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Mike's Week 9 college football betting picks against the spread for Saturday, October 25, 2025. Free CFB betting predictions, odds analysis & ATS picks from RotoBaller.
Last week was a bit of a disappointment as I went 29-30 against the spread. I'm only down 10 points total on the season, so I'm trying to make that back up this week.
We don't have any FCS teams on the slate today. There are 45 FBS vs. FBS matchups this week, so there is plenty of action to go around!
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 9 - (10/25/25)
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!
(8) Mississippi at (13) Oklahoma (-5.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
I'm more than a little surprised that this line has jumped three points. That means a ton of money is coming in on the Sooners. Oklahoma's defense has bordered on elite.
Sooners Defensive Havoc
Oklahoma’s defense isn’t just stopping drives — it’s living in the backfield.Through 7 games, OU leads the NATION with 10.7 Tackles for Loss per game, (which including sacks). That’s on pace for the 2nd-best season in school history. 💥
🔝 Top 6 OU… pic.twitter.com/q0AjUm6NeW
— Mike Brooks (@MBrooks02) October 23, 2025
This could be a double-edged sword since Trinidad Chambliss isn't afraid to take off and is very good on the run. I have faith in Tory Blaylock against the Ole Miss defense, but what about the rest of the offense?
John Mateer hasn't had to carry this team yet, and couldn't against Texas. Can he step up if needed? I still feel good about Oklahoma's chances of a win, but the line jumping like it has does make me nervous.
Pick: Oklahoma -5.5
UCLA at (2) Indiana (-25.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
This is another line on the rise, and I get it. Indiana completely embarrassed Illinois about a month ago on this same field. The thing is, the UCLA defense was never the problem, not even under DeShaun Foster. The offense was a mess, and that is mostly fixed.
Indiana is going to win this game, probably by 14-21 points. I have a problem seeing it getting really far out of hand. This UCLA interim staff has reignited the team. The ball control offense can play keep away if needed.
Pick: UCLA +25.5
Syracuse at (7) Georgia Tech (-17.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Tech isn't really built to cover lines like this. If I had any faith whatsoever in Rickie Collins, I would take Syracuse.
Pick: Georgia Tech -17.5
(16) Virginia (-10.5) at North Carolina
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Virginia's last three games have been decided by a combined 13 points, and you expect me to believe they can cover this? I don't have a lot of faith in North Carolina, but they looked better out of the bye than they have all season.
Pick: North Carolina +10.5
(18) South Florida (-5.5) at Memphis
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
The last time that South Florida played in Memphis, these teams combined for 109 points. This Memphis offense isn't as explosive as the 2023 version, but South Florida's may be more so. Byrum Brown had over 300 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in that game.
We should see another huge game out of Brown, and I don't know who from Memphis can keep up.
Pick: South Florida -5.5
Northwestern at Nebraska (-7.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5
Really? Northwestern holding Oregon to 34, beating Penn State, beating UCLA, throttling Monroe, and shutting out Purdue means nothing? One team looks clearly better than the other, and it's not the one wearing red and white.
Pick: Northwestern +7.5
Rutgers (-1.5) at Purdue
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
The Rutgers defense has had a hard time holding anyone. Purdue had scored at least 17 points in every game until Northwestern got hold of them. The Rutgers run game should be able to control this, but that defense is a nightmare, and not in a good way.
Pick: Rutgers -1.5
SMU (-2.5) at Wake Forest
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Where is all this faith in SMU coming from? They can't run the ball, despite the pickup of T.J. Harden. Kevin Jennings is more loose with the ball than he was last year. SMU just looks sloppy, for lack of a better word. They are still explosive, but the Wake Forest slow mesh is going to cause problems.
