College Football Week 10 Picks 2025 (Saturday 1st November)

The calendar turning into November means the College Football regular season has turned into the final run and there are a number of teams who will feel that only a place in the Playoff can be seen as a strong season.

Others will have bigger ambitions than merely competing in the post-season and the next month is about being involved in Conference Championship Games and putting an exclamation point on the seasons that these young players have put together.

Some of the top contenders are out of action this week as they go into the final Bye before the end of the season, while there are plenty of opportunities for the higher Ranked teams to remind those in the Playoff Committee about their strengths, while a loaded SEC schedule could see spoilers emerge.

It has been a frustrating season with a huge number of backdoor covers going against the selections- for the second week in a row, Michigan State scored with seconds remaining in a game and that allowed them to cover, even though they were well beaten (I will take no satisfaction out of reports that Jonathan Smith will be fired as Head Coach, but playing to cover is never going to cut it with board members).

A consistent run through the next month could yet put the season in a good position before the Playoffs and Bowl Games begin, but it can only start with a solid week and that is the aim from the six selections made.

Signs up for Bet365, Bovada and Bodog can be made here, and then onto the selections.

Penn State Nittany Lions @ Ohio State Buckeyes Pick: The Big Ten has proven to be a very powerful Conference and in pre-season this would have been a game that could be circled as one of the pivotal ones when it comes to separating the elite and the very, very good. Both the Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) and Penn State Nittany Lions (3-4) were expected to return to the College Football Playoff, but it has been a year that has gone very differently for the two schools.

The defending National Champions Ohio State have looked like a team that could go back to back and they are 4-0 in Big Ten play, which leaves them as one of two unbeaten teams in the Conference. This was one of the games that looked potentially hazardous at the start of the season, but the Buckeyes have been set as a monster favourite as the Penn State season has fallen apart.

Head Coach James Franklin has been fired and the Nittany Lions have lost all four Conference games played to slip under 0.500 for the season. This is a team that have won at least ten games in each of the last three years, while further issues have come out of the fact that Drew Allar has been injured and lost for the season.

A Bye Week can help, although there is no doubt that this is a huge challenge for a Nittany Lions team that have been hit hard over the last month.

Motivation to face the Ohio State Buckeyes will have seen plenty of enthusiasm in the build up to the Week 10 game, but Penn State will need inexperienced Quarter Back Ethan Grunkemeyer to step up very quickly.

There are big expectations being carried by Grunkemeyer, but those would have been for the years ahead and not in 2025- his first start against the Iowa Hawkeyes will have been an eye-opening experience for the young Quarter Back who had 93 passing yards and 2 Interceptions on the day.

Now he has to face an Ohio State Defensive unit that has looked about as good as any out there in the College Football circuit.

Problems begin up front where the Penn State Nittany Lions Offensive Line are going to be challenged in their bid to establish the run. With an inexperienced Quarter Back, everyone will know that Penn State will want to put Ethan Grunkemeyer in the best position possible by keeping him in front of the chains, but this Buckeyes Defensive Line have been stout all season. They will perhaps not fear the passing game in any real way and that should see Ohio State clamp down on the ground attack and see how much this Quarter Back has learned over the last couple of weeks.

Despite teams trailing in games against the Buckeyes, opponents have not had a lot of success throwing into this Ohio State Secondary. The Nittany Lions Offensive Line has been pretty good in pass protection, but holding things together for long enough in obvious passing situations will be challenging and it could be a tough day in the office for the road team.

The key to the spread is going to be how well the Nittany Lions can lock down on the other side of the ball.

In recent games, the Defensive Line have just had a few issues in slowing down the run as the competition has stepped up, but they are facing an Ohio State team whose one disappointment this season has been in establishing the run. Head Coach Ryan Day has spoken openly about the issues that have been preventing the Buckeyes Offensive Line from finding the push up front and they have been on a Bye Week with that sole intention of figuring things out.

This is where the spread will be won or lost- if the Buckeyes can even get a little bit going on the ground and improve on recent numbers, Quarter Back Julian Sayin should be in a very comfortable spot. Struggles on the ground have not affected his performances so far this season, but this Penn State Secondary have been playing well and they will believe they can stall some drives.

Ohio State should win, but it has been a long time since they would have been favoured by such a margin to beat Penn State.

This will not be lost on the Nittany Lions who will want to come out of the Bye Week and show what they are made of, but it is a tough situation for them with a Freshman Quarter Back against a very talented Buckeyes Defensive unit. In recent years, the Nittany Lions have been given 17.5 and 18.5 points against Ohio State in 2016 and 2021 respectively and covered both times so they have to be respected.

If the Buckeyes Offensive Line is not able to get the run going up front, this could be a tough game for Ohio State to cover.

However, the feeling is that Ethan Grunkemeyer may be lured into a mistake or two, which gives the Buckeyes the short fields needed to make a big statement to the rest of the College Football nation. The rivalry should keep Penn State involved mentally, but this is a tough test for a team that have taken a lot of blows over the last month and the Buckeyes can make that show on the scoreboard when all is said and done.

UCF Knights @ Baylor Bears Pick: Only one team made it out of the Big 12 to join the College Football Playoff last season, but the top of the Conference looks much stronger this time around.

Unfortunately for the Baylor Bears (4-4) and UCF Knights (4-3), neither is expected to be challenging in those places and games like this one are much more about finding a win to move that much closer to becoming Bowl eligible.

The Knights snapped a two game losing run and are now 1-3 in Big 12 play, while the Baylor Bears head into this game having lost two in a row to drop to 2-3 in the Conference and fall out of contention. Both teams have recently been beaten by the Cincinnati Bearcats, who are one of two teams standing with a 5-0 record in the Big 12 through nine weeks of the season, but the Knights and Bears went about those defeats in very different ways.

UCF are coming out of a Bye Week and they have already matched the four wins secured in 2024, but this feels like a game they might have to win if they are going to reach six and earn a Bowl spot at the end of the regular season. Over the next month the Knights face three Big 12 teams with a combined 22-2 record, and so beating the Baylor Bears feels essential.

Out of the two teams, it does feel like Baylor have been underperforming this season considering the experience they were bringing back from the team that went 8-5 in 2024. Unfortunately for them, the Defensive unit has taken a step backwards and that will make it tough to cover in any game.

Having Tayven Jackson back at Quarter Back and now giving him a two week period to really rehab is a huge boost for the Knights- Jackson played really well in the win over the West Virginia Mountaineers having missed one game.

It might not all be on the sore shoulder of the Quarter Back though and that is because the UCF Offensive Line is likely going to be able to establish the run very effectively. They are facing a Baylor Defensive Line that have allowed teams to rip off some big gains on the ground and it would be a surprise if Tayven Jackson is not being placed in very manageable spots on the field thanks to the UCF ground attack.

Being unable to stop the run has also meant being unable to rush the passer and so Baylor are not expected to be giving Tayven Jackson too many concerns when he does drop back to throw. It has also meant the Secondary have been exposed and so the road team have to be feeling pretty confident that they can sustain drives for as long as needed.

No one will deny it has been messy on the Defensive side of the ball, but Baylor have won four games and a lot of credit has to be given to Sawyer Robertson at Quarter Back. He impressed in Spring Training and Robertson has picked up from where he left off in the 2024 season, but also should be credited for the slight improvement in the numbers and he is going to be key in keeping Baylor competitive the rest of the way.

It has largely come down to Sawyer Robertson because of an inconsistent rushing return and the Bears Offensive Line are not expected to get a lot of change out of this UCF Defensive Line. In 2024 the Knights played the run well and this unit has been just as good, which is going to mean they can force the Baylor Quarter Back to try and beat them out of third and long spots.

Sawyer Robertson could find himself under some duress when he drops back to throw, while the Knights Secondary have long been a tough unit to throw against. The quality of the Quarter Back suggests he will have some success, but Robertson is going to have to be careful with the ball and that can be difficult when the pocket is collapsing around you.

Baylor are favoured, but Head Coach Dave Aranda has led his team to a 12-17 record against the spread when being asked to lay points.

Defensively the Bears are finding it tough to stop anyone, which makes winning a chore, never mind covering a mark, and the UCF Knights have a team capable of keeping this very competitive. There is every chance the Knights win this as the underdog outright, so taking more than a Field Goal worth of points looks a pretty easy decision.

