10 Bold Predictions for Week 9 of College Football
TJ Inman
Host · Writer
We are nearing the end of October, and we are starting to understand who the genuine contenders are and who might be pretenders. Week 9 is a loaded slate with huge games all day. Here are some bold predictions!
1. Ole Miss Drops 2nd Game in a Row
The Ole Miss Rebels fell on the road to the Georgia Bulldogs, dropping them from the ranks of the unbeaten. The Rebels stay on the road and head to Norman to play the Oklahoma Sooners, who boast a fantastic defense. John Mateer has not looked good since returning from injury, but I think playing this Ole Miss defense back at home is going to do wonders for his play, and Oklahoma’s ferocious pass rush is going to cause a lot of issues for the Rebels’ offensive line. Oklahoma wins this contest and puts Ole Miss’ College Football Playoff hopes on life support.
Week 9: Ole Miss at Oklahoma (-4.5)
2. South Florida’s Statement Win
The Memphis Tigers and South Florida Bulls were set to play each other in a marquee matchup in the American Athletic Conference this week. Still, the contest lost a bit of luster as Memphis fell in a shocker to the UAB Blazers. I dubbed Memphis a “paper tiger" a few weeks ago, but it was still surprising to see Memphis fall to UAB (sans Trent Dilfer, probably helped their cause). South Florida is my pick to earn the Group of Five’s College Football Playoff selection, and that confidence was buoyed two weeks ago as they put on a fireworks display on offense against North Texas. The Bulls will do the same thing this Saturday against Memphis, blowing out the Tigers and putting 40+ points on the board.
Week 9: South Florida (-3.5) at Memphis
3. Northwestern Wins in Lincoln
The Northwestern Wildcats are 5-2 after a shutout win over the Purdue Boilermakers on Saturday, and head coach David Braun deserves a ton of credit for a surprising rebound season in Evanston. The Wildcats were mildly competitive against Oregon a few weeks ago, and most assumed it was simply a result of the Ducks’ lackluster performance throughout the game. Still, perhaps Northwestern deserves more respect, particularly on defense. Nebraska is also 5-2, but there are significant concerns about the offensive line after they allowed nine sacks to the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and I don’t have much faith the ship gets righted this weekend. Northwestern wins an ugly and tense game, sending the Big Red faithful home unhappy.
Week 9: Northwestern (+6.5) at Nebraska
4. Hugh Freeze Coaches His Final Game at Auburn
I’ll call my shot now: Hugh Freeze will be coaching his final game as the head coach for Auburn this Saturday. The Tigers play on the road at Arkansas, and they do not have an offense that can keep up with Bobby Petrino’s Hogs. Now, Arkansas doesn’t appear capable of stopping a nosebleed. Still, Auburn has struggled on offense, and Freeze’s system has not been particularly successful for a decade or so, as defenses have long since adjusted to his basic RPO style. That’s especially true when the quarterback can’t be trusted to throw the ball downfield or over the middle with any accuracy. Arkansas runs away from Auburn behind a big day from Taylen Green, and Freeze and Auburn part ways on Sunday or Monday.
Week 9: Auburn (-1.5) at Arkansas
5. Vanderbilt Keeps Rolling
The Vanderbilt Commodores are a very real threat to make the College Football Playoff. Heck, they are a threat to make the SEC Championship Game (although they do not control their own destiny for that goal). The Commodores have a wonderfully creative offense led by fierce competitor Diego Pavia and unique tight end Eli Stowers. The offensive line is significantly better than it was a season ago, and the defense, although not elite, is still good enough. After bullying the LSU Tigers in Nashville, Vanderbilt is poised to treat Missouri in the same manner. They’ll make Beau Pribula one-dimensional, and the Tigers’ excellent rush defense will get dented by Vanderbilt’s unique attack. Vanderbilt wins and covers in a second-straight top 15 matchup.
Week 9: Missouri at Vanderbilt (-2.5)
6. Start Paying Attention to Pittsburgh
This “Bold Predictions" article has attempted to warn people about Mason Heintschel and the Pittsburgh Panthers. The win over Florida State was predicted, and the freshman quarterback’s breakout performances have been included for the past couple of weeks. Folks, it’s time to pay attention. Pittsburgh is a much better team with Heintschel under center, and the Panthers are a dangerous team as we advance. Next up: a matchup with the North Carolina State Wolfpack, and NC State is 127th nationally in passing yards surrendered per game at 280 per contest. Heintschel throws for more than 300, and the Panthers win comfortably.
Week 9: NC State at Pittsburgh (-6.5)
7. Illinois Re-Enters College Football Playoff Picture
The Illinois Fighting Illini have played three high-profile games this season in a front-loaded schedule. They were embarrassed by IU in a humiliating fashion. Still, the Hoosiers are now No. 2. They were handled comfortably by Ohio State, and the Buckeyes are No. 1. They beat USC with a last-second field goal, and the Trojans are no longer ranked after losing to Notre Dame. Take a peek at Illinois’ schedule: at Washington, Rutgers, Maryland, at Wisconsin, and Northwestern (receiving votes). If Illinois can win on the road at a very flawed Washington team, they’ll be 6-2 before playing three teams in free-fall mode and finishing with Northwestern at home. The Illini beat the Huskies and begin to be mentioned on College Football Playoff projections again.
Week 9: Illinois (+4.5) at Washington
8. Mississippi State Finishes Texas’ CFP Hopes
The Texas Longhorns should not be in any College Football Playoff discussion, but they are still being mentioned. Enough with the Texas Longhorns. “They have so much talent." “They’ll figure out and be a really dangerous team later this season." Even this week, those things are still being said, and I understand the hesitancy to write off Texas, but there’s just no way the Longhorns can be trusted, and I don’t think the offense is actually all that talented. Which skill position player has impressed you for Texas? The receivers do not get separation, and they are not dangerous after the catch, and the running backs don’t look explosive. Arch Manning is not playing well, but he’s not getting much help either. The defense is excellent, but this is not Texas’s year, and they should not be ranked after escaping Kentucky with a very fortunate double overtime win. Mississippi State has been really close to breaking its SEC losing streak, and it finally broke through with a win over this deeply flawed Texas squad.
Week 9: Texas (-6.5) at Mississippi State
9. Oregon and Texas Tech Win by 50+ Points
The Oregon Ducks took out their frustration from losing to IU by unloading on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Texas Tech is feeling similar frustration after dropping a close contest at Arizona State. Oregon now takes on a “dead man walking" Wisconsin team in Eugene, while the Red Raiders return to Lubbock to play the Oklahoma State Cowboys, arguably the worst power conference team in the country. Both teams will light up the scoreboard and empty the benches as each wins by more than 50 points, as the coaches hope to fluff up their playoff resumes.
10. Texas A&M Turns up the Heat on Brian Kelly’s Seat
There’s a ton of hot seat talk all around the country, but it doesn’t seem like LSU head coach Brian Kelly’s name is being mentioned yet. That changes on Saturday as the Texas A&M Aggies roll into Baton Rouge with a second-year head coach and handle the Tigers in Death Valley at night. Texas A&M pressures the quarterback at a really high rate, and LSU’s offensive line struggled against Vanderbilt as quarterback Garrett Nussmeier took a beating. The offense has not looked right all season, and Texas A&M is capable of exacerbating the issues. With a third loss this season, LSU starts to take a long look at the direction of the program.
Week 9: Texas A&M (-2.5) at LSU
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