Pick: Wake Forest +2.5
Kansas State at Kansas (-3.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
For those wondering about the weather forecast for the #SunflowerShowdown in Lawrence this weekend.🌧️
Models are showing it's going to be a steady rain by halftime. Pack the ponchos #KStateFB & #KUFBall fans. @KWCH12 pic.twitter.com/MbfkSiGpqG
— Tejay Cleland (@KWCHTejay) October 24, 2025
I feel like the rain helps Kansas more than Kansas State. The Kansas defense is the issue, and the Jayhawks have a deep RB room.
Kansas State will be without Dylan Edwards again. Joe Jackson has been better than Edwards, and it only helps the team; they already know that he's not playing. K-State has won 16 straight Sunflower Showdowns. Can Jalon Daniels get one to end his career?
Pick: Kansas -3.5
Appalachian State at Old Dominion (-14.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
The Royal Rivalry got away from the Monarchs after halftime, but they were within a missed extra point at the half. ODU needs a get-right game, and this should be it.
Pick: Old Dominion -14.5
Bowling Green (-7.5) at Kent State
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Bowling Green let me down last week. Kent lets me down every week.
Pick: Bowling Green -7.5
Ohio (-11.5) at Eastern Michigan
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Eastern Michigan has the worst run defense in FBS. Ohio is by far the best rushing team in the MAC.
Pick: Ohio -11.5
Auburn at Arkansas (-2.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Rainfall is not expected for MOST of us on Friday!
It looks like almost all the rain will fall in northwest and west Arkansas through Friday evening.
By Saturday rain will spread east across most of Arkansas.
Arkansas vs Auburn (11:45 AM kick) will have steady rain with wind… pic.twitter.com/OrjpSGQwkt
— James Bryant (@KATVJames) October 23, 2025
The new drainage systems on the fields don't allow for playing in inch-deep mud or on a pond anymore, but this is still going to be a wet and miserable game. That overwhelmingly favors Auburn.
Pick: Auburn +2.5
Akron at Buffalo (-10.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
This line is all over the place because Buffalo almost lost to freaking UMass at home last week. I don't know what to do with it either. You couldn't pay me to bet this.
Pick: Akron +10.5
Connecticut (-10.5) at Rice
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
Is Boston College worse than Rice? That's a tough one. We'll find out through two degrees of separation today. I really, really hate that hook.
Pick: Connecticut -10.5
Utah State at New Mexico (-2.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Wait...the Lobos are favored? I still like Bryson Barnes more than any other player on the field, and there is zero juice on Utah State. Vegas wants us to bet the Aggies, and I'm happy to oblige today. I'm not always so cooperative.
Pick: Utah State +2.5
(4) Alabama (-11.5) at South Carolina
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
The Gamecocks are the team I may have been most wrong about this year. Rahsul Faison is getting no traction behind an awful line. LaNorris Sellers has no time to throw. Alabama is going to eat the Gamecocks alive. Me? I still like mine grilled.
Pick: Alabama -11.5
(15) Missouri at (10) Vanderbilt (-2.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
This is the first week in College Football history in which both Indiana and Vanderbilt are ranked in the Top 10. 🔴⚓️ pic.twitter.com/d3kJ5vfuLu
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) October 21, 2025
There is absolutely no juice on Missouri. ESPN even had plus odds on Missouri +2.5 last night. That's unheard of...which shows how certain Vegas is in a three-point win for Vandy.
The juice on the Vanderbilt side is tough to swallow (I've seen it as high as -124). If you want this, bet it at -3 and take the push if you have to. It's better than having to bet $125 to win $100 without it being a money line bet, especially in a game that feels like a toss-up.
Pick: Vanderbilt -2.5
(11) BYU at Iowa State (-2.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
I'm really shocked by this one. I'm an Iowa State truther, and even I feel like this is nuts. Carson Hansen isn't that important to the Iowa State offense.
