The national championship race might have changed a bit over the weekend with the news that Alabama star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa will miss at least one game with a high ankle sprain that required surgery. Also hurts the Hawaiian’s chances of winning the Heisman Trophy. Here’s a look at two intriguing College Football Week 9 matchups around the nation and their College Football odds.
2019 College Football Week 9 Odds, Overview & Picks
USC at Colorado (+13)
- When: Friday, 9 PM ET
- TV: ESPN2
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
- College Football Week 9 Odds: Colorado +13
USC is tied for first in the Pac-12 South at 3-1 with Utah, while Colorado sits last in the division at 1-3 but obviously could play spoiler with an upset. The Trojans come off a 41-14 win over Arizona, which had been a co-leader in the division.
USC’s Kenan Christon, a true freshman who hadn’t seen a snap at the collegiate level before Saturday, had the first 100-yard rushing performance of his career, bursting free for touchdowns of 55 and 30 yards. He finished with 103 yards on just eight carries.
The Trojans began the night without their top three cornerbacks and defensive end Christian Rector due to injury, and they lost top safety Talanoa Hufanga to a shoulder injury in the first half and star freshman defensive end Drake Jackson to an ankle injury in the second half. Running backs Stephen Carr (hamstring) and Markese Stepp (ankle) also picked up injuries during the game.
What about Colorado?
Colorado lost 41-10 to Washington State. Colorado entered the game hoping to take advantage of a Washington State defense that had given up an average of 47 points per game in three Pac-12 contests. But the Buffs struggled from the beginning, with quarterback Steven Montez throwing a pair of interceptions in the first half and James Stefanou connecting on just one of three field goal attempts.
The Cougars, meanwhile, scored touchdowns on their first three possessions. Of Colorado’s six first-half possessions, two ended on missed field goals (from 48 and 52 yards), two ended on interceptions, one resulted in a punt and one produced a 24-yard Stefanou field goal.
Last Season Meeting
Last season, Southern Cal was unranked when it beat No. 19 Colorado 31-20 in Los Angeles. Michael Pittman Jr. caught two of J.T. Daniels’ three touchdown passes, and USC’s defense dominated the first three quarters. Ajene Harris returned an interception for a touchdown in the third quarter for the Trojans.USC’s offense only scored touchdowns in the second quarter, struggled to run the ball and relied heavily on big plays. The Trojans’ defense limited Colorado’s offense to 265 yards — and a mere 164 in the first three quarters while USC took control with a 28-7 lead.
No. 9 Auburn at No. 2 LSU (-11.5)
- When: Saturday, 3:30 PM ET
- TV: CBS
- College Football Week 9 Odds: LSU -11.5
The new Heisman Trophy betting favorite? That would be LSU quarterback Joe Burrow. In Saturday’s 36-13 win at Mississippi State, Burrow broke two school single-season records – and it has been only seven games.
Burrow, a senior transfer from Ohio State, was 25-of-32 for 327 yards with four touchdowns. Burrow, who tied Rohan Davey (1998-2001) with seven 300-yard passing games in his career, exited after one series in the fourth quarter, allowing Myles Brennan to finish the game.
With a 37-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Derrick Dillon in the third quarter, Burrow set LSU’s single-season record with his 30th touchdown responsible for (28 passing, 2 rushing).
JaMarcus Russell (2006) and Matt Mauck (2003) held the record with 29. Later in the third quarter, an 18-yard touchdown pass to Justin Jefferson was Burrow’s 29th of the season, breaking LSU’s single-season record also held by Russell and Mauck.
The Tigers extended their streak of consecutive quarter recording points to 39 after scoring in each of the first three quarters in Starkville. That streak was ended when LSU did not score in the fourth quarter. LSU’s streak of nine consecutive games with 40+ points came to an end. Still, the LSU offense is averaging 50.14 points per game, which is No. 2 nationally.
What about Auburn?
Auburn routed Arkansas 51-10 on Saturday. Tigers freshman QB Bo Nix threw three touchdown passes including two in the span of 22 seconds in the third quarter. Nix finished the day completing 12-of-17 passes for 176 yards and touchdown strikes of 48, 28 and 15 yards including a pair to Seth Williams.
Auburn held Arkansas to 35 total yards in the first quarter, the fewest by an opponent in the first quarter since Georgia gained 28 yards in the first quarter of the 2017 SEC Championship game.
Last Season Meeting
Last season, LSU beat Auburn 22-21. Cole Tracy kicked a 42-yard field goal on the final play. Burrow led LSU down the field in the final minutes with clutch plays and two pass interference calls against Auburn. Burrow, a top Heisman candidate this year, completed 15 of 34 passes for 249 yards, with Justin Jefferson gaining 97 yards on five catches. Auburn’s Anders Carlson missed a 52-yard field goal attempt wide left with nearly 13 minutes left.
Expert College Football Week 9 Betting Picks
LSU will win but won’t cover and we think Colorado can win outright if all those USC injured players aren’t able to go. Definitely take the points.
