College Football Odds, Picks & Predictions: Week 9 (2026)

College football betting expert Scott Bogman will provide his top picks and predictions for every week of college football action. Let’s get ready for this weekend’s games with Bogman’s best college football bets for Week 9. Check out all of his top college football Week 9 picks and predictions below.

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College Football Week 9 Bets & Picks

(Odds and lines via BettingPros’ consensus betting information)

Let’s dive into our top college football picks and leans for Week 9.

Louisville vs. Stanford

Stanford is coming off an impressive win against NC State that led to the firing of HC Dave Doren. The Cardinal's offense has been decent over the last two games and was particularly impressive against NC State. QB Davis Warren had five touchdowns (four passing, one rushing), RB Micah Ford had over 200 total yards, and WR Caden High posted a season-high 103 yards.

Stanford has been slowly finding its offensive identity after some rough games against top-tier competition, averaging 5.8 points per game against Miami, Duke, Wake Forest, and Notre Dame. However, the Cardinal have looked competent against middling and lesser defenses, averaging 34 points per game against Hawaii, Georgia Tech, Elon, and NC State. NC State is firmly below average defensively, ranking 51st in defensive efficiency in the FBS, 58th in EPA per play, and 44th in defensive success rate among 68 P4 teams.

Luckily, the over shouldn't need much from Stanford, with Louisville boasting one of the highest-scoring offenses in the country (11th, 38.7 PPG). Louisville's offense faces a Stanford team traveling across the country with a miserable defense by any measure. The Cardinal rank last among 68 P4 teams in both EPA per play and defensive success rate. Stanford also ranks 119th in defensive efficiency in the FBS and 127th in PFF defensive grade.

Louisville will run all over this weak Stanford run defense, which ranks 119th with 187.6 rushing yards allowed per game. The Cardinals should find steady success behind RBs Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown, along with QB Lincoln Kienholz. Louisville ranks 15th in rushing yards per game (215). These teams are a combined 12-3 to the over, and this game should continue that trend.

Pick: OVER 59.5

Ohio State vs. USC

USC has been mediocre this season, going 2-6 ATS with only one ATS win since September 4! We should see a better version of the Trojans' offense after it bottomed out on the road at Wisconsin last week, but the competition is even tougher against the Buckeyes at home. The Trojans still have a top-10 passing offense (303.5 YPG), led by QB Jayden Maiava, who is tied for the sixth-most passing touchdowns with 19 this season. Before last week's Wisconsin game, USC's season low was 25 points. The Trojans rank fifth in the country in red-zone trips, and their team total in this game is 21.5.

Ohio State will have success against USC, but the Trojans might get some extra opportunities if the Buckeyes' new QB turns the ball over or provides favorable field position through three-and-outs. Losing QB Julian Sayin is a bad beat for Ohio State's offense, but the Buckeyes have strong backup options in Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair. Fahey was praised for his high football IQ, willingness to run, and lack of turnovers, throwing zero interceptions in his final year of high school. St. Clair is a blue-chip, five-star prospect who ranked fourth nationally in the class of 2025, with the size, speed, and arm strength that scouts crave.

The Buckeyes have had the bye week to prepare these QBs and still have the leading Heisman contender in WR Jeremiah Smith, along with a running game strong enough to put points on the board against the well-below-average Trojans defense. USC ranks 56th in defensive EPA per play and 57th in defensive success percentage in the Power 4, and 107th and 106th, respectively, across the FBS.

The Trojans have looked better over the last three weeks, allowing fewer than 25 points to Washington, Penn State, and Wisconsin. However, none of those offenses are impressive. USC also allowed 30 points to Louisiana, 35 to Rutgers, and 41 to Oregon, with Dylan Raiola, who has since been benched, playing most of that game.

There have been a lot of upsets in 2026, and they might be expected at this point. But if Ohio State figures out how to consistently get the ball to Jeremiah Smith with either QB, the Buckeyes should put up points and win going away.

Pick: Ohio State (-6.5)

Nebraska vs. Washington

The Huskers' defense is likely to be the story of this game. Nebraska ranks fourth in defensive EPA per play and sixth in defensive success percentage in the Power 4, and Washington has struggled offensively in most games this season. Huskies starting QB Demond Williams left the Iowa game with a rib injury and missed the Purdue game two weeks ago. Elijah Brown replaced Williams and led the Huskies to 38 points and almost 500 yards against Purdue in their last game. Washington turned the ball over five times but still couldn't be stopped by a weak Boilermakers defense.

Nebraska hasn't allowed more than 23 points this season, including just 20 to Indiana and 17 to Oregon in its last two games. Nebraska shouldn't have issues slowing down the Huskies, and if the Huskers force turnovers the way Purdue did, Washington will not find the same success.

Nebraska is less efficient on offense than on defense but is still above average and better than Washington. The Huskers lean on the running game (29th, 194.3 YPG), wear down opposing defenses with the 16th-highest time of possession (32:42), and have failed to cover only as underdogs. Nebraska is 6-1 ATS this season and missed covering the 27.5-point spread against North Dakota by just the hook.

The public is likely on Washington here because Nebraska lost its last two games before the bye week, while the Huskies had an offensive explosion against Purdue. We show value on Nebraska at home, with Washington coming back down to earth in a double-digit road loss.

Pick: Nebraska -7.5

Florida State vs. Clemson

This is a play against the miserable Clemson offense. Clemson ranks dead last in offensive EPA per play and offensive success percentage in the Power 4, and 132nd and 128th, respectively, across the entire FBS. ESPN's offensive efficiency metric ranks Clemson 117th. The Tigers are also 111th in scoring (21.4 PPG), 115th in total offense (333.1 YPG), and have only TWO passing touchdowns, which is dead last in the country.

Clemson has had massive issues at QB, with starter Christopher Vizzinia playing miserably before getting hurt. Tait Reynolds took over and will keep the job heading into this game, even if Vizzinia returns. Florida State doesn't have a strong defense statistically, but the Seminoles are the only non-SEC team with a top-10 strength of schedule (sixth), having faced SMU, Alabama on the road, Louisville on the road, and Miami.

The value favors the Seminoles because their offense looks like it's starting to come around, with QB Ashton Daniels making fewer mistakes and using his legs more. All five of Daniels' turnover-worthy plays have resulted in interceptions. He has eight interceptions on the season, with the other three attributed to his receivers. RB Ousmane Kromah is out for the season with an ankle injury, but Texas transfer Tre Wisner has plenty of experience and should pick up right where Kromah left off.

Clemson's defense has been strong, holding five of seven opponents to 20 or fewer points. However, Clemson has averaged only 12.6 points per game against P4 opponents. As bad as Florida State has been while playing one of the toughest schedules this season, it has averaged 30.6 points per game.

Both teams will likely have new head coaches in 2027, but right now, the Seminoles are playing much better overall. They are at home, and Clemson has a bigger issue in the passing game. Lay the points with the home team in this one.

Pick: Florida State -5.5