This article is part of our College Football Picks series.
We continue to tread water in our simulated picks and posted a slight loss in our real money bets. We are going to need a strong November to give us a shot at reaching our goals during bowl season. Let's move on to Week 10!
SIMULATED BETS
Week 9 Results: 26-26-0
Results through Week 9: 281-256-7
Win Pct: 51.6 %
VT -2.5, UTAH -9.5, AFA-2.5, KSU -24, UAB -13.5, PITT -21.5, MIZZ +39.5, OSU -14.5, MEM +4.5, ILL +14.5, LIB +9.5, UNC -2.5, MIAFL -10.5, APPST -21.5, ULM +3.5, USM +5, CAL -10, ECU -15.5, CHAR -6.5, WYO +3.5, WKU -17, USA +3.5, AUB +4.5, PSU -10, WVU +3.5, ND -20.5, MSU -3, CIN -22.5, TCU +7, WISC -13.5, USU -18.5, TUL +13.5, NCST -2.5, ARK -4.5, GASO +20, MRSH -1.5, BSU +5, UNLV +1.5, FIU +3, ORST -11.5, BAMA -28.5, IOWA -11.5, TENN -1, IND +20.5, SC +20.5, ISU -6.5, CLEM -4, HOU -13, ORE -7, NEV -11, UTSA -11.5, ASU -9, SDSU -7, BALL -20.5, TOL -9.5, ULL -13.5, KNT -3.5, WMU -10, MOh -7.5
REAL-MONEY BETS
Week 9 Results: 2-3
Results through Week 9: 26-20-0
Win Pct.: 56.5%
TCU 
+7 vs. Baylor
Baylor visits the Horned Frogs in between two of their biggest games of the season. They may look at this game as a breather before taking on Oklahoma, but I have a feeling that TCU will come together and fight with their new coaching staff, now that Gary Patterson was let go. TCU needs their defense to come through, and if they can stem the Bears' offense, they have a chance to cover.
Tennessee 
+1 @ Kentucky
The Vols have the advantage of a bye week coming into this game, so they have had plenty of time to prepare for the Wildcats, who are still reeling from losses to Georgia and Mississippi State. Kentucky also has a litany of injuries on both sides of the ball, and on the other side, Tennessee is mostly healthy, with Hendon Hooker close to 100%.
ILLINOIS 
+14.5 vs. Minnesota
Minnesota is currently bitten by the injury bug, and despite the Illini's occasional offensive struggles, I think they will control time of possession and possibly do much better than cover. If they can force the Wildcats to try and beat them through the air, the Illini should be able to put up enough t points to keep things close.
OVER 37.5 Army vs. Air Force
I usually try to find under bets that look out of place, and this is one of them as these two run-first offenses will trade a lot of possessions. Let's not forget that Army put up a and 45 massive 58 points against Wake Forest, and the Falcons have registered games with 38 and 45 points. The offenses for both teams are playing too well for this line.
OVER 71 SMU @ Memphis
This is a risky Over pick with a high total, but SMU and Memphis are both in the Top 25 in game pace and possessions. SMU averages 40 points per game and has allowed an average of 30 points in FBS contests, so there's ample evidence for a close call on this bet. I think the shoot will put the total north of 71.
