattled off 6 straight games of 34+ points. 

They probably don’t hit that mark against Utah, but they won’t need to. The Utes’ offense is bad, and the BYU defense is allowing just 19.6 points per game this campaign. It’d be a shock if they outscore the Cougars here and I like BYU to win big. One final note to add: BYU is 7-1 ATS in 2024, while Utah is 2-6.

 

 

 

Best CFB Prop Bets & Other Picks - Saturday, 11/9