The potential for chaos exists every week in this crazy sport we call college football. But the wildness of the just-concluded Week 8 slate will be hard to surpass.
Even so, there are plenty of contests worthy of attention in the Week 9 schedule. Our look at what we think will be the seven best games for your Saturday viewing will commence with yet another trio of Top 25 pairings in the SEC, and we’ll also look in on the Big Ten and Big 12. A notable tilt in the American makes an appearance in this space as well. Let’s dive in, shall we?
No. 8 Mississippi at No. 11 Oklahoma
Time/TV: noon ET, ABC.
Why watch: The first half of Ole Miss’s pivotal two-game road swing began well but ended with a fourth-quarter power outage at Georgia. The Rebels now go for a rebound in Norman, where the Sooners’ defense figures to offer a lot more resistance. Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss could use a fast start to erase the memory of last week’s rough finish between the hedges. But he and RB Kewan Lacy will be opposed by OU’s formidable defensive line featuring Jayden Jackson and Taylor Wein. The Sooners’ offense hasn’t been nearly as effective, with QB John Mateer still trying to regain his passing touch following hand surgery. Getting stops was an issue for the Rebels last week, but DL Zxavian Harris will try to get the Sooners off schedule.
Why it could disappoint: The second-half disappearing act by the Ole Miss offense has to be concerning, particularly as this encounter with the Sooners’ more accomplished defense looms. The good news for the Rebels is OU seemingly lacks the fire power to pull away, but that could also mean the game itself won’t be all that flashy.
No. 14 Missouri at No. 12 Vanderbilt
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.
Why watch: This is the day’s second SEC matchup of teams looking to pick up a quality win and, perhaps of equal importance, avoid a second league loss. The Commodores might have more confidence coming in after their takedown of LSU, while Mizzou’s escape at Auburn was considerably more dicey. Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia is a one-man wrecking crew at times, though it helps when RB Sedrick Alexander and TE Eli Stowers get their share of touches. LB Josiah Trotter, the defensive centerpiece for Mizzou, will have Pavia under constant surveillance. Tigers QB Beau Pribula is also not afraid to tuck and run, though it is RB Ahmad Hardy that poses the primary threat on the ground. LBs Bryan Longwell and Langston Patterson will spearhead the rush defense for the Commodores.
Why it could disappoint: The Vandy secondary was exploited at times by LSU last week, but Mizzou might not be equipped to take advantage. The Commodores don’t go over the top much, either, but the big-play potential for both teams in the running game should keep spectators engaged.
No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 19 LSU
Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
Why watch: The Aggies, the last unbeaten squad in the SEC, put their perfect record on the line in Baton Rouge, where the Tigers are in dire need of a win to keep their fading playoff hopes alive. A&M QB Marcel Reed has made excellent use of WRs K.C. Concepcion and Mario Craver when a chunk play is needed. DB A.J. Haulcy and the Tigers’ secondary must limit those opportunities. One positive development from LSU’s loss at Vanderbilt was QB Garrett Nussmeier gaining some traction in the passing game. He can expect heat from Aggies DL Cashius Howell.
Why it could disappoint: It probably won’t given the number of nailbiters involving the Aggies. But if A&M does manage to build a cushion, A Tigers’ comeback is hard to envision.
No. 10 Brigham Young at Iowa State
Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Fox.
Why watch: The Cougars don’t have long to celebrate their ‘Holy War’ victory against archrival Utah. The Cyclones, who finally got a needed week off, now look to regroup and snap a two-game skid. BYU QB Bear Bachmeier will look for an encore following his virtuoso performance against the Utes. He and RB L.J. Martin will become well acquainted with Cyclones LB Caleb Bacon. Iowa State QB Rocco Becht had a rough outing at Colorado in his most recent action two weeks ago. He might be rejoined in the backfield by RB Carson Hansen if he clears concussion protocol, but it might be tough sledding against LB Jack Kelly and the BYU front seven regardless.
Why it could disappoint: BYU games rarely do, although it might tend more toward the low-scoring side if it’s close. The Cougars are theoretically more susceptible to the turnover bug with the less experienced quarterback, but that hasn’t been a serious issue to this point.
Houston at No. 25 Arizona State
Time/TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN2.
Why watch: The Sun Devils are back in the Big 12 mix after handing Texas Tech its first defeat. Next to visit Tempe are the Cougars, who were throttled by those same Red Raiders three weeks ago but have bounced back with a pair of conference wins. Having QB Sam Leavitt back in the lineup makes a huge difference for the Sun Devils, but he will be without WR Jordyn Tyson. Houston will count on DB Kentrell Webb to limit their long connections. Cougars QB Connor Weigman is coming off a stellar outing of his own against Arizona. His primary weapon is WR Amare Thomas, who must avoid being haunted by ASU’s safety tandem of Myles “Ghost” Rowser and Adrian “Boogie” Wilson.
Why it could disappoint: As mentioned, the Cougars’ only prior encounter with the Big 12’s upper tier didn’t go especially well for them. But that said, the Sun Devils’ league wins have all been one-score affairs, so it still might not be a blowout.
UCLA at No. 2 Indiana
Time/TV: Noon ET, Fox.
Why watch: The Hoosiers look to keep rolling toward a return to the playoff. Next up to try and slow them down are the suddenly dangerous Bruins, riding a three-game winning streak under interim coach Tim Skipper. Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza is front and center in the Heisman conversation, making excellent use of WRs Elijah Sarratt and Omar Cooper with plenty of ground support from RBs Roman Hemby and Kaelon Black. Slowing them down will be a tall order, but Bruins LBs JonJon Vaughns and Isaiah Chisom will do their best. The UCLA offense has come alive, as QB Nico Iamaleava has seemingly been unlocked. He must watch out for Hoosiers CB D’Angelo Ponds when choosing his target, and he’ll likely receive extra attention from LB Aiden Fisher when he leaves the pocket.
Why it could disappoint: It probably will if we’re being honest. The Hoosiers weren’t happy with a somewhat slow start against Michigan State last week, and if they have successfully addressed that issue it will be a long afternoon for the Bruins.
No. 20 South Florida at Memphis
Time/TV: noon ET, ESPN2.
Why watch: This is still a key showdown in the hotly contested American, though it is no longer a Top 25 pairing thanks to the Tigers’ damaging loss at Alabama-Birmingham last week. Memphis could still make it back to defend its conference title, but a loss to the red-hot Bulls would likely end those aspirations. The availability of Memphis QB Brendon Lewis, who left the UAB game with a lower leg injury, will likely not be known until kickoff, so it might be up to freshman A.J. Hill to run the offense. Bulls LB Mac Harris will make life difficult regardless of who takes snaps for the Tigers. USF QB Byrum Brown has been putting up huge point totals since being stymied by Miami back in Week 3. Memphis LBs Sam Brumfield and Drue Watts will try to keep him contained.
Why it could disappoint: Memphis fans have to hope last week’s performance was a case of peeking ahead. A similar lack of focus at the beginning or failure to execute at the end could spell disaster against the high-scoring Bulls.