True Freshman Quarterbacks to start their careers 7-0:
- Jalen Hurts, Alabama (2016)
- Jake Fromm, Georgia (2017)
- Trevor Lawrence, Clemson (2018)
- Bear Bachmeier, BYU (2025)That’s it. That’s the list. pic.twitter.com/Ex46pKlEY0
— BoozeCougs (@BoozeCougs) October 21, 2025
Pick: BYU +2.5
(23) Illinois at Washington (-4.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
The more this line climbs, the less I feel good about Washington. The thing is...there's very little juice on the Huskies. That means Vegas is following the money by moving the line, but they're still trying to get action on the Washington side. They're expecting pushback.
Why would Vegas have to beg for action on the Washington side? Because a lot of sharps are on Illinois.
Pick: Illinois +4.5
Minnesota at Iowa (-9.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5
Iowa hosts Minnesota this week, which means…
🚨FLOYD OF ROSEDALE TROPHY FACTS🚨
• 98 lbs of PURE bronze
• 21 inch long x 15.5 inch tall
• 1st awarded in 1935
• original trophy was live Hampshire boar
• 10th oldest FBS trophyThe most BEAUTIFUL trophy in CFB. pic.twitter.com/xTnQ5OBtTY
— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) October 20, 2025
Minnesota has only won Floyd once since 2014. Still, this feels like by far the worst Iowa team in that span...and this line is rising! Give me ALL of this one. What a joke!
Pick: Minnesota +9.5
Toledo (-1.5) at Washington State
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Toledo lost to Kentucky. Washington State barely lost to Ole Miss and Virginia.
Pick: Washington State +1.5
North Carolina State at Pittsburgh (-6.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Desmond Reid against Hollywood Smothers is going to be a great running back showdown. This almost feels high.
Pick: North Carolina State +6.5
San Diego State (-2.5) at Fresno State
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5
The Old Oil Can is a cool trophy and all, but the Aztecs clearly feel like the better team.
Pick: San Diego State -2.5
Louisiana-Monroe at Southern Mississippi (-12.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
I was hoping the line wouldn't jump this far, but I can't act like it's not deserved...
Pick: Southern Mississippi -12.5
Florida Atlantic at Navy (-14.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
You won't find two more contrasting styles than this. I really hate that hook, especially when you consider that Navy has won the last three games (Rice, Air Force, Temple) by a combined 12 points.
Pick: Florida Atlantic +14.5
Temple (-5.5) at Tulsa
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Tulsa has played better lately, but not this much better.
Pick: Temple -5.5
Ball State at Northern Illinois (-6.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
College football rivalry that officially ends this weekend — the Bronze Stalk 🌾
Ball State and NIU will compete for this lovely trophy for the final time. Rivalry has 7-straight one-score finishes. All-time series is currently tied, 25-25-2. pic.twitter.com/G9gH9d1lis
— Steve Helwick (@s_helwick) October 23, 2025
Ball State has won five of the last six Bronze Stalk games, and they're probably a little torqued that NIU is leaving for the Mountain West. This stays close.
Pick: Ball State +6.5
Massachusetts at Central Michigan (-16.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
UMass playing Buffalo tough has to be a fluke, right? RIGHT?
Pick: Central Michigan -16.5
Western Michigan at Miami (OH) (-1.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
The Broncos barely lost to North Texas. Miami lost to a generationally bad Wisconsin team.
Pick: Western Michigan +1.5
Oklahoma State at (14) Texas Tech (-36.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
It's pretty telling that Will Hammond is starting for Tech, and the line didn't even move. That means Vegas expected this "news."
Pick: Texas Tech -36.5
Baylor at (21) Cincinnati (-3.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
I'm surprised that it's this low. Baylor can score with the best of them, but they'll still give up more.
Pick: Cincinnati -3.5
(22) Texas (-7.5) at Mississippi State
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
There's no juice on Texas, meaning many are on Mississippi State. I was hoping that wouldn't happen. This feels too high, but if it closes at under a touchdown, I'm probably leaving it alone.
