Week 9 College Football Picks: PrizePicks Cheat Sheet for CFB DFS
As we enter Week 9 of the college football season, the conference standings are tight, and these games are becoming make-or-break for securing a Conference Championship spot.
In Week 9 of the CFB Cheat Sheet, we'll look at some of the best college football picks and projections on PrizePicks to play in your Lineup this Saturday by looking at key conference games. Grab these CFB picks in your PrizePicks Lineups, and enjoy the games.
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Week 9 CFB Picks for PrizePicks & DFS
Here are the top CFB picks for Saturday, October 26, for PrizePicks and DFS. Add these players to your Lineups and stay in the green. Click each projection for more analysis.
Quarterback Picks
- Ohio State QB Will Howard 257.5 Passing Yards — Less
- North Carolina QB Jacolby Criswell 274.5 Passing Yards — More (Demon)
- Indiana QB Tayven Jackson 1.5 Passing Touchdowns — More
Running Back Picks
- Kansas RB Devin Neal 94.5 Rushing Yards — More
- LSU RB Caden Durham 55.5 Rushing Yards — Less
- Penn State RB Kaytron Allen 65.5 Rushing Yards — More
Wide Receiver Picks
- Miami WR Xavier Restrepo 69.5 Receiving Yards — More (Goblin)
- Texas Tech WR Josh Kelly 70.5 Receiving Yards — Less
QB Picks for CFB DFS Week 9
Ohio State QB Will Howard 257.5 Passing Yards — Less
Sometimes, losing the week before your bye is a good thing. It allows you time to reflect, identify mistakes, and fix any issues. That’s the case for Ohio State after the close loss to Oregon.
Ohio State QB Will Howard had a phenomenal game against the Ducks, with 326 yards and two touchdowns, but a late-game mistake cost him the win.
This week, they’ll face another great defense in Nebraska, which ranks 44th in passing yards allowed per game (201.4). Howard had to throw a lot to keep up with Dillon Gabriel, and while Dylan Raiola could potentially reach that level, he’s not there yet.
The Buckeyes should have control of this game early enough that Howard won’t need to pass as much.
North Carolina QB Jacolby Criswell 274.5 Passing Yards — More (Demon)
The Tar Heels are on a brutal run, having lost four straight, giving up an average of 41.5 points over those four games. They couldn’t stop a headache with a bottle of aspirin, ranking 108th in points allowed per game (30.4) and 103rd in total yards allowed (399.9) on the year.
That’s forced the offense to carry the load in every game and keep up, and they’ve put up big numbers. Criswell has been forced to pass a lot in these losses, with at least 31 attempts in each and 40 in two games. He’s also thrown for at least 250 yards in those games, including 475 against James Madison.
Virginia ranks 121st in passing yards allowed (272.6). Virginia can put up points, so the game script will likely keep Criswell passing all game long and get a very big number.
Indiana QB Tayven Jackson 1.5 Passing Touchdowns — More
Indiana has been a great story, starting 7-0 and now ranked 13th in the country after dominating Nebraska. They are one of the more balanced teams in the FBS, boasting the top-scoring offense and the seventh-best scoring defense.
They’re going up against Washington, who allows the fewest passing yards per game.
After a big win over Michigan at home, Iowa demolished Washington, allowing the Hawkeyes to score 40 points. They also allowed Iowa QB Cade McNamara to throw for multiple touchdowns, something he’s only done five times in his last 15 games and the only time against a Power Four opponent.
Indiana’s offense is efficient. Jackson won’t need to march them down the field on his own, but he can execute passes in the red zone.
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RB Picks for CFB DFS Week 9
Kansas RB Devin Neal 94.5 Rushing Yards — More
Kansas has a 1-3 Big 12 record, but this team isn’t as bad as they look. Pro Football Focus has them graded at 90.5 overall, second in the conference. Of their five total losses, four have been by one possession.
They have some fantastic players, including RB Devin Neal, who ranks 17th in college football with 692 rushing yards on 5.9 yards per carry. It’s a rivalry game against Kansas State, which is No. 16 and Big 12 title contenders.
The Jayhawks lean heavily on the ground, with a 55% run-play percentage. Neal is a huge part of that, of course.
Looking at some run-heavy opponents KSU has faced, you’ll see they’ve had trouble. They gave up 152 yards to West Virginia and their 58% rushing offense, and Tulane’s 66% run-heavy approach led to Makhi Hughes running for 128 yards.
LSU RB Caden Durham 55.5 Rushing Yards — Less
Don’t look now, but LSU is making a run and is one of only two unbeaten teams in the SEC. That could change after this game as they play unbeaten Texas A&M.
Some of their SEC games have been thrillers, but we’re highlighting this projection because of how they’ve won those games.
LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier is establishing himself as one of the top passers in the SEC, with 285.5 passing yards per game in conference play, which ranks second.
Durham hasn’t played much of a role in this offense, with only 44 carries. It’s working, so don’t expect the Tigers to change their approach in this matchup against the Texas A&M defense that ranks 11th in rush defense expected points added (-.102), per College Football Insiders.
Penn State RB Kaytron Allen 65.5 Rushing Yards — More
Penn State has a huge game next week against Ohio State, but they can’t overlook a road game against Wisconsin and find themselves in a trap spot. The Badgers only have one loss in the Big Ten, so a loss would put them in a crowded group of other teams.
A perfect game for the Nittany Lions would involve their defense holding down a Wisconsin offense scoring 29.3 points per game (47th), allowing a balanced pass-and-run attack.
They have two outstanding running backs, but we’re seeing a changing of the guard as Nick Singleton takes a backseat to Kaytron Allen. Allen has out-carried and out-gained Singleton in the last three games — the first three Big Ten matchups, as Singleton is still showing some signs of his injury from early in the season.
Wisconsin ranks 81st in PFF run defense grade, and if you go back to recent competitive games, it’s allowed 161 rushing yards on 4.4 yards per carry against USC and 181 yards on 5.3 yards per carry against Alabama.
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WR Picks for CFB DFS Week 9
Miami WR Xavier Restrepo 69.5 Receiving Yards — More (Goblin)
Miami is in the driver's seat for the ACC title as long as they win out. Their offense has been one of the best and most explosive in college football, scoring the most points per game (47.0), and their 92.9 Offensive PFF Grade ranks third.
As long as QB Cam Ward keeps up this pace and enters the College Football Playoff with a strong record, he’ll be in New York for the Heisman Trophy ceremony.
WR Xavier Restrepo has been Ward’s favorite target, mainly because he can deliver explosive plays. The Hurricanes have been involved in some high-scoring games recently, and Restrepo has played a big part, with 264 receiving yards in the last two games.
FSU hasn’t allowed an 85+ yard receiver in conference play, but none of its opponents are in the top 50 in passing yards. Miami has no problem running down the clock against inferior teams, and Restrepo has topped 90 receiving yards in three games where Miami won by 20+ points.
We’re going the Goblin route because defenses do tend to double-team Restrepo a lot, and he’s been taken out of the game plan, like against Virginia Tech.
Texas Tech WR Josh Kelly 70.5 Receiving Yards — Less
Even with last week’s loss to Baylor, Texas Tech is in a good position for a Big 12 title. They have undefeated Iowa State next week but need to focus on TCU this week.
The Horned Frogs have been strong against the pass this season, ranking 21st in passing yards allowed per game (177.3). Teams have been cautious passing against them, as TCU sees the 29th-fewest pass attempts (27.3 per game).
Kelly is important to the Red Raiders’ pass game but may not see as many opportunities this week.
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