CFB Week 9 Game Guide: Can LSU keep winning run going in College Station?
Another topsy-turvy in College Football saw Alabama make a further misstep and the Texas hype train derail against a resurgent Georgia defense. Now firmly in the thick of conference play, you can expect playoff hopes to be dashed once more as we reach the sharp end of the season. Let’s take a look at the key games in Week 9.
Friday Evening
Big Screen Billing: Boise State @ UNLV (10.30PM ET / 3.30AM GMT, CBS)
We start our game guide early this week with a classic desert showdown in Vegas. Boise State will face UNLV on Friday evening, and rather than this being one to stay up for in the UK, you may be better off setting an early wake-up call for the 3.30 am start!
These two sit atop the Mountain West, and it feels like an early preview of the conference title game. Not only that, but they are the most likely group of 5 teams to battle for a playoff berth—all to play for then.
You can expect plenty of running action in this one. Both teams are in the top 5 of team rushing yards, averaging over 250 yards per game. The Broncos have the best running back in the country at their disposal in Ashton Jeanty, who currently averages 9.9 yards per carry.
For the Rebels, it’s QB Hajj-Malik Williams who leads the team with 390 rushing yards. Williams was forced into the starting gig when Matt Sluka decided to redshirt, citing broken promises from the coaching staff. The offense hasn’t missed a beat under the new QB and a win here would be his crowning moment.
Early Kickoff Window
Upset Potential: Notre Dame @ Navy (12PM ET / 5PM GMT, ABC)
The Fighting Irish’s confidence increases with each week. Riley Leonard is growing into the QB role, even if he relies more heavily on his athleticism than arm talent. Pairing Leonard’s running ability with the two-headed monster of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price has proved relatively unstoppable. Add to that a defense conceding on average less than 12 points per game, and it’s clear why the Irish are on a five-game winning streak.
This week, they will need their wits about them as the high-flying (forgive the pun) Navy are the opponents at MetLife Stadium. Ranked 24th in the country, Navy is on a roll, and their unique hybrid triple-option style offense requires some preparation.
The Irish must be switched on from the start, something they didn’t do against Georgia Tech last week. A sluggish first quarter in Atlanta left them 7-0 down. In contrast, Navy shot out of the gate against Charlotte, scoring 24 points. Fullback Alex Tecza scored three touchdowns on a day when he averaged 8.5 yards a carry.
If Navy can put some early pressure on, it could be tasty in this midday kickoff.
Primetime Window
Big Screen Billing: Missouri @ Alabama (3.30PM ET / 8.30PM GMT, ABC)
No more slip-ups. That needs to be the mantra in Tuscaloosa. The loss to Vanderbilt has now been compounded with a Tennessee defeat that leaves Kalen DeBoer staring down the barrel. There’s a sense of restlessness in Bama, with fans used to Saban’s era of success. They can ill-afford another embarrassing showing against Missouri.
The Tigers’ sole loss to Texas A&M can be somewhat excused, given that the Aggies are now ranked 14th in the country. They possess the raw talent on offense to pose some questions of a Crimson Tide defense that is currently reeling.
Wide receivers Theo Wease and Luther Burden will relish going up against a relatively inexperienced secondary. Bama rookie Jaylen Mbakwe had a rough night against the Vols and can ill-afford a repeat against a signal caller like Brady Cook.
While Bama’s home advantage should help them win, their lack of confidence will make it an interesting contest.
Keep an eye on: Texas @ Vanderbilt (4.15PM ET / 9.15PM GMT, SEC Network)
It’s been a tough week for Longhorn fans. Nobody expected the Georgia defense to come out firing like it did, and the Texas offense fell apart at the hands of Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams. This also raised questions about Steve Sarkisian’s confidence in Quinn Ewers, yanking him early in favour of Arch Manning. It was only Manning’s inability to get the offense moving that allowed Ewers back in to make amends. The long-term question is—has that high-pressure moment damaged the trust?
Vanderbilt would normally be considered the perfect tonic for a team looking to get their Championship hopes back on track, not this year. They’ve already downed Alabama and would love nothing more than to double up taking the scalp of another SEC giant. It would further add to Diego Pavia’s fairytale season and provide great ontent for our SEC columnist George Somerville’s ‘Monday Morning Meltdown’ article!
Texas goes into this as a 19-point favourite and certainly has more talent at their disposal, but will there be lingering uncertainty after a vicious beatdown last week? Early Pavia magic would certainly unsettle the Longhorn faithful.
After Dark Window
Big Screen Billing: LSU @ Texas A&M (7.30PM ET / 12.30AM GMT, ABC)
The headline matchup of Week 9 comes from the SEC—yes, it does feel like we say that most weeks! However, nobody expected these two teams to only have one loss, given their slow starts. Here we are with an LSU defense that has finally found some backbone and an Aggies offense firing under the talented quarterback Conner Weigman.
It was the Tigers’ Whit Weeks showcase against an Arkansas offense that has caused opposition defenses plenty of problems. The talented linebacker flooded the stat sheet with nine tackles, a sack, and an interception. Weeks is exactly the kind of leader you need on a defense that has deficiencies. With a talented offense containing Kyren Lacy and Aaron Anderson, Weeks and co. just need to focus on forcing turnovers and getting the ball into the hands of Garrett Nussmeier.
When LSU does have the ball, it will be an NFL Draftniks dream as they keep a keen eye on the trenches. The Tigers’ offensive line has yet to be individually responsible for a sack this year per PFF, and they face a blockbuster battle against Nic Scourton, Shemar Turner, and Shemar Stewart. Can they keep their unblemished record and give Nussmeier the time he needs to carve the Aggies up?
This one’s tricky to predict, and a fervent crowd in College Station will certainly have an effect, but do the Aggies have the offensive firepower to take down LSU?
Keep an eye on: Penn State @ Wisconsin (7.30PM ET / 12.30AM GMT, NBC)
How good is this Penn State team? Well, it’s a tricky one to figure out. We might not fully find the answer until next week when the Nittany Lions take on Ohio State. Needing overtime to beat USC no longer looks to be the resume booster they desired. A victory away from home vs the Badgers here may help. Wisconsin have been defensively solid, conceding less than 7 points in their last three games.
They must find an answer for the Drew Allar-Tyler Warren connection that dismantled USC. Warren went for 224 receiving yards in one of the most dominant tight end displays in recent memory. Not only that but 5-star running back Nic Singleton is averaging 86.8 yards per game. A strong showing here would prove that the Nittany Lions have the elite talent to compete for a national title.
On the other side of the ball, edge rushing duo Abdul Carter and Dani Dennis-Sutton have combined for six sacks, and Carter, in particular, looks to have secured his status as one of the top draft prospects in this class. His battle vs Badgers’ tackle Jack Nelson will be one to watch closely.
The 6.5-point line in favour of Penn State seems a bit stingy; they could win this one at a canter.
Rory-Joe Daniels
NFL & Cfb contributor
AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.