What to Watch in Week 9

Thursday Night

#25 Virginia Tech @ Pittsburgh- 7:00 ESPN

California @ Southern California- 10:30 ESPN

Virginia Tech plays their second straight Thursday Night game, as they head to Pittsburgh where they try to win for the first time since 1999.  Virginia Tech beat Miami last week, and with a win, would be the clear front runners in the ACC Coastal.  Virginia Tech must stop James Connor and the Pittsburgh ground game, while Pitt must contain the Hokie pass rush which destroyed the Miami offensive line last Thursday.  In the nightcap, Cal plays a red-hot USC.  Cal beat Oregon in double overtime last weekend, while USC has won 3 straight since starting the season 1-3.  USC’s starting QB Sam Darnold is one of the most efficient passers in the country, while Cal has struggled on defense this year.

Friday Night

#22 Navy @ South Florida- 7:30 ESPN2

Navy looks to continue its stranglehold on the AAC West with a win at USF on a Friday Night.  Navy has a one game lead in the division, and owns the tie-breaker over Memphis, who is one game back.  South Florida started the year strong but has faded recently.  Their season can get back on track with a win.

Saturday Day

#10 West Virginia @ Oklahoma State- 12:00 FOX

#2 Michigan @ Michigan State- 12:00 ESPN

#5 Louisville @ Virginia- 12:00 ABC

West Virginia looks to continue its undefeated season when they play Oklahoma State.  Both of Oklahoma State’s losses have been by a combined 14 points, and they are capable of an upset.  West Virginia’s defense has been their strength all season, and will need to stay that way if they want to beat the strong offense of Oklahoma State.  Elsewhere, Michigan looks to end a three game losing streak to the Spartans.  Michigan is the much better team this year, and should win the back the Paul Bunyan Trophy for just the second time in 8 seasons.  In the ACC, Louisville heads to UVA.  Lousiville is way too talented for Virginia, and look for Lamar Jackson to put up eye popping stats in this one.

Saturday Afternoon

#4 Washington @ #17 Utah- 3:30 FS1

#14 Florida VS Georgia- 3:30 CBS (Jacksonville)

#8 Baylor @ Texas- 3:30 ABC

College Gameday is in Salt Lake City to watch Washington play Utah.  Washington has risen all the way to #4 in both polls, but has yet to play a team that is currently ranked.  Jake Browning has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country, throwing for 26 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions this year.  In addition to Browning, the Washington defense, and in particular their defensive line has been dominate this season.  They will need to be again, as Utah’s Joe Williams ran for over 300 yards last weekend against UCLA.  No matter who wins this one, it could be a preview of the PAC12 championship.  On CBS, Florida takes on Georgia in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.  If Florida wins out, then the Gators will win the SEC East.  Georgia is coming off a loss to Vanderbilt, while Florida’s offense has improved in recent weeks since Luke Del Rio has returned from injury.  In the Big 12, Baylor continues its quiet undefeated season against Texas.  Texas has struggled this season, but still has a strong offense, which should be enough to challenge Baylor.  It will be up to Baylor’s offense to pour on the points, against a bad Texas defense.

Saturday Night

#7 Nebraska @ #11 Wisconsin- 7:00 ESPN

#15 Auburn @ Ole Miss- 7:15 SEC Network

#3 Clemson @ #12 Florida State- 8:00 ABC

Nebraska heads to Wisconsin in a matchup between the top 2 teams in the Big 10 West.   Nebraska has yet to play a ranked team all year, whereas, Wisconsin has beaten LSU, and only lost to Ohio State and Michigan by 7 each.  Nebraska will still control their own destiny with a win, but they head to Ohio State next weekend.  On the SEC network, Auburn looks to continue their hot streak when they take on Ole Miss.  Auburn ran all over Arkansas last weekend, and look for that to continue against an Ole Miss squad that has struggled against the run this season.  Auburn posses one of the best defenses in the SEC, and will need to show it off against Chad Kelly, arguably the best quarterback in the country.  In the ACC, Clemson takes on Florida State, in a showdown between two top 15 teams.  Florida State has rebounded from their 2 game losing streak, with a strong win over Miami.  They has used Dalvin Cook much more as the season has progressed.  Clemson will have Wayne Gallman back on Saturday, and will use him to slow down a strong Florida State pass rush.  With a win, Clemson will have an easy path to the ACC Championship game.

Saturday Late Night

Washington State @ Oregon State- 10:45 ESPN2

Stanford @ Arizona- 11:00 FS1

Washington State looks to stay unbeaten in the PAC12 in a late night against Oregon State.  Oregon State is 2-5 so far on the season and should not be much of a challenge for Washington State.  Elsewhere in the PAC12 Stanford heads to Arizona.  Stanford has not scored more than 20 points since September 24, and will be going with a new quarterback in this one.