College Football Week 9 Expert Picks, Predictions For Florida-Georgia And More

Week 8 of the college football season matched the chaos in Weeks 6 and 7. Can Week 9 make that four in a row? Saturday starts with No. 25 Wisconsin, ranked for the first time since 2023, taking its College Football Playoff hopes to Kinnick Stadium, facing Iowa on “Big Noon Kickoff.” Meanwhile, No. 13 Texas Tech will try to avoid plummeting after a surprising loss to Cincinnati when it faces No. 22 Arizona. In the afternoon, can No. 17 Florida secure its third upset of a top-5 team this season against No. 3 Georgia? Will No. 6 Utah remain perfect against the surging Bearcats? The night ends with Lincoln Riley’s coaching for his job, while No. 2 Ohio State tries to keep its season alive after losing quarterback Julian Sayin. We’re breaking down our straight-up picks and the matchups to watch closely throughout the weekend. When: Saturday, noon ET (FOX)Where: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, IowaLine: Iowa -3.5 RJ Young: WisconsinIf Wisconsin can keep Lincoln Riley’s offense at bay, there’s no reason to believe it can’t do the same to Iowa. Laken Litman: WisconsinAfter spending some time on the hot seat, Luke Fickell’s team maintains momentum on the road against an Iowa team which has lost two of its last three. Ben Portnoy: WisconsinWisconsin has found new life thanks to a retooled NIL operation and a roster that now more closely matches that of its Big Ten brethren. If the Badgers get through this one, it might be time to start thinking about a College Football Playoff game in Madison. When: Saturday, noon ET (ESPN)Where: Galaxy Stadium, Lubbock, TexasLine: Texas Tech -3.5 Young: ArizonaWhen Noah Fifita is playing at his best, the Wildcats look like a team capable of winning the Big 12 championship. Litman: ArizonaIn a wild and crazy Big 12, Arizona goes into Lubbock and gets the win behind a big performance from quarterback Noah Fifita. Portnoy: ArizonaArizona has quietly been one of the best teams nobody is talking about. Noah Fifita continues to be a star for the Wildcats. After last week’s debacle at Cincinnati, I’m skeptical Texas Tech has enough offensively to win this one. When: Saturday, 12:45 p.m. ET (ESPN)Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, MississippiLine: Ole Miss -13.5 Young: Ole MissTrinidad Chambliss is the closest player college football has to New York Knicks’ guard Jalen Brunson and his clutch ability late in games. Litman: Ole MissThe Rebels bounce back at home and keep their CFP hopes alive. Portnoy: Ole MissI know Auburn beat Georgia two weeks ago, but that came on the heels of a handful of lucky breaks that have made us think differently about this team. Simply put, Ole Miss is better in every facet right now and should win going away. When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GeorgiaLine: Georgia -11.5 Young: GeorgiaThe Gators are banged up at quarterback and wide receiver. Litman: GeorgiaThe Bulldogs are rejuvenated after a bye week following their first loss of the season and will leave no doubt in this rivalry matchup. Portnoy: FloridaI am still not quite sure what to make of Florida, but given the offensive upside, the Gators don’t need to be that effective to get a win here. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton was susceptible to turnovers against Auburn. Florida’s defense isn’t as good, but weird things happen in this rivalry. When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, OregonLine: Oregon -3.5 Young: NorthwesternThe Wildcats are healthier than the Ducks by a fair margin. Litman: NorthwesternNorthwestern gets a massive road win against a struggling Oregon offense that is desperately missing quarterback Dante Moore. Portnoy: NorthwesternOffensive coordinator Chip Kelly should probably be the front-runner for the Broyles Award, honoring the best assistant coach in America. The Ducks are in the midst of a lost season and a slew of off-the-field issues have vibes at the lowest they’ve been in years around the program. Give me the ‘Cats to keep in the mix for a CFP berth. When: Saturday, 3:45 p.m. ET (ESPN)Where: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, OhioLine: Utah -6.5 Young: UtahThe Bearcats will fall against a program as good at running the football as they are. Litman: UtahCincinnati is coming off a huge win against Texas Tech, but Utah keeps its perfect season intact. Portnoy: UtahUtah finally played an opponent with a pulse last week and gave us enough evidence to suggest it and BYU should be considered the frontrunners for the Big 12 title this year. Cincinnati shouldn’t be overlooked after throttling Texas Tech, but the high of that win feels hard to shake off with a trip out West on tap. When: Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET (FS1)Where: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IowaLine: Oklahoma State -8.5 Young: Oklahoma StateOklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker is playing like a Heisman Trophy finalist. Litman: Oklahoma StateDrew Mestemaker is having one of the best seasons of any quarterback in the nation and that continues against the struggling Cyclones. Portnoy: Oklahoma StateI’ve admittedly fallen victim to forgetting about Oklahoma State for long stretches after the loss to Tulsa. Hard to ignore now. Drew Mestemaker is playing as well as any quarterback in America. That’s the difference in this one. When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CaliforniaLine: USC -6.5 Young: Ohio StateThe Buckeyes possess the better defense and the best player in the sport in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith. Litman: Ohio StateEven without starting quarterback Julian Sayin, the Buckeyes show their resilience and make life for USC coach Lincoln Riley that much harder. Portnoy: Ohio StateIs it Tavien St. Clair or Luke Fahey at quarterback for the Buckeyes? Perhaps both? I’m skeptical of how far this Ohio State team can go without Julian Sayin, but USC feels like it’s on the verge of implosion. Lincoln Riley has spent the week answering questions about job security. I don’t care who’s lining up under center for Ryan Day, that’s not exactly an inspiring sign of stability. When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)Where: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, North CarolinaLine: Miami -14.5 Young: MiamiThe Hurricanes feel like 2025 Indiana. Litman: MiamiThe ‘Canes keep rolling ahead of next week’s massive showdown in South Bend against Notre Dame. Portnoy: MiamiShort of Notre Dame next week, I’m not sure Miami won’t win every game remaining on its schedule by at least two touchdowns. I’m buying stock in quarterback Darian Mensah as the eventual Heisman winner, and, for all the good UNC has done this year, it’s not at the level of a national title contender like the Hurricanes.