Navigate

College Football Week 9 Odds & Picks: Best Early Bets (2024)

by |

It’s already about to be Week 9 of the college football season. Where has the time gone?

Here are two early looks for some of the big SEC matchups this weekend. Let’s have a weekend!

    College Football Top Early Week Picks (Week 9)

    (Odds courtesy of DraftKingsFanDuel Sportsbook)

    Missouri Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide

    Alabama has lost two of its last three games since knocking off Georgia in a see-saw game on September 28. The Crimson Tide have lost to Vanderbilt, narrowly defeated South Carolina, and lost to Tennessee.

    Ultimately, Alabama is undefeated at home. But it took literally everything to beat South Carolina and Georgia on its home field. I’d expect nothing less in this week’s game against Missouri.

    Look, Missouri likely won’t win this game. After all, the Missouri Tigers are 6-1 but already lost to Texas A&M 41-10 earlier this season. They’ve had close calls against Vanderbilt and Auburn and don’t look like last year’s team. But if you’re giving me 13.5 points, I’ll take them.

    Missouri is pretty even with Alabama defensively. Missouri might even be slightly better. The Tigers have allowed only 15.57 points per game, held opponents to 157.57 yards in the air, and only 115.43 yards on the ground. On the other hand, Alabama has given up 210.57 yards in the air and 141.29 yards on the ground with more than 21 points per game.

    Meanwhile, quarterback Brady Cook should be well enough to start this game. Cook left last week’s game and got an x-ray at the hospital, only to return and lead Missouri over Auburn in the second half. And while Alabama has run the ball well throughout the season, the offensive line hasn’t done nearly as well as we’re used to seeing with blocking in the run game. Missouri’s run defense can clog the holes.

    Give me Missouri at +13.5 (-105).

    Pick: Missouri +13.5 (-1o5)

    LSU vs. Texas A&M

    We’ll stay in the SEC.

    The winner of Saturday night’s game will stand alone at the top of the SEC standings. The LSU Tigers and Texas A&M Aggies are the only undefeated teams in the SEC heading into Week 9.

    LSU will head out on the road to Kyle Field to take on the Aggies. They’re slight underdogs despite coming off the most complete game under Brian Kelly with a 34-10 performance against Arkansas. LSU scored an early touchdown and never looked back. The offense was 9-for-15 on third down and accumulated nearly 400 yards of offense. Meanwhile, the defense held Arkansas to just 15 first downs and only 277 yards.

    The Tigers must limit penalties, especially on the road against Texas A&M. But the defense has made a complete 180-degree turn since the start of the season.

    Meanwhile, Texas A&M played Arkansas earlier this season and only escaped, 21-17 at home. That’s a helpful comparison. Additionally, the Aggies only defeated Mississippi State by ten and still allowed 24 points to the Bulldogs. The Aggies are sometimes struggling to tackle, and their pass rush is certainly not the best in the SEC. If we’re realistic, Texas A&M probably won’t even get to Garrett Nussmeier in this game.

    It’s also unlikely that Texas A&M will have a big day running the ball. Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels each couldn’t even gain four yards a carry last week.

    Let’s ride LSU at +130 on the moneyline.

    Pick: LSU (+130)

    Try Premium for FREE in our mobile app

    BettingPros App