Pick: Mississippi State +7.5
TCU (-16.5) at West Virginia
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
Eh...I believe it.
Pick: TCU -16.5
Wisconsin at (6) Oregon (-31.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 5
It could be -41.5, and I would still take Oregon because I think Wisconsin gets shut out again.
Fewest points scored per game (P4)
Wisconsin- 13.3
Oklahoma State- 16.6
UNC- 18.7
Stanford- 19.0
South Carolina- 20.1
WVU- 21.0
UCLA & Florida- 22.4
Kentucky- 22.5
Northwestern & Purdue- 22.7
Virginia Tech- 23.0
Auburn- 23.6
Cal- 23.7
Colorado- 24.9
LSU- 25.6— CFB Home (@CFBHome) October 20, 2025
Pick: Oregon -31.5
Stanford at (9) Miami (FL) (-29.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
Stanford won't win, nor will they come close. 30 points though? I want no part of this.
Pick: Stanford +29.5
Georgia Southern at Arkansas State (-1.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
The rain may hit Jonesboro by the second half. If that happens, that favors the Eagles.
Pick: Georgia Southern +1.5
Louisiana at Troy (-9.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
I said Troy was back, didn't I? Damn right I did!
Pick: Troy -9.5
(3) Texas A&M (-2-5) at (20) LSU
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
I believe that the LSU defense won't go easily, but that offense is a disaster, and it shouldn't be.
Pick: Texas A&M -2.5
Boston College at (19) Louisville (-25.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
Yuck. I hate lines like this.
Pick: Louisville -25.5
(25) Michigan (-14.5) at Michigan State
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 1
5 fun facts about the Paul Bunyan Trophy to hold you over to the weekend.
1) The two sides disagree on how “big” the trophy should be treated. Michigan treated it more like a locker-room trophy (even hiding it in a closet early on) , while Michigan State has frequently paraded… pic.twitter.com/M77pkSiIJu
— Rivalry Trophy (@RivalryTrophy) October 23, 2025
I don't like the half, especially if Justice Haynes doesn't play. I'm likely leaving this alone.
Pick: Michigan State +14.5
Colorado State at Wyoming (-4.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
5 fun facts about the Bronze Boot to hold you over to The Border War.
1) The trophy is a real size-8 jump boot that was worn in the Vietnam War by Capt. Dan J. Romero (CSU ROTC instructor) before it was bronzed and mounted.
2) Each year the visiting team’s ROTC detachment runs… pic.twitter.com/ZuK7q8tdtZ
— Rivalry Trophy (@RivalryTrophy) October 23, 2025
The rivalry name (Border War) isn't much, but this is one of the most unique and meaningful trophies that teams play for. Will Colorado State rally around the interim coach, or will Wyoming's defensive dominance continue?
Pick: Wyoming -4.5
(17) Tennessee (-8.5) at Kentucky
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 3
Friendly reminder with Tennessee and Kentucky renewing their rivalry this week, the Beer Barrel needs to return pic.twitter.com/vBuChC6Yiq
— Andrew Smith (@_SmithAndrew) October 20, 2025
Come on, who wouldn't want to see Joey Aguilar lift that beautiful barrel? Bring back the Beer Barrel!
Pick: Tennessee -8.5
Houston at (24) Arizona State (-7.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 4
I think the loss of Jordyn Tyson is going to be worse for the Sun Devils than the loss of Sam Leavitt...and they used Jeff Freaking Sims at QB with Leavitt out.
Pick: Houston +7.5
Colorado at Utah (-13.5)
Betting Pick Confidence Factor: 2
This feels a little high, doesn't it? Colorado stayed closer than that spread to Georgia Tech, Houston, BYU, and Iowa State.
Pick: Colorado +13.5
21 of my 53 bets were for two points, so I'm still part chicken. The seven minimum bets will say the same. We still have some good spots with 14 three-point bets, seven four-point bets, and four maximum bets.