Indiana Hoosiers @ Maryland Terrapins Pick: The last fifteen months have seen a stunning turnaround for the Indiana Hoosiers (8-0) and it will take a significant collapse for the team to miss the College Football Playoff. Making it into the Playoff in back to back seasons under Head Coach Curt Cignetti will be a remarkable achievement for a school that had won just nine games between 2021 and 2023 before finishing with an 11-2 record in 2024.

They are set to play in the Big Ten Conference Championship Game, although the Hoosiers have to still win four more regular season games to do that. However, Indiana are going to be a big favourite to win all of those games against Penn State, Wisconsin and Purdue and beginning in College Park this week.

The Maryland Terrapins (4-3) have matched the win total from 2024, but they are 1-3 in the Big Ten and still need two wins to return to Bowl eligibility. They are coming out of a Bye Week and so should be fully prepared for a huge test and Head Coach Mike Locksley will be hoping to improve the 4-8 record against the spread that Maryland have put together when playing with rest.

They have lost three straight games going into that Bye Week and the Terrapins will be well aware that they are facing one of the best teams in College Football and not just in the Big Ten.

Running the ball against the Hoosiers Defensive Line has proven to be extremely difficult and that has set Offensive units behind the chains right from the get-go. Maryland's Offensive Line are not expected to have a lot more joy pounding the rock than previous Indiana opponents, although they can look to exploit Malik Washington's legs from the Quarter Back position to try and keep the Hoosiers guessing.

It is not expected to be a sustainable approach though and instead Washington's arm has to be operating at a high level.

He does have 11 Touchdown passes and 3 Interceptions this season, but Malik Washington is completing less than 60% of his attempts and that becomes all the tougher when set with third and long spots. The Terrapins Offensive Line has offered up solid enough protection, but keeping the Hoosiers pass rush out of the backfield when in obvious spots to throw the ball will be challenging and makes completing passes a hazardous task.

Running the ball is not expected to be so challenging for the Indiana Hoosiers- credit has to be given to Maryland for the overall Defensive Line numbers, but during this three game losing run in the Big Ten, the Terrapins have allowed teams to pick up 5 yards per carry as the competition level has been increased significantly.

The three Conference opponents faced in that time cannot really be compared with the Indiana Hoosiers and the road team are expected to pick up chunks of yards on the ground to make things very comfortable for Quarter Back Fernando Mendoza.

After having a solid season as Quarter Back of the California Golden Bears, Fernando Mendoza would have taken over the role with the Indiana Hoosiers with some big expectations to fulfil. Arguably he has surpassed those already with almost 2000 passing yards and and 24 Touchdown passes to go alongside just 3 Interceptions.

With the Hoosiers Offensive Line expected to push the team into third and manageable spots for much of the day, Mendoza should have ample time to dissect this Maryland Secondary and continue to pile up his passing numbers. The protection being given to the Quarter Back makes life all the more comfortable and Fernando Mendoza and the Indiana Offensive unit are unlikely to be slowed in this one.

Weather conditions should be perfect for the Big Ten leaders and Indiana can secure their first victory in this Stadium since 2019.

Covering will be a challenge, especially as Maryland are 4-0 against the spread when set as the underdog in 2025, but it feels like a game in which Indiana are going to be moving the chains with a lot more consistency than the home team. A mistake or two could just allow the Hoosiers to pull away, even if they have Penn State on deck as a potential distraction.

Florida Gators vs Georgia Bulldogs Pick: The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party will be held in Jacksonville again in 2025 and both the Georgia Bulldogs (6-1) and Florida Gators (3-4) will be coming out of a Bye Week ready to compete in this rivalry game.

Out of the two teams, it is the Georgia Bulldogs trying to stay on track with their 4-1 record in the SEC meaning they are just outside of the current projected Championship Game. Winning out may not be enough to earn a spot in that Conference Championship setting at the end of the regular season, but the Bulldogs would almost certainly be invited into the College Football Playoff, especially if Georgia Tech keep winning before the final week of the regular season.

The Florida Gators are 2-2 in the SEC and they are not going to chasing anything more than a Bowl spot, although being able to dent a rival is clearly going to offer some motivation.

Despite edging past Mississippi State in Week 8, Florida made a move they had been considering for some time and Head Coach Billy Napier has been fired. This does make things harder to factor with the players now able to think about joining the transfer portal, while the uncertainty about the direction the school will take having been treading water is also hard to determine.

Even reaching the eight win total of 2024 is going to be tough for the Gators from this current position, but they will have tried to focus on things that can be controlled and that is putting the best foot forward in this big SEC game.

As good as the Georgia Bulldogs have been in recent years, the Florida Gators have to believe that there is an opportunity to earn the upset. We have not really seen the Bulldogs put together a complete game and DJ Lagway has tethered his future to Florida and will be looking to put on a big performance from the Quarter Back position.

Running the ball effectively will help, although that has been something that the Georgia Defensive unit have been been able to clamp down upon to give their team a chance. The battle at the Line of Scrimmage is one that will determine which way this game will go, although DJ Lagway will have seen some holes in the Georgia Secondary that he can exploit.

There are going to be similar questions asked at the Line of Scrimmage when the Bulldogs have the ball- they may have found a way to win recent games, but the Georgia Offensive Line have struggled to open consistent running lanes and trying to force that against this Gators Defensive Line looks a tough task for them.

Much like Florida, the lean will be on the Quarter Back and Gunner Stockton is highly motivated to have a big performance from a personal level.

Gunner Stockton's grandfather passed away right here after the Georgia-Florida game in 2010 and he has made it clear that he is playing with that memory in mind.

The likelihood is that the Quarter Back can have a very big game against a Florida Secondary that has struggled to stop the pass in the SEC games played. The Gators do have a very good pass rush, which can be a problem when a team is in third and long spots, but Georgia's Offensive Line have offered Stockton time when he has stepped back to throw and the Quarter Back deserves plenty of credit for the way he has managed to look after the ball when throwing down the field.

It is the Quarter Back edge that gives Georgia the advantage in this one and the Bulldogs have won the last four games in this series and all by at least 14 points.

Florida will be motivated and can cause some problems, but Gunner Stockton is going to want to put on a show and he can help the Bulldogs pull clear in the second half.

Mississippi State Bulldogs @ Arkansas Razorbacks Pick: There are some big SEC Head Coaching roles already available and one of those is with the Arkansas Razorbacks (2-6) who need to find some SEC upsets if they are going to become Bowl eligible. It is looking increasingly unlikely and the Razorbacks job is not nearly as attractive as posts with the Florida Gators and LSU Tigers, but Interim Head Coach Bobby Petrino is just hoping to guide this group of players to snap a six game losing run.

The Razorbacks are 0-4 in the SEC, but they did win three Conference games last year and the slump is not nearly as long as the one that Mississippi State Bulldogs (4-4) are suffering through.

Mississippi State may only be two wins away from being Bowl eligible, but they have lost all four SEC games and that makes it sixteen Conference defeats in succession.

The Bulldogs are going to be underdogs in all four remaining games this season so they are going to need to find some upsets if they are going to avoid a third season in a row finishing with a losing record. The main focus is simply getting one win on the board in the SEC and showing improvement from 2024, but closes losses to Florida and Texas over the last couple of weeks will have hit hard.

The last team that Mississippi State beat in the SEC was Arkansas in 2023 and that was in this Stadium.

It is going to be a chance for the Offensive Line to get things going having struggled to establish the run in recent games against strong SEC Defensive Lines. However, this week they are facing an Arkansas Defensive Line that has simply not played the run very well at all this season and putting Quarter Back Blake Shapen in third and manageable spots will be a real help.

You cannot be sure that the Bulldogs will take advantage of the Line of Scrimmage issues being faced by the home Defensive unit, but there is a chance. Blake Shapen has also played pretty well without a lot of run support and he has almost 2000 passing yards with 11 Touchdown passes this season, while the Arkansas Defense may be concentrating on trying to stop the run, leaving the Secondary open to be attacked.

One real problem has been the turnstile nature of the Bulldogs Offensive Line when they have tried to give the Quarter Back time to throw the ball. If they are in third and long spots, even this Razorbacks team may be able to flood the backfield and try and force Blake Shapen to throw out of tough situations on the field, which can lead to errors being made and drives to stall.

There are questions about how effective the Mississippi State rush is going to be against a vulnerable Defensive Line, but the Arkansas Offensive Line are going to be very confident they can open things up to pound the rock. This is a team that have flourished on the ground, even when coming up to the SEC level of play, and the Bulldogs Defensive Line have not been much help at containing teams up front.

