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    •  October 27, 2017

    Smart Money: Five College Football Picks For Week Nine

    October 27, 2017
    Ben Goodwin
    Ben Goodwin
    Contributor
    Ben Goodwin
    Ben Goodwin
    BGinge8

    The biggest upset of last week’s college football was that there weren’t actually that many upsets. Alabama cruised past the spread against Tennessee, Florida State continued to disappoint, and Michigan suffered a massive loss against the impressive Penn State.

    There are some big spreads and some massive conference battles to come in week nine, as No. 6 Ohio State hosts No. 2 Penn State while No. 14 NC State travel to No. 9 Notre Dame. Here are five picks to make you some money along the way (Last week 4-1, Overall 6-4).

    Banker of the Week: Michigan State -2.5 at Northwestern

    Since Mark Dantonio took over in 2007, only Ohio State boasts a better record against the spread in Big Ten matchups than MSU. The Spartans have already won two conference road trips this year, and are 5-2 against the Spread this season. People keep waiting for this Spartans team to lose, and it seems Vegas is as well. Take the points.

    Prediction: MSU 24 – 14 Northwestern

    Hunch of the Week: Georgia Tech +14.5 at Clemson

    We all know Clemson’s defense is scary, but Georgia Tech’s offense has put up at least 25 points in every game this season and aren’t scared of anybody. The Yellow Jackets are an incredible 6-0 against the spread this season, Clemson are 4-3. Clemson have had two weeks to prepare for the game, but the Tigers may still be reeling from their loss to Syracuse in week seven. The home team should win, but not by more than two touchdowns.

    Prediction: Georgia Tech 21 – 31 Clemson

    Under of the Week: San Jose State at BYU (Under 50.5 points)

    Both of these teams have been great for the under this season, both staying below the points total in six of their eight games. BYU have scored 13 or less points in all four of their home games this season, and are 16-5 for the under since 2016. Both teams have been pretty awful this year, so don’t expect an enthralling encounter.

    Prediction: San Jose State 17 – 24 BYU

    Over of the Week: Old Dominion at North Texas (Over 61.5 points)

    Okay okay, so Old Dominion have been a massive disappointment on the road this season, failing to hit the over in all three away games so far. On the other side though, North Texas are 5-2 for the over this season. Not only are they 2-1 at home for the over, they’re beating the line by an average of 14 points at home. This line just looks a little too low.

    Prediction: Old Dominion 28 – 41 North Texas

    Upset Alert: Penn State +6.5 at Ohio State

    We went against Penn State last week and paid the price. The Nittany Lions have now proved themselves against decent competition, something you can’t really say for the Buckeyes. J.T. Barrett’s offense has looked good so far, but they haven’t played a defense anywhere near Penn State’s calibre. Penn State are 5-1 against the spread this year, and the Buckeyes’ home field advantage won’t cover a touchdown.

    Prediction: Penn State 27 – 28 Ohio State

    Ben Goodwin
    Ben Goodwin
    Contributor
    BGinge8
    Master's in Sports Journalism from the University of Lincoln. Usually found drinking pale ale and watching It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
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