Our Week 9 college football top picks are set for Saturday, Oct. 31, with analyst-backed angles across 15 matchups, from Arizona vs. Texas Tech at Noon to Ohio State vs. USC under the SoCal lights.
A "top pick" is the analyst's best angle in that preview, which isn't always the point spread. For spread-only plays, see our college football Week 9 picks against the spread.
Lines move often, so confirm the college football odds before locking in your picks at Kalshi.
Today's Week 9 college football top picks at a glance
| Matchup & kickoff | Top pick & analyst |
|---|---|
| Arizona vs. Texas Tech Noon ET |
Arizona +3.5 JD Yonke |
| Notre Dame vs. Navy Noon ET |
Over 55.5 Rob Paul |
| Wisconsin vs. Iowa Noon ET |
Iowa -3.5 Colby Marchio |
| Auburn vs. Ole Miss 12:45 p.m. ET |
Under 57.5 Chris Hatfield |
| Arizona State vs. BYU 3:30 p.m. ET |
BYU 1H -9.5 Colby Marchio |
| Florida vs. Georgia 3:30 p.m. ET |
Over 54.5 Rob Paul |
| Minnesota vs. Indiana 3:30 p.m. ET |
Indiana -20.5 Nick Galaida |
| Northwestern vs. Oregon 3:30 p.m. ET |
Northwestern +3.5 Colby Marchio |
| Nevada vs. UCLA 4:15 p.m. ET |
Nevada +21.5 JD Yonke |
| Purdue vs. Penn State 4:15 p.m. ET |
Over 54.5 Jason Ence |
| Clemson vs. Florida State 7 p.m. ET |
Clemson +6.5 Nick Galaida |
| Georgia Tech vs. Pittsburgh 7:30 p.m. ET |
Under 53.5 Geoff Clark |
| Miami vs. North Carolina 7:30 p.m. ET |
Under 52.5 Geoff Clark |
| Mississippi State vs. Texas 7:30 p.m. ET |
Texas -20.5 Geoff Clark |
| Ohio State vs. USC 7:30 p.m. ET |
Ohio State -6.5 Rob Paul |
| Oregon State vs. Fresno State 11 p.m. ET |
Oregon State -6.5 Rob Paul |
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Noon ET games
Arizona vs. Texas Tech
- Kickoff: Noon ET
- TV: ESPN
- Analyst: JD Yonke
Top pick: Arizona +3.5
JD Yonke's Arizona vs. Texas Tech prediction is bullish on Arizona +3.5, and he would still play the Wildcats at +3. Texas Tech quarterback Will Hammond has 13 turnover-worthy passes and only eight big-time throws, a combination that limits the Red Raiders' passing explosiveness.
Arizona brings a run-stopping defense into that matchup, while Texas Tech has allowed 266.1 passing yards per game. The Wildcats rank 10th nationally in passing success rate, giving Yonke reason to trust the road underdog.
Notre Dame vs. Navy
- Kickoff: Noon ET
- TV: ABC
- Analyst: Rob Paul
Top pick: Over 55.5
Rob Paul's Notre Dame vs. Navy prediction targets Over 55.5 in this rivalry game. Notre Dame has averaged 42.2 points against Navy during Marcus Freeman's tenure, including an average of 50 in the last two meetings.
Navy enters 2-5 with a defense ranked 102nd by SP+, but its rushing attack has life with Jackson Gutierrez. Paul expects the Midshipmen to contribute enough points for Notre Dame's offense to carry the total over.
Wisconsin vs. Iowa
- Kickoff: Noon ET
- TV: FOX
- Analyst: Colby Marchio
Top pick: Iowa -3.5
In his Wisconsin vs. Iowa prediction, Colby Marchio backs Iowa -3.5 at Kinnick Stadium, expecting a response after the Hawkeyes' 13-10 loss to Minnesota. Iowa outgained the Gophers by nearly 80 yards but committed four turnovers.
Wisconsin arrives after upsetting USC, yet Marchio believes Iowa can clean up its mistakes and take advantage of the home setting. He prefers a shorter spread and would not lay more than the posted -3.5.