Quarter Back Taylen Green is very effective at tucking the ball and making plays with his legs, and there is no doubting the character of a player who is pushing through the pain to lead his team.

It should all mean the Razorbacks are able to play from in front of the chains and that in turn opens up big passing lanes with the Bulldogs having to pay more attention to stopping the ground game from gashing them.

This Bulldogs Secondary have been given up plenty of big plays and that is something that Green can exploit, although he has to be careful with the ball after throwing 3 Interceptions in a nine point loss in Week 9. Despite the numbers given up through the air, the Bulldogs have been able to step in front of routes and turn the ball over and that will give them an opportunity to keep this one close.

Head Coach Jeff Lebby may not have helped his team earn a win in the Conference, but the Bulldogs have been a team that have shown plenty of competitive spirit. This makes it hard to oppose them, but Arkansas do look to have a team with a more balance Offensive output and that can see the Razorbacks avoid becoming the first SEC team to lose to the Bulldogs since the 2023 Arkansas team did that right here in this Stadium.

South Carolina Gamecocks @ Mississippi Rebels Pick: There are just three Conference games left for the Mississippi Rebels (7-1) and winning out would likely be good enough to see them invited into the College Football Playoff. Rumours around the future of Head Coach Lane Kiffin could have been a major distraction for the Rebels, especially after the loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, but the team bounced back with a road win over the Oklahoma Sooners to move to 4-1 in the Conference.

Hope has not been lost when it comes to winning a first SEC Championship in over sixty years, but other results will need to go their way.

With that in mind, the Rebels have to focus on just winning the games in front of them and that begins with this home game against the South Carolina Gamecocks (3-5) who have not met big pre-season expectations.

The Gamecocks put everything into the Week 9 game against the Alabama Crimson Tide, but came up short and they are now 1-5 in the SEC. Head Coach Shane Beamer is another who has been linked with vacant roles, notably with the Virginia Tech Hokies, but there is not going to be pressure on him to depart within South Carolina, even if the team are not going to reach the nine win mark of 2024.

An inconsistent Offensive performance has been a letdown considering the experience that the Gamecocks were bringing into the new season.

It all begins up front where the Offensive Line have not been able to put together a consistent rushing attack and that has meant the pressure has been on Quarter Back LaNorris Sellers to find a way to keep the chains moving. There is a chance that this week South Carolina have a bit more success on the ground, and they will need that if only to allow Sellers to have more time to throw the ball.

The Offensive Line have not been able to open the running lanes and have also struggled in pass protection and LaNorris Sellers is going to be faced with real pressure from the Rebels pass rush. He will have noted that recent Mississippi opponents have found spots in the Secondary that can be attacked with success, but Sellers will need time and the passing game has been far from consistent.

It is a pressure that will be increased if the Rebels can continue what has been a productive Offensive performance, one that has shown up even as they have moved into the heart of the SEC schedule.

Recent games have seen the Rebels fail to establish the run quite as effectively as they have for much of the season, but this will feel like a step down in level compared with other SEC teams they have been facing. The Gamecocks haven't been as porous as some teams on the ground, but they do allow teams to establish the ground game and that could be the case in Week 10, which will suit Trinidad Chambliss all the way.

He did not come into the season as the Mississippi starting Quarter Back, but Chambliss has taken advantage of his opportunities and impressed in the role. This is not going to be an easy test, but Trinidad Chambliss will have time in the pocket and he has shown he has the patience to hit the spots needed when throwing the ball down the field.

Over 1800 passing yards have been thrown and a single Interception has been issued out in that time, while Chambliss has 8 Touchdown passes. The Gamecocks have shown some quality in defending the pass, but the Secondary may not have all of the answers needed in this game and that gives Ole Miss the edge.

It is a big spread, which is always a concern in a competitive SEC, but you have to wonder how much the Gamecocks have left in the tank after giving Alabama all they could handle last week.

South Carolina are 1-1 against the spread as the road underdog in the SEC this season, which makes them dangerous, but this is another road game at the end of a tough run of games and just before the Bye Week. It could be easy for the Gamecocks to look ahead to that and have one final push towards the end of the regular season, and that would leave them vulnerable to a high-scoring Rebels team.

It may need a late turnover/score for the Rebels to push past this line, but they are at home and Mississippi can produce a solid, statement win that just keeps them in touch with the leading teams in the Conference.

MY PICKS: Ohio State Buckeyes - 18.5 Points @ 1.85 William Hill (1 Unit)

UCF Knights + 3.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Indiana Hoosiers - 21 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Georgia Bulldogs - 7 Points @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Arkansas Razorbacks - 4.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Mississippi Rebels - 12.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Week 9: 3-3, - 0.19 Units (6 Units Staked, - 3.17% Yield)

Week 8: 2-3, - 1.18 Units (5 Units Staked, - 23.60% Yield)

Week 7: 4-1, + 2.62 Units (5 Units Staked, + 52.40% Yield)

Week 6: 2-4, - 2.22 Units (6 Units Staked, - 37% Yield)

Week 5: 1-5, - 4.20 Units (6 Units Staked, - 70% Yield)

Week 4: 2-4, - 2.14 Units (6 Units Staked, - 35.67% Yield)

Week 3: 4-4, - 0.36 (8 Units Staked, - 4.50% Yield)

Week 1: 1-4, - 3.14 Units (5 Units Staked, - 62.80% Yield)

Week 0: 2-1, + 0.75 Units (3 Units Staked, + 25% Yield)

NFL Week 9 Picks 2025 (Thursday 30th October-Monday 3rd November)

So how many people would have predicted the Indianapolis Colts would be the team with the most wins in the NFL through two months of the regular season?

Another strong Offensive showing has kept the Colts in front with the 7-1 record, but Indianapolis will still have work to do if they are going to make everyone believers in what they are putting together. The reality is that they have been playing in a weak Division and taken advantage of what has looked a manageable schedule.

The Colts will soon be heading into the Bye Week and they will certainly be tested on the return- in the 'second half' of their schedule, they will face the improving Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars twice, which will determine how the AFC South shakes out, while also having road games against the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks.

For now all credit has to be given to a team and management who have rallied together and they will certainly be making Jim Irsay very proud as he looks down on his team.

November is a very important time in College Football as the regular season winds down and teams look to earn spots in the Conference Championship Games and then the College Football Playoff, but it also significant in the NFL.

Bye Weeks are concluded over the next month and teams will really begin to feel the post-season as they move into the second half of the schedule.

We might not have any unbeaten teams, but there are plenty who have lost fewer than three games, while the Kansas City Chiefs have back to the head of the outright market despite being at 5-3.

Only four teams are priced up at single digits to win the Super Bowl, which underlines how wide open things continue to feel, and that is where November really begins to help sift through the pack and identify those who can have the big run through to February.

The fact there are not too many teams really pulling clear from the pack does offer opportunities to those making slower than expected starts.

One oft hose teams are playing on Thursday Night Football this week and the Baltimore Ravens also benefit from playing in a Division where the leading team is only a couple of games in front of them. Injuries are looking to be clearing up and Baltimore could see their Super Bowl price come in dramatically over the next few weeks if they can string the wins together.

Four teams have ever begun 1-5 and made the Playoffs in the NFL, but this Ravens team are capable, especially with two games against the Pittsburgh Steelers still on the schedule. They are beginning a three game road trip in Week 9 and if they can return home back at 0.500, everything is possible for this team.

The Ravens are 20-1 to win the Super Bowl, while teams like Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Chargers and Seattle Seahawks are bigger prices and deserve more respect.

You can't really argue with the facts that Kansas City, Detroit, Green Bay and Buffalo are the only single digit prices for the Super Bowl, but those four teams mentioned all could end up trading much shorter, which should be reassessed at the end of the month.

After losing the opening three selections in Week 9, four straight winners ensured a slight winning week.

There is still room for improvement and it would help if the Week 9 Picks can get off to a good start on Thursday Night Football where so many wrong selections have meant playing from behind.

Like any good team, it is important to get in front of the chains and make plays from there and that is the ambition to open this Week 9 schedule and then push onto the rest of the week.

And remember, you can sign up for Bet365, Bovada or Bodog at the links provided.

Picks for the remainder of Week 9 will be added to this thread in the days ahead.

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins Pick: Two teams who won for just the second time in 2025 in Week 8 will meet in South Florida in this Thursday Night Football game, but it does still feel like only the road team can be considered as one capable of climbing out of a poor spot.

The Baltimore Ravens (2-5) and Miami Dolphins (2-6) may both be aware that only four teams have made it through to the post-season after beginning the season at 1-5, but the former play in a much less competitive Division.

While the Pittsburgh Steelers lead the way in the AFC North, the Ravens are only 2 games behind them in the standings.

On the other hand, Miami play in the AFC East where the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills both reside and who have a combined 11-4 record.

There is also the biggest factor of the Baltimore Ravens having Lamar Jackson returning with the team still close enough to the AFC North leading Steelers to get things moving back in their own direction. Unfortunately for the Miami Dolphins, players like Tyreek Hill are not going to be able to return, while there is still real uncertainty about the long-term belief in Quarter Back Tua Tagovailoa and a Head Coach in Mike McDaniel who is almost certainly leaving.

None of that had an impact as the Miami Dolphins upset the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8 behind Tagovailoa's best performance of the season, but sustaining that level against this Baltimore team is going to be far from easy.

Injuries have decimated the Ravens on the Defensive side of the ball, but they certainly looked a lot better all around out of the Bye Week when beating the Chicago Bears and ending their run of losses. It would have been a time when Head Coach John Harbaugh was just able to help the team reset and the boost of a returning Lamar Jackson will be felt on both sides of the ball.

The Miami Offensive Line may still feel they can help establish the run, which is extremely important for the Quarter Back and for the game-calling. but there will be a feeling within the Baltimore camp that the Defensive Line will settle down. They are without some important names, but the players who have come in will know the job is to keep for the rest of the season and they may be able to slow down Miami for just long enough to give the team a chance.

There have been some improvements in the play of the Secondary too and this inconsistent Miami passing game is without key contributors. That made no impact in Week 8 in Atlanta, but the challenge will be different on this short week and Lamar Jackson's presence could mean the road team are putting scoreboard pressure on the Dolphins.

It was clear the NFL have not been happy with the injury reporting that Baltimore put together last week and even Head Coach John Harbaugh admitted there had been mistakes. They had been implying that Lamar Jackson had been practicing in the lead up to the game against Chicago, but that proved to be untrue and the Ravens are likely to be punished for the incorrect reports they had handed out.

This week Lamar Jackson has been practicing with the first team and his return could spark the Baltimore Ravens after they had been treading water without him.

The whole Offensive game-plan changes with Jackson behind Center rather than Cooper Rush- Tyler Huntley does a decent Jackson impression and led the way in the win over Chicago, but the latter is a much stronger Quarter Back and everyone on this unit benefits with him playing.

Derrick Henry will certainly look to have a big impact running the ball against a Miami Defensive Line that have been absolutely battered up front at times this season. Credit has to be given to the Dolphins for containing Bijan Robinson in Week 8, but a mobile Quarter Back like Lamar Jackson makes things that much more difficult for any team and both the Quarter Back and Derrick Henry are expected to have some real success on the ground.

This will open up the passing lanes against an injury-hit Secondary, while the Quarter Back is expected to have time in the pocket to make his plays down the field from third and manageable spots.

You cannot ignore the fact that this is a big spread when you think of how competitive some of the Miami defeats have been this season- they were blown out by the Cleveland Browns in a miserable effort in miserable conditions, but Miami have pushed the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers in home losses by a combined 8 points.

The road losses have been much more straight-forward, but Miami have not covered in any of their last four games played against non-Divisional opponents after winning as an underdog.

In their last eleven Thursday night games, the straight up winner has covered the spread each time and that is an issue for the Miami Dolphins who are not expected to win this one.

Lamar Jackson is only just returning from a hamstring issue so there are some concerns about this selection and so units must remain at a minimum for this one, even though the Ravens feel the right choice to show what they may still achieve this season.

Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions Pick: Three teams in the NFC North have a winning record as we have entered Week 9 of the season and that will not surprise anyone considering the Division sent three teams to the Playoffs last season.

However, the one surprise may be the fact that the Minnesota Vikings (3-4) are the one team that are below 0.500 and the entire team needs to just reset.

A decision was made to move on from Sam Darnold and hand the keys to the First Round Draft Pick JJ McCarthy, who had spent the entire 2024 season on the sidelines. After a couple of mixed starts, McCarthy picked up another injury and has been out of action with Carson Wentz filling in, although the latter has been playing through the pain.

In Week 9 the ball will be back in JJ McCarthy's hands and the Vikings need him to get up to speed pretty quickly as they prepare to travel to the Detroit Lions (5-2).

The Bye Week came at a good time for the Lions and it may have given some key players the chance to get through the injury problems that have been holding them back. They are still without a couple of solid performers, but Detroit have to be really happy with the first seven games of the 2025 season as they look to finally end the long, long wait to reach the Super Bowl.

Nothing much has been wrong with the way the Detroit Lions have played on the Offensive side of the ball, although they are going up against a tough Minnesota Defensive unit.

In recent games the Vikings Defensive Line have improved the performance against the run, but slowing down Sonic and Knuckles is a different test. The Lions imposed themselves on the ground against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 and they will certainly be confident in the ability of the Offensive Line to open up some solid running lanes in this one to ease the pressure on Jared Goff.

The Quarter Back has been under a bit more pressure in the pocket than he has perhaps been used to since signing with the Detroit Lions, but that should be eased if the team are running the ball as they were against the Buccaneers.

Jared Goff has plenty of weapons to target down the field if given the time to allow routes to develop and this Minnesota Secondary have had some problems in stopping the pass.

With the balance that the Lions can produce Offensively, they should be able to move the chains with some consistency and the pressure will be on the Minnesota Vikings to try and keep up on the scoreboard with a returning Quarter Back.

It may all be on JJ McCarthy's arm with the Vikings struggling for some consistency when it comes to running the ball, but it is simply important for Minnesota to at least keep the young Quarter Back in third and manageable spots.

Doing that will allow McCarthy to make some plays against a banged up Secondary, especially with the top Receivers that are around him. It would also be key to find some time in the pocket with the Vikings struggling in pass protection and facing a Lions pass rush that will be desperate to rush the Quarter Back and try and protect the Secondary by speeding up the passes that need to be delivered.

Turnovers could be key and that is where the Lions may have an edge as they look to move to 2-1 within the NFC North.

Last season they blew out the Minnesota Vikings at home and the latter are a team that are just 1-8 against the spread in the last nine games when facing an opponent playing with rest.

This is a big spread, but the Lions may keep the scoreboard pressure on this Divisional rival and that may ultimately see them come away with a big home victory.

Los Angeles Chargers @ Tennessee Titans Pick: An Interim Head Coach will take over the rest of the way, but the Tennessee Titans (1-7) are going to have to make big decisions at the end of this season. They do feel that they have the franchise Quarter Back in the building, but there is very little around Cam Ward right now and the Titans may end up with the top Draft Pick again.

That may actually speed up any rebuild with the likelihood that the Titans would trade out of the position, but none of the players on the roster right now can think ahead to April.

Instead they are fighting for their own jobs and Tennessee need to find something positive as they prepare to host the Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) who are a game behind the Denver Broncos in the AFC West.

Injuries are hurting both teams, but the Los Angeles Chargers have to be credited for fighting through adversity. They can certainly be grateful to Justin Herbert at Quarter Back and this is a big chance to pump out some strong passing numbers against this banged up Secondary.

Justin Herbert does not have to do everything himself- the Chargers Offensive Line have been opening up some big running lanes and Kimani Vidal has made full use of his opportunity at Running Back to impress. This looks to be another game in which Vidal can rip off some huge gains and keep the Los Angeles Chargers Offensive unit in positive field position.

The Offensive Line have not been as strong in pass protection, but they may not have to hold up that long with Herbert likely able to get the ball out of his hands pretty quickly. Running the ball well should mean Justin Herbert can employ play-action to attack Tennessee down the field and this should be a day in which the Chargers have plenty of Offensive success.

As has been the case for much of the season, the question for the Tennessee Titans is whether they can do enough when they have the ball to keep themselves competitive on the scoreboard?

While the game is close, the Titans may be able to rely on the run against this Chargers Defensive Line that have just had some issues up front, especially in recent games. This is important to put Cam Ward in a good position on the field and to just allow the rookie to make quick, decisive plays, although the Titans are struggling without any real standout skill players to aid Ward.

