College Football 2024: Week 9 Predictions for Every Game
Ready or not, here comes the final weekend of October.
Conference races are thinning out, and the College Football Playoff is starting to faintly appear on the horizon. There's still a good chunk of the regular season left, yet the pressure on teams is steadily rising.
The target may be bowl eligibility. Perhaps it's a league title or a Playoff trip. Whatever the goal, it's going to take more wins.
Week 9, however, presents a major obstacle for many of them.
Five matchups include two programs ranked in the latest AP poll, and many other Top 25 teams are either on the road, playing a strong opponent or preparing for a rivalry game. The stage is set for another chaos-filled slate around the country.
Along with a preview of each ranked team in action, we've predicted every game involving a Football Bowl Subdivision school.
AP Nos. 25-21
1 of 7
No. 5 Texas (6-1) at No. 25 Vanderbilt (5-2), 4:15 p.m. ET
For prediction, see No. 5 Texas.
No. 12 Notre Dame (6-1) vs. No. 24 Navy (6-0) (in East Rutherford, New Jersey), Noon ET
For prediction, see No. 12 Notre Dame.
No. 23 Army (7-0), Idle
No. 22 SMU (6-1) at Duke (6-1). 3:30 p.m. ET
Duke doesn't need to apologize for a favorable schedule or narrowly winning most of those games. SMU, however, will be the best competition the Blue Devils have faced. It seems unlikely Duke's offense—one converting just 26.8 percent of its third downs—can match SMU's pace.
Prediction: SMU 37, Duke 24
No. 21 Missouri (6-1) at No. 15 Alabama (5-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
For prediction, see No. 15 Alabama.
AP Nos. 20-16
2 of 7
No. 20 Illinois (6-1) at No. 1 Oregon (7-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
For prediction, see No. 1 Oregon.
Syracuse (5-1) at No. 19 Pitt (6-0), Thursday, 7:30 p.m. ET
As the ACC tilts toward Clemson and Miami, this is an enormous midweek game. The main storyline, for me, is Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord against Pitt's secondary. He's thrown for 300-plus yards in every game, and Pitt has been average at best against the pass. McCord needs to avoid turnovers—those will quickly break an upset bid—but an efficient game can ruin Pitt's unblemished year.
Prediction: Syracuse 27, Pitt 23
Oklahoma (4-3) at No. 18 Ole Miss (5-2), Noon ET
It's strange to say, but Oklahoma is a total disaster offensively. South Carolina just destroyed OU 35-9. Until that changes, thinking the Sooners will spring a road upset against a better team is awfully bold.
Prediction: Ole Miss 31, Oklahoma 16
No. 17 Boise State (5-1) at UNLV (6-1), Friday, 10:30 p.m. ET
Regardless of the result, this may be a preview of the Mountain West Championship Game. It's a prove-it game for UNLV's defense, which has been permeable in October with 54 gains of 10-plus yards allowed—the fourth-most in the nation. The offense is good enough, but I'll lean Boise's direction after a few steadier performances recently.
Prediction: Boise State 37, UNLV 30
Kansas (2-5) at No. 16 Kansas State (6-1), 8 p.m. ET
Last weekend, Kansas pounded Houston 42-14 to break a five-game skid. However, the Jayhawks capitalized on playing a bad offense in that comfortable win. Kansas State, which is starting to settle in with talented first-year starter Avery Johnson, is not that.
Prediction: Kansas State 34, Kansas 23
AP Nos. 15-11
3 of 7
No. 21 Missouri (6-1) at No. 15 Alabama (5-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Look, we're all learning together. We have to recalibrate weekly expectations for Alabama while adjusting to the "Nick Saban isn't here to save you" reality. The program's only two home losses since 2015 happened against CFP-bound opponents. Alabama doesn't lose in Tuscaloosa. Right? Certainly not to Mizzou, which fell 41-10 at Texas A&M, and might be without quarterback Brady Cook. Right?!
Prediction: Alabama 34, Missouri 17
No. 8 LSU (6-1) at No. 14 Texas A&M (6-1), 7:30 ET
For prediction, see No. 8 LSU.
