Week 9 CFB picks ATS

Another week of college football is here and I agree with Joker and The Blanket that there are many good opportunities out there this week, let's see if I can take advantage of them. Also, Blanket is now participating in our weekly 5-game pick-em challenge, so we now have another solid competitor that I want to beat. So, welcome to Blanket, and here we go with the Chicago Kid's week 9 picks . . . .

Houston -6.5 vs S. Miss. Houston is a very solid football team that has been drilling teams all year-despite a slip up to UTEP and I expect the same here. Houston can score and I do not think that S. Miss can keep up, especially on the road, where they have been terrible, losing to UAB and L-ville. Although S. Miss has a respectable record because they beat up on really terrible teams, they are simply out-classed here versus the Cougars. Expect Keenum and the Cougars to run wild at home and cover the 6.5. 4 units. Win.

Miami -7 @ Wafe Forest. Yeah, Miami slipped up at home last week versus a streaky Clemson team, but I think they bounce back here in a big way versus an inferior WF team. This game gives me a little pause because both teams can be somewhat of a wild card, but if it wasn't for the U's less than stellar performance last week I think they would have been double digit favorites this week. I expect Miami will be healthier on D this week and expect WF to struggle to move the ball with any consistency. Unless Miami kills themselves with mistakes, I think they should be able to put up significant points against the Deacons. Bottom line, Miami is a much better team than WF and even on the road and following a tough loss, I think that shows through and they can out any lingering frustrations on an over-matched WF team. 3.5 units. Loss.

Central Michigan +5 @ Boston College. Back to the well again here! I missed the Chips last week as the covered at BG, but I'm back on them this week @ Boston College. BC is an ok team and should be benefitted by playing at home, but they are coming off of a tough loss to their rival, ND and struggle to think that they will be overly excited to play CMU. Also, as I've written several times this season, the Chips are a veteran squad with a nice QB leader and they have had success on the road this year already. CMU continues to play for respect and think this game will mean more to them than BC, not to mention, they may be the better team on a neutral field. I think CMU could steal one on the road, but expect a close game regardless so like getting the points here. 3 units. Loss.

Note: although I have severely limited my parlay action, I also like the OVER in this game and so for those so inclined, I think this may be a nice opportunity to collect on both.

Michigan St. -3.5 @ Minnesota. How will Minnie put points on the board without Decker? That is a huge blow to their already limited offense. Also, haven't we seen this before, Minnie overachieves to start out the year and gets a little momentum and then crumbles. I realize that they were playing in Happy Valley and then in the Shoe against 2 very good defensive units, but their offense has been anemic, at best recently, and it doesn't look to get any better. The Spartans are far from a good team, and they are certainly coming off of a tough loss in a big game at home, but I still like them in this game, even -3.5, because they are simply the better football team, and I think improving as the season goes on. The Gophers on the other hand are clearly struggling and have to think the loss of their best offensive player and only real playmaker will make it tough on them this week, even at home. So, I think Sparty recovers from the tough loss last week and handles Minnie here. 2.5 units. Loss.

Oklahoma St. +9.5 vs Texas. There were a lot of games to choose from for this 5th spot, but at the end of the day, I think I feel most comfortable with the Cowboys, at home, at night, plus 9.5 points. This is a huge game (obviously) and so I expect emotion, and the home crowd, to be running wild. The Horns are trying to make up for last year's slip up at TxTech that cost them a shot at the BCS Championship and so I think they'll be focused, but Ok. St should be able to at least match that intensity. Ok St realizes this is their chance to play for a Big 12, and possibly National Championship (yeah, it would take some good breaks) and should bring every bit of effort. Texas is probably the better team in this game, but I do not think the margin is as wide as some (Vegas) obviously due. It is always tough to bet against very good, if not great teams, like Texas, but I think OSU is also pretty solid; and at home on a Sat night with 9.5 points to spare. Go Cowboys! 2 units. Loss.

In addition to these 5 games above, there are also several others that have caught my eye (so to speak), like S. Carolina +5 @ UT; UTEP -6.5 vs UAB; Ole Miss -4.5 @ Auburn; WVA -3 @ S. Florida.

So there you have it, shaping up to be another impressive week for the Chicago Kid . . . definitely want to extend my lead over Joker, Walter and now The Blanket. Good luck!