College Football Betting Picks for Saturday 11/18/23

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College Football Betting Picks for Saturday 11/18/23

This weekend provides four more matchups of CFP top-25 teams; get in loser, we're going shopping!

Undoubtedly, the marquee game for Week 12 is in Corvallis on Saturday night where the No. 11 Oregon State Beavers will host the No. 5 Washington Huskies. Staying in the Pac-12, the No. 22 Utah Utes will visit the No. 17 Arizona Wildcats in what should be a closely fought battle.

In the afternoon window, the two-time reigning national champion Georgia Bulldogs travel to Rocky Top where the Tennessee Volunteers await. For an evening bid, we'll have the annual Sunflower Showdown featuring the Kansas State Wildcats at Kansas Jayhawks.

Truly, a glorious Saturday awaits.

There's no time to waste; let's dive into the upcoming college football schedule with an emphasis on scoping out the most valuable lines in traditional betting markets.

All college football odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. Lines may change after this article is published.

College Football Betting Picks (11/18/23)

(#22) Utah Utes at (#17) Arizona Wildcats

Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
TV: Pac-12 Network
Spread: UTAH -1.5 (-104)
Moneyline: UTAH -110/ARIZ -110
Total: 45.5

Ironically, Utah and Arizona have largely trended in opposite directions since last season. Entering 2023, the Utes came in as two-time defending conference champions. For 'Zona, they started the current campaign having won only six contests over the past three years.

Fast-forward to now, and Utah has dropped three of their last six games -- all within Pac-12 play. Across the field, the Wildcats have built a four-game winning streak, earning their highest CFP ranking (#17) since 2015. So, come Saturday afternoon in Tucson, which side has the advantage?

Both programs here have dealt with rotating quarterback situations, but Arizona has found more success under sophomore Noah Fifita compared to Utah with Bryson Barnes at the helm. Barnes' completion clip is at 58.5% with 10 touchdowns and 7 picks. Contrarily, Fifita has been lighting it up behind 73.7% passing and a 16:4 TD-INT ratio.

Best Bet: Arizona +1.5 (-118)

This will present a matchup where U of A is clearly the better offensive side while Utah has the more impressive defense. The Utes are allowing just 17.8 PPG to opponents this season, which is a top-20 figure. Still, they will have a tough task on the road trying to slow down a 'Cats offense that scores 31.1 PPG.

All shops across America seem to have Utah laying between one and two points in this contest. 1.5 is the number at FanDuel Sportsbook, but the moneylines are priced standardly at -110 each way. With that, I'll take the points with Arizona as my safest play in this contest.

Despite Utah's recent reign over the Pac-12, I do think this is a game that Arizona has a good shot to win at home. If we can get a point and half for -118 odds, it feels wisest to take them. Remember: both of these sides are 7-3 straight up (SU) in 2023 but Arizona has the better against the spread (ATS) record at 8-2.

(#1) Georgia Bulldogs at (#18) Tennessee Volunteers

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Spread: UGA -10.5 (-115)
Moneyline: UGA -465/TENN +340
Total: 58.5

Georgia's ensuing trip to Knoxville should serve as their last test of the regular season (UGA faces the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the final week). Still, the Bulldogs have momentum of a 27-game winning streak and two straight national titles behind them. At FanDuel Sportsbook, Georgia currently holds +250 odds to three-peat.

Tennessee will do all they can to slow down the Dawgs. However, there is a world where Georgia loses at Rocky Top this weekend, but still goes on to win another natty. Of course, UGA already has a date with the Alabama Crimson Tide in the upcoming SEC Championship game. Georgia shows as an early four-point favorite versus the Tide, but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

At 7-3 SU, the Volunteers have lost twice in the last four weeks. Still, it should be noted that Tennessee is an undefeated 5-0 at home this season. Will that mean anything to the Dawgs, who are sniffing their 28th consecutive victory?

Best Bet: Georgia -10.5 (-110)

At 10.5, I can see why some might want to take the points with the Volunteers, but that just isn't me this weekend. After a couple underwhelming performances, Georgia seems to be rolling on all cylinders again. Junior signal-caller Carson Beck (84.4 QBR) has guided UGA to 40.6 PPG in 2023 while linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. cements a defense surrendering just 15.6 PPG through 10 games.

Undoubtedly, Tennessee has talented players of their own, such as dual-threat quarterback Joe Milton (21 total scores this season). However, this will be Milton's first career start versus Georgia. They will certainly present a bigger challenge than the Missouri Tigers or Connecticut Huskies -- the Volunteers' past two opponents.

With UGA superstar tight end Brock Bowers back in action after missing a month with an ankle injury, the Dawgs appear to be back at full strength. In numberFire's power rankings, Georgia (22.96) ranks 8th in FBS while Tennessee (16.22) is 19th. With that, I think the Bulldogs chew right through Rocky Top this Saturday.

(#21) Kansas State Wildcats at (#25) Kansas Jayhawks

Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: FS1
Spread: KSU -8.5 (-105)
Moneyline: KSU -330/KU +260
Total: 56.5 (-105/-115)

This weekend has the opportunity to produce one of the best Sunflower Showdowns on record. Keep in mind, these in-state rivals have been battling on the gridiron since 1902. All-time, the Jayhawks lead the series 65-50-5, yet in the modern era, Kansas State has claimed victory in every season since 2009 -- that marks 14 straight head-to-head victorious for the Wildcats.

Throughout history, this will be just the second time that KU and K-State will face off with both schools in the top-25 of rankings; 1995 was the other year. In 2023, each sits at 7-3 overall. So, does the Wildcats' dominance continue on Saturday?

Undoubtedly, much of this contest will weigh on the availability of Jayhawks quarterback Jason Bean. In last week's loss versus the Texas Tech Red Raiders, Bean exited the game with a head injury. As it is now, Bean has taken all reps in practice and anticipates being available this weekend in Lawrence.

Best Bet: Kansas +8.5 (-115)

As it seems that Bean will play Saturday in this rivalry bid, I don't mind taking the points with the Jayhawks at +8.5. Simply, KU will cover as long as they do not lose by multiple scores versus K-State. I can't say that I expect Kansas to win outright, but they are at home. Additionally, having lost 14 straight games to K-State, this is the Jayhawks' best opportunity in recent years to snap that streak; that should give the crowd in Lawrence that extra juice.

The Wildcats certainly have some players to look out for, such as quarterback Will Howard, but KSU is not as strong as last season when they narrowly won the Big 12 Championship game. When looking at the CFB game projections on numberFire, it yields at estimated score of 34.66-27.69 with K-State on top. However, that provides a difference of only 6.97 points. With more than a point and a half of cushion there, I like the Jayhawks to cover at home.

Looking for the latest college football odds? Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook and check out all of the college football betting options.

The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.