College Football Week 9 Preview: Must-See Games and Key Insights
College football fans, get ready for a wild Week 9. Even when the matchups look a little bland, this weekend always seems to surprise us.
There are three ranked SEC games and a bunch of other intriguing matchups on tap. Vanderbilt is making history, and the Michigan rivalry is lurking under the radar. Let’s dig into what’s actually worth knowing before kickoff—plus some recommended reads and trivia to keep things interesting.
SEC Showdowns to Watch
Table of Contents
The SEC rarely lets fans down. This week, three ranked matchups should keep things lively.
No. 15 Missouri at No. 10 Vanderbilt
No. 15 Missouri heads to No. 10 Vanderbilt at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. It’s the third time this season Vanderbilt’s been in a matchup of AP-ranked teams, which hasn’t happened since 1947.
Quarterback Diego Pavia, coach Clark Lea, and GM Barton Simmons have nudged the Commodores into Playoff chatter after they beat LSU last week. Still, their Playoff odds hover around 8 percent. If Vanderbilt wants another upset, they’ll have to slow down Missouri’s running back Ahmad Hardy—a guy who started as a zero-star recruit at Louisiana Monroe.
No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 20 LSU
No. 3 Texas A&M visits No. 20 LSU at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The Aggies walk into Tiger Stadium at night, which is notoriously one of the most electric scenes in college football.
Tiger Stadium actually topped The Athletic’s staff vote for best stadium, and both schools can squeeze in over 100,000 fans. That’s just college football at its most grandiose, isn’t it?
No. 8 Ole Miss at No. 13 Oklahoma
No. 8 Ole Miss faces No. 13 Oklahoma at noon ET on ABC. It almost feels like a conference title elimination game, with both teams carrying one SEC loss.
Ole Miss lost to Georgia last week, while Oklahoma fell to Texas two weeks ago. The Rebels will lean on Trinidad Chambliss, a Division II transfer who led Ferris State to a national title before landing in Oxford. Meanwhile, Lane Kiffin’s name keeps popping up in coaching rumors, with Florida reportedly sniffing around.
Other Must-Watch Games
Outside the SEC, there are a few games that might sneak up on you.
Michigan vs. Michigan State
No. 25 Michigan takes on Michigan State at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. This rivalry can get pretty heated, and it’s a big test for second-year coaches Sherrone Moore and Jonathan Smith.
Scott Dochterman even ranked the rivalry No. 16 in his top 100, which says something about its history—even if it slips under the national radar.
BYU at Iowa State
Undefeated No. 11 BYU heads to Iowa State at 3:30 p.m. ET on Fox. If you haven’t read Christopher Kamrani’s story on Kalani Sitake’s leadership, now’s the time.
This one matters for the Big 12 race and BYU’s impressive run so far.
Underdogs and Surprises
College football just wouldn’t be the same without its chaos. Week 9’s got its share of underdogs and unexpected stories.
North Texas Punches Above Its Weight
Group of 5 teams like North Texas face tough odds, especially with the transfer portal poaching top players every offseason. Sam Khan’s deep dive into the Mean Green shows how they’re managing to stay competitive.
Virginia’s Rise Under Bill Belichick
Virginia is the surprise team in North Carolina’s first messy season under Bill Belichick. The Cavaliers haven’t been ranked this high since 2007.
Quarterback Chandler Morris leads the way, with his dad Chad living and dying with every play. And yes, there’s a story behind Belichick’s viral Halloween decorations if you’re curious.
Undefeated Teams and Playoff Projections
The Playoff race is heating up. A few teams still have perfect records, but how long can that last?
Book Your Dream Vacation Today
Flights | Hotels | Vacation Rentals | Rental Cars | Experiences
Six Undefeated Teams Remain
Six teams are left unbeaten: BYU, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Navy, Ohio State, and Texas A&M. Feels like we’re all just waiting to see who blinks first.
Quarterback Play and the Playoff Race
Quarterbacks have shaken up the Playoff race in ways no one really saw coming. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia have climbed the Heisman straw poll, which is honestly kind of wild.
Ohio State’s Championship Odds
Ohio State is off this week, but they still have the best shot at the national title—22 percent, according to Austin Mock’s numbers. Cameron Teague Robinson lays out the pros and cons of an Ohio State repeat, while Stewart Mandel wonders if we should be a bit more skeptical.
Coaching Carousel and Job Security
The coaching carousel just keeps spinning. Programs keep making big moves, and it’s never boring.
Florida’s Coaching Changes
Florida just fired Billy Napier, even after a win against Mississippi State. Matt Baker says Florida coaches are out of excuses, and Bruce Feldman breaks down possible replacements.
Chris Vannini weighs the pros and cons of the job, while Joe Rexrode ranks Florida No. 5 among SEC gigs.
Fan Emotions and the Coaching Carousel
Will Leitch argues that fan emotions drive the coaching carousel. He asks which fan bases are most desperate for a championship.
Indiana, Ohio State, and Texas A&M topped The Athletic 136 after Week 8, which just shows how high the stakes feel this season.
Quirky College Football Moments
Let’s be honest—college football is a magnet for weird, unforgettable moments. That’s half the fun, isn’t it?
Tortilla Tossing at Texas Tech
Texas Tech banned tortilla tossing at their games. Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt summed it up best: *The stakes are too high and we need to help, not risk, penalizing our team again for throwing tortillas.*
If you’re curious for a deeper dive or just want to try your luck on the Week 9 trivia, check out the full article on The New York Times.