As we go through the season, many conference title races heat up, especially in the Big 12 and Pac-12. And with the first college football playoff standings slated for next week, there are plenty of games with upsetting potential in Week 9 that can have a major effect on the CFP Selection Committee’s first Top 25.
(Note: All times ET, odds from BetMGM)
Time: Noon | Television: Fox | Line: OSU -15.5 | Total: 61
This looks like Ohio State and Michigan are on a collision course again in the Big Ten East, but Penn State is hoping to shake things up. PSU (6-1 overall, 3-1 Big Ten) has played OSU fairly competitively, but hasn’t won a game in the series since their Big Ten title run in 2016. In the five meetings since , OSU won by an average margin of seven points. This game will be the toughest test yet for the 7-0 Buckeyes, who knocked out nearly every opponent with a powerful offense led by Hesiman Trophy favorite quarterback CJ Stroud.
Time: 3:30 p.m. | Television: CBS | Line: UGA-22.5 | Overall: 56.5
With a massive visit from No. 3 Tennessee looming on Nov. 5, Georgia must take care of business first against an inconsistent Florida team in one of the main rivalries of the SEC. Like Georgia, Florida is also coming out of a bye. The Gators (4-3, 1-3 SEC) are in their first season under head coach Billy Napier and there have been ups and downs to get here. Will QB Anthony Richardson and the Gators regroup and put the top-ranked Bulldogs under surveillance in Jacksonville?
Time: 3:30 p.m. | Television: Fox | Line: KSU-1.5 | Overall: 56.5
Oklahoma State and Kansas State each have a loss in the Big 12 game, making it a huge game in the battle for a berth in the conference title game. Injuries will play a key role as Kansas State starts QC Adrian Martinez and backup Will Howard both bumped last week, along with several key K-State defensemen and several Oklahoma State offensive linemen. Who will be able to dump him in this crucial game?
Time: 3:30 p.m. | Television: ESPN | Line: UCF-1 | Total: 56
Cincinnati is undefeated in the conference with UCF (2-1) within striking distance, making Saturday’s matchup huge in the league title race. Cincinnati is 6-1 but hasn’t played near the same level as last year when it made the college football playoffs. UCF, meanwhile, is coming off a horrendous 34-13 loss to East Carolina. Can the UCF bounce back?
Time: 7 p.m. | Television: ESPN | Line: UT -12.5 | Overall: 62.5
Tennessee’s emergence was one of the biggest stories of the season. The Vols are 7-0 with impressive wins over Alabama and LSU on their resume already. They’ll face two more ranked teams in the coming weeks, including this week’s contest against a feisty 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 the UK do enough to keep up with Tennessee, who rank No. 1 in the country in total attack?
