Games to Watch: Week 9

Ugh...I had to scrape frost off the windshield of my car this morning, and it's not even November yet.  A subtle reminder that another Chicago winter is going to rear it's head sooner or later.  However, we still have a plethora of games left to watch before we crown any College Football Playoff teams!

That being said...time to take a look at Week 9's schedule:

Thursday 10/23:

Miami-Florida Hurricanes @ Virginia Tech Hokies ~ 7:00pm CT (ESPN)

This game highlights two very young teams in the ACC Coastal Division.  Both have records of 4-3 heading into the game, and both look pretty evenly matched heading into tonight's game.  However, one thing that the Hurricanes haven't done (yet) is produce a "Big" win over a ranked opponent.  VT looks like the team to pick here, but with their youth and inexperience, they might not play up to their potential (and that would not be the first time that's happened).

HOWEVER, if you're really looking to watch a good game...the Blackhawks and Predators face-off tonight in a battle for 1st place in the central division @ 7pm.  The smart play would be to watch the Hawks play, and set your "previous channel" to ESPN so you'll have another game to watch during the commercials.

Friday 10/24:

BYU Cougars @ Boise State Broncos ~ 8:00pm CT (ESPN)

Ever since Taysom Hill was injured in the Utah State game, the BYU offense hasn't been the same.  From being a team I really wanted to see shake up the playoff voting to losing three straight is tough, but a victory against Boise State can easily right the ship.  I'm honestly watching to see Boise play again, seeing that I haven't seen them play since the Ole Miss game at the beginning of the year.  Silich, FATCON is on high alert in this one.

#6 Oregon Ducks @ California Golden Bears ~ 9:00pm CT (FoxSports1)

This game normally would get more attention from the FOX media, but with the World Series Game 3 being played that night this game gets left in the dust.  BUT, that's not going to stop Marcus Mariota and the Oregon offense.  This game will be a shootout, as neither defense has proven to provide much support for either team.  There's a good chance the final point total will be in the 80's.

Saturday 10/25:

Maryland Terrapins @ Wisconsin Badgers ~ 11:00am CT (BTN)

If you're watching the Illini game from home, this one will be a good one to watch during the commercials.  Wisconsin's one-dimensional offense will need to play well against an overall decent Maryland defense in order to establish T.O.P and control the clock.  The Terrapins have a fun, spread offense that can score quickly so it'll be interesting to see if the Badger D can holds it's ground.  If there's one thing that Maryland does well...

Michigan Wolverines @ #8 Michigan State Spartans ~ 2:30pm CT (ABC)

Who wants to see Michigan lose a football game!??!  You do?  Great!  I've got just the game for you...

Go Sparty.

#22 West Virginia Mountaineers @ Oklahoma State Cowboys ~ 2:30pm CT (ESPN)

UPSET ALERT!!!  For all the weeks I've been behind West Virginia, this week looks the scariest.  The Boys in Stillwater are ready to roll after a beatdown last weekend against TCU, so look for an offense that only scored 9 points last game to come out firing.  As much as I think WV is a solid team this season, they're bound to drop one on the road to a worthy opponent.

#3 Ole Miss Rebels @ #24 LSU Tigers ~ 6:15pm CT (ESPN)

The Rebels have proven they can win big games on the road with their victory over Texas A&M two weeks ago.  This week, they head into Baton Rouge with a target on their back as LSU looks to get back in the mix in the SEC West.  A rainy night game isn't the most favorable of atmospheres for a visiting team, and LSU has this guy...

#13 Ohio State Buckeyes @ Penn State Nittany Lions ~ 7:00 CT (ABC)

Just how good is Penn State's defense?  That is the question we will be asking all night at the Buckeyes head into Happy Valley looking to continue their pursuit towards a date in Indy for the Big Ten Championship game.  The fans at Penn State will be ready and you better believe that James Franklin will have his guys fired up and ready to roll Saturday night in primetime.

#20 USC Trojans @ #19 Utah Utes ~ 9:00pm CT (FoxSports1)

Knowing that Michigan will probably fall to State and the Irish aren't playing this week...a USC loss would cap off a really great day in college football :)

And you know that even though Utah is ranked higher, they are the underdogs in this one.  I'll just leave this GIF right here from a few years ago...

#14 Arizona State Sun Devils @ Washington Huskies ~ 9:45pm CT (ESPN)

Chris Peterson has yet to snag a "signature win" with the Huskies since he took over their Head Coach position.  But a 5-2 Washington team could easily steal a win over a very good ASU team with the help of some classic Peterson play-calling and a solid home field advantage.  A really interesting games between two teams that have no issues scoring points.