Don’t look now but we’re already entering Week 9 of the College Football season. Week 8 brought us another outstanding round of action, complete with some big upsets, rivalry victories and controversies. Week 9 has some great action all around, kicking off on Friday in West Virginia. Clemson travelling to Florida State and Georgia hosting Florida represent two of the biggest games on the Sunday slate. This preview features each of these games and more, analysing each of my 7 best bets of the week.
West Virginia Mountaineers
The 5-1 Mountaineers return home after their first loss of the season to face Baylor here. This was primarily brought about by a dreadful offensive performance that produced only 152 total yards. West Virginia QB Will Grier has been generally solid this season and will need to bounce back from last week’s horror show. Defensively, the Mountaineers defence couldn’t contain Iowa State’s rushing attack, allowing an astounding 244 yards on 47 attempts. The Iowa State passing offense also had their way, averaging over 10 yards per attempt en route to 3 touchdowns.
Baylor Bears
The 4-3 Bears enter this one off a competitive road loss to Texas last week. An uncharacteristically poor offensive performance was the main reason for this display. The rushing attack just couldn’t get going and QB Charlie Brewer was unable to put up his usual gaudy numbers. On defence, it’s hard to fault the Bears performance. Their aggressive scheme limited the Texas passing attack and contained their strong ground game. Against what I expect to be a fired-up West Virginia team, things will be more difficult this week.
Prediction: West Virginia -13.5
I expect West Virginia to bounce back after last week’s terrible loss. Buoyed by a raucous home crowd, I can see them making life difficult for the Baylor offence. Similarly, Will Grier and the usually formidable Mountaineers offence should bounce back this week en route to a comfortable victory.
Ohio Bobcats
The 4-3 Bobcats enter this one after a comfortable 49-14 home Conference victory over the Bobcats last week. QB Nathan Rourke ran the show, throwing for 4 touchdown passes as he averaged 16 yards per attempt. The outstanding Ohio rushing attack was also dominant on the ground, totalling 392 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, it was another strong display from the Bobcats. They effectively contained the Bowling Green rushing attack and allowed just 214 yards through the air. Against an improving Ball State offense, a similar type of performance will be required here.
Ball State Cardinals
The 3-5 Cardinals travel to Ohio after a poor home loss to Eastern Michigan last week. QB Riley Neal has noticeably regressed this season, having lowered his completion percentage by 9% and his yards per attempt by nearly a full yard since last season. RB James Gilbert has been solid but unspectacular so far, not being able to move the needle for this Cardinals offense. Defensively, Ball State has generally been good. Before allowing 42 points last week, they allowed a maximum of 24 in their first 7 outings.
Prediction: Ball State +10.5
I’m usually a favourites man in College Football but I see some strong value on Ball State here. Their strong rushing defence should be able to contain the dynamic Ohio attack. I believe they’re underrated by the bookies based on last week’s performance and should keep this one close.
Clemson Tigers
The 7-0 Tigers enter this matchup off an incredibly impressive defeat over the previously undefeated NC State Wolfpack. It was undoubtedly the defence that was the catalyst for the victory here. They did a fantastic job containing the NC State passing attack, forcing 2 interceptions and allowing just 4.6 yards per attempt. QB Trevor Lawrence led the way with 308 yards and a score on offence, whilst the rushing attack contributed 4 touchdowns of their own. Facing a tough road test in Florida State, a similar level of performance is needed here.
Florida State Seminoles
The 4-3 Seminoles come into this one fresh off a dominant home conference win over Florida State last week. QB Deondre Francois was immense offensively, going 29/40 for 353 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running Back Cam Akers complimented him nicely, with 98 yards and 2 scores on the ground. Defensively, the Seminoles were excellent. They allowed under 2 yards per carry and right on 5 yards per pass attempt in what was a complete performance. Against this high-flying Clemson squad, their level can’t afford to drop here.
Prediction: Clemson -17
Desperate to hold on to that #2 ranking, I expect Clemson to put in a statement performance here. They have a huge talent advantage on both sides and I believe their defence will dominate in this one. Trevor Francis also does enough offensively to make this one a blowout.
Oklahoma Sooners
Oklahoma return home after a dominant road victory over TCU. QB Kyler Murray ran the show offensively, completing 19/24 of his passes and throwing 4 touchdowns in the process. This was complemented nicely by a huge day from the Sooners rushing attack that combined for 323 yards and 3 touchdowns on the afternoon. On defence, it was another strong display from this Sooners outfit. They completely eliminated the TCU rushing attack and allowed only a 40% pass completion rate. With the strong talent advantage over K-State, I expect another dominant display from the Sooners in this one.
Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State travels to Oklahoma at 3-4 after a strong home win over Oklahoma State last week. Running Back Alex Barnes led the way offensively, rushing for 181 yards and an outstanding 4 touchdowns. This helped mask the poor performance of QB Skylar Thompson, who I expect to struggle here. Defensively, I can’t fault the Wildcats offence. They allowed just 5.3 yards per pass attempt and forced 2 interceptions in a smothering display. Against this talented Oklahoma offence, they’ll have to keep this level up here.
Prediction: Oklahoma -24
This is a huge spread to cover but I don’t think it does justice to the talent advantage Oklahoma has in this game. I expect them to completely smother the Kansas State passing attack here in a comfortable home win. Kyler Murray and Co will help run up the score on offence in a big day out.
Florida Gators
The 6-1 Gators travel to Georgia after a convincing road win over Conference rival Vanderbilt last week. QB Feleipe Franks was solid yet again, averaging 9.8 yards per attempt as he threw for 284 yards and 2 touchdowns. The diverse Gators rushing attack was on display yet again, with Running Backs Lamical Perine and Jordan Scarlett leading the way en route to a 300-yard day. Defensively, they did just enough to hold off the Vanderbilt offense. They allowed just 6.4 yards per pass attempt and effectively negated the rushing attack early. Against a powerful Georgia side, they’ll need to maintain this high level.
Georgia Bulldogs
The 6-1 Bulldogs return home after a humbling 20-point loss to LSU last week. QB Jake Fromm somewhat struggled, completing only 16 of his 34 attempts for an average of 6.1 yards. Falling behind early meant that they also had to abandon their usually dynamic rushing attack. Defensively, they had no answers for the rushing offense of LSU. They conceded 275 yards and 3 touchdowns on the ground in what was a poor display. Given what Florida showed on the ground last week, this will have to improve here.
Prediction: Florida +7.5
Going through the key number of 7, I think Florida is great value here. I expect their strong rushing attack to execute against this vulnerable Georgia defence. This likely shakes out as a close one in primetime and I’ve got faith in the Gators covering this number.
Washington Huskies
The 6-2 Huskies travel to California after a comfortable home win over Colorado last week. It was a balanced rushing attack that led the way, going over 200 yards and registering 2 touchdowns. QB Jake Browning didn’t have to do much but was effective in his game manager role. On defence, it was a great display from this strong Huskies unit. They limited Colorado to just 3.4 yards per carry and only 5.1 yards per pass attempt. This unit has consistently proved their quality this season and I expect another complete effort in Cali this week.
California Golden Bears
The 4-3 Golden Bears return home after a dominant 49-7 win over Oregon State last week. QB Chase Garbers led the way on offence with an efficient 234 yards and 3 touchdowns. This was balanced nicely by a great effort by Patrick Laird, who had 22 carries for 193 yards and a further 2 scores. Defensively, it was a faultless display by Cal. They allowed just 2.3 yards per carry and 4.4 yards per pass attempt, forcing two turnovers in the process. Against this dynamic Huskies attack, a similar level of performance is needed here.
Prediction: Washington -11.5
I believe Cal’s strong performance last week has made the bookies overvalue them here. Washington are the far superior team with a talent advantage all over the field. I expect their rushing attack to shine in a 14+ point victory.
Oregon Ducks
The 6-2 Ducks travel to Arizona fresh off losing a heartbreaker to Washington State last week. They just couldn’t get anything going on the ground, totalling just 58 yards on their 24 carries. This put too much pressure on QB Justin Herbert and ultimately resulted in a 14-point loss. On defence, they were carved open by the proficient Washington State passing offence. The Ducks defence conceded 323 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in a display that ultimately cost them the game. In front of the nation against Arizona this week, this is something that just has to improve.
Arizona Wildcats
The 3-5 Wildcats return home after a narrow 1-point loss to UCLA last week. An outstanding 289 yard and 3 touchdown performance from the Wildcats rushing attack just wasn’t enough in this one. QB Rhett Rodriguez delivered a mixed display, throwing for 2 touchdowns but only completing 15/34 of his passes. On defence, the Wildcats secondary was exposed by an exciting UCLA passing attack. They threw for over 300 yards and 3 touchdowns on 8.8 yards per attempt. With a tough conference matchup against Arizona here, this level will need to improve.
Prediction: Oregon -9.5
I think Oregon are very much the better team here and last week’s performance is clouding the bookies’ judgement. As long as they can get their usually strong rushing attack going here, this should be a rather comfortable win. Oregon by between 2 and 3 touchdowns in this one.