College Football Moneyline Picks Week 9: Predictions to Win This Week

My college football moneyline picks turned in the most successful week of the season last week, going 15-5 overall and cashing five of my six wagers on underdogs. I’ve largely avoided the chaos of the college football landscape that has seen an AP top-2 team lose to an unranked opponent for three straight weeks.

With more teams on late season byes, I dug deeper for my 20 best plays from the Week 9 slate, including why No. 25 Wisconsin is due for a loss the minute it gets ranked in the AP poll.

College football moneyline picks: Week 9

See all of our experts' college football picks for Week 9 based on the latest college football odds.

Best college football moneyline picks: Week 9

Maryland (+120 via DraftKings) vs. Illinois

Bet size: 1 unit

Illinois is less than a field goal favorite after upsetting Oregon at home, while Maryland plays its first game after firing head coach Mike Locksley amid a five-game losing streak and 0-4 conference record. This might classify as the fishiest line of the week, and I’m not taking the bait with the Fighting Illini.

Illinois’ Michael Clayton II became the first true freshman in school history to throw for multiple touchdowns in a Big Ten win. But Clayton also only threw for 84 yards in his first collegiate start, and he should find things more difficult on the road than in the friendly confines of Gies Memorial Stadium.

Maryland’s offense showed signs of life in its last loss (37-30 to Rutgers) as quarterback Malik Washington logged his 15th career game with 200-plus passing yards and his seventh game with multiple touchdown passes. The Terrapins haven't committed a turnover in consecutive games and are coming off a bye. Washington became just the fifth Maryland quarterback since 1996 to record at least 20 career passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns. His experience could make the difference.

Iowa (-165 via BetMGM) vs. No. 25 Wisconsin

Bet size: 1 unit

Wisconsin has recorded multiple AP top-20 wins for the first time in a season since 2019. Its defense led the charge in an upset of then-No. 16 USC, as the Trojans’ seven points were the fewest ever scored by a Lincoln Riley coached team. However, Iowa is stewing after a 13-10 road loss at Minnesota, and comes home to Kinnick Stadium, one of the most difficult Big Ten road environments.

Iowa had plenty of chances to win last week despite rushing for just three yards per carry. The Hawkeyes uncharacteristically committed four turnovers after entering the game with three offensive turnovers all season. And while Wisconsin is 3-1 in the Big Ten, it had a 1.5% win probability at one point in the fourth quarter against Penn State and pounded a lifeless Michigan State team that is the only 0-5 team in the league. Iowa is much better equipped to handle Wisconsin’s physicality than USC was.

Oregon State (-220 via bet365) vs. Fresno State

Bet size: 1 unit

Oregon State is one of 10 FBS teams that are 6-1 ATS or better on the season. That adds value to its -220 moneyline odds, as the Beavers look to win their second straight game in Fresno.

Oregon State has won all five games as a favorite this season, while Fresno State has won only one game as a home underdog since 2024. Before their 48-30 win over Washington State in Week 7, the Beavers were one of the country’s most prolific passing attacks, ranking 115th in rushing attempts per game. That strategy paid off again against the Cougars, as quarterback Braden Atkinson threw for 347 yards and three touchdowns before the bye week, leading the country in passing yards and passing touchdowns.

While Oregon State’s offense gets much of the buzz, the Beavers defense entered the last game generating havoc on 17% of opponents’ snaps and promptly forced five tackles for loss (three sacks) while winning the turnover battle for the second straight game.