Top Matchups for Week 9
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No. 22 Arizona (6-1) at No. 13 Texas Tech (6-1), Noon ET
Utah is the lone unbeaten team atop the Big 12 standings, but four others hold one-loss records in conference play. Two of them, Arizona and Texas Tech, are poised for a key game in Lubbock. Bailing on Tech after a setback at Cincinnati may be an overreaction, especially since Arizona’s defense has been vulnerable on the road. Simultaneously, this feels like a matchup where one turnover will swing the result.
Prediction: Texas Tech 30, Arizona 27
No. 17 Florida (5-2) vs. No. 3 Georgia (6-1), 3:30 p.m. (in Atlanta)
Florida has become a bit of a roller coaster, wrecking Ole Miss before two lopsided losses to Missouri and South Carolina, then storming back at Texas. Box of chocolates and all that. Georgia is the safe option, but UF clearly is dangerous enough to make it interesting—if the right version of the Gators shows up.
Prediction: Georgia 31, Florida 23
No. 20 Northwestern (6-1) at Oregon (4-3), 3:30 p.m.
Ah, yes, the uncomfortable context of a surprising Top 25 team against a once-popular, now-flailing preseason favorite. Northwestern’s run-first offense is a serious threat. Oregon just yielded 225 yards on the ground in a loss at Illinois. NU’s path to a victory is clear. However, the Ducks—despite their unexpected flaws—have played well defensively at home. Ugly, yet a win for Oregon.
Prediction: Oregon 21, Northwestern 19
No. 1 Miami (7-0) at North Carolina (4-3), 7:30 p.m.
Never underestimate a conference road game, especially at night. Underdogs love little more than a prime-time upset. Miami, which has surrendered too many explosive plays lately, must avoid mental lapses in a loud stadium. North Carolina is last in the nation with four 30-plus-yard gains. There’s not much reason for that to change. But if UNC threatens to stun Miami, check that category first.
Prediction: Miami 34, UNC 24
No. 2 Ohio State (6-1) at USC (6-2), 7:30 p.m.
Same underdog qualifier here. The bigger challenge for Ohio State, though, is that the offense will play its first game without QB Julian Sayin. USC’s general inconsistency prevents a pick in the Trojans’ favor, but we’re all simply guessing how OSU’s new QB—whether it’s Luke Fahey as expected or Tavien St. Clair—will perform on a cross-country trip in his starting debut.
Prediction: Ohio State 27, USC 22
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