Week 9 Predictions

     Hello football fans and welcome to another week of college football predictions from yours truly! We've got a very interesting set of Week 9 matchups to watch, including my Huskers trying to get back on track against the Boilermakers at home. There are some key games across the BIG 10 and a number of other potential upsets, so let's dive right into my predictions. Enjoy!

Week 8 Record: 11 - 2

Overall Record: 84 - 48

#6 Michigan at #8 Michigan State (Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy)

     We'll kick these predictions off with the game of the week up in East Lansing as the Wolverines take on the Spartans. Both are looking to stay undefeated as they head into the November gauntlet that involves Ohio State and Penn State. Michigan is known for falling short in these games, so all eyes will be on Jim Harbaugh not to screw this up. You can expect a lot of ground and pound from both teams in this game, as the Spartans rank 32nd in rush offense while Michigan ranks 5th. Kenneth Walker III for Sparty averages 6.6 yards per carry and leads a very balanced offense. Michigan is especially run-heavy this year, but with Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins who wouldn't be? This should be a very entertaining game to watch, but I'm leaning toward the Wolverines. I think they will make a couple more plays on defense with their speed. Plus it will be really fun to watch them go undefeated only to lose to Ohio State and not go to the BIG 10 Championship. Wolverines 31, Spartans 26.

#9 Iowa at Wisconsin (Battle for the Heartland Trophy)

     The BIG 10 slate continues as we have a clash for a bronze cow in the West Division. Iowa travels to Wisconsin after their BYE week, looking to get back on track after the beat down by Purdue a couple of weeks ago. Wisconsin handled Purdue last weekend, holding them to just 206 yards and 13 points with 5 turnovers. It's unlikely to see Iowa have that many issues turning the ball over, but this is almost certainly going to be a defensive slug match. The Badgers allow just 53 yards per game on the ground while the Hawkeyes allow 89. The worst part is that neither offense is very good, so it's hard to say who has the edge. I'll give this one to Wisconsin at home. They win the Cow 21-17.

Texas at #16 Baylor

     They Bears have stayed quiet in the Big XII despite their close loss to Oklahoma State, but are right in the mix as they inch toward the conference championship birth. They host the Longhorns today with the 19th best scoring defense waiting for them. Texas averages 41.6 points per game, ranking 9th, so this should be a fun battle to watch. Despite the numbers, offense usually reigns supreme in the Big XII, so expect a fast-paced, potential barn-burner in this one. Texas is going to feed Bijan Robinson, so the Bears have their work cut out for them. However, I'm giving them the edge since they're at home, and the Longhorn secondary is easy to pick apart. Baylor QB, Gerry Bohanon has thrown for over 1,500 yards with 12 TDs and just 1 pick so far this season. I think he'll have a big day and show that Baylor is a true contender in the conference this year. Sic 'Em as the Bears win 38-33.

#1 Georgia vs. Florida (The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party)

     Meeting up at their traditional neutral site in Jacksonville, the Dawgs and the Gators square off in an SEC East battle. Ultimately, this one doesn't mean much other than Florida could knock Georgia down a peg but still have a path to the CFB Playoffs. The Dawgs defense is unbelievable this year, giving up just 6.6 points per game. They've all but won the SEC East division and will be looking to give Florida some payback for last season's 44-28 smacking. Their offense is slowly improving, but the defense should handle things and force turnovers. Dawgs win 34-20.

Boston College at Syracuse

     A couple of middle-of-the-pack ACC teams square off as the Eagles and Orange meet in the dome. Statistically, these teams are fairly even, but the Eagles are on a three game skid. Syracuse has lost multiple close games, but finally beat Virginia Tech on the road last week. They're ground game with Sean Tucker will be the difference maker as he averages over 6 yards per carry and already has 10 TDs on the season. The Orange win this one 31-24.

#10 Ole Miss at #18 Auburn

     The Rebels and Tigers meet up in a game needed to keep pace with Alabama in the SEC West Division. This game will feature a talented QB battle between Matt Corral and Bo Nix. Auburn has a solid defense, but their offense lacks the weapons around Nix to make regular plays into big plays. Corral is practically the entire offense for Lane Kiffin. It should be a fun game to watch, but I'm going to give the nod to Auburn with their defense playing at home. Turnover are key in this game! Auburn 33, Ole Miss 31.

#12 Kentucky at Mississippi State

     The Cats are coming off their BYE week and having sit on their loss to Georgia for two weeks, I'm sure they're ready to play. They're taking on the Pirate and Mississippi State. The Bulldogs spoiled Texas A&M's season at the beginning of this month, but haven't done much otherwise this year. Kentucky should get back to their winning ways in this one, especially if they get the ball in the hands of Wan'dale Robinson. He's averaging 11.6 yards per catch and has 5 receiving TDs so far this season. Cats beat the Dogs 37-35.

#19 SMU at Houston

     Probably an under-the-radar game for most, but the Mustangs are 7-0 and the Cougars are 6-1. Both unbeaten in conference play so far this season and looking to keep pace with Cincy. Houston had to battle in an overtime win against ECU last week, but has a tough defense that gives up just 17.3 points per game. They'll be tested in this one though as SMU averages 42.7 points per game and loves to air it out with Junior QB Tanner Mordecai. He's thrown for 2,320 yards with a nation-leading 29 TDs and just 7 picks so far this season, torching teams for over 300 yards in 4 of their last 5 games. Houston's offense isn't quite as dynamic as it used to be, and Dana Holgorsen and crew could find it hard to keep pace later in this one. This is slated to be an even matchup, but I like SMU to pull away late. Mustangs win this one 38-28.

