COLLEGE FOOTBALL PICKS AND GAMES TO WATCH FOR WEEK 9
Last Week: 14-2 (88%)
Overall: 94-31 (75%)
#25
Virginia Tech (5-2) @ 
Pittsburgh (5-2) – 7PM ET, ESPN (Thursday)
The Pick: Virginia Tech
California (4-3) @ 
USC (4-3) – 10:30PM ET, ESPN (Thursday)
The Pick: USC
#22
Navy (5-1) @ 
South Florida (6-2) – 7PM ET, ESPN2 (Friday)
The Pick: South Florida
#2
Michigan (7-0) @ 
Michigan State (2-5) – 12PM ET, ESPN
The Pick: Michigan
Miami (FL) (4-3) @ 
Notre Dame (2-5) – 3:30PM ET, NBC
The Pick: Notre Dame
Texas Tech (3-4) @ 
TCU (4-3) – 3:30PM ET, ESPN2
The Pick: TCU
Northwestern (4-3) @ #6 
Ohio State (6-1) – 3:30PM ET, ESPN
The Pick: Ohio State
#13
Boise State (7-0) @ 
Wyoming (5-2) – 7PM ET, CBS Sports Network
The Pick: Boise State
#10
West Virginia (6-0) @ 
Oklahoma State (5-2) – 12PM ET, FOX
Spread: West Virginia -3.5
West Virginia is for real. This is the third week in a row where the Mountaineers have been featured in one of these write ups for the games of the week, and the past two weeks, they have killed it. After a 48-17 win over Texas Tech, and a 34-10 win over TCU, people have finally started to take notice of the Mountaineers. Meanwhile, Oklahoma State is still in Big 12 title contention, their only in conference loss being to Baylor. It’s hard to not see this game becoming a shootout, but at the end of the day, West Virginia has one of the best defenses in the Big 12, and I think the Mountaneers come up with some big stops down the stretch, and escape with a win.
The Pick: West Virginia 45, Oklahoma State 31
#4 
Washington (7-0) @ #17 
Utah (7-1) – 3:30PM ET, Fox Sports 1
Spread: Washington -11
On paper, Utah should match up well with Washington. The Utes are a smashmouth team that should dominate Washington at the line of scrimmage, and they have a fantastic runningback in Joe Williams, who in his first two games back from retirement has rushed for 179 and 332 yards. However, Washington has played against a smashmouth team once this year, Stanford, and Washington responded well, demolishing the Cardinal 44-6. I respect Utah, especially their defense, but Washington’s skill players are just too good. I’m expecting a huge game from Jake Browning, leading Washington to their first 8-0 start since 1992
The Pick: Washington 38, Utah 24
#8
Baylor (6-0) @ 
Texas (3-4) – 3:30PM ET, ABC
Spread: Baylor -3.5
If Charlie Strong is to save his job, this game is probably a must win for the Longhorns. Meanwhile, Baylor is undefeated, but they are also mainly untested, so a road win over Texas would be huge for the Bears. Baylor’s defense has been pretty good this year, I do see this one turning into a shootout., but I think the Bears defense will be good enough to get a stop down the stretch if need be. Fueled by the rowdy home crowd, I’d expect Texas to take the lead early, only for Seth Russell and Baylor to come charging back, and avenge their loss from a year ago, when Russell was injured.
The Pick: Baylor 42, Texas 34
#14
Florida (5-1) @ 
Georgia (4-3) – 3:30PM ET, CBS (Jacksonville, FL)
Spread: Florida -7.5
The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, now known as the “Former Alabama Coordinator Game” has been home to many upsets, such as Florida beating #11 Georgia in 2014, and Georgia beating #2 Florida in 2012. I’m actually a big fan of Georgia, they should be 5-2 and they are coming off of a bye, but Florida’s defene has been fantastic so far this year, in games that Florida has won, they have held their opponents to an average of just 7 points, I think Georgia will get a little more than that and keep it close, but in the end, Florida keeps controll of their own destiny in the SEC East.
The Pick: Florida 24, Georgia 23
#7
Nebraska (7-0) @ #11 
Wisconsin (5-2) – 7PM ET, ESPN
Spread: Wisconsin -7.5
This game might decide the Big Ten West assuming Nebraska loses to Ohio State next week. Even though we are 8 weeks into the season, it feels like we don’t know a lot about either of these teams. Nebraska is undefeated, but hasn’t faced any real tough tests, and Wisconsin has been a play away from beating both Ohio State and Michigan, so we know they can hang with the best, but can they finish them. Nebraska’s offense has been far from explosive this year, and Wisconsin’s defense has prehaps been the Badger’s strength so far this year, I see this being pretty low scoring, and at the end of it, Wisconsin comes out on top.
The Pick: Wisconsin 27, Nebraska 21
#3
Clemson (7-0) @ #12 
Florida State (5-2) – 8PM ET, ABC
Spread: Clemson -4
Clemson and Florida State has been a game that everyone has had circled on their calendar ever since the schedules were released. The game as lost a little of it’s luster because of Florida State’s poor (for their standards) start to the season with losses to Louisville and North Carolina. Both of these teams have great defenses, and I think this game will be back-and-forth up until the very end. I see the Clemson pass rush getting to Florida State’s rookie QB Deandre Francois late in the game, forcing him to make a mistake, and Clemson escaping with a win, and most likly a lock on the ACC Atlantic title.
The Pick: Clemson 31, Florida State 24