It was a huge week for the Campus Card in Week 8, going 3-1 and cashing in on several big lines while missing our gut-check pick by just a half point. North Texas dominated UTSA as expected, SMU cruised past Clemson with an 11-point win, and LSU-Vanderbilt hit 55 total points in a one-score game. The only miss came with Ole Miss, who lost by eight against our +7.5 spread, meaning Vegas nailed that one.
For Week 9, we are backing one of the nation’s most explosive offenses in a marquee matchup, betting on one of the worst units in football to stay bad and cash an under, and taking two ranked favorites to cover spreads, one of which borders on ridiculous. But before we get to the ridiculous, let’s start with the moneyline.
Best Moneyline Bet: USF Bulls (-188 at Memphis Tigers)
USF’s offense has been a machine this season, scoring 30 or more points in all but one game en route to a 6-1 record. Quarterback Byrum Brown has been outstanding, accounting for 18 total touchdowns over the past four games. When a leader is playing this well, you ride the hot hand.
Memphis, meanwhile, is dealing with quarterback uncertainty after Brendon Lewis suffered a lower-body injury against UAB, a game the Tigers went on to lose. If freshman AJ Hill ends up starting, this offense could sputter again. Either way, the Bulls are rolling, and it is hard to see that momentum stopping here.
Best Spread Bet: Virginia Cavaliers (-10.5 at UNC)
North Carolina has looked lost under Bill Belichick, while Virginia continues to impress at 6-1 and ranked No. 16 in the nation. Last week’s narrow two-point win over Washington State was closer than expected, but the Cavaliers remain one of the most balanced teams in the ACC. That spells trouble for a Tar Heels squad that has been blown out several times already.
Belichick’s arrival has created more drama than direction, and Virginia is simply a few levels above UNC at this point. Expect the Cavaliers to win comfortably by two touchdowns or more.
Best Over/Under Bet: Syracuse at Georgia Tech (Under 53.5)
Syracuse’s offense has completely fallen apart since quarterback Steve Angeli went down with an injury in their upset win at Clemson last month. The Orange have scored just 34 total points across their last three games, averaging 11.3 per contest. Facing the seventh-ranked Yellow Jackets this week, it is fair to wonder whether they will score at all.
Georgia Tech has been impressive, with Haynes King leading a ground-heavy offense that controls tempo and burns clock. Against Syracuse, that style should keep scoring in check, likely landing this total somewhere in the high 30s or low 40s. Unless the Orange suddenly wake up offensively, the under feels safe.
Gut Check Bet: Miami Hurricanes (-30.5 vs Stanford)
Now to the “ridiculous” line I referred to earlier. Yes, -30.5 is a massive number, but stick with me. Miami enters this game angry after a loss to Louisville that knocked them from the No. 2 spot in the polls and hurt Carson Beck’s Heisman campaign. Expect the Hurricanes to come out fast and refuse to let up as they look to reestablish dominance against a far inferior opponent.
And then there’s the conspiracy part of me, which this week includes the “Cardinal” connection. Louisville are the Cardinals, Stanford are the Cardinal: different meanings as Louisville is referring to the bird, while Stanford is simply referring to their distinct red color. Either way, there is no chance that sits well for Miami after last week’s loss. Call it superstition or petty revenge motivation, but I expect a full-on Hurricanes blowout to close out our Week 9 card.
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