College Football Game Picks: Week 9

Story posted October 29, 2021 in CommRadio, Sports by Sam Kirk

As eight weeks of the college football season have come and gone, there has been yet another reminder that anything can happen on any given Saturday. The Alabama Crimson Tide were within single digits against Tennessee before a runaway fourth quarter.

The quarterback controversy in Oklahoma has laid all eyes on the Sooners. They had a scare against Kansas on Saturday but were guided by key plays late in the game to keep them at No. 3.

Penn State’s nine-overtime loss to Illinois most likely put its playoff chances to bed.

Then, the Pittsburgh Panthers made Dabo Swinney’s Clemson team look even more lost in an unexpectedly bad year.

This has been a one-of-a-kind college football season with the return of fans. Yet, there still is a lot of exciting football to be played, so here are some of the matchups to look forward to in Week 9.

No. 8 Michigan State vs No. 6 Michigan

The Wolverines will head to East Lansing on Saturday where one team will leave with a loss for the first time this season.

Michigan State is coming off its bye week after a close win against Indiana 20-15. Michigan handled Northwestern last week 33-7, with huge contributions on the ground from Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum.

Both of these defenses are amongst the best in the country. It will be up to Cade McNamara and Payton Thorne to protect the football, and whoever does that best will win this game.

Prediction: Michigan 20 - Michigan State 16

No. 1 Georgia vs Florida

This matchup has always been a barn-burning and physical game, and it is hard not to expect the same on Saturday.

To this point, Georgia has boasted the best defense in college football. Florida was torched by LSU just before its bye week but its defense was solid up until that point, with impressive performances against Alabama and Kentucky.

There will still be a fiery atmosphere in Jacksonville on Saturday, but expect the Bulldogs to keep their crown as the best team in college football.

It is hard to imagine Florida having enough big plays on offense to keep up in this one.

Prediction: Georgia 30 - Florida 19

Texas Tech vs No. 4 Oklahoma

On Saturday, Texas Tech jumped out to a two-touchdown lead before letting Kansas State come back and steal a game 25-24.

The Red Raiders might be able to score enough to make it a game with Oklahoma, but Caleb Williams still has to prove that he is the guy who can lead Lincoln Riley to the promised land.

After a dicey performance last week, expect the Sooners to come out firing and bounce back in a shootout.

Prediction: Oklahoma 44 - Texas Tech 31

No. 20 Penn State vs No. 5 Ohio State

The amount of chances Penn State had to remain with one loss was unimaginable. With two losses it’s hard to find a way they can still make the College Football Playoffs.

Ohio State and C.J. Stroud were criticized early in this season but again have proved why they can win the Big Ten in any year.

Look for Ryan Day’s team to eliminate the Nittany Lions from the Big Ten Conference race on Saturday.

Prediction: Ohio State 30 - Penn State 16

No. 10 Ole Miss vs No. 18 Auburn

Ole Miss has won its last three games pretty handedly.

This squad now is in the top 10 so all eyes are now on Lane Kiffin’s team to perform.

Auburn has quietly had a successful year, and Bo Nix is having his best year as a Tiger.

A win here would be the icing on the cake for his potential last season in college.

Nix is playing his most consistent football to date, and that is what could end the Rebels winning streak.

Auburn 28 - Ole Miss 23

 

Sam Kirk is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email sjk6325@psu.edu.