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Mike's Week 8 college football betting picks against the spread for Saturday, October 18, 2025. Free CFB betting predictions, odds analysis & ATS picks from RotoBaller.
I had another solid week of picks, going 31-25 against the spread. We have even more games this week, so I expect to get back in the black this week.
Oregon State is the only team slumming today, but the game is well out of our time range anyway. We're not going to pay attention to that one. We're going to concentrate on the other 49 games that can make us some money. Who's with me?
If you'd like me to advise on over/under or prop bets, you can reach out on X or in the RotoBaller Discord, and I'll be happy to answer. Let's get to the picks we really care about and make some money!
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CFB Betting Picks for Week 8 - (10/18/25)
I will pick every college football game every week. Not a top five, not a top 10, all of them! Big deal, right? Lots of people make picks. Well, I do them all against the spread. I take the odds of each game and average them out at all the Vegas casinos and round to the nearest half. There will be no ties here. Ties are for the other (European) football.
I think you should know who you're listening to. I've been doing this since 2014, and I have most of my record available for viewing here. This can help you determine which teams I usually pick correctly or incorrectly, as the case may be.
The sheet is still under construction since I am having issues finding the articles from 2019 and 2020. If any of you know anything about computers and can help find defunct webpages, I would love to hear from you!
(10) LSU at (17) Vanderbilt (-2.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Vanderbilt is a 2.5 point favorite against #LSU this weekend
This is the first time #Vanderbilt has been favored over LSU since 1948.
The Commodores had been the underdog in 51 consecutive SEC games prior to this one pic.twitter.com/kcl1OW2PbQ
— Hunter McCann (@mccann_hunter) October 13, 2025
I think it's great that Vanderbilt is favored and all, but I don't like the noise surrounding this one. The line opened with LSU favored by -3.5. As with the Iowa line, a bunch of sharps throttled Vegas with money on the other side.
That gets us to Vandy being favored. Not some injury news. Not some kind of breaking news, just Benjamins coming in from the right places. I kind of think LSU pulls this out.
Pick: LSU +2.5
(12) Georgia Tech at Duke (-1.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Ugh, there's play in this line too. Tech opened as the favorite, and if you look hard enough, some will still offer it, though not at very favorable odds. I'll translate for you: Vegas still likes Tech, but they don't want you to know they do.
The money on the other side has pushed this line, but the unfavorable odds on the Tech ML or -1.5 tell us that Vegas disagrees with the money. This really is the best-case scenario for Vegas. They can pump the juice with Duke and withhold favorable odds to keep bettors off Tech. Sneaky sons of bitches, I tell you.
This doesn't happen often, so I usually go with it. The problem is that Georgia Tech shouldn't be undefeated, and the defense hasn't played well. Haynes King Hero Ball (patent pending) can only get them so far.
Pick: Duke -1.5
Washington at Michigan (-4.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
This line cratered with Michigan dropping five points. This opened at 9.5. Again, money came in on Washington, likely because of Demond Williams Jr. nuking Rutgers.
Vegas has handled this one differently. There's a lot of juice on Michigan, and if you look hard enough, none on Washington. They want you to bet on the Huskies. Why? Michigan's run defense is elite.
This line is still dropping, and the books are more than happy to keep upping the juice along with it. It's nice having more points to play with, which you can get if you look, but sometimes the juice isn't worth it.
Pick: Michigan -4.5
Connecticut at Boston College (-1.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
What? BC is still favored? I don't know about that one...
Pick: Connecticut +1.5
Arizona (-1.5) at Houston
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
This line has been weird all week. It opened with Houston -2.5, but has been all over either side since. It has stabilized a little bit with Arizona favored right now.
The weird thing is that there is no juice on Arizona at all. It's all on the Houston side. Color me nervous.
Pick: Arizona -1.5
Baylor at TCU (-2.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Amateurs…never forget we burned down T ‘c’ U’s campus in the Revivalry!!! #SicEm #SicTcU https://t.co/ZVbW9x8qEB
— Trey Morris (@TreyMorris) October 16, 2025
What do I see there? An admission of guilt after 115 years? What's the statute of limitations on arson? That just highlights how heated this game is. Anyone who calls this the 2023 whitewashing "Bluebonnet Battle" will be removed from the page. We are proper folk, and we say Revivalry!
This is one case where I would pay the juice for the half-point. I much prefer the over 64.5, but we do spreads here.
Pick: Baylor +2.5
Army at Tulane (-9.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
I'm more than a little surprised that this dropped below 10. Where is the money on Army coming from, anyway?
Pick: Tulane -9.5
Central Michigan at Bowling Green (-3.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
Wait, do people think Bowling Green is good now? I guess they are at home. Blame Pudge.
Pudge the Cat has made Bowling Green an absolute electric factory pic.twitter.com/jOWetn6asz
— College Football Tailgate (@CFBTailgate25) October 11, 2025
The Power of Pudge. Bowling Green came back down 21-0 to win. It's the first time the Falcons have come back from down 21 to win since 2004. You think I'm betting against that? Not a chance!
