College Football's Week 9 Picks ATS

By Nostradamus.

Last week, I somehow finished with a 6-4 ATS mark after a dreadful 0-3 start. Not great, but at least it was on the positive side of the ledger. For the year, that puts my ATS number at 50-39-3. A meager, but yet profitable 56.18%.

In Week 9, we find ourselves in the midst of what looks on paper to be the toughest week to date. But as normal, the games will get tougher and more critical as the season progresses. It is also the time when the 'dogs should be biting their hardest.

With the leaves turning colors, and the temperatures dramatically dropping, especially in the north, Mother Nature will start to make a big difference in the contests for the remainder of the year.

A definite factor that must be considered from here on out as the conference championships and National Championship lay in the balance.

So let’s look at what Week 9 has in store for us:

Thursday:
Auburn @ West Virginia (- 2 1/2): Before the season started, this game looked like it would have a strong influence on the National Championship picture. However, as it stands right now, these teams are falling well short of expectations, and are simply looking for positive momentum before finishing out their conference games. West Virginia does get Pat White back for this contest. How effective he will be against the quick and aggressive Auburn defense will likely hold the key to this contest.

The weather and home crowd should also play a large part in this contest as well. With the temperature likely dropping into the 40's as this contest progresses, the Auburn Tigers will get their first taste of 'colder' weather. With two struggling offenses, and two fairly solid defenses, we should expect a low-scoring affair.

The 38 1/2 points offered in the Over/Under pretty well indicate that notion. These two teams look to be pretty evenly matched, so I'll side with home team and a raucous crowd to will the 'Neers home to a victory and cover with a presumably healthy Pat White. My biggest problem is just how healthy he really is.

West Virginia 20 Auburn 16.

Friday:
Boise State @ San Jose State (+ 7 1/2): This is one of the few remaining games for the Smurf Turf boys that could possibly keep them away from an undefeated season. The Spartans are 5-2, with their only losses to BCS schools Nebraska and Stanford. San Jose State also has a pretty mobile QB in Kyle Reed and a reasonably serviceable defense. With that said, Boise State is playing some pretty good football and own solid road victories over Oregon and Southern Mississippi. I'll side with the boys from Boise to keep their undefeated season alive, but not cover the number at hand.

Boise State 27 San Jose State 24.

Saturday:
Wake Forest @ Miami (- 2 1/2): I still can't figure out Wake Forest, and for the life of me, I shouldn't include them in my selections. But if I am going to include the toughest of games to handicap, I have to include this one. The Deacons are struggling mightily to score on the offensive side of the ball, and Miami looks like they are getting better. But as we have found in the ACC, looks can be deceiving.

The history of this series has been Miami's dominance over Wake Forest. They didn't meet last year, but in 2004 and 2005, they whipped the Demon Deacons by the final scores of 52-7 and 47-17. In a crucial ACC contest, we simply ask can the 'Canes keep their conference dominance over the Deacons rolling? I'm thinking they will.

Miami 27 Wake Forest 13.

Cincinnati @ Connecticut (+ 1 1/2): This looks to be a big game in the eventual shake up of the Big East. The Bearcats are riding high at 5-1, with their only loss to the Oklahoma Sooners. Connecticut is 5-2, but is off back-to-back losses including a drubbing at the hands of North Carolina. Before the season started, I seriously thought the 'Cats would struggle a bit this year. But as the Big East teams have struggled, Cincy has shown that they should be considered a true contender for the Big East crown. Look for the better offense in the Bearcats to pull this one out in Storrs, CT.

Cincinnati 24 Connecticut 16.

Alabama @ Tennessee (+ 6 1/2): How could the #2 ranked team in the country only be favored by 6 1/2 over the struggling Volunteers? Lack of offensive firepower. Also, look for the injury to DT/NT stud Terrance Cody to play a part in this contest. The Vols will need to run the football due to a lack of being able to throw the ball with any consistency.

What has been easily missed this season is the very good defense that the Vols have put on the field this year. They should be able to keep them in this game, and within striking distance throughout. In my first shocker of the weekend, I'll call for the Volunteers to pull off the outright upset, and end the National Title dreams of Saban and company...

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