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It has been a great day of college football action. Now, we're onto the final stretch.
Our college football staff came through with four best bets for Saturday night's slate, stretching from two big Power 4 games at 7:30 p.m. ET all the way to Pac-12 After Dark at 11 p.m. ET.
So, read below for four college football predictions and picks for the night games on Saturday, October 31.
Be sure to download the Action Network app for more expert picks and analysis!
College Football Predictions for Saturday Night
The team logos in the table below represent each of the matchups that our college football betting staff is targeting from Saturday night's slate of games. Click on the team logos for any of the matchups below to navigate to a specific bet discussed in this article.
| Game | Time (ET) | Pick |
|---|---|---|
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 7:30 p.m. | |
  | 11 p.m. | |
Specific betting recommendations come from the sportsbook offering preferred odds as of writing. Always shop for the best price using our NCAAF Odds page, which automatically surfaces the best lines for every game. | ||
Ohio State vs. USC Pick
Action Network's Betting Power Ratings would have Ohio State favored by 12.5 if Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin were active. The market has indicated a 6-point drop in the absence of the former Heisman hopeful.
The uncertainty around the offense exists not only in production but also in which quarterback will be under center between Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair.
However, there's an expectation that an increase in pass receptions could come with the receiving crew, given that the short passing game remains in scope.
If there's a target for the Buckeyes who has seen an increase in targets over the past two games, plays in the slot and has been a part of the screen and play-action calls, it's Brandon Inniss.
The expected short passing game should favor the senior who has lined up in the slot on 83% of snaps for Ohio State.
On the other side of the ball, USC quarterback Jayden Maiava may get a reprieve from pressures and sacks. The Buckeyes have a mid-FBS rank in producing a pass rush, generating just two sacks against Indiana.
Maiava has been fantastic in a clean pocket with 19 touchdowns and a turnover-worthy play rate under 1%.
The Trojans rank 18th in Havoc allowed, so Ohio State's tackles for loss and pressures should be limited under the Buckeyes' average for the season.
USC also owns a big advantage on third downs against the Buckeyes, so scoring opportunities will be available for the Trojans.
Check out Wilson's full Week 9 betting card below:
Pick: USC Team Total Over 21.5 · Brandon Inniss Over 2.5 Receptions
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Miami vs. North Carolina Pick
By Stuckey
Can Miami avoid looking ahead to next week's showdown with Notre Dame? I wouldn't be shocked if we see the Hurricanes make a few sloppy mistakes this weekend in Chapel Hill.
If so, UNC can potentially threaten to pull off a major upset. This Heels team has been much feistier than many had anticipated prior to the season.
They've also played one of the nation's most difficult schedules and one that has been far tougher than the slate Miami has faced to date. Per Sagarin, UNC's strength of schedule ranks 18th, while Miami sits at 62nd.
The Hurricanes also have major issues in coverage in part due to injuries in the secondary. They somehow let Tait Reynolds throw for 300 yards and made Ashton Daniels look like prime Tom Brady in a controversial overtime win over Florida State.
Wake Forest also moved the ball up and down the field earlier this season but just continuously shot itself in the foot with failed fourth-down attempts and penalties.
The Miami run defense has been tremendous, but that strength is neutered a bit in this matchup since the Heels can't really run the ball anyway.
I have faith offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino can scheme up enough on offense to exploit some of Miami's issues in coverage, especially over the middle of the field, and tackling after the catch.
The Miami offense is obviously elite, led by a pair of Heisman hopefuls in quarterback Darian Mensah and wide receiver Malachi Toney.
However, if there's one coach who can at least try to contain Toney, it's Belichick, who's probably the best in the history of the sport at taking away an opponent's strong suit.
UNC also excels at limiting explosives, so it will force Miami to methodically drive the field, which is desirable when backing a two-touchdown underdog.
And maybe UNC's outstanding defensive line can force a fumble or two along the way. The Heels are certainly overdue to recover a couple in a matchup of one of the unluckiest teams in the country vs. one of the luckiest when it comes to fumbles through eight weeks.
Miami has yet to lose one while recovering every opponent fumble. Meanwhile, UNC has lost five of its six fumbles while recovering only two of its six opponent fumbles.
Don't be surprised if Miami gets caught peeking ahead to Notre Dame and UNC keeps this close by limiting Toney and exploiting some of Miami's defensive issues with some potential fumble luck along the way.
For what it's worth, Mario Cristobal is just 10-15 ATS (40%) as a favorite of more than two touchdowns. Meanwhile, Bill Belichick is 3-0 ATS vs. ranked foes, covering by nearly 10 points per game on average.
Check out all of Stuckey's Week 9 situational spots below:
Pick: UNC +14.5 (Play to +11.5)
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Georgia Tech vs. Pitt Pick
By Doug Ziefel
This line asks very little of a back with Justice Haynes’s track record.
In the six games he has played this season, he has run for 64, 81, 141, 107, 69 and 53 yards, clearing 51.5 every time. He missed the Virginia Tech game with an injury, then returned and scored last week against Boston College.
His workload has been steady at 14-22 carries a game, so even at his lowest efficiency of the year, 3.8 yards a carry, he lands right at this number.
He’s a 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior who ran for 7.1 yards a carry at Michigan last season, and Georgia Tech’s offense gives him every opportunity to get touches.
The market has priced in Pitt’s run defense, and that’s the discount here. The Panthers allow just 65 yards a game on the ground, the best mark in the nation by some measures, and they have held five of their eight opponents below 100.
That's a real obstacle, but Haynes needs only about half of his season average of roughly 86 a game.
Pitt is also dealing with a quarterback change after Mason Heintschel’s season-ending injury and has lost three straight, so the Panthers’ offense has been far less explosive. A tighter, lower-scoring game keeps Georgia Tech in the run game longer.
The Yellow Jackets offense will also look for ways to establish itself early, and Haynes handled 14 carries even in a 22-point loss last week, which shows the staff’s commitment.
At -115, we're paying a modest price for a player who has gone over this number in every game he has played.
Pick: Justice Haynes Over 51.5 Rushing Yards (-115)
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Oregon State vs. Fresno State Pick
By Bet Labs
Saturday night's Oregon State vs. Fresno State college football game fits a historically profitable betting system called "Under, Late Night Games" from our Bet Labs database.
In both regular season and postseason college football, late-night games starting after 10 p.m. ET often produce lower scoring than expected.
Travel fatigue, time-zone adjustments and cooler nighttime conditions can slow offensive tempo and reduce explosive plays.
These matchups frequently feature teams from conferences accustomed to different kickoff times, further impacting rhythm.
With both mental and physical factors working against sustained high scoring, the under has historically held value in these late-window contests.
This system boasts an all-time record of 362-294-4, good for a winning percentage of 55.2% and an ROI of 6.2%.
Pick: Under 58.5