A real problem for Tennessee is when they have fallen behind- the Offensive Line have simply not offered much protection for their rookie Quarter Back. This is something that the Los Angeles Chargers can exploit and it is a reason the Titans have fallen away in games and we could see something similar here.

Having a mini-Bye to prepare for this game should suit the Chargers too and they can win this game by double digits and cover the mark set.

San Francisco 49ers @ New York Giants Pick: Two teams that have major names out through injury face one another in Week 9 of the 2025 season, but it is 'next man up' situations for both.

The San Francisco 49ers (5-3) are still very much in contention in the NFC West, although it is a much tougher turnaround for the New York Giants (2-6).

Once again it is Mac Jones who will be playing at Quarter Back even though Brock Purdy is edging closer and closer to a return. It is the second consecutive road game for the 49ers who were beaten at the Houston Texans last week, but that was a tough match up for them, especially on the Offensive side of the ball.

It is not expected to be the same challenge for Mac Jones and the 49ers in this one and the Offensive Line is certainly going to feel they can open up some running lanes for Christian McCaffrey. The season has been one of inconsistency when it comes to pounding the rock, but the 49ers will not have played too many teams that give up the amount of yardage on the ground that the New York Giants have allowed.

You would have to lean towards the 49ers being successful rather than the Giants finding a way to clamp down on the run and this is going to make life more comfortable for Mac Jones who has not had too many of his top skill players available at the same time.

Being able to throw from third and manageable spots will help and there are areas to exploit in this Giants Secondary.

This is something that Mac Jones has shown he can do and the 49ers can keep the chains moving with a lot more consistency than they could against a tough Houston Defense last week.

Since Jaxson Dart took over at Quarter Back, the New York Giants have won both home games played, but the team have lost Cam Skattebo to a season ending injury after the rookie Running Back had given them a big spark. Malik Nabers is already out and you do have to wonder if the Giants have enough emotional energy to help them through this difficult time.

Recent games have seen the New York Giants produce inconsistent running numbers, but Cam Skattebo's energy was a huge boost for the team. Tyrone Tracy Jr can step in, but he is not expected to have a lot of room up front against this San Francisco Defensive Line, which has remained pretty solid even as the pass rushers continue to go down with injuries.

They are trying to bring in players to give that pass rush a boost, but it should mean Jaxson Dart has a bit more time to throw the ball when he drops back. However, the injuries to key players on this side of the ball may just lead to some inconsistency, even against this banged up San Francisco Secondary.

Ultimately that is where the 49ers may eventually do enough to secure an important road game and with the likelihood that they can establish the run better than they have for much of the season.

It is unlikely to be a blowout, but the road team can do enough to win this one and cover the spread set.

MY PICKS: Baltimore Ravens - 7.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Detroit Lions - 8.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Los Angeles Chargers - 9.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit)
San Francisco 49ers - 2.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Week 8: 4-3, + 0.52 Units (7 Units Staked, + 7.43% Yield)

Week 7: 3-2, + 0.69 Units (5 Units Staked, + 13.80% Yield)

Week 6: 3-4, - 1.09 Units (7 Units Staked, - 15.57% Yield)

Week 5: 3-3, - 0.33 Units (6 Units Staked, - 5.50% Yield)

Week 4: 2-3, - 1.14 Units (5 Units Staked, - 22.80% Yield)

Week 3: 5-3, + 1.56 Units (8 Units Staked, + 19.50% Yield)

Week 2: 3-2, + 0.67 Units (5 Units Staked, + 13.40% Yield)

Week 1: 0-2, - 2 Units (2 Units Staked, - 100% Yield)

2025 Season: 23-22, - 1.12 Units (45 Units Staked, - 2.49% Yield)

Boxing Picks 2025- Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley (Saturday 25th October)

It has felt like a quiet few weeks for Boxing fans and it was interesting to see others pointing that out, including seeing an article written about the lack of fights over the last month.

Losing that Sebastian Fundora vs Keith Thurman card is a blow, but that would have taken place this weekend, and it has been a disappointing run since the Terence Crawford vs Canelo Alvarez.

A big Heavyweight Fight leads the way this weekend, although being placed on a Pay-Per-View platform is almost hilarious considering we have only been hearing how PPV is dying... That from the channel who are placing the Parker-Wardley card on Pay-Per-View of course.

It is laughable- the card is nowhere near the level that would be expected, and there are at least two PPV offerings in November and likely more in December. Some cards- the November 22nd card for example- are worthy of that extra price tag, but there are more and more that are not reaching the level that would be expected and you can understand the frustration of the fans and even some in the media.

As often as you hear new stakeholders speak about the changes they want to see in Boxing, the more things seemingly stay the same and the fans are asked to keep digging into the pockets.

And has been mentioned in the last couple of threads, you can sign up with a number of sites through the links attached for Bet365, Bovada and Bodog.

Joseph Parker vs Fabio Wardley

Oleksandr Usyk can do what he likes as the Undisputed Champion, but two highly Ranked Heavyweights refuse to wait around and wonder if they will be given the opportunity to fight for the Undisputed Title.

Instead the credit has to be given to both Joseph Parker and Fabio Wardley to face one another in London on Saturday night and try and eliminate options around Usyk.

Some have felt Joseph Parker has already put together a strong enough resume since his defeat to Joe Joyce to 'deserve' a shot at Undisputed, but Oleksandr Usyk has mowed through his main rivals and so has been given the leeway to make his own choices.

Personally the feeling has been that Parker has been matched up really well- it is a shame the fight with Daniel Dubois was cancelled earlier this year as it would have been a real 'prove it' moment for the New Zealander. He has been in good form, but Joseph Parker cannot really say his claim is much clearer than say an Agit Kabayel, who has perhaps had the stronger wins.

Perhaps that is being harsh on Joseph Parker, but this is another fight where he should be the clear favourite.

Fabio Wardley deserves so much respect for his professional career considering the lack of amateur experience and he has continued to climb the levels, but this is a fighter who was being outclassed by Justis Huni in his last bout. He virtually lost every Round before finding a special punch to put the lights out pretty emphatically, but doing the same against Joseph Parker feels like it might be asking too much.

Power makes Wardley dangerous.

However, Joseph Parker has shown he can recover from taking big shots and has got off the canvas multiple times- his experience and fast hands should give him a considerable edge against this overachieving opponent.

The expectation is that Joseph Parker will not want to take too many risks early, but he can put the Rounds in the bank and just wear down Fabio Wardley.

Some thought the unbeaten British fighter might have been close to being withdrawn in that last bout, and there is every chance that Parker can turn the screw as this bout develops. This could see him wear down Fabio Wardley and Joseph Parker may be looking to put the exclamation point on any victory and a late Stoppage in favour of the former World Champion looks likely.

The undercard is pretty miserable on Saturday night, which is probably welcome news for English Premier League fans.

The chief support was expected to be a Light Heavyweight domestic clash featuring unbeaten Ezra Taylor facing once beaten Lewis Edmondson.

An injury has forced the latter from the event, but Taylor remains on the card and will be facing Steed Woodhall, who had been preparing for a fight on a smaller show.

The last time we saw Woodhall in this kind of spot, he was blitzed by Callum Simpson in two Rounds, although it has been around fifteen months since Steed Woodhall took Lerrone Richards' unbeaten record. He has some other solid domestic wins, which deserve credit, and it would be foolish for Ezra Taylor to look past a short notice opponent.

However, Taylor has shown he has plenty of early pop and this could be a chance to make a statement against an opponent who has been up and down the Divisions in recent times. His defeat earlier this year to Callum Simpson came at Super Middleweight and Steed Woodhall is someone who may look to fight fire with fire, which is where he could come unstuck before the second half of this scheduled Ten Rounder begins.

MY PICKS: Joseph Parker to Win Between 7-12 @ 3.75 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Ezra Taylor to Win Between 1-5 @ 3.75 Sky Bet (1 Unit)

Boxing 2025: 22-62, - 33.34 Units (105 Units Staked, - 31.75% Yield)

College Football Week 9 Picks 2025 (Saturday 25th October)

The final games of October are still full of intensity, but there will be a shift in mentality when Week 10 rolls around in the College Football.

