I went 13-11-1 against the spread in Week 8 of the 2024-25 College Football season.
I had a massive article planned, but I broke/bruised some ribs Thursday morning, and I’ve been in bed ever since.
I was able to write a little snippet for each marquee game this week, albeit from my phone. I’ll be back with a massive article for next week’s games.
Can Vanderbilt upset Texas?
We at ‘America’s White Boy’ pick 25 college football games against the spread in Week 9 of the 2024-25 NCAA Football season (October 26th, 2024).
Washington Huskies at Indiana Hoosiers (-6.5) – My pick is Indiana Hoosiers -6.5
It’s hard to bet against Indiana right now. They are playing outstanding and their defense is better than expected. The Hoosiers have been the most consistent team in the country so far, but this is a big test. I think Washington is a solid team, but I’m taking Indiana to cover at home.
Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Wolverines (-4) – My pick is Washington Wolverines -4
Michigan clearly isn’t as great as last year’s championship team, but they are worse than we thought. They have quarterback issues and their ground game isn’t as strong as it should be right now. The Spartans are coming off a high of upsetting Iowa, but I think they will slip up against the Wolverines. I’m taking Michigan to cover at home.
LSU Tigers at Texas A&M Aggies (-2.5) – My pick is LSU Tigers +2.5
LSU started off the year as a bad betting team, but they’ve covered three games in a row. QB Garrett Nussmeier has been wild at times, but he’s good enough SEC QB to cover against top-tier conference teams. I’m taking the points in this game.
Cincinnati Bearcats at Colorado Buffaloes (-5.5) – My pick is Cincinnati Bearcats +5.5
Colorado has been a great post-hype betting team, as they have beat the spread in five-straight games. This betting line feels like a trap, as Cincinnati has been pretty darn good of late. Colorado’s defense could run into trouble. I’m taking the points in this game.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Navy Midshipmen (+13) – My pick is Navy Midshipmen +13
Notre Dame are 4-1 against the spread since getting upset by Northern Illinois. The bettors were getting lukewarm on the Irish, but I think the hype has been built back up. Navy isn’t getting enough respect in this line, so I’m taking the points.
Florida State Seminoles at Miami (FL) Hurricanes (-21) – My pick is Miami (FL) Hurricanes -21
I worry about Miami’s defense going forward this year, but they should be able to handle Florida State junior varsity-level offense. Miami QB Cam Ward should go off on the Seminoles as well. I’m taking Miami to cover at home.
Illinois Fighting Illini at Oregon Ducks (-21.5) – My pick is Illinois Fighting Illini +21.5
I wasn’t expecting Oregon to be this complete of a team this year, but they are clearly the cream of the crop in the Big Ten. The Illini are right on the cusp of joining the top tier in the Big Ten, but they aren’t there yet. The half-point worries me, so I’m taking the points in this game.
Missouri Tigers at Alabama Crimson Tide (-13.5) – My pick is Missouri Tigers +13.5
Both of these teams have been underwhelming this season. Alabama QB Jalen Milroe went from a first-round pick to a ‘he needs to stay in school’ prospect. He isn’t accurate and hasn’t shown up in big games. I’m taking the points in this game.
Texas Longhorns at Vanderbilt Commodores (+18.5) – My pick is Texas Longhorns -18.5
Vanderbilt had fantastic outings against Georgia and Kentucky, but then struggled against Ball State a week ago. They turned it on in the fourth quarter and got the win, but it was a tie game in the third quarter. I’m still not sold on Vandy right now, especially against Texas, who are coming off their first loss. I’m taking Texas to cover in this game.
*Northern Illinois Huskies at Ball State Cardinals (+12) – My pick is Ball State Cardinals +12
This is the section where we pick a smaller conference game.
Ball State and Northern Illinois have historically had close games. It seems like overtime or a last-second field goal is needed to decide their games. I just have to take the double-digit points in this one.
QUICK HITS
*Boise State at UNLV (+3.5) – My pick is Boise State -3.5
*Nebraska at Ohio State (-25.5) – My pick is Nebraska +25.5
*North Carolina at Virginia (-4) – My pick is North Carolina +4
*Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (-10) – My pick is Virginia Tech -10
*Rice at Connecticut (-6.5) – My pick is UConn
*Texas Tech at TCU (-6.5) – My pick is Texas Tech +6.5
*BYU at UCF (-2.5) – My pick is BYU +2.5
*Auburn at Kentucky (-2.5) – My pick is Auburn +2.5
*Central Michigan at Miami (OH) (-12) – My pick is Central Michigan +12
*Georgia State at Appalachian State (-7.5) – My pick is Georgia State +7.5
BONUS PICKS!
*Tulane at North Texas (+7.5) – My pick is North Texas +7.5
*Southern Miss at James Madison (-25) – My pick is James Madison -25
*Bowling Green at Toledo (-2.5) – My pick is Toledo -2.5
*San Jose State at Fresno State (-5) – My pick is San Jose State +5
*Eastern Michigan at Akron (+3) – My pick is Eastern Michigan -3
Sweetbob’s college football picks against the spread record in previous seasons:
2013: 134-79-8
2014: 148-118-4
2015: 149-118-3
2016: 196-145-6
2017: 183-159-13
2018: 177-157-6
2019: 187-141-8
2020: 170-160-5
2021: 167-151-8
2022: 185-150-5
2023: 155-144-10
2024: 108-87-5
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About the Author…
Bobby Roberts (otherwise known as Sweetbob) is the creator of ‘America’s White Boy’ and contributor at Project Shanks. His writing has been featured on ESPN’s ‘SportsNation’, Sports Illustrated’s Hot Clicks, Guyspeed, and various other sites. You can follow him on X at @Sweetbob