College Gameday 2012: Week 9 Schedule, Location, Predictions & More
Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and the ESPN College GameDay crew will be breaking down the weekend's matchups and top storylines from Norman, Oklahoma this Saturday for the first time in four years as the Sooners prepare to take on undefeated Notre Dame in this weekend's premiere Top-10 showdown.
The two storied programs haven't met in over a decade and are well within the BCS mix this October. If you have plans on Saturday, make sure you get them out of the way early.
Here we get you set with everything you need to know for Saturday's can't-miss college football action.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
What: ESPN College GameDay
Location: Norman, Okla.
Coverage: 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. ET
Watch: ESPN
Predictions
Gators Chomp on Bulldogs
One of Saturday's top matchups is a Top-10 battle for the ages between SEC East rivals Florida and Georgia. The stakes are higher than ever before this weekend, though, as the winner will likely be headed to the SEC Championship Game in December.
I love Florida in this matchup. They are coming off a 33-point blowout win over South Carolina and boast the nation's No. 4-ranked scoring defense through seven games.
Meanwhile, Georgia was exposed just three weeks ago in Columbia, losing to the Gamecocks by 28 points on the road and looking overrated on both sides of the ball. I don't foresee a blowout in Jacksonville on Saturday, but I do like the Gators.
Collin Klein Will Thrive
Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein has played phenomenal football for the Wildcats through the first half of the season, and that's why Bill Snyder's team is 7-0 and ranked No. 3 in the country this fall.
Klein, a senior, has nearly 2,000 total yards and 24 total touchdowns heading into Saturday's home matchup with Big 12 foe Texas Tech.
Klein's dominant 2012 performance has many experts believing he'll win the Heisman Trophy at season's end, and I couldn't agree more.
I expect a monster day from Klein on Saturday as his Wildcats strive to remain undefeated and in the BCS National Championship picture. The 6'5" star can beat you in multiple ways, look for him to beat Texas Tech with his legs and arm this weekend.
'Bama Will Cruise
The defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide will host the undefeated Mississippi State Bulldogs in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night in a matchup of two 7-0 squads.
Still, regardless of Mississippi State's record, I like the Alabama in a landslide. The Bulldogs' three SEC wins this season have come against teams that have yet to win a game in the conference. I'm not impressed by Mississippi State's body of work while Alabama has proven itself time and time again.
Give me Nick Saban at home by a bunch.
Notre Dame Finally Gets Exposed
There's no denying just how formidable Notre Dame's defense has been this fall, ranking second in the country in points allowed and holding every one of its opponents to 17 points or less. However, the Irish have yet to face an attack as potent as Oklahoma's.
The Sooners put up points in bunches and are playing at home on Saturday. Notre Dame has played just one true road game all season long.
I believe this is the week Notre Dame's dominant defense finally cracks. Oklahoma's defense will play well and the offense will do just enough to win on Saturday night. I'll take the Sooners 27-17 at home.
Week 9 Top 25 Schedule
No. 11 Mississippi State vs. No. 1 Alabama, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
No. 2 Florida vs. No. 10 Georgia, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
No. 14 Texas Tech vs. No. 3 Kansas State, 3:30 p.m. ET, FOX
Colorado vs. No. 4 Oregon, 3 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network
No. 5 Notre Dame vs. No. 8 Oklahoma, 8:00 p.m. ET, ABC
No. 7 Oregon State vs. Washington, 10:15 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network
No. 9 USC vs. Arizona, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Duke vs. No. 12 Florida State, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU
Tennessee vs. No. 13 South Carolina, 12:00 p.m. ET, ESPN
Kent State vs. No. 15 Rutgers, 3:30 p.m. ET, GamePlan
Washington State vs. No. 17 Stanford, 6:15 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network
No. 20 Texas A&M vs. Auburn, 7:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU
No. 21 Boise State vs. Wyoming, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network
No. 22 Michigan vs. Nebraska, 8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
No. 23 Texas vs. Kansas, 12:00 p.m. ET
No. 24 Ohio vs. Miami (OH), 3:30 p.m. ET, GamePlan
Michigan State vs. No. 25 Wisconsin, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Follow Bleacher Report Featured Columnist Patrick Clarke on Twitter for more College Football predictions and conversation.
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