Week 9's afternoon slate features two high-profile SEC clashes, as No. 4 Alabama visits South Carolina, while No. 10 Vanderbilt hosts No. 15 Missouri.
We've got a best bet for both of those games, plus a few other matchups in the late-afternoon time slot — see below for our college football picks and analysis.
College football best bets for Week 9 afternoon games
| Game | Time (ET) Network |
Best bet |
|---|---|---|
 vs  |
3:30 | ABC | TT o29.5 -120 |
 vs  |
3:30 | ESPN | o52.5 -105 |
 vs  |
3:30 | FOX | +2.5 -104 |
 vs  |
3:30 | CBS | +9 -110 |
 vs  |
3:30 | SECN | TT u27.5 -122 |
 vs  |
3:30 | CW | ML +104 |
 vs  |
3:30 | ESPN+ | -1.5 -110 |
 vs  |
3:30 | ESPN+ | -6 -110 |
 vs  |
4:00 | ESPN2 | +3.5 -110 |
 vs  |
4:00 | ESPNU | +3.5 -110 |
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Alabama vs South Carolina best bet
Alabama team total Over 29.5 (-120 at FanDuel)
Alabama’s offense ranked fifth in the country in EPA per play and 13th in success rate on dropbacks, and South Carolina enters this game 92nd in defensive success rate, including 114th on dropbacks.
See our full analysis and Crimson Tide/Gamecocks SGP in our Alabama vs. South Carolina predictions.
Missouri vs Vanderbilt best bet
Over 52.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
The Tigers rank just 70th nationally in EPA allowed per rush, meaning other runners outside of Diego Pavia can have success to give Vandy consistent offense. On the other side, the Commodores' pass defense ranks in the bottom 10% of the country in explosiveness allowed... against a high-tempo Missouri offense that has been humming.
See our full analysis and Tigers/Commodores SGP in our Missouri vs. Vanderbilt predictions.
BYU vs Iowa State best bet
BYU +2.5 (-104 at FanDuel)
The Cougars bring a Top-10 run game into Jack Trice Stadium, churning out 232.9 yards per contest, part of an offense that ranks inside the nation’s Top 40 in yards per game. BYU can also defend, sitting second in the Big 12 in allowing 15.6 points per game, while ranking inside the Top 4 in both rush and pass yards against.
See our full analysis and Cougars/Cyclones SGP in our BYU vs. Iowa State predictions.
Minnesota vs Iowa best bet
Minnesota +9 (-110 at FanDuel)
It's much more advantageous to take the points than to lay them with a low total. I haven't been overly impressed with Iowa like the market has; they just beat a team with an interim coach and they beat a Wisconsin team that's going to have an interim coach in a few weeks.
See our other early college football Week 9 picks from the Covers YouTube channel.
Texas vs Mississippi State best bet
Texas team total Under 27.5 (-122 at FanDuel)
I’m expecting Arch Manning to collapse under the pressure of another SEC road game. The Swamp got to him, as he led just three scoring drives in 13 possessions, tossing a pair of picks as the Longhorns lost to the Gators, and he should’ve lost again last week at Kentucky, where he completed just 12 of 27 passes for 132 yards and routinely missed open throws.
See our full analysis and Longhorns/Bulldogs SGP in our Texas vs. Mississippi State predictions.
Toledo vs Washington State best bet
Toledo moneyline (+104 at FanDuel)
The Rockets rank No. 24 in the country in early-downs EPA, and staying ahead of the chains should put the Cougars’ defense into increasingly compromised positions — a defense that already ranks No. 110 in early-downs EPA against and then No. 115 in quality drive rate — not to mention No. 116 in points per quality drive.
See Douglas' full analysis — and the rest of his best bets — in his college football predictions for Week 9.
Western Michigan vs Miami (OH) best bet
Miami (OH) -1.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
Western Michigan is one of the hottest ATS teams in the country, but you're paying a premium for them now; I'll take Miami of Ohio, which is the better team, laying less than a field goal at home.
See more picks and our college football Week 9 breakdown on the Covers YouTube channel.
Temple vs Tulsa best bet
Temple -6 (-110 at FanDuel)
Temple’s offense should largely make every decision against Tulsa. The Golden Hurricanes’ defense is actually better than the offense, but that bar is about as high as a nickel in a hallway.
See Douglas' full analysis — and the rest of his best bets — in his college football predictions for Week 9.
Baylor vs Cincinnati best bet
Baylor +3.5 (-110 at FanDuel)
Baylor has played a much tougher schedule, plays a ton of close, hard-nosed games, and is one of the toughest opponents Cincinnati will have faced so far this season.
See more picks and our college football Week 9 breakdown on the Covers YouTube channel.
Oklahoma State vs Texas Tech best bet
Oklahoma State +38.5 (-115 at FanDuel)
A spread this large, against an overmatched opponent, begs not for a look-ahead moment but overall apathy. A vanilla game plan will win this game handily; no risks need to be taken. As long as this spread is above five touchdowns, relish it. There will not be another moment to bet on Oklahoma State.
See Douglas' full analysis — and the rest of his best bets — in his college football predictions for Week 9.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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