Expert CFB Locks, Predictions for Florida vs. Georgia and Week 9's Biggest Games

When the sport goes sideways, we do well.

It's not a perfect science, but it's close enough. For further proof, look at how our picks against the spread have fared over the last few weeks, as chaos has ruled college football.

Over the past two weeks, we're 13-5-1 against the spread. After stumbling out of the gate to begin the year, we finally have a rhythm. As we head into Halloween and the home stretch of the regular season, we will do everything possible to ensure this rhythm is maintained.

On paper, Week 9 might feel light on meaningful games. But let's remember that these are often the weeks that produce the weirdest results.

The last time we saw Georgia, the Bulldogs inexplicably lost outright to Auburn at home as a near three-touchdown favorite. That same Auburn team took on LSU last week and was promptly obliterated.

If you're after consistency in this game, Florida doesn't exactly check that box, either. In fact, one could argue that no team has been more inconsistent than the Gators.

Florida has wins over Ole Miss and Texas. Jon Sumrall's group was also obliterated by Missouri and South Carolina in consecutive weeks.

In terms of venue, this game will be played in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with stadium upgrades taking place, moving it from Jacksonville to Georgia. While both fan bases should be well represented, this is a fascinating change for a game that has been played in one location for more than two decades.

Florida could play two quarterbacks in this game, with Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones Jr. both getting reps—and key wins—this season. The biggest plus for the Gators might be offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, who has history against Georgia and did well while calling plays against the Bulldogs for Georgia Tech.

The opinions here have gone back and forth. In the end, it just feels like a few too many points.

How does a football game end up with a total in the mid-30s?

Well, if you've watched Iowa's and Wisconsin's offenses lately, that's how.

To be clear, the Badgers have life. A suffocating 24-7 win over USC lifted Wisconsin to 5-2. The two losses came to Notre Dame and UCLA—two capable teams currently in the College Football Playoff mix.

As for offense, these two teams haven't exactly dazzled opposing defenses. Wisconsin totaled just 200 yards of offense in its win on Saturday. A week before, it mustered just 214 yards of offense.

For Iowa, last week's loss was particularly ugly, even by Iowa standards. The Hawkeyes' quarterbacks threw three interceptions against Minnesota and turned the ball over four times, which is rare for a team coached by Kirk Ferentz.

The good news? Iowa gets to play this game at home. The fact that the oddsmakers like the Hawkeyes this week means something. So do we.

Yes, Maryland has lost five consecutive games. The program moved on from Mike Locksley a few weeks ago. Despite the ugly season and massive staff changes, the Terps are just a slight underdog to a team coming off a sizable victory.

Interim head coach Aazaar Abdul-Rahim will get his first real taste of his new job, which certainly comes with uncertainty. Still, the team has quarterback Malik Washington, who is a wealth of talent.

And as for those five losses, well, context is needed there, too.

The loss to Rutgers was inexcusable, though losses to Nebraska, Ohio State, UCLA and Virginia Tech provide proper context.

Illinois, meanwhile, just ended Oregon's season. They did so despite throwing for fewer than 90 passing yards. The Illini have had an up-and-down season. Starting quarterback Katin Houser is currently out with an injury.

While the team has won without him, the offense hasn't exactly looked the same. True freshman Michael Clayton II will get his first start. It'll be fascinating to see how he performs.

As for Maryland, this feels like an opportunity to produce a memorable win during a lost season. Don't be shocked if the small underdog wins outright.

Latest College Football Odds and Picks Factoring in New Weather Forecasts for Week 9 Schedule

Sometimes, timing is everything. In the instance of this particular matchup, we must begin with a game that will be played soon.

In Week 10, Miami travels to South Bend to take on Notre Dame in one of the most anticipated football games of the year. To say it will have massive implications for the College Football Playoff would be an understatement.

With that in mind, what a lookahead spot this could be for the Hurricanes.

Miami has handled its two biggest road trips to date, beating a solid Wake Forest squad and then crushing Clemson. As for last week, the Hurricanes absolutely clobbered Pitt, thanks in part to 16—not a typo—Malachi Toney catches.

As for North Carolina, last week started well, but then they faltered. The Tar Heels blew an early lead and ended up losing in overtime to Syracuse. As a result, Miami will likely garner plenty of public love this week.

It makes sense, although North Carolina has played significantly better football this season, even if the results have sometimes been mixed. With Miami likely eyeing a massive road trip soon enough, don't be shocked if UNC makes this one closer than expected.

Speaking of timing, BYU showed the challenges of playing a football game the week after a big win by losing outright to Central Florida. We were all over this with our picks, of course, although the result doesn't mean the Cougars are a bad team.

In fact, given how absolutely batty the rest of that game was, BYU battled. It wasn't to be, as the Cougars' unbeaten season is no more. A week later, we expect a much different effort this time around.

Arizona State is coming off a double-digit win over Kansas State. Granted, K-State was playing with its backup quarterback, but it pushed the Sun Devils' record to 4-3.

A road trip to BYU, however, could be a different story. In two away games this year, ASU has been outscored 101-45. Needless to say, they lost both games.

For BYU, we've seen what it can do at home. The Cougars were able to topple mighty Notre Dame on this same field. Earlier in the year, BYU also handed Arizona, which is suddenly surging, its only loss.

We're not worried about next weekend's enormous game against Utah. BYU needs to get right.

While this is a lot of points to lay, they're worth laying. Expect BYU to rebound and win this game by at least three scores.

One team just fired its head coach. The other just beat the nation's No. 2-ranked team in thrilling fashion. While UCF benefited from a football hangover last week, this time it will be on the other end of one. Baylor outright.

What a treat we have in store. The nation's No. 137-ranked scoring offense (Utah State) is going up against the No. 138-ranked scoring defense (Colorado State). As for the winner of this historic tussle, we'll take Utah State by double digits.

It hasn't been pretty for ODU, with six losses over the past seven games. Despite the ugly mark, Old Dominion is just a small home underdog against a Marshall team currently over .500. We'll take the home dog.

Although SMU is 6-1, the Mustangs haven't exactly played the most dazzling schedule in the country. A sneaky road trip, along with an early kickoff, smells like a potential letdown spot.

Yes, Georgia Southern is under .500. The schedule has been challenging, and this team hasn't played as well in doses as it could. It's still fascinating to see this group favored over a team that just took down unbeaten JMU one week ago.