Best NCAAF Week 9 Picks & Bets: The Sunflower Showdown Highlights the Slate

• Missouri takes on Alabama to highlight Week 9 in the SEC

• Kansas State looks to win 16 straight games against Kansas 

The Sunflower Showdown highlights Week 9 in college football when Kansas faces Kansas State. This game has all the makings of a closely contested showdown. 

The Wildcats have dominated in this series, but the Jayhawks have the roster to finally compete. 

In the SEC, Missouri travels to Alabama after a comeback win over Auburn one week ago. The Crimson Tide have not looked their best in 2024, but we believe they will respond with a vengeance against an average Missouri team. 

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Missouri vs. Alabama on bet365

• Date: Saturday, October 26th

• Time: 3:30 PM EST

• Moneyline: Missouri (+390) | Alabama (-520)

• Spread: Missouri +13.5 (-108) | Alabama -13.5 (-112)

• Total: Over 56 (-110) | Under 56 (-110)

Pick: Alabama -13.5 (-112)

An SEC matchup between Missouri and Alabama highlights Saturday's college football slate. The Tigers are 6-1 entering this game, while the Crimson Tide are 5-2. 

Alabama returns home to Tuscaloosa, where they are almost unbeatable, and we think they will take care of business. 

Missouri is coming off a close win over Auburn a week ago, in which quarterback Brady Cook came back from the hospital after an injury and led the Tigers to a comeback. Missouri has an excellent record, but they have not looked like a top-25 team all season. 

Tennessee defeated Alabama in Week 7 and is looking to bounce back at home. It is safe to say that Alabama has had some struggles in the Kalen DeBoer era, and this is a must-win game. We expect Alabama’s defense to shut down Cook and the Mizzou offense, resulting in a cover. 

Missouri has one of the best receivers in football, Luther Burden, but they have not been able to get him the ball this season. Now, they face a Crimson Tide defense that will be sending pressure and trying to get after Cook. 

We expect Alabama to dominate Mizzou and win this game by 20+ points, so looking at an alternate line could be wise. If the Crimson Tide want to turn their season around for a chance at the playoffs, they must make a statement in this matchup.

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Kansas vs. Kansas State Odds on bet365

• Date: Saturday, October 26th

• Time: 8:00 PM EST

• Moneyline: Kansas (+285) | Kansas State (-360)

• Spread: Kansas +10 (-108) | Kansas State -10 (-112)

• Total: Over 55 (-115) | Under 55 (-105)

Pick: Kansas +10 (-108)

The Sunflower Showdown in the Big 12 is always an electric atmosphere. This game has been pretty one-sided in years past, with Kansas State winning the last 15 matchups against the Jayhawks. 

This trend might continue this year, but Kansas is much better this season than in years past, and they should keep this matchup close. 

Kansas State comes into this matchup at 6-1 and undefeated at home in 2024. The Jayhawks have struggled this season after winning nine games a year ago, but their roster is deep. 

These programs have circled this game on the schedule all year, and it should live up to expectations. 

Kansas State has an incredible roster led by quarterback Avery Johnson, who is one of the most versatile players in his position. He excels outside of the pocket, where he can make throws on the run and also pick up yards on his feet. 

The Wildcats also have one of the best running backs in the country, DJ Giddens, and we expect him to get a ton of volume in this matchup. 

Kansas is at its best running the football with Devin Neal and Daniel Hishaw, but we think they will challenge the Wildcats secondary this week. 

Quarterback Jalon Daniels is a great passer and he has three senior receivers who are terrific route runners. When Daniels is taking care of the football, Kansas has a very explosive offense, and we think he will have a great game. 

We are backing Kansas in this spot, getting ten points on the road because we think the number is way too high. Look for the Jayhawks to make this rivalry game interesting, as we think it will come down to the last drive. 

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