CFB Week 9 best bets: Play the Ohio State-Penn State total
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We crushed it in Week 8, going 4-1 with our top bets. If you're planning on getting down again this Saturday, here are the college football plays for Week 9.
Indiana @ Rutgers (+11, 54), 3:30 p.m. ET
You can't make a case for either spread in this one. Indiana, which upset Penn State as a 6.5-point underdog, posted only 211 yards of offense in a 36-35 overtime win. Rutgers, meanwhile, was out-gained by nearly 100 yards despite upsetting Michigan State as a sizable 'dog. These are two obvious sell candidates on the betting line.
However, the total is intriguing. The Hoosiers' offense was no match for Penn State in the opener, but its supporting cast is too experienced to not put up numbers against a serious step down in competition.
Meanwhile, Rutgers ran 73 plays despite leading the entire game. I'm interested to see how fast the Scarlet Knights go when they fall into a deficit as 11-point underdogs. Plus, their quarterback play can't be worse than last season's tilt against Indiana: Rutgers recorded one - yes, one - yard through the air.
Pick: Over 54
Notre Dame @ Georgia Tech (+20, 58), 3:30 p.m.
This is a rough spot for Notre Dame with Clemson on deck. But instead of trusting Georgia Tech plus the points, let's play the total.
The Fighting Irish are starting to become more multi-dimensional as the season progresses. They have a substantial edge in the trenches, and quarterback Ian Book will have plenty of shots to take downfield against a defense allowing more than 13 yards per completion this season.
Georgia Tech head coach Geoff Collins prefers low-scoring games, but he's had to make an exception this season behind a porous defense. The Yellow Jackets have cashed each of the last five overs and are a perfect 8-0 to the over following a loss against the spread.
This could get into the 60s rather quickly.
Pick: Over 58
Ohio State @ Penn State (+12, 64), 7:30 p.m.
We know Ohio State is going to put up points. But where is Penn State's offense going to come from?
The Nittany Lions are a bit hamstrung in terms of creativity. They connected on a crucial deep shot late last week in the opener but didn't necessarily drive the ball down the field. Their running back depth chart is shot, which forced quarterback Sean Clifford to either flee a broken pocket or take a designed run.
The Buckeyes faced a similar scheme last week with Nebraska signal-caller Adrian Martinez and held the Cornhuskers to 17 points. They won't be caught off-guard.
Bettors are expecting a shootout, but I see only one side holding up its end of the bargain. The under has cashed in four of the last five meetings, and I'm guessing it'll be five of six after Saturday.
Pick: Under 64
(Odds source: theScore Bet)
2020 betting record: 13-11
Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.