College Football Expert Picks Week 9: Our 12 Best Bets This Week

While Week 9's slate might not be as loaded as the previous few weeks, our Week 9 college football expert picks look at some of the top matchups this Saturday.

• With Notre Dame back in the College Football Playoff odds hunt, it has to take on a ranked Navy team at a neutral site
• Coming off its loss to Georgia, Texas is looking to reignite its college football championship odds against a scrappy Vanderbilt program
• Led by rising Heisman Trophy odds contender Garrett Nussmeier, LSU takes on Texas A&M's stingy defense

As part of our Week 9 college football predictions, our experts make their best bets for the can't-miss games this weekend.

College football expert picks for Week 9

College football odds as of Friday and subject to change. See all of our college football picks for more on this week's top matchups.

Rob Paul's Week 9 picks

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Notre Dame vs. Navy prediction: Riley Leonard 2+ touchdowns ⭐⭐⭐

This is a value play because this same touchdown prop is as short as +105 at our other college football betting sites. That's because Leonard leads Notre Dame in rushing TDs (10) and has already scored two-plus in three of his last five games.

Navy's defense is just 69th in this season and hasn't played a run game like the Fighting Irish's, which ranks fifth in EPA per rush. If Leonard scores twice, a $10 bet pays a $23.50 profit.

Notre Dame's rushing attack is one reason why Matt MacKay likes the favorites in his Notre Dame vs. Navy prediction.

Best odds: | Implied probability: 29.85%

Oklahoma vs. Ole Miss prediction: Tre Harris Over 6.5 receptions ⭐⭐⭐⭐

While Harris is banged up, he's the most productive receiver in the country and has caught seven-plus passes in six of Ole Miss' seven games this season. He leads the country in yards per route run (5.25), per , and the Rebels will want to feed him. 

Oklahoma's defense has struggled as of late and has dropped out of the top 10 in . If Harris hits the Over, a $10 bet pays an $11 profit.

Best odds: | Implied probability: 47.62%

LSU vs. Texas A&M prediction: Garrett Nussmeier Over 275.5 passing yards ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Nussmeier's passing yards line is set at 283.5 elsewhere with worse odds, making it a must-play at FanDuel. He's gone Over 275.5 passing yards in six of seven games this season and is 11th in the country in big-time throws (14).

Texas A&M's defense is also more susceptible through the air than on the ground - ranking 23rd in EPA per dropback vs. 11th in EPA per rush. If Nussmeier can hit the Over on this line, a $10 bet pays an $8.77 profit.

Mike Spector is expecting a clean game from Nussmeier as part of his LSU vs. Texas A&M prediction.

Best odds: | Implied probability: 53.27%

–– Rob Paul (SBR | )

C Jackson Cowart's Week 9 picks

Washington vs. Indiana prediction: Washington Under 24.5 points ⭐⭐⭐⭐

This matchup comes one year too late for the Michael Penix Revenge Game™, which would have made for a much more thrilling result than what I suspect we'll see on Saturday.

I would be all over Indiana against the spread if starting QB Kurtis Rourke (thumb) was active. Instead, I'd rather fade this Huskies offense - which is averaging 20.8 points in Power 4 matchups - against a Hoosiers defense ranked 22nd in SP+ and ninth in stop rate (75.4%).

Best odds: | Implied probability: 53.49%

Illinois vs. Oregon prediction: Illinois +21.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Ducks looked awfully impressive last week in a 35-0 rout over Purdue, though this feels like a potential trap spot with a trip to the Big House on the horizon.

Illinois has quietly put together a 6-1 campaign behind QB Luke Altmyer, a solid defense, and one of the best special teams units in the country. Oregon should win, but I'd be surprised if it's by more than three touchdowns in this top-25 matchup.

Brenden Schaeffer is targeting both Altmyer and the spread in his Illinois vs. Oregon prediction.

Best odds: -104 via FanDuel | Implied probability: 50.98%

Texas vs. Vanderbilt prediction: Vanderbilt +18.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Are we sure that Alabama win was a fluke? After a 2-2 start, Vanderbilt has ripped off three consecutive wins over 'Bama, Kentucky, and Ball State and welcomes Texas to the SEC's new house of horrors that is FirstBank Stadium.

No, I don't expect an outright upset, but the Commodores profile as a borderline top-50 team by SP+ and deserve a little more respect from our best sportsbooks given what we've already seen this season.

Best odds: | Implied probability: 52.38%

–– C Jackson Cowart (SBR | )

College football picks roundup: Week 9

• College football Week 9 ATS picks
• College football Week 9 upset picks
• College football Week 9 player props
• College football Week 9 best bets

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