5 College Football Games to Watch: Week 9 Playoff Implications
TJ Inman
Host · Writer
5. Boise State (-3.5) at UNLV
Late on Friday night, the UNLV Rebels host the Boise State Broncos in what is probably the game of the year in the Mountain West Conference. Boise State took the now No. 1 team in the country to the wire earlier this season, and they have won each game since, with superstar Ashton Jeanty emerging as the favorite for the Heisman Trophy. If Boise State wins out and Army and Navy suffer a loss, the Broncos would be the most likely selection for the Group of Five’s playoff bid. UNLV is a very dangerous opponent with a livewire offense, and this game could get wild.
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1. Notre Dame (-12.5) at Navy
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a valuable win at Texas A&M, a terrible loss at home to Northern Illinois, and many blowouts. The wins have them back into the College Football Playoff picture, but they cannot afford a second loss if they are to remain there. Navy is unbeaten and has dominated nearly everyone they have played. The difficulty ramps up significantly for the Midshipmen with this clash against Notre Dame. Navy’s Blake Horvath has been spectacular this season, and if Navy could pull off the upset, they would slide right to the front of the line for the Group of Five’s automatic playoff bid. Notre Dame is favored by 12.5 on the road.
2. Washington at Indiana (-6.5)
First Navy, now Indiana? Yes, both teams are squarely in the discussion. You have to love this sport! The Indiana Hoosiers are 7-0 and 4-0 in the Big Ten. It has not been a fluke either, as the Hoosiers are beating opponents by an average of 35 points per game, number one in the country. Indiana is hosting last season’s national runner-up, the Washington Huskies, and this game certainly got more interesting on Sunday. Indiana’s starting quarterback, Kurtis Rourke, injured his thumb and is out “indefinitely.” Tayven Jackson played the second half against Nebraska as IU handled the Huskers 28-0 en route to the 56-7 blowout win. Jackson is now QB1 for at least this week, and Indiana needs to keep winning to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. IU still plays at Ohio State, and the Hoosiers likely need to finish 11-1 to get into the 12-team field.
3. LSU at Texas A&M (-3.5)
Heading into this weekend, the most consequential game appears to a battle of SEC unbeatens in College Station as LSU plays at Texas A&M. Both the Tigers and Aggies lost in the first week of the season in non-conference games and both have run the table since. The winner will have a significant leg up in the race to make the SEC Championship Game, while the loser will be fighting an uphill battle. In addition, this will be a major quality win over a fellow playoff hopeful or a damaging second loss that leaves playoff hopes on life support. The Texas A&M Aggies are slight favorites at home.
4. Penn State (-6.5) at Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Badgers looked dreadful in the first few weeks of the season, but they have figured some things out and have won three straight games in blowout fashion. The defense has been excellent, giving up a total of 16 points in those three contests, and the offense has stabilized and moved into more of a ball-control attack that seems to fit the Badgers well. They now host the Penn State Nittany Lions. PSU is undefeated, with a program-defining home game against Ohio State next week. Given the relatively soft schedule for Penn State, they probably need to go 11-1 to feel good about making the College Football Playoff or about making the Big Ten Championship Game. That means a loss to Wisconsin would be potentially devastating. Penn State is only favored by 6.5 points, so this one could be very interesting.
5. Boise State (-3.5) at UNLV
Late on Friday night, the UNLV Rebels host the Boise State Broncos in what is probably the game of the year in the Mountain West Conference. Boise State took the now No. 1 team in the country to the wire earlier this season, and they have won each game since, with superstar Ashton Jeanty emerging as the favorite for the Heisman Trophy. If Boise State wins out and Army and Navy suffer a loss, the Broncos would be the most likely selection for the Group of Five’s playoff bid. UNLV is a very dangerous opponent with a livewire offense, and this game could get wild.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1. Notre Dame (-12.5) at Navy
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have a valuable win at Texas A&M, a terrible loss at home to Northern Illinois, and many blowouts. The wins have them back into the College Football Playoff picture, but they cannot afford a second loss if they are to remain there. Navy is unbeaten and has dominated nearly everyone they have played. The difficulty ramps up significantly for the Midshipmen with this clash against Notre Dame. Navy’s Blake Horvath has been spectacular this season, and if Navy could pull off the upset, they would slide right to the front of the line for the Group of Five’s automatic playoff bid. Notre Dame is favored by 12.5 on the road.
