CFB week 9 preview: Battle for Michigan, is Pitt for real, and more
As the college football rolls towards the postseason, the College Football Playoff race is still remarkably unclear. But week 9 will give teams a chance to emerge as contenders, or fade from the conversation. There are some truly huge games to be played this week.
Michigan at Michigan State: This is one of the most crucial renditions of this in-state rivalry in years. The anticipation building for this game approaches their epic contest in 2015, ending in a blocked punt for a Sparty win. That also remains the only time Michigan State has made the College Football Playoff, and they haven’t been close in years. But everything is different this year. Both these teams are firmly in the CFP race and may even be able to stay alive with a loss, but that won’t take away from the importance of this one. The Spartans boast a heisman contender in RB Kenneth Walker, while Michigan also has a top running game. Accounting for top defenses on both sides as well, both teams will need to get the passing game going. Michigan’s quarterback, Cade McNamara, has never had to carry this offense and he has to be feeling pressure heading into this one. Michigan does have a couple of edges though. Michigan State haven’t really played top competition this season. And while Michigan’s slate hasn’t been that much better, the Wolverines have amassed close game experience. An interesting subplot is Mel Tucker, Michigan State’s exciting new coach that’s reportedly getting interest from top programs, having a chance to prove himself on the biggest stage.
Penn State at Ohio State: This truly is a monumental week for the Big 10. But this game has lost the promise it had only a couple of weeks ago. Penn State’s offense is an absolute trainwreck that I’d only trust against a few Big 10 teams. Meanwhile, Ohio State is red hot and honestly, could be considered a top 3 team in the nation. CJ looks rejuvenated and the Buckeye offense is ready to torch any defense in the nation (maybe not Georgia). Maybe, the Penn State defense pulls off a miracle to keep this close, but I don’t see it.
Ole Miss at Auburn: This game seems to be a bit under the national radar but this should be a really great games. I still see Ole Miss as a top CFP contender but they find themselves as underdogs on the road. While he’s a tough player to trust, Bo Nix has been putting up big numbers the past couple of weeks and is always a better player at home. The problem for Auburn is that Matt Corral, maybe the best quarterback in the nation, has no reason not to continue his stellar form. I see this Ole Miss team winning this game and every other remaining game. Remember, they’re an Alabama slip up from the SEC championship game.
Miami at Pittsburgh: It’s awesome to see the ACC be a real conference and not Clemson’s stopping grounds for the first time in a few years. It’s a real shame that Pitt had that early season slip up, though they could still enter the CFP conversation. Pitt is now gaining national attention and with that, QB Kenny Pickett’s emergence is getting deserved Heisman talk. But this Miami team brings an interesting challenge. Miami has well underperformed their high talent level, which probably is above the Pitt team. And while the Panthers dismissed the obviously more talented Clemson, Miami can’t possibly have an offensive implosion to the level of Clemson’s. I expect the Pitt train to keep on rolling but this is a very hard game. A reason to hope for a Pitt win is the dream of a Wake Forest-Pittsburgh ACC championship game. Those two top offenses would give an epic game.
Georgia at Florida: Florida has had there struggles this season, but if they can put it all together on a given week, few teams would come close. But Georgia is simply so different from any other team. This is an NFL team finishing up their college eligibility and have dominated as such. Florida is already committing unforced turnovers at a high rate, and Georgia’s defense should capitalise on any little mistake. While I think Florida turns it around this year, this isn’t the week it starts.
Other games to watch:
Texas at Baylor: Texas will get the chance to upset the ranked Baylor Bears. This should be a tight game but Texas has the best player in the nation on their side, RB Bijan Robinson.
Kentucky at Mississippi State: Kentucky has lost all of their hype since getting rolled by Georgia but this will be a good game and a chance for a Kentucky to put themselves back in the national spotlight.
Iowa at Wisconsin: These two teams are similar and this will be a tight, low scoring affair. Both these teams have absurd defenses but will be held back by offenses that probably won’t be able to get much going. Whoever makes the biggest play wins this game.
Iowa State vs West Virginia: Just another time that Iowa State will prove they’re different from the team that started the season. They’re getting red hot and are back in the Big 12 race.
North Carolina vs Notre Dame: North Carolina aren’t as good as expected, but this game should be a fine one. Yet another potentially tight game.
Virginia vs BYU: Under the radar game of the week, Virginia is the most fun team nobody is watching. Led by Brennan Armstrong, I’d back them to pull off a shootout upset in Provo.
