A horrific two-week run of 12-23 has dropped me to 64-68, -$970 as we enter Week 9. This week features fewer interesting games, but the money spends just the same if you pick winners. All wagers at -110 odds unless otherwise noted. Visit SB Nation odds partner Odds Shark for updated lines throughout each game week.

1. Miami at Virginia Tech Under 49: Virginia Tech plays strong defense and Miami’s defense, while it has given up some big numbers, is much improved over last year’s group. It’s doubtful that the Hokies have the firepower to exploit Miami’s defense, and it’ll be interesting to see how Miami’s offense handles the pressure packages from the Hokies. Neither offense clicking is more likely than both.

2. USF +11 at Cincinnati: The Bulls’ running game is improving bit by bit, and Cincinnati’s defense is a sieve.

3. Oregon -17 at Cal: Cal just came off an emotional loss to UCLA at home, and playing Oregon’s up-tempo offense on short rest is not a great recipe. Look for the Ducks to control this one on the ground and then get after Cal with the pass rush.

4. Texas at Kansas State Under 49: The Wildcats are coming off a crazy, perhaps undeserved win over the Sooners in Norman, and Texas does play very good defense. Normally, I’d be on Texas here in the letdown spot, but it’s tough to trust the Texas offense against the discipline of the KSU defense, so I’ll play the under.

5. Minnesota -6 at Illinois: Minnesota is overrated, but Jerry Kill is a good coach, and the Gophers should be able to run the football against the porous Illini defense.

6. Mississippi State at Kentucky +14: Mississippi State’s secondary is the weakest part of its team, and while Kentucky giving up 300 yards rushing to LSU is a concern with the powerful Bulldog rushing attack, I think the Wildcats can keep this one somewhat close.

7. Michigan +17.5 at Michigan State: Michigan State has had some struggles with very good teams (Oregon and Nebraska), and has crushed bad teams. I think Michigan is somewhere in the middle, and everyone seems to love the Spartans here just a bit too much.

8. Alabama at Tennessee Under 47: Alabama’s offense seems to be a different animal on the road, and Tennessee’s defense is much better than its own offense.

9. South Carolina at Auburn -18 (+100): This is a chance to bet a very good team against a public underdog, which is typically a very profitable scenario. I don’t believe South Carolina can handle Auburn’s dynamic duo of receivers, Sammie Coates and Duke Williams.

10. Nevada at Hawaii +3: Nevada has been red hot, covering four of the last six, but now is a time to cool down with a trip to the islands. This is a really easy spot to overlook an opponent.

11. Arizona at Washington State +3: I haven’t been on the Washington State bandwagon all year, but this is a great time for a situational play. Arizona’s pass defense is not that great, and it’s unknown if top running back Nick Wilson will play for the Wildcats. The Cougars should put up plenty of points.

12 and 13. Vanderbilt +21.5 at Missouri AND Under 47 points: Both of these offenses are much worse than their respective defenses. Look for Vanderbilt to try and make this an ugly, fourth-quarter contest.

14. Boston College at Wake Forest +13: Wake Forest plays some stingy defense, and this is a tough hangover game for the Eagles (lost to Clemson last week), who have not been great on offense.

15. Temple at UCF -7: This line keeps dropping, and I’m concerned that someone knows something is wrong with UCF, but the Knights do play very good defense. I’ll lay the touchdown against Temple.

16. North Carolina at Virginia -6.5: This is an opportunity to fade a Tar Heels team that has played horrific defense all year, yet has covered two straight. Look for Virginia to be able to pressure the Tar Heels into some mistakes with its defense.

17. Georgia Tech at Pitt -3: And this is an opportunity to bet a team in the Panthers that is coming off some extra rest, having played last Thursday, against a team that is now playing back-to-back road games in Georgia Tech.

18. Ohio State at Penn State +14.5: This is the first tough road game for the Buckeyes, and I’ll be taking the home underdog that plays very good defense and hoping that the Nittany Lions can find a way to score some points.

19. USC at Utah +1: Utah plays strong defense, and USC’s offense is not necessarily the most trustworthy on the road. Will Utah use more QB run game against the Trojans, like Boston College did?

20. Syracuse at Clemson Under 48: While there is some concern about whether Clemson’s defense will come to play after the narrow escape at Boston College, Syracuse’s offense is pretty underwhelming.

21. Oregon State at Stanford -13: At some point, Stanford’s offense needs to come together, and Oregon State’s offense has been downright terrible against the only two decent defenses it has faced (USC and Utah).

22. Florida Atlantic +28.5 at Marshall: Marshall has been a covering machine of late, but Florida Atlantic seems to be hitting its stride on offense. This is just too many points.