Every week, Rock M Nation will post the SEC betting lines for that week's slate of games. DISCLAIMER: Rock M Nation is not an online gambling operator, nor a gambling site of any kind. We are simply here to provide information about sports betting for entertainment purposes only. None of the staff will be using this information for gambling purposes and are not liable for any losses incurred due to the analysis contained within.
We've prided ourselves here at Best Bets for, more or less, leading you in the right direction week to week the season. Unfortunately, last week we hit a perfect storm of bad luck and abject disaster, so this is the official Best Bets mea culpa. We went a horrific 1-3 in Best Bets thanks to Mizzou underscoring the line by half a point and the Texas Tech defense pooping in the punch bowl. We did squeeze out the bonus Best Bet, which was to take to O56 in the Texas Tech-Baylor match up. That was money, as that game ended up with 94 total points on the board. Overall, we went 2-5 thanks to kansas blowing out Houston. If they are gonna win, we might as well make some cash. Best Bets sits at 15-11 on the season, though all our picks are now 22-25-1.
The only place we have left to go this week is up, so let's put our big boy pants on and get to Week 9!
Washington @ Indiana (-6.5)
The undefeated Indiana Hoosiers are the surprise of the college football world this season under new coach Curt Cignetti. Coming off a 56-7 blowout of Nebraska, the Hoosiers welcome a rebuilding Washington team to Bloomington. The Huskies are 4-3 and just gave up 40 points to Iowa (yes, Iowa.) I like Indiana to win easily, so give me the Hoosiers!
Missouri @ Alabama U55.5
I went back and forth on the spread for this game and couldn't make a decision. At the time this was written, it sits at Mizzou +13.5. If it was a half-point bigger at +14 I would take Mizzou, but I'm not a fan of that half-point hook so I'm going to stay away. Instead, I'll pick Under 55.5 points scored in this match up. Both defenses have talent, Brady Cook isn't 100 percent and Alabama has scored 27 and 17 points in each of their last two games. Rooting for the under is never fun, but this one should at least be easy.
BYU (-1.5) @ UCF
No, BYU didn't come through for us last week, but I can't quit the Cougars. BYU did beat Oklahoma State last week, but they didn't cover the -9.5 spread. They are still undefeated and head to Orlando to play a UCF team who has dropped four in a row, including a heart breaker at Iowa State last week. The Cougars only have to win by two points to win the bet, so we'll stay on BYU train!
Syracuse (+5.5) @ Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is one of very few remaining undefeated teams left, though they have been living dangerously against teams with a pulse. Syracuse is another surprise team under a new coach, as they have started the season 5-1 under Fran Brown and Ohio State quarterback transfer Kyle McCord. This is Syracuse's third consecutive road game, however both teams are coming off bye weeks. I think Pitt squeaks this one out again, but Syracuse is going to keep it closer than six points.
Notre Dame @ Navy (+13)
Yet another surprising undefeated team this year, Navy enters this week ranked for the first time in several years. While Notre Dame is by far the best team they have played this season, the Midshipmen have been manhandling their opponents all year. Another important thing to note is this game isn't in South Bend. Technically, Navy is the home team, though they are playing in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. I think Notre Dame wins this one, but they aren't going to win by two touchdowns.
Arkansas (-7) @ Mississippi State
Despite showing a few signs of life offensively with true freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren, Jr. in the last few weeks, Mississippi State is still the dog of the SEC. Coming off six consecutive losses, the Bulldogs host an Arkansas team looking to get bounce back after a disappointing blowout loss at home to LSU last week. The Razorbacks are no juggernaut, but they will dispatch the Bulldogs fairly easily this week. Bonus Bet: O58. Both offenses like to chuck the ball up and down the field. This game should easily feature more than 58 total points, so hop on that and Arkansas to cover and you'll be feeling good about yourself.
Here's to a Mizzou win and some dimes in the coin purse. Those are my picks for the week. All odds are provided by DraftKings. Which SEC teams will you be taking this week against the spread?