Week 8 of the 2026 college football season featured some incredible performances. LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 32 of his 45 passes for 387 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-17 win over Auburn. Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney logged 16 receptions for 194 yards and three touchdowns in a 52-23 thrashing of Pitt. The focus now shifts to a Week 9 slate packed with intriguing storylines and ranked programs in action. Here are three of my favorite college football picks for Saturday's contests.
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Saturday’s Best College Football Picks (Week 9)
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
No. 22 Arizona Wildcats at No. 13 Texas Tech Red Raiders
Arizona has been riding high ever since its Week 2 loss to BYU. The Wildcats have ripped off five straight victories, most recently blowing out Iowa State 39-3 in Week 8. Quarterback Noah Fifita continued his stellar campaign, throwing for 308 passing yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Texas Tech’s undefeated season ended with a 37-24 road loss to Cincinnati in Week 8. The Red Raiders couldn’t stop the Bearcats’ rushing attack, allowing 257 yards on 38 carries (6.8 yards per attempt).
Consistent offense is the key to these programs’ hopes of earning a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth. Arizona has been a top-15 team in yards per game (449.3) and third-down conversion rate (54.1%). The Wildcats tire opposing defenses with long scoring drives, which in turn rests their own defense. Texas Tech has been a top-20 team in points per game (36.3) and yards per rush attempt (5.1). The Red Raiders have proven they aren’t afraid to grind out possessions on the ground before finding the end zone.
The difference on Saturday is that only one offense draws a great matchup. Arizona’s defense has stood tall, conceding the 10th-lowest red-zone scoring rate in the country (70.6%). Texas Tech’s defense has struggled, ranking 98th in red-zone scoring rate (88.2%) and 97th in opponent yards per game (402.7). The Wildcats have scored at least 25 points in six of their seven contests. The Red Raiders have surrendered at least 25 points in three of their four Big 12 meetings. Trust the road squad to put up a fight.
Pick: Arizona Team Total Over 24.5 Points (-120)
No. 17 Florida Gators at No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs
Let’s switch gears to the ever-changing SEC landscape. Florida snapped a two-game losing streak by going into Austin and beating Texas 27-24 in Week 7. Running back Jadan Baugh guided the way with 104 total yards and one touchdown on 27 touches.
Georgia was on the wrong end of an upset in its most recent game, losing 27-24 to Auburn in Week 7. Quarterback Gunner Stockton’s costly fourth-quarter fumble sealed the Bulldogs’ fate. These storied programs will battle for the 105th time on Saturday.
Individual talent is spread across the rosters in this showdown, but team defensive success has differed greatly. Georgia remains a defensive powerhouse under head coach Kirby Smart, allowing 304.3 yards and 18 points per game. Those are both top-25 marks in the sport.
Florida has not fared nearly as well, giving up 403.3 yards per game and 32.5 points per game. Those marks rank outside of the top 95 in the sport. Simply put, the Bulldogs do what it takes to force punts. The Gators do not.
Georgia has a chance to start with a bang. Smart will have his players motivated to make a statement inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Keep in mind that the Bulldogs have averaged a reliable 23.8 first-half points per game and have led by at least a touchdown at halftime in five of their seven contests.
The Gators have trailed by at least a touchdown at halftime in their previous three conference clashes, scoring just 10 first-half points in each. Back the hungry Bulldogs to build an early lead.
Pick: Georgia First Half -6.5 (-120)
No. 6 Utah Utes at Cincinnati Bearcats
Utah remains one of only three unbeaten squads in college football. The Utes are 7-0 and have won 13 straight games. Utah’s latest 21-13 win over Houston in Week 8 featured quarterback Devon Dampier’s 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Meanwhile, Cincinnati ended Texas Tech’s undefeated campaign with a 37-24 win at Nippert Stadium in Week 8. Running back Cole Tabb flourished, totaling 178 yards and two touchdowns on 18 touches.
Utah’s zero in the loss column is no accident. The Utes have been balanced all year long, ranking as a top-20 program in yards per game (452.7) and opponent points per game (14.7).
Dampier is the straw that stirs the drink, totaling 20 touchdowns to six interceptions in seven contests. Cincinnati is not to be overlooked, but it is an underdog for a reason. The Bearcats rank outside of the top 90 FBS teams in opponent yards (460.8) and opponent points (29.2) per game. Defense has been their downfall.
I’ll stay focused on the big picture here. Utah has covered the spread in each of its past six games versus foes with a winning record, and in nine of its past 12 games overall. Cincinnati has failed to cover the spread in 11 of its last 16 home underdog duels.
The Utes crushed the Bearcats 45-14 in 2025 behind running back Wayshawn Parker’s big performance (104 yards and one touchdown on 17 carries). The combination of him and Dampier will make it tough for anyone to take down the Utes this fall.
Pick: Utah Utes -6.5 (-110)