Pick: Bowling Green -3.5
Eastern Michigan at Miami (OH) (-12.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
I'm not sure that Eastern Michigan is better than Akron, and Miami is at home this week.
Pick: Miami (OH) -12.5
(14) Oklahoma (-4.5) at South Carolina
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
🏈 “Texas Hangover” — OU After the Red River Game
The Sooners have often been tested the week after Texas. History shows both the danger and the dominance:
All-Time Record (post-Texas): 90–22–8 (78.3% win rate)
Bud Wilkinson: 14–1–2 — machine-like focus after the Horns
Chuck… pic.twitter.com/FXLMeD2BWd— Mike Brooks (@MBrooks02) October 15, 2025
We don't lose after Texas. Period.
Pick: Oklahoma -4.5
West Virginia at Central Florida (-7.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
I hate that half, and Vegas agrees. UCF was absolutely dominated by Cincinnati last week until the last minute, when they busted the spread. You're not fooling me, guys.
Pick: West Virginia +7.5
Kent State at Toledo (-25.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
The FBS losing streak is over! Who knows what kind of power that holds?
Pick: Kent State +25.5
Buffalo (-16.5) at Massachusetts
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
I don't know exactly where the limit is, but it's not here. Kent won by 36!
Pick: Buffalo -16.5
Purdue at Northwestern (-2.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Purdue can score, but Northwestern's legacy as a program is stopping teams from scoring. I know which side I'm on.
Pick: Northwestern -2.5
Troy (-5.5) at Louisiana-Monroe
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
This is way too low, even on the road.
Pick: Troy -5.5
(1) Ohio State (-25.5) at Wisconsin
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5
Freaking Iowa scored 37 on the Badgers and shut them out at home for the first time since 1980. Be serious!
Pick: Ohio State -25.5
Michigan State at (3) Indiana (-27.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
If you've followed Curt Cignetti's career, you know that there's no room for letdowns. That fancy contract extension that he signed yesterday is going to keep spirits high.
Pick: Indiana -27.5
(4) Texas A&M (-7.5) at Arkansas
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Vegas says that rivalries still mean something. It also doesn't hurt that Taylen Green can do everything. The issue is the Arkansas defense.
Pick: Texas A&M -7.5
(5) Mississippi at (9) Georgia (-7.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Kirby Smart at Georgia 20-35-1 ATS as a home favorite
But…..very few home games as a favorite under a TD
In last 5 years only 4 games of -8 or less (4-1 SU/ATS)
*Only loss this year to BamaOnly teams to be favored -8 or less Tennessee (3x), Bama and now Ole Miss
— MooseMoneyBets (@MooseMoneyBets) October 17, 2025
This trend doesn't surprise me at all. We know that Georgia couldn't care less about covering big spreads. Is Lane still engaged, or is he sniffing Florida's tail? I don't know. What I do know is that I really don't like that hook.
Pick: Mississippi +7.5
SMU at Clemson (-5.5) **UPDATE**
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2, down from 5.
Cade Klubnik is OUT, so I'm backing off on this one. I still like Clemson at home, but I have little confidence in it now.
Pick: Clemson -5.5
Wyoming at Air Force (-4.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
The worst pass defense in the country (and it's not close) faces one of the worst pass offenses we've ever seen. Chris Durr Jr. is still going to run crop circles around the Falcons.
Pick: Wyoming +4.5
UNLV at Boise State (-12.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Why is this line rising? UNLV's defense has been a mess, but man, that offense is fun. This is too many.
Pick: UNLV +12.5
Coastal Carolina at Appalachian State (-10.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
I don't like the half, and Coastal has a new quarterback. The problem is that App State can stop the run, and the new quarterback can't throw.
Pick: Appalachian State -10.5
Old Dominion at James Madison (EVEN)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Year One ✅
As the Dukes get set to battle for another Royal Rivalry point tonight, we're excited to unveil the official trophy, all set to spend the year (or more 😉) in Harrisonburg! #GoDukes | @TowneBanking pic.twitter.com/fYSZDJO0kg
— James Madison Athletics (@JMUSports) October 28, 2023
It's been almost two years since we've had an even line. The poor Monarchs have never gotten to take that sweet trophy home. Is this the year? Probably not on the road.
Pick: James Madison
Texas State (-2.5) at Marshall
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Apparently, bettors are unaware of the magic that is Carlos Del Rio-Wilson.
Pick: Marshall +2.5
Temple (-11.5) at Charlotte
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Yuck. I guess that Temple almost ousted Navy...
Pick: Temple -11.5
UTSA at North Texas (-3.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Owen McCown vs. Drew Mestemaker is must-see TV. UNT has the edge everywhere else.
Pick: North Texas -3.5
Akron at Ball State (-1.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
The Cardinals knocked off Ohio in their last home game. There may be some kind of mystical powers in Muncie, Indiana...
Pick: Ball State -1.5
Northern Illinois at Ohio (-10.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
This line is all over the place and was even pulled at ESPN. Northern Illinois is 1-5 against the spread and just lost outright to Eastern Michigan. At some point, it's not a coincidence.
