College Football Week 9 Predictions: ILL/Oregon, Ala/Mizzou, LSU/Texas A&M, ND/Navy, Tex/Vandy and more

Week 8 saw Georgia reassert itself by beating Texas, and Tennessee once again got by Alabama in Knoxville. Week 9 features 5 ranked versus ranked matchups along with a variety of live dogs facing Top-25 opponents. Two more weeks before the ‘real’ rankings get released. In this new era the blue blood rosters lack the same depth they once had due to the transfer portal and NIL. This new 12-team format has added importance to regular season games to make up for the drama that ensued when teams couldn’t afford to take a loss in their most important games in the previous era.

Marquee Matchups

#1 Oregon vs. #20 Illinois: The Ducks are the highest-ranked unbeaten team in the land, heading into what could be an unexpected challenge. A 6-1 start is the best season for Illinois in the last 20 years. Although facing a different offence in Oregon, the Illini did contain a high-scoring Penn State unit, not all that long ago. Under head coach Bret Bielema, the Illini defense is usually better at stopping the run, but not this year, which is a bit troublesome. However, they should be able to move the ball through the air. Look for the Ducks to mix the run and high-powered passing offense to win the game ultimately. Turnovers and red zone stops forcing field goals is the key to keeping this point spread in play for Illinois. The Illini defense will limit the explosive pass plays, keeping everything in front of them.

The Pick: Oregon wins, but Illinois +21.5 

DraftKings

4.6/5

Tip: Bet Illinois +21.5

• Can the Illini take the ball away on defense
• Oregon at home
• Dillon Gabriel to play well

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#8 LSU vs. #14 Texas A&M: These two programs remain the only undefeated teams in conference play, surprisingly sitting at the top of the SEC. As they say in boxing, someone’s ‘0’ has to go, but college football has no draws. LSU travels to College Station for their second week on the road after handily defeating a scrappy Arkansas club. The Aggies will no doubt try to establish their highly potent ground game, averaging almost 219 rushing yards per game. The LSU offense may’ve found a running back to give the ball to in Caden Durham. Which Conner Weigman will show up for Texas A&M, the one that lit up Mizzou or the typically inconsistent quarterback?

That said, the Tigers’ strength on offense is chucking the ball around the field with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier behind an impressive offensive line. It appears a switch has been turned on for LSU’s improvement on the defensive side of the ball.

The Pick: LSU +1

DraftKings

4.6/5

Tip: Bet LSU +1

• LSU the better team
• Texas A&M at home
• Aggies look to dominate on the ground

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Under The Radar

# 12 Alabama vs. #21 Missouri: As much as the Crimson Tide have underachieved this season, the Tigers have looked even worse after an outing that saw Mizzou lucky to get by Auburn. Three games ago, Missouri got smoked by Texas A&M. Let’s not leave out the poor play of the Alabama offense, which struggles to find a running back to produce, relying on QB Jalen Milroe far too much. Bama is heading back to the comforts of Bryant-Denny Stadium, licking their wounds, having lost a winnable one against Tennessee last week. The Tigers should be able to find some success on the ground, which could open up their high-profile targets in the wide receiver position. Then again, Missouri hasn’t been able to click the way they did on offense in their 11-2 season a year ago.

The Pick: Alabama wins but Missouri +17.

DraftKings

4.6/5

Tip: Bet Missouri +17

• Can the Tigers take the ball away on defense
• Alanama at home
• Can Bama get the ball rolling on the ground

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#12 Notre Dame vs. #24 Bavy: Northern Illinois ran all over the Irish back in September. So the obvious question is, why can’t a program like the Navy do the same thing and keep it close?  If Notre Dame keeps Navy to less than 200 rushing yards, as odd as it sounds, that might do the trick if they take care of the ball. Who would’ve guessed at the beginning of the season that the Army and Navy would be more significant threats than USC and Florida State? It’s been an excellent story for Navy, and who knows the way this season is going, we could get an upset. Norte Dame can run and pass, which lines up well for QB Riley Leonard. It will be up to the Irish defense to slow down Army’s rushing attack.

The Pick: Notre Dame -12.5

DraftKings

4.6/5

Tip: Bet Notre Dame +12.5

• Can the Navy take the ball away on defense
• Navy at home
• Navy can pass this season

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Saturday Upset Special

Texas Tech, as a +6.5 road dog, upsets TCU.

Nevada, as a slight road dog +1.5, beats Hawaii on Sunday.

Hardcore Barnburners

#5 Texas vs. #25 Vanderbilt: Texas will be looking for blood considering the beating it took in the first half against Georgia. To their credit, the Longhorns did get back in the game, but it was too little, too late. Vandy has been riding high since shocking Alabama, and their quarterback Diego Pavia is having a stellar 2024. Although this College Football podcaster believes Texas wins, the barnburner part will be the point spread, which seems a tad wide.

The Pick: Texas wins but Vanderbilt +18.5

#17 Boise State vs. UNLV: These two Mountain West squads love to run the ball, with Boise State averaging 290 to UNLV’s 251 rush yards per game. The funny thing with this one is both are very good at stopping the run and very bad at defending the pass, hovering around 300 passing yards and giving up per contest. Throw in the conference standings race, and we got ourselves a good old-fashioned barnburner baby.

The Pick: Boise State -3.5

Against The Spread

Rutgers +14.5 versus USC

#25 Vanderbilt +18.5 versus #5 Texas

#20 Illinois +21.5 versus #1 Oregon

Texas Tech +6.5 versus TCU

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Quick Hits Recap

-Tennessee’s upset of Alabama ended a streak of 16 consecutive years the Crimson Tide had zero losses or one loss before the month of November.

-Miami’s shootout win over Louisville makes it the 4th time the Canes have put up 50+ points setting a school record.

-Heisman candidate Miami QB Cam Ward threw up for 319 yards and 4 touchdowns against the Cardinals.

Illinois’s win over Michigan marked the fewest points for the Wolverines since 2014, halting a streak of 130 straight games with 10+ points.

-BYU leads the Big-12 with 14 forced turnovers a game.

-Army’s 7-0 record marks their best start in 1996.

-Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten rushed for a program record 266 rushing yards and 4 total touchdowns in a win over Boston College.

-UCLA QB Ethan Garbers threw for 383 yards and 4 TDs as the Bruins got their first official Big Ten victory as a member over Rutgers.

Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio & Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio