Top 10 college football games fans shouldn't miss in Week 9 ft. LSU at Texas A&M
A banner slate of Week 9 games in college football, including five showdowns of Top 25 opponents, is out. While nobody can catch all the games, some have a bigger sparkle. Here are 10 matchups for Week 9 that are undoubtedly worth any fan's attention.
Top 10 college football games of Week 9
10. Cincinnati at Colorado
In a battle of a pair of 5-2 Big 12 foes, somebody will cinch a bowl bid and get a leg up in hanging around the periphery of the very hazy Big 12 title picture. Neither team is ranked, but either could be, and the winner of the game probably will be.
9. Syracuse at No. 19 Pittsburgh
Two surprises of the Atlantic Coast Conference meet in a game that could help determine that league's College Football Playoff future. Pitt, 6-0, has pulled rabbits out of hats but is seen as a long shot. Syracuse, 5-1, could puncture its CFP bubble.
8. No. 5 Texas at No. 25 Vanderbilt
Fresh off a tough loss, Texas has to go on the road and play at a ranked Vanderbilt team. Yes, that is correct. It's been an amazing college football season, and while the Horns are a big road favorite, don't sleep on the Commodores.
7. No. 21 Missouri at No. 15 Alabama
Two fringier contenders in the Southeastern Conference's Playoff race will battle on Saturday. Missouri has just one loss, but has a weaker schedule and has managed to escape a couple of sub-par games. Alabama is looking to rebound after losing two of three.
6. No. 12 Notre Dame at No. 24 Navy
Here's a game that could create some CFP insanity. Notre Dame is a perennial contender, but undefeated Navy could jump-start its Playoff possibilities with an upset win. Notre Dame is a 12.5-point favorite, but the Midshipmen will be ready for a good game.
5. No. 3 Penn State at Wisconsin
Penn State has been one of the Big Ten's top teams but in a fairly colorless way. How colorless is apparent with the Nittany Lions favored by just 6.5 points at a 5-2 Wisconsin team. Could the gambling odds reflect a significant flaw in PSU?
4. Washington at No. 13 Indiana
Indiana remains one of the wildest stories of the season, but the Hoosiers will have to play without QB Kurtis Rourke. Let's see how Rourke being sidelined impacts the high-octane Hoosier offense. IU could probably win with its punter at QB against this morbid Washington team, but the Hoosier future will be worth scoping out.
3. No. 20 Illinois at No. 1 Oregon
How will Oregon adjust to the nation's top spot? Illinois is anything but flashy and will be a three-touchdown underdog in this battle. But the Illini have been a major surprise of the Big Ten and could stamp their bona fides by giving the Ducks a fight.
2. No. 17 Boise State at UNLV
This one will have the attention of fringe CFP hopefuls everywhere. Boise is the most likely P5 CFP pick, but if the Broncos take a second loss of the year against a 6-1 UNLV team, that could be in jeopardy. Boise is a 3.5-point road favorite in what should be a dandy of a college football game.
1. No. 5 LSU at No. 14 Texas A&M
Two top 15 SEC squads battle in a Playoff-centric college football showdown. ESPN gives the Tigers a 40.5% shot at the CFP and the Aggies a 31.8% chance. That means the winner surges up to or over a 50% chance and the loser drops out.
Which Week 9 college football games will you be watching? Share your thoughts in our comments section below!