12:45 p.m. ET game
Auburn vs. Ole Miss
- Kickoff: 12:45 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Analyst: Chris Hatfield
Top pick: Under 57.5
Chris Hatfield's Auburn vs. Ole Miss prediction favors Under 57.5, playable down to 56.5. Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown can exploit an Ole Miss run defense allowing an SEC-worst 161.1 rushing yards per game, keeping the ball on the ground and the clock moving.
Auburn is much less dangerous through the air, averaging 5.28 yards per dropback, 122nd nationally. Hatfield sees Ole Miss doing most of the scoring, without enough help from the Tigers to push the game past the total.
3:30 p.m. ET games
Arizona State vs. BYU
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV: FOX
- Analyst: Colby Marchio
Top pick: BYU 1H -9.5
Colby Marchio's Arizona State vs. BYU prediction targets BYU -9.5 in the first half instead of the full-game spread. He worries the Cougars could slow down after building a large lead, making the opening 30 minutes a cleaner angle.
Arizona State is surrendering close to 18 first-half points per game, compared with about 10 allowed by BYU. Marchio expects the Cougars to start sharply after the UCF loss and would not lay more than -9.5 before halftime.
Florida vs. Georgia
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC
- Analyst: Rob Paul
Top pick: Over 54.5
Rob Paul's Florida vs. Georgia prediction makes Over 54.5 the top play for the first Florida-Georgia Cocktail Party in Atlanta. Georgia has cashed the Over in six of seven games, and Buster Faulkner's familiarity with Kirby Smart's defense could help Florida contribute.
The Gators rank 125th nationally in defensive success rate allowed at 49.5%, while Georgia leads the country in points per opportunity at 5.21. Paul expects the Bulldogs to do most of the damage in a high-scoring rivalry game.
Minnesota vs. Indiana
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV: CBS
- Analyst: Nick Galaida
Top pick: Indiana -20.5
Nick Galaida's Minnesota vs. Indiana prediction lays Indiana -20.5 after Minnesota escaped Iowa despite being outgained by 79 yards and going 2-for-14 on third down. Four Hawkeyes turnovers played a major role in the Gophers' narrow win.
Minnesota has been shakier away from home, including a 41-13 loss at Purdue. Galaida sees a substantial talent and efficiency advantage for the Hoosiers and expects the matchup in Bloomington to get away from the visitors.
Northwestern vs. Oregon
- Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV: Peacock
- Analyst: Colby Marchio
Top pick: Northwestern +3.5
Colby Marchio's Northwestern vs. Oregon prediction likes Northwestern +3.5 as Oregon tries to recover from a 21-10 loss to Illinois. With the Ducks at 4-3, he sees more value in the consistent Wildcats than in a favorite facing mounting pressure.
Northwestern leads the Big Ten with 46 explosive runs and has the rushing game to put Oregon under pressure. Marchio sees a legitimate upset chance and would back the Wildcats at +3.5.
4:15 p.m. ET games
Nevada vs. UCLA
- Kickoff: 4:15 p.m. ET
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Analyst: JD Yonke
Top pick: Nevada +21.5
JD Yonke's Nevada vs. UCLA prediction is all over Nevada +21.5 despite UCLA's 7-0 ATS start. He views a midseason nonconference date before the Bruins' trip to Minnesota as a difficult spot to cover a spread of more than three touchdowns.
UCLA has averaged just 20.7 points in its last three games with Ty Dieffenbach at quarterback. Yonke expects a low-scoring script to make it hard for the Bruins to build the required margin.
Purdue vs. Penn State
- Kickoff: 4:15 p.m. ET
- TV: Big Ten Network
- Analyst: Jason Ence
Top pick: Over 54.5
Jason Ence's Purdue vs. Penn State prediction makes Over 54.5 the top pick. Purdue's passing game ranks 20th in success rate, and the Boilermakers have gone Over in six of seven games this season.
Penn State could benefit from facing a Purdue defense ranked 126th in EPA per pass and 121st in EPA per rush. Ence expects both offenses to generate scoring opportunities, with a possible spark from Alex Manske if Rocco Becht struggles.
7 p.m. ET game
Clemson vs. Florida State
- Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
- TV: ACC Network
- Analyst: Nick Galaida
Top pick: Clemson +6.5
In his Clemson vs. Florida State prediction, Nick Galaida backs Clemson +6.5 despite the Tigers' recent struggles against Virginia Tech and Miami. He argues their underlying performance has been more competitive than the results suggest.
