The College Football Playoff picture is beginning to come into focus as we move into week nine. For a few one-loss teams, this week will make or break their playoff hopes.
There are eight remaining undefeated teams coming into week nine. The surprise of that group is the Georgia Bulldogs. After starting quarterback, Jacob Eason went down with a knee injury the Bulldogs season appeared to be in jeopardy. Those concerns lasted all of one drive as that’s all it took for true freshman, Jake Fromm to prove himself worthy of starting.
Fromm will start in his first Georgia-Florida game this weekend. It’ll be interesting to see how the ‘Dawgs handle themselves against a reeling Gators squad.
Notre Dame’s matchup with NC State may have playoff implications. Both programs have one loss on the season and are building momentum in the polls. Ohio State and Penn State is the marquee matchup of the weekend, that will certainly have playoff implications.
Here’s the week nine picks against the spread. All of the current odds are derived from SportsBookReview.com.
Louisville vs. Wake Forest:
Current Spread: +5 Wake Forest
Spread Prediction: I’m taking Wake Forest straight up in this contest. Louisville’s offensive line continues to get Lamar Jackson killed in the pocket. The Cardinals have also taken a step back on defense this season. I believe the Demon Deacons are the tougher football team.
California vs. Colorado:
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Current Spread: +2 California
Spread Prediction: This may turn out to be a close game, however, I believe California will come out on the winning side of things. The Golden Bears dismantled an explosive Washington State offense and held USC under wraps for most of their week four matchup. Colorado simply lost too many difference makers to the NFL last offseason.
#3 Georgia vs. Florida:
Current Spread: -12
Spread Prediction: Florida’s defense is the only reason the Gators are even respectable at this point in the season. That being said, I believe Georgia is going to win this game by at least three scores. The Bulldogs defense will completely dismantle this lackluster Florida offense, while Jake Fromm and company pound the rock on the ground.
Next: 3 Storylines to watch vs. Georgia Tech
Again, my picks against the spread for week nine are as follows: +5 Wake Forest, +2 California and -12 Georgia. What are you picks against the spread heading into the weekend?