Spread Options: Dr. Saturday's Week 9 picks against the spread
Well, no getting above .500 last week. But we got to it. A 5-5 week runs our record to 31-48-1. The goal now is to make a comeback and get to .500 for the rest of the year. Let's do this.
Oregon (-17) at Cal, 10 p.m. ET (FRIDAY): While this game is listed at Cal, it's actually being played at Levi's Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers. Cal is 120th in the country in scoring defense. While the Cal offense puts up points (10th in the country), it's not going to be enough to keep up with Oregon. The Ducks will cruise. (It's also worth noting this game has the highest over/under of the weekend at 79)
Minnesota (-5.5) at Illinois, Noon ET: If the Gophers are legitimate contenders for the Big Ten West, this is a game that they can't lose. Minnesota's offense is incredibly one-dimensional. However, Illinois can't defend that dimension. The Illini give up 5.26 yards per carry while Minnesota is 27th in the country with over 222 rushing yards a game. The Gophers control the ball and the game.
UCLA at Colorado (+14), 2 p.m. ET: Colorado is due to play someone tough at home and UCLA has performed horribly against the spread this season. The Bruins are 1-6 against the number, the only win coming in a 62-27 demolition of Arizona State, a win that looks really weird right now. And last week, the Bruins almost lost to Cal, a team that beat Colorado in three overtimes. Colorado's losing streak goes to four on Saturday, but not before giving UCLA a bit of a scare.
West Virginia (PK) at Oklahoma State, 3:30 p.m. ET: I'm flip-flopping from the Dr. Saturday podcast. The more I look at this game, the more West Virginia looks enticing. Oklahoma State's offense is in a funk and West Virginia's isn't. The Mountaineers are sixth in the country in yards per game while Oklahoma State is 77th. And the Cowboys aren't going to be able to cover West Virginia WR Kevin White, either. Consider this game Dana Holgorsen's revenge and White tops 100 yards receiving once again.
Michigan at Michigan State (-17), 3:30 p.m. ET: If this game was in Ann Arbor, Mich., then the rivalry game unknowns apply and Michigan has a chance. With it in East Lansing, Mich., Devin Gardner and company has no shot. Michigan's offense won't be able to get anything going against State's defense, and Connor Cook throws for three touchdowns in an easy win. Michigan's misery continues.
Florida Atlantic at Marshall (-28), 3:30 p.m. ET: With the news that Marshall has hired a PR firm to help it campaign for the College Football Playoff, the Thundering Herd can do a lot of campaigning on the football field. And that's by winning big whenever possible. Marshall not only needs to go undefeated to even have the slightest hope of a playoff berth, but it needs to demolish opponents. Marshall is 10th in the country in rushing yards and FAU can't stop the run. Bad recipe.
Vanderbilt at Missouri (OVER 42.5), 4 p.m. ET: Missouri's offense has been absolutely brutal the last two weeks. Much of the blame has been pinned on the play of QB Maty Mauk. And while it's easy to say Mauk has regressed from his substitute stints in 2013, it's worth heavily noting that Missouri's top three WRs didn't return in 2014. Vanderbilt is a good opportunity for Mauk to gain some confidence and Missouri to re-establish the quick tempo it's been unable to sustain against Georgia and Florida. The Tigers could go over the number themselves.
Ole Miss (-3.5) at LSU, 7:15 p.m. ET: While "bad Bo Wallace" hasn't showed up in conference play for Ole Miss, even if he does in Death Valley, the Rebels' defense should be able to counter. While LSU is third in the country in yards per completion, neither Brandon Harris or Anthony Jennings have really seized the starting job. Jennings is scheduled to make his third straight start on Saturday, but he's not going to find much success against Ole Miss' defense. Will we see Harris at all?
USC at Utah (PK), 10 p.m. ET: A game with national importance at home for Utah? it's going to be rocking. The Utes can take control of the Pac-12 South with a win Saturday night and will do just that. Devontae Booker won't repeat his 226-yard performance from against Oregon State, but Utah's rushing offense will be the difference.
Arizona State (-3) at Washington, 10:45 p.m. ET: This is our Pac-12 after dark pick too. This game could continue the trend of nutty late games on the west coast. It's also a game of iffy quarterbacks, and we like Arizona State more because of it. ASU QB Taylor Kelly could play for the first time since suffering a foot injury at Colorado. If he doesn't, his replacement, Mike Bercovici, has played very well. Washington QB Cyler Miles may not be cleared to play after suffering a concussion. If he doesn't play, it's a very uphill task for the Huskies.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
