College Football Predictions Against the Spread: Picks for Every Big Game Today

• Saturday’s college football schedule runs from early rivalry games to the late-night finale
• Marquee road favorites and big home chalk headline the betting board
• Read below for my predictions against the spread and totals for today’s biggest games

---

Week 9 brings a full Saturday of college football matchups to sort through. Miami puts its record on the line as a road favorite at North Carolina, while Georgia and Florida renew their SEC rivalry in Atlanta.

Finding value requires navigating a slate filled with dangerous underdogs and heavy chalk. Bettors must decide whether to lay points with favorites like Ohio State and Notre Dame, or look for value with underdogs catching points in hostile territory.

Below, I break down the BetMGM lines in the college football odds for this week’s slate and share my college football predictions against the spread, plus the most intriguing totals angles to consider.

College Football Predictions Against the Spread

Odds from BetMGM as of Oct. 30 at 2:16pm ET, rounded from decimal prices.

Favorites carry much of my spread card, with Utah, Ohio State and Miami laying points on the road and Notre Dame favored at neutral-site Gillette Stadium. On the other side, I am backing Auburn, Clemson and Northern Illinois as road underdogs, plus Fresno State catching points at home.

The totals split evenly between Overs and Unders, ranging from a low 36.5 in Wisconsin at Iowa to 63.5 in Texas State at Boise State. Compare the top college football betting apps before locking in your Saturday card.

Florida vs. Georgia ATS Prediction

• Picks: Georgia -12 (-114 at BetMGM) | Under 56.5 (-111 at BetMGM)

Georgia averages 43.0 points per game while converting 53.9% of its third downs, and its scoring defense allows just 15.9 points per contest. Florida boasts a high-scoring offense of its own at 39.6 points per game, but the Bulldogs hold a distinct statistical edge.

Georgia’s third-down execution and defensive consistency justify laying the points at a neutral site in Atlanta. Both SEC rivals own positive turnover differentials, with Florida at +2 and Georgia at +3, which suggests a clean field position battle.

Expect quarterback Gunner Stockton to control the clock. A methodical Georgia win makes the Under an appealing companion play in this Florida vs. Georgia prediction.

Ohio State vs. USC ATS Prediction

• Picks: Ohio State -6.5 (-111 at BetMGM) | Over 51.5 (-105 at BetMGM)

Ohio State brings a balanced attack producing 39.3 points and 323.1 passing yards per game into Los Angeles, backed by a scoring defense allowing just 13.4 points. Jeremiah Smith leads the passing game with 52 catches for 984 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Quarterback is the main question, with Julian Sayin’s status up in the air and Luke Fahey a possible starter, though that has not been confirmed. Either way, the Buckeyes field enough firepower to attack a USC defense allowing 25.0 points per game with a negative turnover differential.

USC’s offense, led by Jayden Maiava, generates 303.6 passing yards per game and converts 50.5% of its third downs. The Trojans average 36.4 points and 469.2 yards per game at home, enough to help push the total Over while Ohio State controls the line of scrimmage to cover 6.5 points.

Minnesota vs. Indiana ATS Prediction

• Picks: Indiana -20.5 (-111 at BetMGM) | Over 41.5 (-105 at BetMGM)

Indiana averages 33.6 points and 228.1 passing yards per game under quarterback Josh Hoover. He threw his first interception and no touchdown passes in last week’s overtime win at Michigan, but the Hoosiers still found a way to close it out.

Indiana’s defense allows just 12.0 points and 73.1 rushing yards per game. That poses a massive problem for Minnesota, as the Golden Gophers rely on a rushing attack that musters only 100.1 yards per game.

Both Big Ten programs protect the football, each sitting at +4 in turnover margin. With Minnesota struggling to score consistently, Indiana must do the heavy lifting on this total, and its 43.6% third-down rate should extend drives enough to push the score Over 41.5 while covering the large spread.

Arizona State vs. BYU ATS Prediction

• Picks: BYU -16 (-118 at BetMGM) | Under 48.5 (-115 at BetMGM)

BYU enters this Big 12 clash averaging 33.1 points per game with an elite 54.7% third-down conversion rate. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier brings dual-threat capability, with 1,514 passing yards, 321 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.

The Cougars are coming off a 39-31 double-overtime loss to UCF, and running back LJ Martin has missed the past three games. Without him, BYU has averaged 27.7 points and 138 rushing yards per game, compared to 37.3 points and 235.5 rushing yards with him.

Arizona State struggles offensively, converting just 30.1% on third down with a -3 turnover margin. Against a BYU scoring defense allowing 18.6 points per game, the Sun Devils will find sustained drives hard to come by. Back the Cougars to force empty possessions, cover the number and keep this game Under the total.