After clawing back for a while, we somewhat reverted back to our old ways during Week 8 of the college football season, going 11-10 overall and 2-3 on our best bets. That brings us to 87-111 on overall bets and 18-26 on our best bets. With four SEC teams on a bye and the other 12 playing each other, we’ve got six games to pick plus two other top 25 games and three extra best bets, giving us 11 to call overall.

SEC and Top 25 college football Week 9 bets

Navy +13.5 vs. Notre Dame; Under 51.5

I’m buying into the Navy Midshipmen, and this game is for a College Football Playoff berth. Although the Notre Dame Fighting Irish are actually a good matchup for them, Marcus Freeman’s team is coming off midterm week. That will be enough for them to play sloppy against a discipline Navy team, so they don’t cover, and that keeps them from hitting the under.

Ole Miss -20 vs. Oklahoma; Over 48.5

With the Sooners firing Seth Litrell midway through the season, Brent Venables is losing his team. However, Lane Kiffin may be losing his mercenary Rebels after two losses as well. Given the fact that Ole Miss had a bye, it seems like they are more likely to regroup than OU, so take them to cover with that offense and win in a blowout.

Mississippi State +6.5 vs. Arkansas; Over 58.5

Although the Arkansas Razorbacks are capable of beating elite teams like the Vols at home, they are also capable of slipping up against mediocre teams. Jeff Lebby’s Mississippi State Bulldogs have gone three straight weeks covering the spread. They are getting better despite being 1-6, and with this game at home, their offense goes off, enough for them to cover and the game to hit the over.

Oregon -21.5 vs. Illinois; Over 54.5

Two weeks ago, the Fighting Illini won a game 50-49. Then they beat the Michigan Wolverines 21-7, so Bret Bielema’s team has won both ways. Going out west to face the Ducks will hurt them here, though. College football teams aren’t meant to travel to time zones regularly, and that’s clear as day in the Big Ten, so Dan Lanning’s team covers, and their offense goes off, enough to hit the over.

Alabama -16.5 vs. Missouri; Over 51.5

Despite three ugly weeks, the Tigers are still a fraudulent one-loss teams, and they keep squeaking by for wins. The Crimson Tide remind the college football world who they are this weekend. Mizzou has a very questionable defense, so Jalen Milroe should revert back to himself, which should be enough for Bama to cover and the game to hit the over.

Vanderbilt +18.5 vs. Texas; Under 52.5

A quarterback controversy is brewing in Austin, and after a 30-15 loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, the Longhorns are starting to feel some doubt. Meanwhile, the Commodores will regroup after an ugly win over the Ball State Cardinals, and in front of their home crowd, they’ll do enough to make Texas play sloppy, which is why this hits the under. Vandy covers because Texas won’t score enough.

Texas A&M +2.5 vs. LSU; Under 54.5

Could this be the game to determine who should be No. 1 in our SEC Power Rankings? Both teams have won every game since losing their opener, and they remain the only two undefeated teams in the league. Playing at home with a smarter coach in Mike Elko is enough to take A&M to cover. Kyle Field will give LSU’s offense hell, so the game hits the under.

Kentucky -2.5 vs. Auburn; Under 43.5

We’re looking at two teams that seem to have quit, which is common in college football, but this is the game that could jumpstart one of them. The under is the easiest play here, as both offenses are atrocious, but with the Wildcats at home and refocused from a bad loss to the Florida Gators, they’re going to come out and secure a big win at the mediocre level. They might win by 10.

Week 9 college football best bets

Colorado -5 Cincinnati 

While the Bearcats have to travel two time zones, the Buffaloes are the hottest team in college football under Deion Sanders. Provided they keep a level head, which they should with a CFB Playoff berth on the line, they should be able to cover this spread in front of a wild fan. On a simpler note, just fade every team traveling two time zones on the spread.

Navy +13.5 Notre Dame

Yes, this isn’t just our top 25 bet. It’s one of our best bets. Notre Dame’s rule that athletes have to be subject to the same academic calendar as everybody else always cost them in midterm week, and that’s going to be the case in New Jersey on Saturday. There’s a legitimate chance Navy pulls off the upset, but they will at least cover.

Syracuse at Pitt, the Over 62.5

Given the tempo of the Pittsburgh Panthers and the rejuvenated quarterback play of Syracuse Orange’s offense behind Kyle McCord, this Thursday night matchup should lead to a shootout. Both teams have a lot to play for, as they are still in the ACC Championship and College Football Playoff race. As a result, take the over with these offenses.

Penn State at Wisconsin, the Under 47.5

Luke Fickell loves for the Badgers to play ball control, and the Nittany Lions are dealing with some external issues right now given how James Franklin handled being asked about very serious charges against a former player this week. Add in the fact that it’ll hit the 30s in Madison when this game hits the second half at night, and it makes for an ugly game that hits the under.

SUPERDOG OF THE WEEK

Mississippi State upsets Arkansas

Not only will the Bulldogs cover. MSU is going to upset the Hogs. It’s extremely hard to get up to play a 1-6 team, and MSU is much better than their record indicates. Add in the fact that this is in Starkville and Sam Pittman’s tendency to choke away games, and honestly, this seems like one of the easiest bets of the week to make.