Week 9 Predictions

BYU @ TCU (-13)

These two are pretty even in the Mountain West right now, at least more even than a 2TD spread would indicate.

The Call: TCU wins, but BYU covers the spread

The Result: TCU 38-28

Yup.
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Michigan State @ Nebraska (-4)

The Spartans have just been tearing up the Big10 so far this year, but how much of a hangover will they have after last week's miracle win? I think their D will show up again, but Nebraska is going to be more focused and will be a force on D themselves. The over/under on this one is 49 - go with the under.

The Call: Nebraska by 7

The Result: Nebraska 24-3

Got it - counting that one as +2.
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Missouri @ Texas A&M (-10)

Bit of a tricky one here. The Aggies haven't been good at covering this season, especially big spreads. But the Tigers haven't been that great themselves at just 4-3. I think we're gonna have to go with A&M on this one though - the Tigers just haven't fared well on the road.

The Call: Texas A&M by 13

The Result: Missouri 38-31

What the hell have the Aggies been doing at halftime?
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Air Force @ New Mexico (+30.5)

That's a huge spread, and the Falcons aren't a juggernaut. But the Lobos have been spotted more than 20 points four times this season, and each time they still haven't managed to cover.

The Call: Air Force by 35

The Result: Air Force 42-0

Yeah, like that one.
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Florida v Georgia (-3)

The Dawgs are focused and back on track after a rough start to the season, while the Gators are going through a bit of a rough patch themselves. Florida just doesn't look like the supremely confident/talented team they have in the past, and I think Georgia will be able to capitalize on some mistakes.

The Call: Georgia by 9

The Result: Georgia 24-20

Close, but I'll take it.
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Baylor (+14) @ Oklahoma State

The Cowboy offense is going to score, we know that much. But how are they going to handle Griffin? He's been slowed down a couple of times this season, but not much and by teams with better D's than the Cowboys. Shootout, sure, but it might be close...

The Call: Oklahoma State wins, but Baylor covers the spread

The Result: Oklahoma State 59-24

And this is where things start to go bad...
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Illinois (+5.5) @ Penn State

Sure the Nittany Lions are 7-1, but it's a wholly unremarkable 7-1 and they're just 2-6 against the spread this season. The Illini aren't much better at 3-5 against the spread, and they're trying to break out of a 2-game losing streak rut. I think the Zooker can turn things around.

The Call: Illinois by 7

The Result: Penn State 10-7

That's not helping.
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Oklahoma (-13.5) @ Kansas State

An undefeated two-touchdown underdog playing at home? That's a recipe for a beatdown right there, but this is the Sooners we're talking about. They always seem to lose one during the regular season but then storm back and win the Big12. The Wildcats haven't really been tested all year, and their D definitely has their work cut out for them, but I don't see it happening.

The Call: Oklahoma by 17

The Result: Oklahoma 58-17

I admit, that was an easy one.
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Navy (+21.5) @ Notre Dame

Can the Irish play worse than they did last weekend? Sure - they have. When they don't shoot themselves in the foot they're a formidable team. The Midshipmen on the other hand are having a rough go of it this season - they haven't beaten anyone of note, and aren't playing well in general. But they have won the last two and three of four against the Irish... that's gotta count for something, right?

The Call: Notre Dame wins, but Navy covers the spread

The Result: Notre Dame 56-14

I feel for ya, Navy.
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Oregon State @ Utah (-5)

The Utes have had a tough go of it in the Pac12 this season - not the way they wanted to start their affiliation with the conference, I'm sure. But the Beavers are having a rougher go of it at just 2-5 on the season. They need this one bad, and I think they'll be able to conjure up some magic.

The Call: Oregon State by 7

The Result: Utah 27-8

Ouch.
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South Carolina @ Tennessee (+3.5)

With Garcia and Lattimore gone, the Gamecocks hold on the SEC East is slipping. They still have a good D, but they're gonna struggle to score. The Vols are coming into this one battle-tested after playing LSU, Georgia, and Alabama the last three weeks. They'll get things done here.

The Call: Tennessee by 7

The Result: South Carolina 14-3

Really Vols?
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Clemson (-3.5) @ Georgia Tech

I'm not sure the Tigers are really on the upward slope that much, but I'm pretty certain the Yellow Jackets are falling. This could get ugly.

The Call: Clemson by 17

The Result: Georgia Tech 31-17

Really Tigers?
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Stanford @ USC (+7.5)

Would it be shocking if the Trojans pulled off the upset here? Not really - we saw last week that they can play when they put all the pieces together. But the chances they'll be able to do it again (and probably would need to play better than they did last week) are slim. The Cardinal are just too solid on both sides of the line this season.

The Call: Stanford by 14

The Result: Stanford 56-48

Whew - that stops the slide for a bit.
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Wisconsin (-7) @ Ohio State

Look, if the Badgers get a lucky bounce and win last week, this spread is high double-digits. I don't think the Buckeyes will be able to hang in this one - it should be over by halftime.

The Call: Wisconsin by 21

The Result: Ohio State 33-29

Really Badgers?
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Quite an ugly weekend for the picking... just 8-6 straight up, 6-8 against the spread. Argh.