Ohio State, LSU and Notre Dame Face Big Tests As The CFB Window Narrows

The last weekend of October is upon us and with that we get three huge games between ranked opponents, all with College Football Playoff (CFP) implications attached. #9 Auburn rolls into Death Valley to face #2 LSU in a monster SEC matchup, #3 and undefeated Ohio State takes on #13 Wisconsin in Columbus, and #9 Notre Dame heads into the Big House to face #19 Michigan.

Let’s take a closer look at the three matchups.

#13 Wisconsin Badgers (+440) @ #3 Ohio State Buckeyes (-715), over/under 50 (-114)

Last week Wisconsin, obviously looking ahead to this matchup, inexplicably lost to the awful Illinois Fighting Illini. It was a huge upset that did everything but officially knock Wisconsin out of any chances they had to be in the CFP. The Badgers were absolutely rolling along this season, their defense was lights out and their offense, led by running back Jonathan Taylor, was putting up big numbers. Then last week happened, and though not completely out of it, they have nor room for error; essentially have to win out, including the Big Ten Championship, to have a shot. Ohio State on the other hand is dominating any and everyone in their path. They’re undefeated and want to keep it that way, and this is easily their biggest game to date as Wisconsin is the highest-ranked opponent they have played so far. Ohio State too has no room for error as they need to keep pace with undefeated Penn State in the Big Ten - East division. We expect Wisconsin to come into this game pretty angry about what happened last week. They also know that they aren’t done and beating Ohio State would put their season right back on course. The value play here is in the point spread, so ​Wisconsin +14 (-114) ​is the play.

#9 Auburn Tigers (+300) @ #2 LSU Tigers (-435), over/under 59 (-114)

This is the game of the day in what has pretty much become the “SEC Knockout Tournament” this season. Almost every week, the SEC has a huge game where the loser is all but knocked out of the CFP. This will be another huge test for Auburn freshman quarterback Bo Nix as he has to go on the road yet again to face a top-10 team in the conference. The last time, two weeks ago vs. Florida, didn’t end so well for him and the rest of the Tigers. Winning this game would do wonders for their chances of getting back into the CFP picture. LSU on the other hand is having their best season in years and don’t want to lose this game one week before their monster clash vs. Alabama. If it were any other opponent, one would be worried about them looking ahead (like the aforementioned Wisconsin), but playing a team as good as Auburn is the best thing that could’ve happened to LSU. There will be no looking ahead. Quarterback Joe Burrow, arguably the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, is having a season for the ages and it will be hard for the Auburn secondary to keep up with LSU’s elite corps of wide receivers. LSU with that home crowd behind them will run away with this one. ​LSU -10.5 (-114) ​is the play here. There’s also plenty of value in ​Home Team -10.5 and under 59.5 Total Points (+275).

#8 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (-114) @ #19 Michigan Wolverines (-113), over/under 51 (-114)

Notre Dame comes into this game at 5-1 after a tough 30-27 win at home over the USC Trojans last week. They’re on the outside looking in for the CFP, but still on that bubble--they have zero room for error the rest of the way, and more than likely need a little help from other teams losing ahead of them. This is most likely their last game vs. a ranked opponent this season, so they know they have to win, and probably impressively. What more can be said about Michigan that already hasn’t been said? This was supposed to be the year they win the Big Ten and get into the CFP. Well, none of that is going to happen. They’re essentially playing for pride now and some bowl game in late December that nobody cares about. Last week they got down 21-0 to Penn State and it looked like the rout was on until Michigan actually showed some heart and made a game of it, eventually losing 28-21. Now they have blood rival Notre Dame coming in are looking to exact revenge on Notre Dame after last year’s defeat--they would love nothing more to fully slam the door on the Irish’s CFP hopes this season. This game is going to be a tight affair, but Notre Dame is the better team and they showed their road mettle when they went into Georgia and played them tough earlier this season. The value play here is ​Notre Dame moneyline (-114). ​There’s also value in ​under 51 Total Points (-114). ​Parlaying both of those is recommended.

Those are the marquee matchups of week 9 in the NCAA. Enjoy watching them, and good luck!

*Credit to the main photo of this article belongs to Charles Rex Arbogast/Associated Press