It will officially begin the final month of the regular season and teams will really begin to take notice of the College Football Rankings as they try and push their way forward into the Playoff spots. Those in the bigger Conferences will know that they control their own destiny, but there has been a lot of upheaval through the first eight weeks and so opportunities could quickly be found as the Conference schedules are concluded and rivals throw a spanner into the works for the teams they are facing.

Last week was frustrating in the sense that a couple of backdoor covers hurt the selections made.

It could easily have been another 4-1 week, but the decision from Jonathan Smith to kick a Field Goal with less than 30 seconds left and with his team down by 28 points was bizarre to say the least. In a week where NBA athletes have been charged for insider information, Smith's actions will have raised eyebrows previously and especially as it meant his team covered the 26 point line set.

The Arkansas Razorbacks were trying to fight their way back into their own game when scoring a backdoor cover- the frustration there is that they converted a couple of Fourth Downs and also had a 2nd and 33, but managed to avoid needing a Fourth Down in that moment. One play here or there, and both would have returned winners so it is a frustration both landed in the losing side of the occasion.

We move onto Week 9 and the selections once again all come from Saturday action.

And anyone looking to sign up at Bet365, Bovada or Bodog can use the links attached,

Alabama Crimson Tide @ South Carolina Gamecocks Pick: The opening defeat to the Florida State Seminoles has not aged very well, but playing in the SEC means there were always going to be opportunities for the Alabama Crimson Tide (6-1) to prove themselves worthy of playing in the College Football Playoff.

Credit has to be given the team for a 4-0 record within the Conference and wins over the Georgia Bulldogs, Tennessee Volunteers and Missouri Tigers gives the Crimson Tide the inside track to play in the SEC Championship Game and earn one of the twelve Playoff spots that will be handed out at the end of the regular season.

They will be going into a Bye Week following this game and the Crimson Tide still have some challenging games on the schedule in a loaded Conference. Next month they will face the LSU Tigers, Oklahoma Sooners and Auburn Tigers, but the scary prospect for all of Alabama's rivals is that Head Coach Kevin DeBoer believes there is more to come from his team.

Any road game in the SEC is going to be a test and the South Carolina Gamecocks (3-4) will be motivated to snap their two game losing run. Head Coach Shane Beamer continues to downplay links with the Virginia Tech Hokies where his father Frank had so much success, but the distraction is perhaps partly to blame for the disappointing efforts in back to back losses to the LSU Tigers and Oklahoma Sooners.

The latter of those defeats was at home in Week 8 and it is going to be tough for an inconsistent Offensive unit to get things turned around.

While it has been possible to run the ball against the Alabama Defensive Line, the Gamecocks have not had any consistent success in pounding the rock as the competition has ramped up. That has made things much tougher for LaNorris Sellers at Quarter Back, who was expected to really grow in the position this year, and it is always very difficult to make plays from third and long spots on any consistent basis.

Playing behind an Offensive Line that has struggled to stand up to the pass rush has only increased the difficulty for LaNorris Sellers and he is expected to be under pressure in this one. There will be some successful moments, but sustaining drives is not going to be easy for South Carolina and that is going to make it tough to keep up on the scoreboard.

The step down in level of competition should help the Alabama Crimson Tide this week as they continue to find a way to get their Offensive unit up to the standards expected in Tuscaloosa.

One player who has been improving the more time he spends on the field is Quarter Back Ty Simpson and his numbers have been key for the Crimson Tide- 18 Touchdown passes with a single Interception would capture the attention for any team, but doing so while playing the majority of games in the SEC is very impressive and Simpson is likely going to be a key figure in this game.

The Crimson Tide have not really been able to run the ball very well in recent games in the SEC, and they are not expected to have a lot of success against this Gamecocks Defensive Line. That has not stopped the Crimson Tide having success on this side of the ball thanks to Ty Simpson and his improving chemistry with some big time Receivers and this is a chance for Alabama to leave everything on the field before heading off for a Bye Week.

With a spread set where it is for this latest SEC game, the Crimson Tide will likely need the Defensive unit to set up a couple of short fields.

They have shown they can do that and Alabama's Quarter Back can do enough to push the Crimson Tide clear, even in a relatively low-scoring game.

Alabama are 9-0 against the spread before playing the LSU Tigers so there is no reason to believe they will be looking past South Carolina to a game taking place in two weeks time. And with the Gamecocks struggling Offensively, the SEC favourites can win this one by a couple of Touchdowns on the road to enhance their place at the top of this powerful Conference.

Texas A&M Aggies @ LSU Tigers Pick: There are only two teams in the SEC who are unbeaten in Conference play and the Texas A&M Aggies (7-0) are the only one that have yet to suffer a defeat in any game this season. The road win over the Arkansas Razorbacks improved the Aggies to 4-0 in the Conference, but they continue to move through a very difficult remainder of the schedule as the bid for a Conference Championship and a place in the College Football Playoff remains the final ambition.

This is a very tough road game, even if the LSU Tigers (5-2) have dropped to 2-2 in the SEC and look on course for a fourth year in a row where they have underachieved.

Pressure has to be building on Head Coach Brian Kelly and the next couple of games could really determine what happens at the end of the season. While the chances of earning a spot in the College Football Playoff already look like they are fading, the fans are going to make their feelings known about Kelly after games against the Aggies and Alabama Crimson Tide and going 0-2 might mean the end of this Head Coaching tenure.

This is a night game hosted by the LSU Tigers and it is expected to be wet so there are some challenges for the Aggies to overcome, but they look like the stronger team on both sides of the ball and that should play out.

Texas A&M have shown they can win in tough environments already this season and they will have plenty of faith in the Offensive unit in this Week 9 game.

Over the course of the season, the LSU Defensive unit have produced some solid numbers, but the move into the SEC schedule is where teams are really going to be judged. And with that in mind, it is clear that the Texas A&M Aggies should be able to have some success running the ball against this Tigers Defensive Line, which is where any hope of consistency is usually built.

This is a huge chance for the Aggies to pick up from where they left off in the win over the Arkansas Razorbacks and it should mean Marcel Reed is going to be operating in third and manageable spots. The Quarter Back has been given ample protection in recent games, which makes things that much more comfortable, and operating in front of the down and distance should mean Marcel Reed is able to help this Aggies Offensive unit make a point about their capabilities to the rest of the SEC and to the Playoff Committee.

After seeing how the Razorbacks were able to attack the Aggies last week, the more important question in a game like this one is whether the LSU Tigers can manufacture enough Offensive output to keep themselves competitive or not?

Fans of the team would be unlikely to be offended if you said the Tigers have underperformed on this side of the ball and they have been incredibly inconsistent.

This game does give the Tigers Offensive Line a chance to at least change some of the narrative considering the huge chunks of yards that have been given up by the Aggies Defensive Line and that feels really important in the bid for the home upset. Keeping the team in third and manageable would help contain what has been a very effective Aggies pass rush, while also putting Garrett Nussmeier in a position where the burden does not feel so heavy on his shoulders at Quarter Back.

He will not have to hold onto the ball for too long if the team is able to establish the run and there are one or two holes in this Texas A&M Secondary that can be attacked with some success. Garrett Nussmeier played a clean enough game in the loss to Vanderbilt last time out and that gave his team a chance, but the Tigers have come up short and the feeling is that something similar may happen here.

Consecutive road games is a tough spot for any team, but one in the SEC will know those challenges even more.

However, Texas A&M look a lot more confident than the LSU Tigers on both sides of the ball and they may just keep the home team at arm's length, as they did to Arkansas, while coming away with a narrow cover of this spread.

Wisconsin Badgers @ Oregon Ducks Pick: They won the Big Ten Championship last season, but the Oregon Ducks (6-1) have work to do if they are going to be able to defend that crown in December.

They are expected to win out this season, which is still an important goal for a team that will be looking to retrn to the College Football Playoff regardless. However, the defeat to the Indiana Hoosiers means they are trailing both them and the defending National Champions Ohio State Buckeyes in the Conference who both have 4-0 Big Ten records.

After losing that game to the Hoosiers, Oregon made the Rutgers Scarlet Knights pay the price and the Ducks are expected to crush the Wisconsin Badgers (2-5) in Week 9. Back to back defeats are one thing, but Wisconsin have not scored a single point against Iowa and Ohio State and the Badgers have lost five in a row overall, while also propping up the rest of the Conference at 0-4 in Big Ten play.

Third year Head Coach Luke Fickell understands his position and it is hard to imagine him keeping his job if the Badgers are to suffer another losing season.