Clemson outgained Virginia Tech by 54 yards and was outgained by only 69 against Miami, despite losing the turnover battle in the latter game. Galaida expects the rivalry matchup to be tighter than the spread implies.
7:30 p.m. ET games
Georgia Tech vs. Pittsburgh
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN2
- Analyst: Geoff Clark
Top pick: Under 53.5
Geoff Clark's Georgia Tech vs. Pittsburgh prediction favors Under 53.5 because both offenses are dealing with significant injuries. Pittsburgh has lost starting quarterback Mason Heintschel for the season, and Georgia Tech is without running back Malachi Hosley.
The Yellow Jackets are also missing multiple offensive linemen, a problem against a Panthers defense ranked 18th in success rate allowed. Neither team has been efficient in the red zone, giving Clark reasons to expect stalled drives and fewer touchdowns.
Miami vs. North Carolina
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ABC
- Analyst: Geoff Clark
Top pick: Under 52.5
Geoff Clark's Miami vs. North Carolina prediction targets Under 52.5, playable down to 50.5. He expects Bill Belichick to make Miami earn yards through long possessions rather than allow the Hurricanes to produce explosive plays.
Miami ranks sixth nationally in success rate but plays at a slow tempo, while North Carolina ranks 97th in scoring. With the Tar Heels dealing with offensive-line injuries, Clark anticipates fewer possessions and a subdued total.
Mississippi State vs. Texas
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV: ESPN
- Analyst: Geoff Clark
Top pick: Texas -20.5
Geoff Clark's Mississippi State vs. Texas prediction would back the Longhorns as high as -23.5. Mississippi State lost quarterback Kamario Taylor to a season-ending injury, creating an especially difficult matchup with an elite defense.
Texas leads the nation in schedule-adjusted defensive EPA per play, according to the preview. Mississippi State has lost three straight while averaging just 12.7 points against Alabama, LSU, and Oklahoma.
Ohio State vs. USC
- Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
- TV: NBC
- Analyst: Rob Paul
Top pick: Ohio State -6.5
Rob Paul is on Ohio State -6.5, even with true freshman Luke Fahey expected to make his first start. USC managed just seven points and 239 total yards in its loss to Wisconsin.
The Buckeyes bring an elite defense into Los Angeles, while the Trojans rank 96th in success rate allowed. Paul's Ohio State vs. USC prediction believes Fahey and Jeremiah Smith can create enough offense to cover, and would lay as much as -8.5.
Pac-12 After Dark (11 p.m. ET)
Oregon State vs. Fresno State
- Kickoff: 11 p.m. ET
- TV: USA Network
- Analyst: Rob Paul
Top pick: Oregon State -6.5
Rob Paul's Oregon State vs. Fresno State prediction has the Beavers covering at -6.5. Oregon State has won five straight and covered six of its seven games this season, while Fresno State is coming off an upset loss to San Diego State. The Beavers beat that same Aztecs team 66-14 a week earlier.
Led by Braden Atkinson and Jesse Legree, Oregon State ranks fifth nationally in available yards percentage (63.1%). The Beavers also rank 16th in rushing success rate (49.1%), a strength against a Fresno State defense ranked 110th in that category (47.7%). Paul expects Oregon State's offense to take control as the game wears on.
More Week 9 picks
- College football Week 9 moneyline picks
- College football Week 9 Over/Under picks
- College football Top 25 predictions: Week 9
- College football AI predictions: Week 9
- College football anytime touchdown picks: Week 9
- College Football parlays and combos: Week 9
- College Football player props: Week 9
For more predictions, browse the Covers college football picks hub, review the college football odds, and check college football matchups before kickoff.
Looking ahead, explore national championship odds and Heisman Trophy odds. You can also view college football markets on Kalshi.
Odds and selections reflect the linked Covers previews reviewed Oct. 30, 2026, and are subject to change. Not intended for use in MA. Affiliate Disclosure: Covers may receive compensation if you sign up through links on this page. 21+. If gambling is becoming a problem, seek help from responsible gaming resources.