Washington (4-3) at No. 13 Indiana (7-0), Noon ET
Overshadowed by the rising popularity of coach Curt Cignetti and a scorching start from quarterback Kurtis Rourke, Indiana has held six of its seven opponents to 14 points or less. Well, Rourke is out this weekend, so it's time for that defense to shine. Washington is certainly capable of winning, but the offense's red-zone woes remain a major concern.
Prediction: Indiana 23, Washington 19
No. 12 Notre Dame (6-1) vs. No. 24 Navy (6-0) (in East Rutherford, New Jersey), Noon ET
Extending drives will likely be a critical factor in this matchup. Both offenses want to run the ball. Notre Dame's third-down defense is elite, and Navy's has been excellent save for a high-scoring win over Memphis. I'll lean toward ND's collective talent, but this is a genuine test for the Irish.
Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Navy 21
No. 11 BYU (7-0) at Central Florida (3-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
College football is the worst. I love it. Why should UCF, on a three-game slide and starting a new QB, put up a fight at undefeated Iowa State? Well, the Knights did—and nearly won, surrendering a last-minute touchdown in a 38-35 loss. BYU has yielded at least 228 rushing yards in a couple of Big 12 matchups, and UCF is a run-focused team. That's the path for an upset, one I feel uncomfortable picking but cannot get to stop nagging my brain.
Prediction: UCF 31, BYU 26
AP Nos. 10-6
4 of 7
No. 10 Iowa State (7-0), Idle
No. 9 Clemson (6-1), Idle
No. 8 LSU (6-1) at No. 14 Texas A&M (6-1), 7:30 p.m. ET
This prime-time showdown is between the SEC's last two unbeatens in league play. LSU can steal this matchup by forcing Texas A&M quarterback Conner Weigman into a couple of turnovers, which he's done twice in four starts. I'm leaning toward A&M because of its home-field advantage and a steadier defense, but it should be tight to the finish.
Prediction: Texas A&M 23, LSU 19
No. 7 Tennessee (6-1), Idle
Florida State (1-6) at No. 6 Miami (7-0), 7 p.m. ET
Who thought FSU would need a win at Miami to avoid the certainty of missing a bowl? As always, the rivalry asterisk matters. This is an "empty the playbook" kind of game for Florida State, and Miami's tackling has been so atrocious lately that maybe FSU can stay competitive. But there's no way I can pick an offense that hasn't cracked 21 points against the dynamic, Cam Ward-led UM scoring attack.
Prediction: Miami 38, Florida State 20
AP Nos. 5-1
5 of 7
No. 5 Texas (6-1) at No. 25 Vanderbilt (5-2), 4:15 p.m. ET
To paraphrase our cinematic buddy Forrest Gump, Vanderbilt is like a box of chocolates because you never know what you're gonna get. Ball State just took Vandy—after wins against Alabama and Kentucky—into the fourth quarter in a 14-14 deadlock. I believe Texas will bounce back from a disappointing showing in the loss to Georgia, but nothing should surprise us with this Vandy team.
Prediction: Texas 38, Vanderbilt 24
Nebraska (5-2) at No. 4 Ohio State (6-0), Noon ET
Last weekend, Indiana outgained Nebraska 495-304 and forced five turnovers in a 56-7 annihilation. Dylan Raiola is an immense talent, but a year of hard lessons will continue for the freshman QB opposite Ohio State. After seeing Oregon successfully test OSU on downfield passes, though, look for some early aggressiveness from Nebraska.
Prediction: Ohio State 45, Nebraska 14
No. 3 Penn State (6-0) at Wisconsin, 7:30 p.m. ET
Wisconsin is built to frustrate Penn State quarterback Drew Allar, who tends to have a minimal impact opposite solid defenses. The problem for the Badgers, though, is that Penn State has a dominant unit of its own while QB Braedyn Locke has thrown an interception in all four starts, too. Wisconsin's margin for error is a razor-thin line.
Prediction: Penn State 27, Wisconsin 13
No. 2 Georgia (6-1), Idle
No. 20 Illinois (6-1) at No. 1 Oregon (7-0), 3:30 p.m. ET
Similar to the above Big Ten clash, Illinois is a thorny underdog with a quarterback concern. Luke Altmyer's stats are impressive overall, but he managed 185 passing yards in a 21-7 loss to Penn State and just 80 in last weekend's win over Michigan. To beat Oregon, the Illini can't be one-dimensional.