Injury to Quarter Back Billy Edwards Jr is not helping, but this Badgers team looks short of the qualities needed to compete in a Conference which is likely to have the most, or joint most, teams playing in the twelve team College Football Playoff.

After what has been witnessed in recent weeks, it is incredibly difficult to know how the Wisconsin Badgers plan on getting any Offensive production this week.

They cannot run the ball and that has meant inconsistent production out of the Quarter Back, regardless of who that has been. In Week 9 they are facing an Oregon Defensive unit that has been very strong all season and Wisconsin scoring any points might be seen as a win, which underlines how far the Badgers have fallen.

The key to the spread is obviously going to be how motivated Oregon are to put up another big effort on the scoreboard, and they should be as they look to continue to impress the Playoff Committee. Jayden Limar is missing at Running Back, but that is not likely to slow down the numbers that the Ducks are able to produce on the ground and they should be able to rip off some big gains throughout the game.

Dante Moore is expected to have time in the pocket when he does drop back to throw and he should have a lot of success from the Quarter Back position. This Badgers team have lost their way and the Secondary have allowed some big plays, which should all add up to Oregon having their way no matter if they choose to run or throw.

It is a big spread, but Oregon will be looking to match the Ohio State win, which came by 34 points on the road- being at home should make it more comfortable and everything is pointing to a big Ducks win.

Michigan Wolverines @ Michigan State Spartans Pick: It might not feel that long ago that this rivalry game could have a huge impact at the top of the Big Ten and for College Football Playoff positions. However, these days the Michigan State Spartans (3-4) are struggling to stay competitive and the 0-4 record in the Big Ten underlines the problem.

Two years ago the Michigan Wolverines (5-2) were National Champions, but they were just 8-5 last season after the unbeaten 2023 run. They are 3-1 in the Big Ten and the Wolverines have bounced back from the defeat to the USC Trojans, while there looks to be an opportunity to climb into the Playoff picture if they can win out this season.

It would include beating rivals the Ohio State Buckeyes for a fifth time in a row and so there is this feeling that there is a lot more to lose for the Wolverines compared with the Michigan State Spartans.

The Spartans are on course for a fourth losing year in a row and the real concern has to be how easily they have been beaten in the Big Ten this season.

Michigan State's Offensive Line have not been able to establish the run all season and that has really become a big issue when stepping into the Conference schedule. They are not expected to have a lot of joy trying to impose themselves at the Line of Scrimmage in this game and that really does put a lot of pressure on the Quarter Back to try and make plays from third and long spots on the field.

After the run of defeats, the Spartans have begun to take a look at Alessio Milivojevic at Quarter Back, but they have been struggling for any consistency out of the position. It doesn't help that the Offensive Line have not been able to stand up in pass protection, although the Wolverines have not been generating the kind of pass rush that they would have liked.

Even then, whether it is Milivojevic or Aidan Chiles at Quarter Back, Michigan State are likely going to see some drives stall, while they are also going to have to be aware of the Michigan Secondary and the ability to turn the ball over.

Running the ball should be more effective for Michigan when they have the ball and that is where the road team have the edge, even when it comes to covering this big spread in a rivalry game.

Keeping the team in third and manageable is clearly an advantage, while Bryce Underwood is developing at the Quarter Back position. He has over 1400 passing yards with 7 Touchdowns and a couple of Interceptions, but has also shown that he can escape pressure and make plays with his legs where needed.

Third and manageable also means being able to make plays through the air with some consistency and that should be the case against the Spartans Secondary. Keeping things ticking over is important as Michigan look to remain close to the very top of the Big Ten.

Rivalry games can produce upsets and Michigan State will be highly motivated to disrupt the Michigan plans for the remainder of the 2025 season. However, they were blown out when last hosting the Wolverines and the the Spartans have simply not shown enough consistency to believe they can avoid another relatively comfortable Big Ten loss.

Head Coach Jonathan Smith played for a cover last week, which is quite remarkable and there is always a chance he gets his team to kick a Field Goal rather than risk going for a Touchdown late in the game, which may cover again, but the Wolverines look strong enough to win by three scores, even on the road.

MY PICKS: Alabama Crimson Tide - 11.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Texas A&M Aggies - 2.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Oregon Ducks - 31.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Michigan Wolverines - 14 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

BYU Cougars + 2.5 Points @ 1.95 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Cincinnati Bearcats - 3.5 Points @ 1.95 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Week 8: 2-3, - 1.18 Units (5 Units Staked, - 23.60% Yield)

Week 7: 4-1, + 2.62 Units (5 Units Staked, + 52.40% Yield)

Week 6: 2-4, - 2.22 Units (6 Units Staked, - 37% Yield)

Week 5: 1-5, - 4.20 Units (6 Units Staked, - 70% Yield)

Week 4: 2-4, - 2.14 Units (6 Units Staked, - 35.67% Yield)

Week 3: 4-4, - 0.36 (8 Units Staked, - 4.50% Yield)

Week 1: 1-4, - 3.14 Units (5 Units Staked, - 62.80% Yield)

Week 0: 2-1, + 0.75 Units (3 Units Staked, + 25% Yield)

NFL Week 8 Picks 2025 (Thursday 23rd October-Monday 27th October)

As we approach the end of October, the NFL schedule is firmly into the Bye Weeks and the trade deadline is fast approaching.

We are already beginning to see a separation from contenders to pretenders and there are also teams out there who are looking forward to the end of the season and the impending shake-ups that will be needed.

Two of those are in the AFC East- the New York Jets continue to lurch from one pitiful performance to another and Head Coach Aaron Glenn may need his team to show something if he is going to be more than a one and done performer. The owner seems to have a lot more faith in Aaron Glenn and not so much in Quarter Back Justin Fields after comments made this week and there is likely going to be a change behind Center with Fields now looking like his days in the NFL as a starter are firmly over.

He will still draw some consideration as a backup considering his obvious athletic talent, but the Jets are likely to be moving on from him.

They are fimly in line to finish with the Number 1 Overall Pick in the Draft and there are going to be a number of Quarter Backs coming out of College that will draw interest.

Closely 'chasing' the Jets for the Number 1 Draft Pick are my Miami Dolphins- they have been absolutely terrible this season and Tua Tagovailoa is another Quarter Back who has had enough chances to prove himself. Instead he had a terrible game against the Cleveland Browns and was benched, while lame duck Head Coach Mike McDaniel is almost certainly going to be fired and it has become a case of when rather than if.

It is becoming clearer by the week as to which teams are looking poor, but the Super Bowl contenders are not exactly pushing clear of the pack.

The Kansas City Chiefs and Detroit Lions look good, but have vulnerabilities, while the Indianapolis Colts are the only team with at least six wins.

Over the next month the picture should become clearer, but for now there is plenty of jockeying for position at the very top of the sport.

Week 8 is the one that has the most teams on a Bye at the same time with six settling down and looking to come out with momentum.

If someone was being brutally honest, they may suggest it is a pretty weak schedule over the coming days in terms of match ups that may draw interest.

The biggest game is clearly Aaron Rodgers facing the Green Bay Packers for the first time in his career and that is set for Sunday Night Football, but overall it does look like one that we can look forward to moving through and then having better games in the weeks and months ahead.

You can never dismiss a winning week, but it was not a huge success and so the overall season numbers remain disappointing.

Hopefully the Week 7 selections give us something to build upon going into the Week 8 action.

As said last week, players at Bet365, Bodog and Bovada can sign up with the links attached and the Picks will be placed in this thread over the coming days, beginning with another Thursday Night Football selection.

Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles Chargers Pick: At the start of the 2025 season, both the Los Angeles Chargers (4-3) and Minnesota Vikings (3-3) would have had to carry big expectations.

Through three weeks of the season, the Chargers looked like they were handling their business with wins over each of the AFC West Divisional rivals, but three losses in four games has seen them slip behind the Denver Broncos in the standings. Injuries have really been an issue for the Chargers, but they need to find a way to recover and bounce back on Thursday Night Football.

There have been injury problems for the Minnesota Vikings to overcome, most notably to Quarter Back JJ McCarthy who was promoted as the team let both Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones walk. The fact those two players are a combined 10-3 with their new teams will not have been lost on the Minnesota fans, while inconsistency means they have yet to win or lose two games in a row.

Both teams will be expecting to have their successes in this one.

