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2025 Week 9 College Football Predictions for Every Game
The final weekend of October will set the stage for the stretch run of the 2025 college football regular season.
Unsurprisingly, the SEC is commanding a large portion of the spotlight. The three clashes between ranked opponents all reside in the league, headlined by No. 3 Texas A&M heading to No. 20 LSU.
However, it's a busy Saturday overall around the Top 25. Only three ranked programs have an open weekend.
Factor in impactful matchups for the American and Big 12, and Week 9 will further trim the list of contenders around the nation.
Rankings are based on the AP Top 25.
Click here for the latest college football game predictions.
Top Matchups for Week 9
1 of 5
No. 8 Ole Miss (6-1) at No. 13 Oklahoma (6-1), Noon ET
Ole Miss played approximately zero defense in the loss at Georgia. Clearly, that's a recipe for disaster. Compounding the problem in Week 9 is that Oklahoma boasts one of the best defenses in the country. Unless the Rebels have a game defensively, OU should pick up a vital win.
Prediction: Oklahoma 30, Ole Miss 26
No. 18 South Florida (6-1) at Memphis (6-1), Noon
The main question is whether Brendon Lewis, who exited Memphis' loss to UAB with an injury, will be available. He's only been listed as "day-to-day" this week. Although I would take South Florida either way, the margin could get a little ugly if Memphis is without its veteran quarterback.
Prediction: USF 37, Memphis 27
No. 15 Missouri (6-1) at No. 10 Vanderbilt (6-1), 3:30 p.m.
Vanderbilt has climbed into the Top 10 of the AP poll for the first time in 78 years. While the stay might be short-lived, perhaps it won't be an immediate exit. Diego Pavia's mobility will be essential to handle a talented Mizzou defense, but Vandy has continually impressed in home contests with him at QB.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 29, Missouri 24
No. 3 Texas A&M (7-0) at No. 20 LSU (5-2), 7:30 p.m.
This is "perfectly nonsensical upset" territory. LSU is reeling, as its offense still hasn't surpassed 24 points against FBS competition. Brian Kelly's seat is warming fast. I cannot get myself to actually pick the Tigers, but a night game in Death Valley is dangerous for any visitor—no matter LSU's recent form.
Prediction: Texas A&M 24, LSU 20
Houston (6-1) at No. 24 Arizona State (5-2), 8 p.m.
This is a prove-it moment for Houston, which has quietly run up a 6-1 record while taking advantage of a favorable schedule. Arizona State is a clear favorite, but the Cougars' sneaky big-play explosiveness can swing the game.
Prediction: Arizona State 27, Houston 23
Weekday Games
2 of 5
Middle Tennessee (1-5) at Delaware (3-3), Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. ET
Prediction: Delaware 34, MTSU 20
Missouri State (3-3) at New Mexico State (3-3), Wednesday, 9 p.m.
Prediction: NMSU 30, Missouri State 27
South Alabama (1-6) at Georgia State (1-6), Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: South Alabama 31, Georgia State 24
North Texas (6-1) at Charlotte (1-6), Friday, 7 p.m.
Prediction: North Texas 44, Charlotte 21
Cal (5-2) at Virginia Tech (2-5), Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 28, Cal 27
Boise State (5-2) at Nevada (1-6), Friday, 10 p.m.
Prediction: Boise State 35, Nevada 17
Saturday Early Games
3 of 5
UCLA (3-4) at No. 2 Indiana (7-0), Noon ET
UCLA's out-of-nowhere surge is a remarkable story. Unfortunately for the Bruins, it's the second-best narrative in this contest. Behind top Heisman Trophy contender Fernando Mendoza and a powerful offense, Indiana is a wagon.
Prediction: Indiana 42, UCLA 21
Syracuse (3-4) at No. 7 Georgia Tech (7-0), Noon
The injury to quarterback Steve Angeli has just crushed Syracuse. Since his season-ending left Achilles tear, the Orange have mustered 34 points in three losses. Georgia Tech figures to roll at home.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 34, Syracuse 14
No. 16 Virginia (6-1) at North Carolina (2-4), Noon
Amid the boiling Bill Belichick frustration, there is hardly a funnier result than UNC upsetting the lone Top 25 opponent left on its schedule. That's simply a headline conversation, though. We haven't seen UNC play to a level that makes you believe it can keep up with a UVA offense averaging 40.0 points this season.
Prediction: Virginia 33, UNC 24
SMU (5-2) at Wake Forest (4-2), Noon
Prediction: SMU 34, Wake Forest 27
Northwestern (5-2) at Nebraska (5-2), Noon
Prediction: Nebraska 29, Northwestern 17
Rutgers (3-4) at Purdue (2-5), Noon
Prediction: Rutgers 35, Purdue 28
Kansas State (3-4) at Kansas (4-3), Noon
Prediction: Kansas 33, Kansas State 30
Ohio (4-3) at Eastern Michigan (2-6), Noon
Prediction: Ohio 30, EMU 23
Bowling Green (3-4) at Kent State (2-5), Noon
Prediction: BGSU 26, Kent State 21
Appalachian State (4-3) at Old Dominion (4-3), Noon
Prediction: ODU 38, App State 28
Auburn (3-4) at Arkansas (2-5), 12:45 p.m.
Prediction: Arkansas 27, Auburn 23
Akron (2-6) at Buffalo (4-3), 1 p.m.
Prediction: Buffalo 29, Akron 17
Connecticut (5-2) at Rice (3-4), 3 p.m.
Prediction: UConn 30, Rice 20
Utah State (4-3) at New Mexico (4-3), 3 p.m.