Prediction: Oregon 30, Illinois 17
Rest of the Slate, Part I
6 of 7
Georgia Southern (5-2) at Old Dominion (3-4), Thursday, 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Georgia Southern 28, ODU 23
Louisville (4-3) at Boston College (4-3), Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Louisville 27, Boston College 24
Rutgers (4-3) at USC (3-4), Friday, 11 p.m. ET
Prediction: USC 31, Rutgers 20
Georgia Tech (5-3) at Virginia Tech (4-3), Noon ET
Prediction: Virginia Tech 34, Georgia Tech 27
North Carolina (3-4) at Virginia (4-3), Noon ET
Prediction: Virginia 28, North Carolina 23
Tulane (5-2) at North Texas (5-2), Noon ET
Prediction: Tulane 38, North Texas 31
Charlotte (3-4) at Memphis (6-1), Noon ET
Prediction: Memphis 42, Charlotte 24
Buffalo (4-3) at Ohio (4-3), Noon ET
Prediction: Ohio 27, Buffalo 20
Arkansas (4-3) at Mississippi State (1-6), 12:45 p.m. ET
Prediction: Arkansas 26, Mississippi State 22
Georgia State (2-4) at Appalachian State (2-4), 1 p.m. ET
Prediction: App State 34, Georgia State 28
Temple (2-5) at East Carolina (3-4), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: East Carolina 27, Temple 21
Central Michigan (3-4) at Miami (Ohio) (3-4), 2 p.m. ET
Prediction: Miami 30, CMU 20
UTSA (3-4) at Tulsa (2-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: UTSA 35, Tulsa 24
Rice (2-5) at Connecticut (4-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: UConn 27, Rice 21
Eastern Michigan (5-2) at Akron (1-6), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: EMU 31, Akron 17
Northern Illinois (4-3) at Ball State (2-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: NIU 22, Ball State 16
Bowling Green (3-4) at Toledo (5-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Toledo 28, Bowling Green 23
Kent State (0-7) at Western Michigan (4-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: WMU 38, Kent State 13
Southern Miss (1-6) at James Madison (5-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: JMU 42, Southern Miss 14
Wagner (4-4) at Massachusetts (1-6), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: UMass 34, Wagner 17
Rest of the Slate, Part II
7 of 7
Wake Forest (3-4) at Stanford (2-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Stanford 27, Wake Forest 23
Maryland (4-3) at Minnesota (4-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Minnesota 24, Maryland 21
Northwestern (3-4) at Iowa (4-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Iowa 35, Northwestern 10
Texas Tech (5-2) at TCU (4-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: TCU 38, Texas Tech 33
Oklahoma State (3-4) at Baylor (3-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Baylor 34, Oklahoma State 28
Oregon State (4-3) at Cal (3-4), 4 p.m. ET
Prediction: Cal 27, Oregon State 24
New Mexico (3-4) at Colorado State (4-3), 5 p.m. ET
Prediction: Colorado State 41, New Mexico 27
Louisiana-Monroe (5-1) at South Alabama (3-4), 5 p.m. ET
Prediction: South Alabama 23, ULM 20
West Virginia (3-4) at Arizona (3-4), 6 p.m. ET
Prediction: Arizona 28, WVU 24
Utah (4-3) at Houston (2-5), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Utah 20, Houston 13
Utah State (1-6) at Wyoming (1-6), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Utah State 30, Wyoming 26
Troy (1-6) at Arkansas State (4-3), 7 p.m. ET
Prediction: Arkansas State 33, Troy 21
Michigan State (4-3) at Michigan (4-3), 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Michigan 21, Michigan State 16
Auburn (2-5) at Kentucky (3-4), 7:45 p.m. ET
Prediction: Auburn 19, Kentucky 14
San Jose State (5-2) at Fresno State (4-3), 8 p.m. ET
Prediction: Fresno State 31, San Jose State 28
Cincinnati (5-2) at Colorado (5-2), 10:15 p.m. ET
Prediction: Colorado 34, Cincinnati 27
Washington State (6-1) at San Diego State (3-3), 10:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Washington State 38, SDSU 21
Nevada (3-5) at Hawaii (2-5), 11:59 p.m. ET
Prediction: Nevada 28, Hawaii 24
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