“Picks With Nick” CFB selections ATS Week 9
Selections (for entertainment purposes only) for Oklahoma State-West Virginia, Penn State-Ohio State and USC-Arizona State included ATS
By: Nick Camino
Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
CLEVELAND – Week 9 of the college football season kicked off with four games on Thursday night, highlighted by No. 20 Stanford barely holding off Oregon State 15-14 in Corvallis and Friday evening features a trio of match ups, including Florida State visiting Chestnut Hill to battle Boston College. “Picks With Nick” is continuing making selections against the spread (for entertainment purposes only, of course) in both college and NFL football.
Following our first season, in which we nailed 54% of the games we selected against the spread (ATS), we are back at it again enjoying another winning season so far. In fact, here’s our numbers through eight weeks of college football and seven weeks of the NFL against the number for full transparency:
CFB: 21-18-2 (54%)
NFL: 19-11 (63%)
Total: 40-29-2 (58%)
Our picks are made against Las Vegas oddsmakers merely helping create football interactions on Facebook and Twitter, as well as online and on-air content for Newsradio WTAM 1100 and WTAM.com.
Similar to last football season, our goal is to win 53% of our picks against the spread. Las Vegas sports books, give us 11/10 odds or -110, so in order to break even in picking games against the spread (ATS) we must win 52.4% of the games we select. Winning 58% of picks ATS would place you among the most elite sports handicappers in the world. We’ll shoot for somewhere between 53% - 58% again this season.
We are again keeping our college and NFL selections separate, but we will update the results weekly with full transparency seeing how we stack up against the Las Vegas oddsmakers. We are coming off a winning first season in which we hit 54% ATS in college football and NFL combined in 2016.
“Picks With Nick” will also feature a radio segment weekly on Newsradio WTAM 1100 discussing our selections.
Below is our full slate of college football picks featuring five selections ATS for Week 9:
Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images
Game: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. West Virginia Mountaineers
Where: Morgantown, West Virginia – Milan Puskar Stadium
Kickoff: 12:00 pm ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Oklahoma State -7.5
Nick’s Pick: Both teams ride into this showdown at 3-1 in the Big 12 and the winner should put itself in prime position to play in the first-ever Big 12 Conference Championship Game. A weather forecast of 55-degrees and rainy should favor West Virginia, who has shown they can score with anybody, but also be a force defensively as well. The Cowboys may just find a way to win this football game, but it won’t be by more than a touchdown. Nick’s Pick is West Virginia +7.5.
Game: Penn State Nittany Lions vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Where: Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Stadium
Kickoff: 3:30 pm ET
TV: FOX
Spread: Ohio State -6.5
Nick’s Pick: This line was a bit surprising because Penn State from top to bottom may just be the better overall team. However, while the Nittany Lions were duking it out with Michigan last week, the Buckeyes were on a bye and preparing for this highly anticipated Big Ten showdown. Ohio State has last year on their mind for revenge and if they load the box forcing Trace McSorely to beat them while focusing on stopping Saquon Barkley, the Buckeyes should win in front of their hometown crowd. Nick’s Pick is Ohio State -6.5.
Game: Michigan State Spartans vs. Northwestern Wildcats
Where: Evanston, Illinois – Ryan Field
Kickoff: 3:30 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Michigan State -2.5
Nick’s Pick: This game will be closer than it really should be, but the Spartans find a way late to stay unbeaten in the Big Ten and win by either a touchdown or a field goal. Nick’s Pick is Michigan State -2.5.
Game: Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Where: College Station, Texas – Kyle Field
Kickoff: 7:15 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Mississippi State -2
Nick’s Pick: This line does not make much sense. These two teams are pretty evenly matched, but why are the Aggies getting points at home? It will be a close, highly contested SEC match up, but Texas A&M with the help of the 12th Man does just enough to get a straight-up victory in this showdown. Nick’s Pick is Texas A&M +2.
Game: USC Trojoans vs. Arizona State Sun Devils
Where: Tempe, Arizona – Sun Devil Stadium
Kickoff: 10:45 pm ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: USC -3.5
Nick’s Pick: This line is a serious overreaction to what has happened over the last few weeks. While USC was getting trounced by Notre Dame, the Sun Devils were racking up victories over Washington and Utah. Take those two games away, USC may be favored by as many as nine in this match up. Don’t overthink this game. The Trojans get back on track in the desert, led by quarterback Sam Darnold. Nick’s Pick is USC -3.5.
- Nick Camino
Record in college football ATS to date: 21-18-2 (54%)
Record in NFL ATS to date: 19-11 (63%)
Total record ATS to date: 40-29-2 (58%)
Note from Nick: All betting lines used will come from The Wynn Race & Sports Book in Las Vegas. The lines can change at any time, but we will only use lines 72 hours in advance and closer. Picks will be made based on the lines when we post.
DISCLAIMER: Newsradio WTAM 1100 and Nick Camino do not accept or place bets. This is not a gambling website. WTAM 1100 and Nick Camino do not condone illegal sports wagering. Any information shared on this page is strictly for entertainment purposes, as well as on-air and online content.