BetMGM Staff Picks For NCAAF Week 9

BetMGM Staff Picks For NCAAF Week 9

Each week, writers and editors for The Roar will comb through the college football odds to find their favorite bets for that particular week. Here are the staff’s favorite plays for Week 9.

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Andrew Doughty: Nebraska +7.5 (vs. Illinois)

Nebraska seems to enjoy football again without Scott Frost, which is entirely unsurprising after insider reports of Frost’s reckless impulsiveness and organizational issues. 

Despite a six-point road loss to Purdue in Week 7, the Huskers’ bowl chances are very real, as are their chances of finishing above .500 in the Big Ten for the first time since 2016. I think that means something this weekend with Illinois in town.

I’m betting the public isn’t aware of Nebraska’s competence since Frost was booted. I’m considering an additional small play on the moneyline (+220), too.

Chase Kiddy: Missouri +4 (at South Carolina)

Missouri has quietly been a very good dog throughout the last month of SEC play, covering the number three straight times when priced as an underdog.

Now, Missouri heads to South Carolina for the Columbia Bowl, where the Gamecocks must lay points in a conference game for the first time this season.

It’s worth pointing out that South Carolina has crept into the AP Top 25 off the backs of wins over Kentucky (Will Levis didn’t play) and Texas A&M (now a sub-.500 team). 

I don’t know how much credit Shane Beamer’s squad deserves for its last month of winning, but I’m going to guess it’s less than what they’re getting in the public square right now.

I’ll take the points with Missouri, and I won’t be surprised if the Tigers win outright.

Colton Pool: Ohio State at Penn State Under 61

Both of these defenses are playing well, and Penn State should keep it close.

Ohio State (fourth) and Penn State (ninth) are both in the top 10 in defensive touchdown rate, per Football Outsiders. Both are in the top 20 for points allowed.

No one has totaled more than 21 points against Ohio State all season. Other than Michigan, Penn State hasn’t allowed anyone to score more than 17 points since Sept. 1. 

The Buckeyes have allowed the second-fewest yards in the nation at 239.9 per game, while the Nittany Lions have allowed much more at 373.1. So I believe Ohio State will win, but it’ll be a close, lower-scoring game than either team is used to.

Ryan Hannable: Penn State +15.5 (vs. Ohio State)

Yes, Ohio State is rolling but this is just a ton of points for a good team to be getting at home in a conference game.

Death Valley is one of the toughest places to play in the country and it is just the second road game of the year for the Buckeyes. Ohio State is allowing just 14.9 points per game (fifth in the nation), so Penn State’s offense will need to play well. Their defense is allowing 18.9 points per game and will also need to play extremely well against Ohio State’s high-powered offense.

With that being said, this bet isn’t for Penn State to win the game, it’s to keep it within two touchdowns. That certainly seems doable for the 13th-ranked team in the country at home.

BetMGM editors and authors are sports experts with a wealth of knowledge of the sports industry at all levels. Their coverage includes sports news, previews and predictions, fun facts, and betting.