As we get deeper into the season, many conference title races are heating up, especially in the Big 12 and Pac-12. And with the first College Football Playoff rankings due next week, there are plenty of games with upset potential in Week 9 that could have a major effect on the CFP selection committee’s first Top 25.
(Note: All times ET, BetMGM odds)
Time: noon | TV: Fox | Line: OSU -15.5 | Total: 61
Ohio State and Michigan appear to be on a collision course again in the Big Ten East, but Penn State is hoping to turn things around. PSU (6-1 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) has played OSU fairly competitively, but hasn’t won a game in the series since capturing the Big Ten title in 2016. In the five meetings since then, OSU has won by an average margin of seven points. This game will be the toughest test yet for the 7-0 Buckeyes, who have destroyed nearly every opponent thanks to a high-powered offense led by Hesiman Trophy favorite quarterback CJ Stroud.
Time: 3:30 p.m TV: CBS | Line: UGA -22.5 | Total: 56.5
With a massive visit from No. 3 Tennessee looming on Nov. 5, Georgia must first take care of business against an inconsistent Florida team in one of the SEC’s top rivalries. Like Georgia, Florida is also bye. The Gators (4-3, 1-3 SEC) are in their first season under coach Billy Napier and there have been ups and downs to get to this point. Will QB Anthony Richardson and the Gators regroup and put the top-ranked Bulldogs in Jacksonville?
Time: 3:30 p.m TV: Fox | Line: KSU -1.5 | Total: 56.5
Oklahoma State and Kansas State each have one loss in Big 12 play, making this a big game in the battle for a spot in the conference title game. Injuries will play a key role, with Kansas State starting QB Adrian Martinez and backup Will Howard both hit last week, along with several key K-State defenders and several in-state offensive linemen of Oklahoma. Who will be able to eliminate it in this crucial matchup?
The story continues
Time: 3:30 p.m TV: ESPN | Line: UCF -1 | Total: 56
Cincinnati is undefeated in conference play with UCF (2-1) the distance, making Saturday’s matchup a big one in the league title race. Cincinnati is 6-1, but hasn’t been playing anywhere near the same level it did last year when it made the College Football Playoff. UCF, meanwhile, is coming off an ugly 34-13 loss to East Carolina. Can UCF bounce back?
Time: 19 h | TV: ESPN | Line: UT -12.5 | Total: 62.5
Tennessee’s emergence has been one of the biggest stories of the season. The Vols are 7-0 with impressive wins over Alabama and LSU on their resume. They’ll face two more ranked teams in the coming weeks, including this week’s contest against a Kentucky team coming off a bye. Kentucky quarterback Will Levis is back from injury, and the offense looks much better as a result. But can UK do enough to keep up with Tennessee, which ranks first in the nation in total offense?