Week 9 offers plenty of high-octane college football in matchups that could determine the outcome of the College Football Playoff field later this year.
No. 2 Penn State once again headlines this week's slate of games when it take on No. 6 Ohio State at Ohio Stadium. The matchup of Saquon Barkley against the Buckeyes' front seven will be a fantastic one to watch
MORE: Barkley reminds of his devastating skill set
In other action, we have No. 14 N.C. State traveling to South Bend for another monster matchup with No. 9 Notre Dame. We also have two ranked games in the Big 12 with No. 11 Oklahoma State taking on No. 22 West Virginia and No. 6 TCU taking on No. 25 Iowa State (you read that right). And then there's that little matter of No. 3 Georgia looking for its first win over Florida since 2013.
Like we said, high-octane football.
Sporting News is 47-17 in its picks this season after going 7-1 in Week 8. Here's what we've got for Week 9 (point spreads provided courtesy of Vegasinsider.com as of Oct. 23; lines reflect consensus picks unless noted):
No. 11 Oklahoma State (-7.5) at No. 22 West Virginia
Hope you like offensive fireworks with your football, because that’s what you’re going to get in this one. Both the Cowboys and Mountaineers average more than 40 points per game, and the matchup between Mason Rudolph and Will Grier promises to be exciting. Grier comes into this game red-hot, passing for five touchdowns in each of his last two games. Rudolph, meanwhile, led Oklahoma State to a struggle win against Texas in which he didn’t throw for any touchdowns. Still, we look for the Cowboys to rebound and get the win.
PICK: Oklahoma State 49, West Virginia 45
No. 3 Georgia (-14) vs. Florida
Florida comes into this matchup having won the last three matchups against Georgia, all by double digits, including a 38-20 upset in 2014 over a ninth-ranked Bulldogs team. Things are a little different now: Florida doesn’t have much to offer on offense, while Georgia running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel average 6.4 and 7.2 yards per carry, respectively. Jake Fromm has performed spectacularly for a freshman, throwing 12 touchdowns to only three interceptions this year. Georgia takes out three years’ worth of frustration on the Gators.
PICK: Georgia 31, Florida 13
MORE: Underrated Notre Dame vying for playoff position
No. 4 TCU (-6.5) at No. 25 Iowa State
This game seems a lot more competitive than in recent weeks. The No. 25 Cyclones have a trio of impressive wins over the last three weeks (either because of the opponent or the way they won) and face what could be the Big 12’s last hope for making the College Football Playoff. Still, Iowa State hasn’t faced a defense of this caliber all season: TCU’s defense gives up 291 yards and 14.9 points a game. The Cyclones come back down to earth in this one — but not as hard as some might expect.
PICK: TCU 35, Iowa State 21
No. 14 N.C. State at No. 9 Notre Dame (-7.5)
Are the Irish for real? We’ll find out in a game that likely gives Notre Dame its biggest challenge since facing Georgia in Week 2. N.C. State ranks sixth nationally in rush defense, giving up only 91.3 yards per game. Notre Dame’s rush offense ranks sixth with 317.9 yards per game. Something has to give. And while the Wolfpack aren’t quite as adept at running the ball as Notre Dame, quarterback Ryan Finley is the only quarterback in the country to throw for double-digit touchdowns (11) and no interceptions. This one’s going to be fun to watch.
PICK: Notre Dame 27, N.C. State 24
MORE: Week 9 bowl projections
Washington State (-2.5) at Arizona
This matchup pits two quarterbacks of differing styles against each other: Washington State’s Luke Falk has completed 68.7 percent of his passes for 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions, while Arizona’s Khalil Tate has rushed for 694 yards and seven touchdowns over the last three games. The difference in this one, shockingly, could come down to defense. While the Cougars can stymie Tate with their 22nd-ranked rush defense (120.1 yards per game), Arizona might not see the same success — the Wildcats give up an average of 257.6 passing yards per game, ranking them 99th nationally. Washington State will make just enough stops when it counts.
PICK: Washington State 42, Arizona 38
Tennessee at Kentucky (-5.5)
Neither program is where it wants to be right now, especially the one in Knoxville. The Volunteers are 0-4 in SEC play. The last time that happened, in 2014, Tennessee finished the season 4-1. If the Vols want to replicate that, now’s the time. It’s easy to pick Kentucky considering it has beaten at least one common opponent (South Carolina) but look for Tennessee to play for pride and pull out a win.
PICK: Tennessee 24, Kentucky 20
MORE: Time for Penn State to show it's big game-ready
Georgia Tech at No. 7 Clemson (-14.5)
That Yellow Jackets triple-option attack has quite a task ahead of it this week. It faces a Tigers team that boasts one of the nation’s best defensive lines and is coming off a bye week in which it likely stewed over its shocking upset at the hands of Syracuse. Expect the strength of that Tigers front seven to stymie Georgia Tech’s rush attack, and for Clemson to limit mistakes on the offensive side of the ball. If Kelly Bryant comes back fully healthy, it could get bad. If not, Clemson wins on the strength of its defense.
PICK: Clemson 28, Georgia Tech 17
No. 2 Penn State at No. 6 Ohio State (-6.5)
Penn State was beyond impressive in its rout of Michigan and its top-ranked defense — but Ohio State has a talented defense of its own, one that’s coming off a bye week while Penn State got an emotional win against the Wolverines. Look for Ohio State to take advantage of big plays from J.T. Barrett and key in on Saquon Barkley, who will need another Heisman moment to help the Nittany Lions to a win. The difference in this one will be the passing game. If Trace McSorley can keep hitting DaeSean Hamilton and Mike Gesicki, then Penn State can pull out the win.
PICK: Penn State 28, Ohio State 24
