Stanford vs. Miami Prediction Tonight: College Football Week 9 Odds & Picks

Our college football predictions for Week 9 continue with my Stanford vs. Miami prediction tonight. 

Kickoff from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., is set for 7 p.m. ET (ESPN). The Hurricanes are a 30-point betting favorite, coming off their first loss of the season to Louisville last week. My college football picks back Miami to cover, along with a play on the first-half total.

📊 Stanford vs. Miami odds: Week 9

See the latest college football odds for every game in Week 9.

✅ Stanford vs. Miami expert picks

See our experts' college football picks for every Week 9 game.

🏈 Stanford vs. Miami preview & score prediction

When Miami lost its first game last season after starting 9-0, that result tailspun into the Hurricanes losing three of their final four games. But Miami did respond to that first loss with an immediate 28-point home win over Wake Forest, and I expect it to similarly avoid a second straight upset with a focused effort this week.

Stanford’s road struggles

The Cardinal have won both of their ACC home contests against East Coast teams (Boston College and Florida State) that needed to travel across the country. Now Stanford makes the reverse trip to Miami, and the school has suffered 24-plus-point defeats in three of its four road games thus far.

Though it held Florida State to just 13 points in last week’s upset, Stanford’s defense is far from a polished product. It entered that game ranked outside the top 100 in EPA per pass and available yards allowed. And perhaps we should have seen Florida State’s offensive struggles coming, as it had scored 10 combined second-half points in the prior two games.

Stanford is 0-9 against the spread in its last nine road games against AP-ranked teams, which makes this 30-point spread at 52.38% implied odds at bet365 seem like a steal. Through bet365’s -110 odds, a $10 winning wager on a Miami cover would net $9.09 in profit.

✅ Score prediction: Miami 42, Stanford 10

🆚 Key matchup to watch

Carson Beck vs. Stanford's secondary

Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck is coming off a career-high four-interception game. But he still completed more than 80% of his other pass attempts while averaging an elite 10.8 yards per completion. His ability to generate explosive plays will come in handy against a Stanford defense that entered last week ranked 26th nationally in third- and fourth-down defense.

Miami came into last week ranked 36th in available yards gained per drive and 33rd in early downs EPA. I therefore don't expect the Hurricanes to face many third and fourth downs early, nor do I hold confidence in Stanford’s defense if it does force those situations.

✅ Best player prop bet: Carson Beck Over 2.5 passing touchdowns (+130 via BetMGM)

💡 College football expert picks: Week 9

• College football picks against the spread Week 9
• College football predictions for every top 25 game in Week 9
• College football player props Week 9
• College football upsets picks Week 9
• College football moneyline picks Week 9
• Heisman power rankings
• College football anytime touchdown scorer predictions Week 9
• College football best bets Week 9

📈 Stanford vs. Miami betting trends

🌤️ Stanford vs. Miami weather tonight

Temperatures for this Stanford vs. Miami game tonight will be in the low 80s, and there's a 35% probability of precipitation with scattered thunderstorms in the area. That will make ball security important for two teams that have produced a minus turnover margin.

📺 How to watch Stanford vs. Miami tonight

• Date: Saturday, Oct. 25
• Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Where: Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)
• TV: ESPN