The 2025 College Football season rolls on with a full Saturday slate of Week 9 games. Welcome to our CFB Best Bets as we break down CFB picks for this week’s action. Let’s focus on two matchups for our top CFB predictions. Plus, check out more college football bets below.  

Saturday’s Week 9 college football slate lasts all day and all night. That means we have plenty of ways to go for our CFB picks. Note that all bets below are for one unit unless otherwise noted. Without further ado, let’s dive into our CFB Best Bets. 

CFB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets: Week 8 Saturday, 10/25

Let’s kick off Saturday’s Week 9 CFB Best Bets with a Big 12 matchup between No. 11 BYU and Iowa State. Plus, North Carolina hosts No. 16 Virginia in an ACC showdown. Be sure to check out more CFB picks below for other notable Week 9 games, including Ole Miss vs. Oklahoma and Texas A&M vs. LSU. That includes some intriguing college football player props. Good luck!  

 

 


 

BYU vs. Iowa State Prediction: Saturday, October 25th

It seems like we’re getting one of these situations every week in the Big 12. An unranked team is favored at home against a Top 25 squad. The sportsbooks are telling us something with the spread, and they’re usually right. That’s the case here with Iowa State as a 2.5-point home favorite against No. 11 BYU. 

Iowa State was actually on the opposite side of this instance earlier this month. The undefeated No. 14 Cyclones were underdogs on the road at Cincinnati, and ultimately suffered a 38-30 defeat. Now they have the opportunity to return the favor against a conference opponent. 

BYU may have a perfect 7-0 record this season, but it’s also been on the right side of multiple coin-flip games. Of course, there’s something to be said about a team that continues to find ways to win. Yet, some negative regression is likely bound to catch up to a BYU squad that could just as easily have multiple losses at this point. 

The Cougars eked out a 24-21 road win at Colorado in Week 5. They also survived in double overtime on the road at Arizona in Week 7, in a game they probably should’ve lost. Then last weekend, BYU earned a hard-fought 24-21 victory in the Holy War over rival Utah. 

That recent result, specifically, puts BYU in let-down potential ahead of this week’s matchup. It’s a tough spot for BYU, which is playing on the road for the fourth time in 6 games without a bye to break things up. Plus, the Cougs are coming off an emotional home win over an in-state rival and now have to regroup to play a tough Iowa State team on the road. 

As for the Cyclones, they have the notable rest and prep advantage after being off last week. The bye also came at an ideal time after ISU lost two straight road games beforehand. It’s worth noting that both losses were one-score results that came in tough road environments (at Cincinnati and at Colorado). 

Now Iowa State has a chance for a signature home win to get back into the Big 12 title race. ISU is 12-4 at home over the past three seasons combined, including 7-3 in conference play. Meanwhile, BYU is 3-5 ATS as a road underdog vs. Big 12 teams since joining the league three years ago. 

To be frank, most of the stats and matchups on paper favor BYU. Yet, Iowa State’s defense can be a difference-maker in this game. The Cyclones rank 27th in the country in points allowed per game (19.0 PPG), and they can hold BYU’s offense in check here. The extra week to get healthier on defense and prepare for freshman QB Bear Bachmeier’s dual-threat ability will be huge as well. 

On the other side, Iowa State QB Rocco Becht can make enough plays in the passing game, while a solid rushing attack balances the offense out. BYU’s defense has been shaky lately, giving up 470 total yards to Utah last week and 383 yards to Arizona the game prior. 

 

 


 

Virginia vs. North Carolina Prediction: Saturday, October 25th

When betting on college football, selling high and buying low can be a profitable strategy. Let’s do that here as North Carolina hosts Virginia on Saturday afternoon. There’s some value on the Tar Heels at home to cover the double-digit spread. 

Virginia is now ranked 16th in the latest AP Poll with a 6-1 record on the season. This is the Cavaliers’ highest ranking since the 2007 season. It’s also their first time spending multiple weeks in the Top 25 since 2019. There’s no denying UVA’s impressive start, or the fact that it could end up representing the ACC in the College Football Playoff. 

However, we do have reasons to fade a team that’s likely overvalued right now. In particular, the Cavaliers have pulled out three straight wins in coin-flip games that easily could’ve gone the other way. Let’s take a closer look at those results. 

In Week 5, UVA pulled off a double-overtime upset of Florida State, which was the AP’s No. 8 team at the time. That ranking means nothing now, though, as the Seminoles are 0-4 in ACC play. Plus, the Cavs had just a 35% post-game win expectancy as FSU out-gained them in total offensive yards.

In Week 6, Virginia again survived in overtime over Louisville. It’s an impressive victory, but the Cavaliers were lucky to win. They were out-gained by 146 total yards and finished the contest with a 10% post-game win expectancy. UVA’s win was more due to Louisville’s miscues, crucial turnovers, and missed opportunities. 

Then came last week’s dramatic 22-20 win over Washington State. Despite being a 15.5-point home favorite, Virginia needed a big comeback to barely edge out a sub-.500 team. The Cavaliers trailed by 10 points entering the fourth quarter and then eventually won the game on a safety. They were also out-gained by WSU in the game, with a 45% post-game win expectancy as well. 

Any one of those three wins could’ve been losses, yet Virginia has overcome subpar performances. Maybe the luck runs out on the road in North Carolina this week? Let’s at least count on the Tar Heels keeping things close as we buy-low on Bill Belichick’s squad. 

The public perception and betting markets are understandably low on UNC right now. After losing to California last Friday, the Heels have now lost three in a row. That includes a pair of blowouts to UCF and Clemson. So, why are we backing them? 

Well, North Carolina showed some encouraging signs coming out of the bye last week. In a tough road trip across the country, the Heels covered as underdogs. They even had a chance to win late, but a fumble into the end zone for a touchback dashed those hopes. The Heels’ defense held Cal under 300 total yards, while forcing two sacks and multiple tackles for loss. Plus, QB Gio Lopez returned from injury and gave some life to a struggling offense. 

There are many things to dislike about Belichick’s team this year, but the run defense is at least a bright spot that can make a difference this week. The Tar Heels rank 36th in the FBS in rushing yards allowed per game, 24th in EPA/Rush allowed, and 34th in defensive success rate vs. the run. That’s a big factor in this matchup as Virginia leans heavily on the run. 

If the Cavs can’t get much going on the ground, it’ll put more pressure on QB Chandler Morris. The senior has had some good games at times this year, but he’s also been inconsistent as a passer. Plus, UVA’s pass protection is shaky and could struggle on the road here. 

Meanwhile, UNC can lean on its own rushing attack to control the game. Virginia’s defense ranks 108th nationally in EPA/Rush allowed and 87th in success rate against the run. UVA has also given up 12 rush TDs over seven games. The Tar Heels’ backfield, meanwhile, is trending up. Benjamin Hall stepped into a larger role last week and produced 68 yards and a TD on 14 carries. Plus, freshman Demon June looms as a big-play threat. 

 

 


 

Best CFB Prop Bets & Other Picks: Saturday, 10/25

 

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