A short week is never ideal with the injuries that the teams have and both sides have already noted that some of the players could have been available if this game was being played on a Sunday rather than a Thursday. It does mean some important names will be ready to go in Week 9 and beyond, but also makes it more challenging to build some positive momentum.

Justin Herbert is doing all he can for the Los Angeles Chargers and had a monster game against the Indianapolis Colts, albeit in a losing effort. His Offensive Line has been really banged up, which is always going to put additional strain on a Quarter Back, while the test is going to be trying to establish the run against this Minnesota Defensive Line that has been playing well in recent games.

If the Chargers are having to operate from third and long spots, the Minnesota pass rush is likely going to be swarming around Justin Herbert. He may still make some positive plays against this Vikings Secondary, especially with the Receivers stepping up, but Justin Herbert may find it tough to move the ball with consistency. Throwing out of pressurised spots also leads to mistakes being made and this Minnesota Defensive unit have to believe they can at least stall some drives and give their own team a chance.

The problem for Carson Wentz and the Vikings is that they have been lacking on the Line of Scrimmage when they have the ball- as good as Minnesota have been playing the run, they have not been able to get things going with consistency when trying to pound the rock.

After recent performances put forward by the Los Angeles Defensive Line, this may be a game in which Minnesota can have more success when they give the ball to Jordan Mason. There is a chance that the Vikings could have Aaron Jones back this week, which would be a huge boost, but the likelihood is that he is given the extra time to recover with this being a short week so it will be up to Jordan Mason to put the team in a positive position.

If the Vikings Offensive Line can exploit the running game as others have against the Chargers, it will make the life of Carson Wentz so much easier.

He did have two Interceptions against the Philadelphia Eagles in the Week 7 loss, but Carson Wentz found some chemistry with the likes of Jordan Addison and Justin Jefferson with the pair combining for over 200 Receiving yards. Being in front of the chains should see both Addison and Jefferson have success in finding windows in this Los Angeles Secondary and it could see the Vikings having a bit more consistent success compared with the home team.

Minnesota have allowed too many Sacks in recent games, but this is a Chargers team that have not really been able to find the pressure they would have wanted up front. It could also be a day when Carson Wentz does not have to hold the ball for too long if the Vikings are playing in front of the down and distance and the biggest threat is that the veteran Quarter Back turns the ball over.

He has 4 Interceptions already and with only 5 Touchdown passes so it is a real concern for the road team.

However, this feels like a good chance for the Vikings to bounce back and they are getting more than a Field Goal worth of points, which feels like a lot.

None of the last five games played by the Los Angeles Chargers have been won by this team by more than 3 points, while they fallen to 1-4-1 against the spread when set as the favourite this season.

This is so different to last season, while the Vikings are 8-1 against the spread on Thursday when playing after losing the previous game.

A big game is coming up against the Detroit Lions, but the Minnesota Vikings will have a mini-Bye before that and so can focus on this one. They can avoid a big defeat and this could easily be a game that comes down to a 3 point win either way, which makes the points being received by the road team feel crucial to the final outcome.

Miami Dolphins @ Atlanta Falcons Pick: They are still searching for some consistency to really feel like they can compete in the NFC South, but the Atlanta Falcons (3-3) are in touch with the two teams that hold a winning record.

This week they are going to have to play with a backup Quarter Back, but Kirk Cousins is hugely experienced and there has been a feeling that he underperformed last season by fighting through injury. He is expected to suit up instead of Michael Penix Jr, who has been struggling with an injury since the defeat to the San Francisco 49ers, but Atlanta have to be feeling pretty comfortable with Cousins behind Center.

It is unlikely to be a game in which Kirk Cousins is going to be asked to do too much if the Miami Dolphins (1-6) continue to play as poorly as they have been.

Mike McDaniel has stated that he still has faith in Tua Tagovailoa at Quarter Back, but it does feel like the future for both is very clouded. It would take something special for the Head Coach to keep his job, while the Dolphins could be picking high up enough in the next NFL Draft to bring in a new face to try and become the franchise Quarter Back instead of Tagovailoa.

The Offensive unit has struggled, but the Miami Dolphins have had massive problems Defensively and they are likely going to see a huge dose of Bijan Robinson.

The Running Back is going to be able to pound the rock with plenty of success against a Miami team that have been trampled in recent games, while Bijan Robinson has shown he can leak out of the backfield and become a big threat as a Receiver. It would be a huge failure for the Atlanta Falcons to put this game on Robinson's back and they should be able to keep Kirk Cousins in a positive position throughout the game.

Miami's Secondary numbers do not look so bad, but that is also because teams have not needed to move away from the run- in this one, Kirk Cousins can make plays against this opponent when he is needed and the Falcons should be able to move the chains consistently.

The pressure will be on the Dolphins to try and keep up- they can also run the ball with some success through De'Von Achane, but the absence of Tyreek Hill and Darren Waller could see the Falcons creep closer to the Line of Scrimmage. They will still have to respect the ability of Achane as a pass-catching Running Back, but the Dolphins look like a team that have completely lost their way and this could be another disappointing effort from them.

A problem has been the pass protection and the Dolphins could see Tua Tagovailoa rattled into a mistake or two that pushes this game firmly in favour of the NFC South team.

Buffalo Bills @ Carolina Panthers Pick: There are a couple of battles between teams from the AFC East and NFC South in Week 8 of the NFL season and this is one that features two teams with winning records.

Not many would have predicted the Carolina Panthers (4-3) to be above 0.500 after seven games, but three wins in a row means they are only a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South.

They are hosting the Buffalo Bills (4-2) who have lost two in a row and allowed the New England Patriots to move past them in the AFC East. The Bills were on a Bye in Week 7, which is a good chance to get players back to full health and to iron out any issues they were having in those defeats.

Getting things going on the ground would really help, but the Bills are facing the Carolina Defensive Line who have really been in good form during this winning run. Suffice to say that it should be noted that they have not exactly played the best teams in the NFL in that run of victories, but there will still be a confidence about this Defensive Line as they look to keep the Buffalo Bills behind the chains.

Josh Allen is an elite Quarter Back, but he has not always been given a lot of time in the pocket and that has hindered the passing game.

The Bills should still be able to have success in this one, but this Panthers Defensive unit have been playing at a good level and that should give the home team an opportunity to keep this one competitive.

Injuries have been a big thing in the NFL this season and in high-profile positions and the Carolina Panthers are going to have to give the ball to backup Quarter Back Andy Dalton in place of Bryce Young.

It will mean having an extra lean on the running game, which has been imposing itself on recent opponents and the Panthers Offensive Line should get Rico Dowdle going. There have been injury problems in Defensive areas for the Buffalo Bills, but the team headed into the Bye Week having given up considerable yards on the ground and the Defensive Line may struggle to stop the Panthers consistently.

Andy Dalton's experience is important, although the Panthers have perhaps not been able to find any consistency in the passing game due to some of the inexperienced Receivers on the roster. However, playing from third and manageable should be a big edge for the veteran to exploit and the Carolina Panthers can make use of the points being given to them.

Having just come out of the Bye Week should mean the Bills are focused, even with the Kansas City Chiefs on deck, and especially after losing a couple of games in succession.

They should win on the road, but Carolina are playing with some confidence that could keep them in this game.

MY PICKS: Minnesota Vikings + 3.5 Points @ 1.85 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Atlanta Falcons - 7 Points @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit)
Carolina Panthers + 7 Points @ 1.87 Bet365 (1 Unit)

New England Patriots - 6.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Houston Texans - 2.5 Points @ 1.95 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers - 3.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Green Bay Packers - 2.5 Points @ 1.80 Bet Victor (1 Unit)

Week 7: 3-2, + 0.69 Units (5 Units Staked, + 13.80% Yield)

Week 6: 3-4, - 1.09 Units (7 Units Staked, - 15.57% Yield)

Week 5: 3-3, - 0.33 Units (6 Units Staked, - 5.50% Yield)

Week 4: 2-3, - 1.14 Units (5 Units Staked, - 22.80% Yield)

Week 3: 5-3, + 1.56 Units (8 Units Staked, + 19.50% Yield)

Week 2: 3-2, + 0.67 Units (5 Units Staked, + 13.40% Yield)

Week 1: 0-2, - 2 Units (2 Units Staked, - 100% Yield)

2025 Season: 19-19, - 1.64 Units (38 Units Staked, - 4.32% Yield)