#20 Penn State at #5 Ohio State

     Up until their last couple games, the Nittany Lions looked like potential playoff contenders, let alone BIG 10 Championship contenders. However, falling short in Iowa City and a 9-overtime loss to Illinois following a BYE week is a good way to drop out of the conversation quickly. The buckeys have done nothing but win since losing at home to Oregon, but they're really only won against not-so-great (actually pretty bad) teams. They will finally be tested with a stout defense from Penn State. Luckily, they have practically a NFL roster for wide receivers and should be able to move the ball fairly well and put up points. Defensively, they will need to keep the pressure on Sean Clifford and Jahan Dotson. Keeping the ball away from Dotson will keep the Nittany Lions' offensive series short and sweet, so C.J. Stround can toss it up and let Chris Olave go up and get it. Buckeyes win this one 34-17.

UCLA at Utah

     In a battle for the PAC-12 South Division, the Bruins look to claw their way back in while Utah looks to bounce back from their stumble against the Beavers. Both squads lost close games last week to the state of Oregon, but now need to rebound as Arizona State is looking at a fairly manageable schedule on their way to the PAC-12 Championship. UCLA's offense has been consistent all season, but the defense has really struggled to slow opponents down. Utah has not shown the defensive prowess we've come to know them for, but any Kyle Whittingham team at home is tough to beat. This should be a good one to watch late in the night. Utes win it 33-24.

Virginia at #25 BYU

     Bronco Mendenhall returns to Provo as the Cavaliers take on the Cougars. BYU has had a rough October after a hot start to the season, losing to Boise State and Baylor before rebounding last week with a 2-point win over Wazzu. Virginia has ben mowing through the lower ranks of the ACC and Junior QB Brennan Armstrong is a big reason why. Armstrong has 3,220 yards with 23 TDs and just 6 picks on the season. The Cougars rank 85th in pass defense, giving up nearly 240 yards per game on average, so I don't see this game going well. Cavs win it as Bronco Mendenhall wins a game on the other sideline in Provo 35-21.

Fresno State at #21 San Diego State

     A California rivalry ends our night as the Bulldogs travel to SDSU. The Aztecs are unbeaten and looking to keep Fresno State at bay with a victory and big step forward in position for the West division of the Mountain West Conference. The Bulldogs knocked off my dark horse team Nevada last week with a 2-point victory. This will be a very tough game and could easily go down to the wire, maybe even overtime. Both defenses give up fewer than 21 points per game, but offensively the Aztecs like to keep it on the ground while the Bulldogs air it out. Ex-Husker running back Greg Bell leads the charge for the Aztecs, averaging just under 5 yards per carry and has racked up 5 TDs on the season. Senior QB Jake Haener for Fresno State has thrown for more than 2,500 yards with 22 TDs and just 6 picks. This is a big game for SDSU if they want to keep their hopes of a potential New Year's Six bowl open (if Cincy happens to mess up). However, I like the upset here. Fresno State wins a close one on the road 26-24.

Purdue at Nebraska

     The Cornhuskers come out of their BYE week to host the 4-3 Boilermakers. Purdue is riding a roller coaster after knocking off #2 Iowa and then getting smashed by Wisconsin last week. Nebraska has been close in so many games, but completely fell apart against Minnesota, which was outright hideous. Neither team has a very consistent offense, but the defenses are stout. The blackshirts have been pushed around a bit since their hot start to the season, but this game provides a chance to right the ship. They will possibly face 3 different QBs and need to put multiple defenders around star wideout David Bell on every play. However, Scott Frost has only beaten Purdue once, and that was last season (they nearly came back). Martinez will need to play a complete game in this one, as Purdue give up just 16.3 points per game on average. Samori Toure needs to be involved early and often, as well as Austin Allen. I said after the last game that Nebraska would not win another game this season. I hope they prove me wrong, because I'm saying the Boilermakers will win this one 30-27. Probably because they have a kicker who can hit field goals.

Quick Hit Predictions:

North Carolina at #11 Notre Dame - The Tar Heels don't have enough weapons to help Sam Howell out. Notre Dame wins this, but it won't be very impressive on either side. 31-27 Irish.

#22 Iowa State at West Virginia - An easy trap game for the Cyclones to fall into, and they may for a bit. However, Matt Campbell wants to get them back in the Big XII Championship, so they're going to handle business on the road. Cyclones 33, Mountaineers 23.

Minnesota at Northwestern - Oddly enough, Minnesota sits alongside Iowa at the top of the BIG 10 West. With a very manageable schedule, they could win the division. The first step is not falling asleep at the wheel. Gophers beat Northwestern 31-17.

TCU at Kansas State - The Horned Frogs just cannot get things going this season, and Manhattan, Kansas is never a great place to play. Power-Cats win 28-24.

UTEP at Florida Atlantic - The Miners are 6-1 and looking to keep pace with UTSA in the C-USA West Division. However, N'Kosi Perry is putting up a lot of points with FAU and they win this one 44-23.

Thank you for reading my Week 9 Predictions and I hope you all have a fabulous football Saturday.

GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando