The Original 2008 College Football Championship Series: Week Nine

CFB Championship Series: Week Eight (previous weeks linked inside)

Top 10 entering Week Nine:

1. Georgia, 7-0

2. Southern Cal, 6-0

3. Florida, 6-0

4. Oklahoma, 7-0

5. Ohio State, 7-1

6. West Virginia, 6-0

7. BYU, 7-0

8. Auburn, 6-1

9. Texas, 6-1

10. Clemson, 6-1

Key Games in Week Nine:

Auburn at West Virginia

In one of the big time nonconference games of 2008, the Tigers travel to Morgantown on a Thursday night to take on West Virginia. At this point in the season, both teams could very well be in the top 10 and this could be a big showdown that has BCS implications.

Auburn comes in with one loss on the resume, but having won a couple of games in a row. The big advantage Auburn will have coming in is new defensive coordinator Paul Rhoads. Rhoads has been at Pittsburgh the last nine years and knows West Virginia very well.

He derailed the Mountaineers chances of a BCS title last season shutting down Pat White and company in Morgantown, so he should bring some good knowledge of that offense to his defense at Auburn in this game.

West Virginia comes in undefeated and looking to stay that way before their late season stretch in the Big East. Pat White will no doubt be in the Heisman chase and a Thursday night primetime game against Auburn would be a great chance to make a statement.

The question for the Mountaineers will be their defense. They lost a lot of players from last season and they will have to get their defense straightened out before Auburn comes to town.

This should be a great game. Two spread offenses should make for a great game and it looks like this game will be decided by the defenses. Both offenses are capable of scoring enough to win, so it will be up to the defenses to make the plays for their team. Auburn's defense is clearly the better unit so if the Tigers hold Pat White in check, look for the Tigers to come out of Morgantown with a win.

Winner: Auburn

Georgia at LSU

The Bulldogs roll into Baton Rouge with an undefeated record and the number one ranking in the nation. LSU has been a little under the radar so far because of a couple of early season road losses, but they have gotten better each week and their QB continues to get better.

Last time Georgia traveled to Baton Rouge it was a classic game. I wouldn't expect much different this time around. Georgia's number one goal will be to establish the running game against the tough LSU front four on defense. If they are able to do that, then they will have a great shot at winning the game.

LSU on the other hand will have the same goal. Stop Moreno. If LSU is able to slow the Georgia run game, that's a great start. Their quarterback should have enough experience at this point to make some plays through the air with some talented receivers. The one question mark might be the young LSU secondary giving up big pass plays to Matt Stafford and Georgia.

This will be huge game for Georgia for obvious reasons. The national title might be on the line and going on the road in the SEC is never easy. If Georgia gets Moreno going against the front four then watch out because Georgia will win this game. Georgia can't afford to have any thoughts about next week's game against Florida. 

If LSU is able to contain Moreno and force a couple of turnovers, and get plays from their quarterback down field, then LSU will have a great shot at the upset. I think LSU will continue to get better as the season goes on and Georgia will walk into a tough situation. I like LSU in this one to upset the national title picture.

Winner: LSU

Penn State at Ohio State

In what is always a great Big Ten game, Penn State travels to Columbus for a big showdown in conference. Ohio State is sitting in the top five in the country, and Penn State will be looking to win the Big Ten and make it back to the Rose Bowl.

Penn State comes in playing good football, but will need a great game on the road to upset the Buckeyes. Stopping Chris Wells is priority number one for the Nittany Lions, and they are capable of doing it. Maurice Evans will need a big game for Penn State, forcing some turnovers and getting some sacks on Todd Boeckman.

The other question will be can Penn State get their running game going against the Buckeyes. Those two things have to happen for a win.

Ohio State comes in looking to keep climbing the polls and get back in the national title picture. Chris Wells will be in the Heisman picture and could even be a front runner at this point in the season. If he gets going and the Buckeye defense gets after Penn State like they can, then the Buckeyes could win this by two touchdowns.

But Ohio State fans better remember one game last season: the game against Illinois. They were undefeated and Illinois came to town and upset them. The Buckeyes don't need a repeat performance.

Should be a great Big Ten game, especially with the potential things that will be on the line with Big Ten and national title hopes on the line. Penn State will play well, but not well enough to pull off the upset.

Winner: Ohio State

Other Key Games: Texas Tech at Kansas, Virginia Tech at Florida State

Top Heisman Candidates after Week Nine:

1. Tim Tebow, QB, Florida

2. Chris Wells, RB, Ohio State

3. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia

4. Pat White, RB, West Virginia

5. Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech

6. Joe McKnight, RB, Southern Cal

Top 10 after Week Nine:

1. Southern Cal 7-0 (beat Arizona, next: Washington)

2. Florida 7-0 (beat Kentucky, next: Georgia)

3. Oklahoma 8-0 (beat Kansas State, next: Nebraska)

4. Ohio State 8-1 (beat Penn State, next: off)

5. BYU 8-0 (beat UNLV, next: Colorado State)

6. Auburn 7-1 (beat West Virginia, next: Ole Miss)

7. Texas 7-1 (beat Oklahoma State, next: Texas Tech)

8. Georgia 7-1 (lost LSU, next : Florida)

9. Clemson 6-1 (off, next: Boston College)

10. Missouri 7-1 (beat Colorado, next: Baylor)

Others receiving votes: Kansas, Wisconsin, LSU, West Virginia, South Florida

Also, a reminder that at the end of the season, there will be an eight-team playoff that will be voted upon by you.  You will be able to go to my blog and vote for the winner of each matchup, and the winners will move on each week.

Get more college football talk at my blog, Gridiron Guru.