Pick: Ohio -10.5
(7) Texas Tech (-7.5) at Arizona State
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
This line opened with Arizona State favored, and is still heavy on the Tech side, even with Sam Leavitt ruled in. That's weird. Hear me out...it may not be. The Texas Tech defensive line is nasty. Even if Behren Morton doesn't play, the Sun Devils are in trouble.
Pick: Texas Tech -7.5
(22) Memphis (-21.5) at UAB
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
I can't believe that UAB fired the coach with this baby at stake.
The coolest rivalry trophy in college football is on the line this weekend
Memphis and UAB engage in the Battle for the Bones, where the prize is a bronze 94-pound rack of ribs 🍖https://t.co/sQKZJzQKHD pic.twitter.com/v7n27ELk3K
— Steve Helwick (@s_helwick) October 15, 2025
Pick: Memphis -21.5
Mississippi State at Florida (-9.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
We'll see if moral victories still count. News came out that Billy Napier would certainly be fired with a loss and may be fired regardless. We know how Florida plays when Napier's job is on the line, right? You know what to do.
Pick: Florida -9.5
Southern Mississippi (-3.5) at Louisiana
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
If you watched what a dumpster fire Southern Miss has been for the last five years or so, you're my kind of people. You know what a truly phenomenal job Charles Huff has done in his first season in Hattiesburg.
Pick: Southern Mississippi -3.5
(8) Oregon (-17.5) at Rutgers
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
The Rutgers offense is fun. The Rutgers defense is painful.
Pick: Oregon -17.5
Washington State at (18) Virginia (17.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
Wow, this feels high. Especially when you consider Wazzu's performance in Oxford last week. There's no way I'm betting on this.
Pick: Washington State +17.5
(21) Texas (-12.5) at Kentucky
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Well, Kentucky may not score...
Pick: Texas -12.5
Penn State at Iowa (-2.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
This line is stuck with a +3.5 bet on Iowa getting over more than the Penn State money line. Vegas is all but certain this will be a three-point game. I loved Iowa early in the week and hammered the line when Penn State was favored. Now it's making me nervous.
Pick: Iowa -2.5
Maryland at UCLA (-2.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
Maryland is a fun team, but UCLA is playing like they're on a mission to get Tim Skipper this job. As far as I'm concerned, he has already earned it. And if UCLA is too snobby to hire him, he's going to make a great coach at Oklahoma State.
Pick: UCLA -2.5
Hawaii at Colorado State (-2.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
I want none of this smoke.
Pick: Hawaii +2.5
Georgia State at Georgia Southern (-6.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Modern-day hate is always a little crazy. Georgia Southern has never won three in a row in this series. This looks like the year, but rivalry games have made me wrong before.
Pick: Georgia Southern -6.5
(11) Tennessee at (6) Alabama (-8.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Third Saturday in October Rivalry Year-by-Year Winners 🐘🍊
Who’s winning the rivalry in 2025? pic.twitter.com/X54GvIEuV4
— CFB Tracker (@MatchupTracker) July 3, 2025
If you ask any self-respecting Alabama fan which team they really want to beat, it's not Auburn. This line is sinking, and I see why. Rivalries, people. Weird things happen.
Pick: Tennessee +8.5
(20) USC at (13) Notre Dame (-9.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
It’s Jeweled Shillelagh week! This is the trophy that the USC-Notre Dame winner receives pic.twitter.com/Z5cMeeH6jv
— Pypeline (@Pypeline_) October 15, 2025
I find it hard to believe that Notre Dame has fixed all of the defensive woes that A&M exposed.
Pick: USC +9.5
Florida Atlantic at (19) South Florida (-21.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
That hook could be trouble, but I have nothing left for the Owls.
Pick: South Florida -21.5
Pittsburgh (-10.5) at Syracuse
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
Syracuse isn't this far back yet. Desmond Reid or not, this is going to be rough if you're wearing orange.
Pick: Pittsburgh -10.5
(16) Missouri (-1.5) at Auburn
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5
That Auburn offense is still an absolute disaster.
Pick: Missouri -1.5
(23) Utah (-3.5) at (15) BYU
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
Happy Holy War week to all those that celebrate.
💙 ♥️
— Wing Pointe Studios (@WingPointe_) October 16, 2025
You know this rivalry is nuts when a fan has already been arrested four days before the game. It's the Holy War. Those of you living east of the Mississippi just wouldn't understand.
Pick: BYU +3.5
(24) Cincinnati (-21.5) at Oklahoma State
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
You know, Cincinnati isn't really built to cover this. I'm staying away from this one.
Pick: Oklahoma State +21.5
Nevada at New Mexico (-12.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
This feels high. Carter Jones isn't as bad as he looked against the Aztecs.
Pick: Nevada +12.5
Florida State (-17.5) at Stanford
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Stanford will hang around for a half or so, but that's not going to be enough.
Pick: Florida State -17.5
41 of my 59 picks are in the middle. I have seven four-pointers and seven minimum bets. I only maxed out four this week. Good luck out there! This is a big weekend! It's time for redemption!
