Last weekend provided us with several wild finishes that really shook up the top 25. Hopefully, week 9 is no different as we will be treated to a few more ranked matchups as well as the annual rivalry game between Florida and Georgia in Jacksonville, FL. Here are the top five week 9 matchups in college football.
5. No. 6 Oklahoma (7-0) at Kansas (5-2)
When: Saturday, 12:00 pm ET
Where: Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS
Where to watch: FOX
Spread: Oklahoma (-9.5)
Oklahoma nearly lost to UCF at home last week but hung on to keep their unbeaten season alive. Sooners have just played two very close games in a row and will have to travel to Kansas to face the best team remaining on their schedule. Out of all our week 9 matchups, I think this has the most potential for an upset with being Kansas fresh off a bye and hosting a vulnerable Sooners team on homecoming week. And the Sooners have reason to overlook Kansas, winning their last 18 matchups against them. These aren’t the same Jayhawk teams of years past, however, and I think Oklahoma will find themselves in another close game.
4. Colorado (4-3) at No. 23 UCLA (5-2)
When: Saturday, 7:30 pm ET
Where: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Where to watch: ABC
Spread: UCLA (-15.5)
Two PAC-12 matchups make the list for week 9. This game doesn’t have the same importance as others on the list, but both of these teams are very fun to watch. There will be a bit of mystery over who will start at quarterback for the Bruins. Junior Ethan Garbers returned to the lineup last week and had a great performance over Stanford, but coach Chip Kelly has not announced a starter for their upcoming game. Freshman Dante Moore filled in for Garbers in week three, but has gone through some growing pains that may have held back the Bruins’ offensive potential. Regardless of who plays, I’m expecting a shootout against another quality offense that will end in a closer result than the spread indicates.
3. No. 1 Georgia (7-0) at Florida (5-2)
When: Saturday, 3:30 pm ET
Where: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Where to watch: CBS
Spread: Georgia (-14.5)
This annual rivalry game in Jacksonville tops our SEC matchups for week 9. Do the Gators have much of a chance in this one? I do not think so, but I believe this might be the most beatable Georgia team that Florida has faced in a number of years. With a first-year starter at quarterback and no Brock Bowers available for the contest, the Dawgs will need a group of guys to step up in his absence. Quarterback Carson Beck has yet to really feel the pressure from an SEC defense, as he sits 10th in sacks taken with six.
Florida’s keys to victory will be to pressure Carson Beck all game and air it out early like they did against South Carolina. I don’t believe the Gators are where they need to be talent-wise to stack up with a team like Georgia, but a solid showing this weekend will be a step forward and should help Billy Napier secure a top-five recruiting class in 2024.
2. No. 20 Duke (5-2) at No. 18 Louisville (6-1)
When: Saturday, 3:30 pm ET
Where: L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, Louisville, KY
Where to watch: ESPN
Spread: Louisville (-6)
This showdown between two basketball bluebloods tops our ACC matchups for week 9. Duke and Louisville’s football programs are on the rise, and they both will have an opportunity to secure second place in the ACC this weekend. The Cardinals will be hosting Duke and are fresh off a bye week, while the Blue Devils suffered a tough loss to Florida State. Duke quarterback Riley Leonard was once again forced out of the contest due to his ankle injury and will be questionable for this game.
1. No. 8 Oregon (6-1) at No. 13 Utah (6-1)
When: Saturday, 3:30 pm ET
Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City, UT
Where to watch: FOX
Spread: Oregon (-6.5)
The best matchup of the weekend goes to another pair of PAC-12 teams who still have the College Football Playoff in their sites, but a loss to either of these teams will likely end those hopes. The Utes will have to get it done without Cam Rising, who will be missing the remainder of the season to further rehab his knee. Their is a lower ceiling with this team without him, and they will need another stellar effort by Bryson Barnes to pull off an upset. But Barnes won’t be facing another USC defense, and scoring four touchdowns won’t come as easy against the Ducks. I’ll be shocked if the Ducks lose this one, despite the spread being so close.
Honorable Mentions:
No. 21 Tennessee (5-2) at Kentucky (5-2)
No. 11 Oregon State (6-1) at Arizona (4-3)
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All odds taken from DraftKings Sportsbook