Prediction: New Mexico 31, Utah State 27
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Saturday Afternoon Games
4 of 5
No. 4 Alabama (6-1) at South Carolina (3-4), 3:30 p.m. ET
Among the more disappointing teams in 2025, South Carolina's offense has not clicked as hoped. All four of the Gamecocks' losses are to current Top 25 programs, and they scored more than 10 points in only one of those setbacks. Alabama, one of the nation's hottest teams, is not a forgiving opponent.
Prediction: Alabama 31, South Carolina 14
No. 11 BYU (7-0) at Iowa State (5-2), 3:30 p.m.
Iowa State is favored here, which isn't a surprise. BYU has earned its undefeated record, but three of the Cougars' four Big 12 matchups have been a one-score game. The Cyclones need their defense to return to form, and an extra week to prepare should be particularly helpful in that regard.
Prediction: Iowa State 27, BYU 23
No. 23 Illinois (5-2) at Washington (5-2), 3:30 p.m.
Washington has been a bit of a roller coaster this season, wrecking the box score one week before disappearing the next. That inconsistency makes the Huskies tough to predict, but I'll lean toward an explosive performance at home.
Prediction: Washington 34, Illinois 28
Oklahoma State (1-6) at No. 14 Texas Tech (6-1), 4 p.m.
In four Big 12 losses, Oklahoma State has been outscored by 25 points per game—and scored more than 17 once. Texas Tech may be without QB Behren Morton again but should be fine if Will Hammond keeps the temporary reins.
Prediction: Texas Tech 45, Oklahoma State 17
Baylor (4-3) at No. 21 Cincinnati (6-1), 4 p.m.
Flip the location, and I'd probably take Baylor. Sawyer Robertson, who co-leads the nation with 21 touchdown passes, has guided the Bears to 36.3 points per game. The problem is Baylor's defense has provided next-to-no resistance, giving up 31.4 points per week. Cincinnati is built to win a shootout.
Prediction: Cincinnati 37, Baylor 31
No. 22 Texas (5-2) at Mississippi State (4-3), 4:15 p.m.
I cannot quit Texas. The offense is a serious work in progress, but—save for an ugly showing at Florida—the defense has been dominant. As long as that continues, the Horns can steal another low-scoring tilt.
Prediction: Texas 20, Mississippi State 13
North Carolina State (4-3) at Pitt (5-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Pitt 34, NC State 26
Minnesota (5-2) at Iowa (5-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Iowa 23, Minnesota 16
Toledo (4-3) at Washington State (3-4), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Washington State 27, Toledo 23
Florida Atlantic (3-4) at Navy (6-0), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Navy 38, FAU 24
Temple (4-3) at Tulsa (2-5), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Tulsa 30, Temple 27
Ball State (3-4) at Northern Illinois (1-6), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: NIU 24, Ball State 20
Massachusetts (0-7) at Central Michigan (4-3), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: CMU 31, UMass 17
Western Michigan (4-3) at Miami (Ohio) (4-3), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Miami 23, WMU 21
San Diego State (5-1) at Fresno State (5-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Fresno State 20, SDSU 16
Louisiana-Monroe (3-4) at Southern Miss (5-2), 3:30 p.m.
Prediction: Southern Miss 33, ULM 17
Saturday Evening and Late Slate
5 of 5
Wisconsin (2-5) at No. 6 Oregon (6-1), 7 p.m. ET
After scoring 10 points in losses to Maryland and Michigan, Wisconsin failed to score against Iowa and Ohio State. What a mess.
Prediction: Oregon 43, Wisconsin 3
Stanford (3-4) at No. 9 Miami (5-1), 7 p.m.
Miami's offense had an atrocious night in the loss to Louisville, but the worst possible version of Carson Beck was still only a three-point setback. There is little reason to not expect a bounce-back showing from the 'Canes.
Prediction: Miami 38, Stanford 17
Boston College (1-6) at No. 19 Louisville (5-1), 7:30 p.m.
Boston College has some untapped upside on offense. The problem is the defense, at risk of inserting a silly metaphor, cannot stop anyone. Six FBS opponents—all losses for BC—have averaged 37.8 points.
Prediction: Louisville 42, Boston College 21
No. 25 Michigan (5-2) at Michigan State (3-4), 7:30 p.m.
Copy and paste for Michigan State, which has ceded 38-plus points in all four games against Big Ten opposition. Michigan isn't a juggernaut on offense, but anything beyond 24 points seems like a safe number for the Wolverines.
Prediction: Michigan 30, Michigan State 17
No. 17 Tennessee (5-2) at Kentucky (2-4), 7:45 p.m.
Kentucky must be incredibly annoying. Although the Wildcats are 0-4 in SEC action, they stuck with Ole Miss (30-23) and Texas (16-13) when those ranked programs came to town. Tennessee has no excuse to not shut down the Wildcats' limited offense, but a solid UT scoring attack won't necessarily thrive in Lexington.
Prediction: Tennessee 27, Kentucky 16
TCU (5-2) at West Virginia (2-5), 6 p.m.
Prediction: TCU 38, WVU 24
Georgia Southern (3-4) at Arkansas State (3-4), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Arkansas State 37, Georgia Southern 34
Louisiana (2-5) at Troy (5-2), 7 p.m.
Prediction: Troy 33, Louisiana 20
Colorado State (2-5) at Wyoming (3-4), 7:30 p.m.
Prediction: Wyoming 27, CSU 21
Colorado (3-4) at Utah (5-2), 10:15 p.m.
Prediction: Utah 34, Colorado 20
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
