College football picks for Week 9 SEC and top 25 games by Dean Zulkofske
Here are Dean Zulkofske’s college football Week 9 picks for the SEC and Top 25.
Even though Tennesse football is on its bye there are still plenty of college football games to pick from as we approach Week 9 of the 2020 season. We have six SEC matchups to get to as well as a Top-25 rivalry game in the Big 10. Before we get to this week’s picks take a look at my numbers from last week and how I’ve done overall this season.
Week 8 performance
Straight up: 4-4
Gambling picks: 6-10
- 3-5 against the spread
- 3-5 over/under
Overall performance for 2020
Straight up: 27-11
Gambling picks: 35-41
- 16-22 against the spread
- 19-19 over/under
The ambiguity that came with Week 1 of the Big 10 as well as some unfamiliar American conference games stuck a thorn in our chances of throwing together a winning week. But now’s not the time for excuses. With the Vols on a bye, here are my picks for the rest of the SEC and the Top-25 matchups for this week of college football.
13. 833. Prediction. 31. 814
Georgia -17.5; Over 42.5
Georgia has already proven they can cover larger spreads this season, and while Kentucky does have an upset with their win over Tennessee football, these Bulldogs are much different than the Vols. Take Georgia and the over here, because while UGA’s defense will be sound, Kentucky’s defense may score some points of their own.
817. 29. 842. Prediction. 34
LSU -2.5; Under 63.5
It sounds unlikely that Myles Brennan will be under center for LSU this weekend, but they were just fine with TJ Finley last week. Auburn got a much-needed win last week thanks in part to a big performance from wideout Seth Williams. Expect Williams to have a tougher time against Derek Stingley and Eli Ricks. LSU will cover here in a game that just barely stays under.
Related Story. Vols' top five performers entering bye. light
887. Prediction. 41. 841. 7
Ole Miss -16.5; Under 63.5
Though they haven’t played since Oct. 10 the Commodores have lost their last two games by the same score: 41-7. Is there any evidence to suggest this game will be different? Saturday is Halloween, so you’ll have to expect something a little spooky. Don’t forget this one, Ole Miss will get back in the win column with a 41-7 victory in Nashville.
829. Prediction. 13. 893. 45
Alabama -31.5; Under 63.5
Could this be another instance where the Crimson Tide defense gives up a boatload of points as we saw against Ole Miss? It could be, but after settling into their own against Tennessee football last week that circumstance feels unlikely. Alabama covers here either way, but the U/O comes down to their defense. Let’s say they play well again and keep the number under.
35. 812. 17. 806. Prediction
Ohio State -11.5; Under 64.5
The Nittany Lions won’t have running back Noah Cain for the remainder of the 2020 season, but it wouldn’t make a difference even if he was in the lineup. Ohio State is on a mission this college football season, and though these teams usually keep it close, there’s too big a gap between the squads in this one. Look for the Buckeyes’ defense keeps this under in-tact.
Prediction. 21. 844. 31. 873
Arkansas +13.5; Under 53.5
Texas A&M will win this game at home, but this contest should be closer than the spread suggests. Both teams enter this weekend with big wins in their rear-view mirrors, with the Aggies finally making some noise in the SEC West. Both defenses are strong enough to keep this game under 55 points with the Razorbacks losing but ultimately covering 12.5.
dark. Next. Five things for Vols to improve on during bye
24. 822. 41. 840. Prediction
Florida -12.5; Over 61.5
Saturday in The Swamp will be the first time the Gators take the field since they lost to Texas A&M three weeks ago. So, what does that mean? It means Kyle Trask has some work to do to get Florida back in the SEC Champion conversation and that begins this weekend against the Tigers. Florida will put up points, and we know their defense isn’t spectacular so the over here seems fair.