All college football fans understand that chaos can often emerge when a weekend of games doesn't feature a high-profile showdown. While there may not be a blockbuster matchup in Week 9, there is still plenty to watch, including three ranked SEC matchups: Missouri at Vanderbilt, Ole Miss at Oklahoma, and Texas A&M at LSU. Additionally, fans should be on upset alert throughout the day. Here’s everything you need to know before kickoff, including our Week 9 trivia challenge and essential pregame reads.
The matchup between No. 15 Missouri and No. 10 Vanderbilt (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN) marks the third encounter this season involving two AP-ranked teams for Vanderbilt, a feat that hasn't occurred since 1947. Interestingly, that year was also the last time the Commodores were ranked in the top 10. Under the leadership of quarterback Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt's roster has been meticulously crafted by coach Clark Lea and general manager Barton Simmons, a veteran recruiting analyst known for his work with Rivals and 247Sports. After their victory over LSU last week, Vanderbilt has inserted itself into the Playoff conversation, but our projections model gives them just an 8% chance of making it. David Ubben and Austin Mock discuss this in their Bubble Watch segment. To secure another win against a ranked opponent, Vanderbilt must contain standout Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy, a former zero-star recruit who began his college journey at Louisiana Monroe.
As No. 3 Texas A&M prepares to visit No. 20 LSU (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC), the Aggies will face the notoriously challenging atmosphere of a prime-time game at Tiger Stadium, which has been voted the best college football stadium by The Athletic's staff. Both Texas A&M and LSU boast stadiums with a capacity of over 100,000. Have you ever wondered why college football is home to some of the world's largest stadiums?
Meanwhile, the No. 25 Michigan Wolverines will take on Michigan State (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC) in a game that is sure to attract attention, even if it flies under the radar. This critical matchup is pivotal for the approval ratings of second-year coaches Sherrone Moore and Jonathan Smith. As noted by Austin Meek in 2023, the rivalry has become increasingly toxic in recent years, ranking No. 16 in Scott Dochterman’s top 100 rivalries list published in July.
Before the undefeated No. 11 BYU Cougars face Iowa State (3:30 p.m. ET, Fox) in a significant game for the Big 12 race, check out Christopher Kamrani's feature on the distinctive leadership approach of Cougars coach Kalani Sitake.
The clash between No. 8 Ole Miss and No. 13 Oklahoma (noon ET, ABC) carries the weight of an SEC title elimination game, as both teams seek redemption following one conference defeat each—Ole Miss from Georgia last week and Oklahoma from Texas two weeks ago. The Rebels will rely on Division II transfer quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who transitioned from leading Ferris State to a national title to guiding Ole Miss toward the Playoff. Meanwhile, Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin finds himself a potential target in the coaching carousel, with discussions around Florida’s interest in hiring him or Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz.
Underfunded Group of 5 teams are grappling with significant challenges in modern college football, especially as their top players are increasingly drawn to the transfer portal after each season. Sam Khan provides an in-depth look at the North Texas program and how the Mean Green are striving to exceed expectations.
As North Carolina navigates its tumultuous first season under Bill Belichick, it faces off against the surprising Virginia team, which has reached its highest ranking since 2007, led by quarterback Chandler Morris—whose father, Chad, is deeply invested in every play. In related news, David Ubben delves into the story behind the viral Halloween decorations associated with Belichick.
Six teams remain undefeated, including some unexpected contenders: BYU, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Navy, Ohio State, and Texas A&M. The question on everyone’s mind is, how long can this perfection last?
Many teams have struggled through the first eight weeks of the season, leading to discussions on roster-building lessons that can be learned from the disappointments experienced by programs like Penn State, Clemson, and Texas.
Quarterback performance has significantly influenced the College Football Playoff race in unexpected ways, with Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia emerging as leading candidates in our Heisman Trophy straw poll.
Ohio State, currently on a bye week, boasts the highest odds to win the national championship at 22%, according to Austin Mock’s Playoff projections. Cameron Teague Robinson analyzes the reasons for and against an Ohio State repeat, while Stewart Mandel questions whether we should be more skeptical of the Buckeyes' prospects.
Florida recently made headlines by firing its coach, Billy Napier, despite his victory over Mississippi State last Saturday. Matt Baker discusses the future of Florida's coaching staff, while Bruce Feldman evaluates potential replacements for Napier. Chris Vannini provides insights into the pros and cons of the job, and Joe Rexrode ranks the 16 SEC teams based on their job appeal, placing Florida at No. 5.
Lastly, Will Leitch emphasizes that fan emotions significantly influence the coaching carousel. Which fan bases are most eager to secure a championship victory? Only time will tell as the season unfolds.
As we head into Week 9, keep an eye on the matchups and storylines that could shape the remainder of the college football season.
