College Football Week 9 Predictions: OSU/Penn St, Tenn/UK, Tex Tech/Baylor and more

College Football Week 9 Predictions

In week 8, the comebacks kids were Clemson and TCU in what was an entertaining Saturday. Week 9 is short on can’t-miss Marquee Matchups but long on some interesting contests and point spreads as we approach next Tuesday, November 1st release of the Playoff Committee Rankings. Time and time again, sleeper schedules turn into mayhem so let’s buckle up. Check out the top football odds.

Marquee Matchups

#2 Ohio State vs #13 Penn State: The Buckeyes take the show on the road to Happy Valley to play Penn State. Ohio State looks the part of a national title contender but hasn’t been able to prove it against a good team let alone great one. After getting housed in the second half versus Michigan the Nittany Lions bounced back with a good win over a struggling Gophers club. In week 1 the Buckeyes were tested in the first half by Notre Dame can Penn State take this game to the fourth quarter with a chance to win? The scary thing about the OSU offense is WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba hasn’t been healthy so they may have another gear.

The Pick: Ohio State -15.5

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#3 Tennessee vs. #19 Kentucky: The Vols come into this important SEC East matchup red-hot and look to keep the ball rolling. The Wildcats took back-to-back losses but did manage to beat a pretty good Mississippi State team and should be fresh off a bye week. Kentucky QB Will Levis shouldn’t have a problem lighting up the Tennessee secondary but can they pound the rock to keep the Vols stellar offense on the sidelines. It appears the Volunteers are getting better as the season goes on. Let us not forget this has the makings of a trap game with Georgia on the schedule next week. This College Football junkie is eyeing that spread, but the offense of Kentucky hasn’t been consistent enough.

The Pick: Tennessee -12.5

Under The Radar

#9 Oklahoma State vs. #22 Kansas State: This sounds like a broken record, another week another good-ass matchup in the Big-12. We don’t know if K-State QB Adrian Martinez will be recovered enough to play against the Cowboys however, lucky for the Wildcats, backup QB Will Howard did his thing last week, and he has been cleared. OKST had a nice comeback to defeat Texas last week but now has a formidable road foe to tangle with. A pick’em type game, no doubt, but I don’t trust the Cowboys defense. Kansas State will finish the job in the final chunk of minutes of the 4th.

The Pick: Kansas State -1.5 

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Texas Tech vs. Baylor: It’s never as easy as thinking the Red Raiders will beat Baylor because they completely destroyed West Virginia a team that had previously beaten the Bears the week before. Texas Tech had 5 straight matchups facing a ranked opponent then last week unloaded on WV and will likely keep the good vibes going at home. Running the ball and controlling the clock will be the key for Baylor on the road.

Pick: Texas Tech -2.5

Saturday Upset Special

Missouri does what it should’ve done to Georgia and upsets #25 South Carolina as a +4 road dog.

(Honorable Mention: Iowa State finally gets over the hump as a slight dog at home versus Oklahoma.)

Hardcore Barnburners

#10 Wake Forest vs. Louisville: It’s kind of difficult to see the Cards winning considering the loss to a bad Boston College program but the Demon Deacons might be looking ahead to 3 ranked foes on the schedule. Louisville generally plays well at home so look for them to keep it competitive.

The Pick: Wake Forest -3.5

#20 Cincinnati vs. Central Florida: The Bearcats have been scraping by on the scoreboard meaning this might be the week they slip up. Then again Central Florida just got beat up losing soundly to East Carolina 34-13. It won’t be pretty but Cincy will get out of Orlando with a victory.

The Pick: Cincinnati +1.5

Against The Spread

Pittsburgh is capable of covering as +3.5 to North Carolina.

Anything is possible facing the Canes right now so don’t be surprised in Virginia as +2 versus Miami.

(Honorable Mention: Michigan State +22 versus Michigan because Sparty will get up for this in-state rivalry)

Quick Hits Recap

-Oregon got their 6 consecutive victory on the back of QB Bo Nix’s 5 TD’s in an impressive outing 45-30 over UCLA.

-LSU QB Jayden Daniels accounted for 5 touchdowns added 121 rushing yards on 23 carries in a 45-20 win over previously unbeaten Ole Miss.

-Texas suffered their 5th straight road loss making it their 2nd longest streak in the last 80 years.

-5 times now the Longhorns have given up 10+points leads over the last season and half.

-Wake Forest QB Sam Hartman threw for 313 yards and 6 touchdowns in a walk-away 43-15 victory over BC.

-Tulane earned their first win as an AP-ranked program for the first time since 1998.

-Buffalo CB Marcus Fugua had 3 interceptions in a 34-27 win over Toledo.

-WR Xavier Gipson caught 10 balls for 256 yards and 2 TD’s in a Stephen T. Austin win over Southern Utah.

Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio &

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