Crawford Trails Hummer as Week 9 Picks Begin
Only three undefeated teams remain in the Power Four with the first CFP rankings arriving next week.
By Alina Ndlovu ·
Brad Crawford sits at 47-24 straight up and 35-35-1 against the spread this season, trailing colleague Chris Hummer's 51-20 record and 38-32-1 mark against the spread. Hummer pulled ahead after Week 8 results.
Only three unbeaten teams remain across the Power Four as the season moves toward its final month. The first College Football Playoff rankings arrive in under a week. Two Week 9 games pit ranked teams against ranked teams: No. 17 Florida versus No. 3 Georgia in Atlanta, and No. 22 Arizona at No. 13 Texas Tech in Lubbock.
Georgia enters that matchup as a 10.5-point favorite. Crawford projects Georgia 30, Florida 14, writing that Gunner Stockton recovers from his last outing and the Bulldogs contain the run. Hummer has Georgia 34, Florida 27, noting Florida ranks 121st nationally in passing yards per game while Georgia fields a top-30 passing offense. Florida coach Jon Sumrall had not named a starting quarterback as of Tuesday.
At Texas Tech, both analysts pick the Red Raiders to cover a 5.5-point spread. Hummer projects Texas Tech 27, Arizona 20, pointing to the Red Raiders' front seven against an Arizona run game that BYU bottled up. Crawford goes Texas Tech 31, Arizona 24, writing that another loss would end Texas Tech's path to the CFP or a return trip to the Big 12 title game as defending league champions.
Iowa draws a 3.5-point favorite designation against No. 25 Wisconsin. Hummer projects Iowa 20, Wisconsin 17 while picking Wisconsin to cover, writing that turnovers have hurt Iowa in losses this season. Crawford takes Wisconsin 23, Iowa 20 as his upset special, arguing oddsmakers are giving Iowa too much credit at home.
No. 12 Ole Miss is a 12.5-point favorite over Auburn. Hummer projects Ole Miss 34, Auburn 24, with Auburn covering. Crawford projects Ole Miss 38, Auburn 27, writing that Auburn struggled against LSU's Sam Leavitt and will face a similar test against Trinidad Chambliss. No. 4 Indiana is a 20.5-point favorite over Minnesota; both analysts pick Indiana to win with Minnesota covering. Hummer projects Indiana 27, Minnesota 10, and Crawford projects Indiana 31, Minnesota 17.
Northwestern at No. 20 Oregon produced agreement. Both analysts pick Northwestern to win outright as 3.5-point underdogs. Hummer projects Northwestern 21, Oregon 20, noting Oregon ranks 110th nationally in pressure created on passing downs. Crawford projects Northwestern 24, Oregon 20, questioning whether Dan Lanning has lost the team after last week's loss at Illinois. Oregon named a new play-caller this week.
Clemson at Florida State carries a 6.5-point line on the Seminoles. Hummer projects Florida State 27, Clemson 21 with Clemson covering, writing that Clemson's secondary faces an explosive group of Florida State receivers. Crawford projects Florida State 24, Clemson 17 and takes the Seminoles to cover. No. 1 Miami is a 15.5-point favorite at North Carolina; Hummer picks Miami to cover, noting Miami has scored at least 33 points in every game this season. Utah is a 6.5-point favorite at Cincinnati; Hummer projects Utah 24, Cincinnati 20 with Cincinnati covering, while Crawford projects Utah 34, Cincinnati 24.
The first CFP rankings debut next week.
Source: CBS Sports
