Somehow, we have already reached Week 9 of the college football regular season. With just 5 full weeks of action left, the race for the College Football Playoff is only going to intensify from here – especially with losses for Texas, Ohio State and Alabama in recent weeks. Similarly, each additional data point means lines will continue to get sharper as we inch towards the playoff, increasing the importance of getting the best of the number early in the week.
Last week was good to us, as we cashed in on UNLV despite its difficult travel spot to Oregon State. With the win and the cover by the Rebels, we are now 6-1 on our opening line best bets this season, and I am eager to get our 7th victory on the board this week. Here are the early lines and odds for the biggest matchups of college football Week 9, followed by this week’s best bet to make right now. Don’t forget to check Pickswise throughout the week for college football picks on the entire Week 9 slate!
College football Week 9 opening lines and odds
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook and available at time of publishing on Sunday night.
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NCAAF Week 9 opening line best bet: Kansas State Wildcats -10 over Kansas Jayhawks (-110)
The Kansas State Wildcats stayed hot with a convincing 45-18 win over the West Virginia Mountaineers in Morgantown in Week 8. Winners of 3 straight, they will return home to Manhattan this week for a matchup against in-state rival Kansas – a rivalry referred to as the Sunflower Showdown. The Wildcats have won 15 straight in this series, and outside of their 38-9 loss at BYU in Week 4, have scored at least 31 points in every game this season (all wins). Their rushing attack has been dominant, gaining more than 220 yards per game and 6.22 yards per carry – both top 10 marks nationally. They should be able to use this to their advantage against a Kansas defense that has been gashed on the ground a few times this season. The Jayhawks yield more than 4 yards per carry and 148 rushing yards per game, both outside the top 70, and they have given up 36 runs of at least 10 yards – which ranks 91st nationally. Furthermore, they allowed Arizona State to rush for 306 yards and 6.9 yards per carry prior to their Week 7 bye.
Like the Wildcats, the Jayhawks have a strong rushing attack. However, Kansas State has one of the strongest rush defenses in the country. The Wildcats give up less than 85 rushing yards per game, and opponents average just 2.73 yards per carry against them. If the Jayhawks can’t get their run game going, a lot of pressure is going to be thrust onto the arm of Jalon Daniels – who has the 2nd-most turnover-worthy plays and the 3rd-worst completion percentage of 17 qualified Big 12 quarterbacks. That would be dangerous against a Kansas State defense that forces an average of 2 takeaways in its home games. Kansas State should win by margin in this matchup given its advantages on both sides of the ball, so I’m laying the points with the Wildcats against a Kansas team that is 1-6 ATS.
