College Football Week 9 Expert Picks, Predictions For Florida-Georgia And More

Week 8 of the college football season matched the chaos in Weeks 6 and 7. 

Can Week 9 make that four in a row?

Saturday starts with No. 25 Wisconsin, ranked for the first time since 2023, taking its College Football Playoff hopes to Kinnick Stadium, facing Iowa on “Big Noon Kickoff.” Meanwhile, No. 13 Texas Tech will try to avoid plummeting after a surprising loss to Cincinnati when it faces No. 22 Arizona. 

In the afternoon, can No. 17 Florida secure its third upset of a top-5 team this season against No. 3 Georgia? Will No. 6 Utah remain perfect against the surging Bearcats?

The night ends with Lincoln Riley’s coaching for his job, while No. 2 Ohio State tries to keep its season alive after losing quarterback Julian Sayin. 

We’re breaking down our straight-up picks and the matchups to watch closely throughout the weekend.  

USA (Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

when: Saturday, noon ET (FOX)
Where: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
Line: Iowa -3.5

RJ Young: Wisconsin
If Wisconsin can beat Leo Lincoln in the bay, there’s nothing you can believe Iowa can’t do.

Laken Litman: Wisconsin
After spending some time in the hot seat, Luke Fickell’s team is claiming momentum on the road against an Iowa team that has lost two of its last three.

Ben Portnoy: Wisconsin
Wisconsin has taken on new life with a disbanded NIL operation and a number that now more closely matches its Big Ten brethren. If Melis gets through this one, it might be time to think about the College Football Playoff game in Madison.

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 308 yards and one touchdown as the Wildcats dominated Iowa State in Week 8. (Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

when: Saturday, noon ET (ESPN)
Where: Galaxy Stadium, Lubbock, Texas
Line: Texas Tech -3.5

Young: Arizona
With Noah Fifita playing his best, the Beasts look like a team capable of winning the Big 12 championship.

Litman: Arizona
In the wild and crazy Big 12, Arizona goes into Lubbock and gets a big outing from quarterback Noah Fifita.

Portnoy: Arizona
Arizona is quietly one of the best teams no one is talking about. Noah Fifita continues to be the star of the beasts. After last week’s loss at Cincinnati, I’m skeptical Texas Tech has enough offense to win this one.

Ole Miss quarterback Trinity Chambliss threw for 250 yards, but the Rebels failed a second-half comeback against Texas in Week 8. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

when: Saturday 12:45 pm ET (ESPN)
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi
Line: Ole Miss -13.5

Young: Ole Miss
Trinitas Chambliss is the closest college football player to New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson and has been tracking his ability in recent games.

Let’s look down on Litman
The Rebels bounce back at home and keep their CFP hopes alive.

Portnoy: Ole Miss
I know Golden State beat Georgia a couple of weeks ago, but coming off a successful team streak that makes us feel different about this team. Clearly, Ole Miss is better in every aspect now and should win away.

Gunner Stockton and Georgia are trying to rebound from a loss against Auburn in Week 7, coming off a bye. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

when: Saturday, 3:30 pm ET (ABC)
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Line: Georgia -11.5

Young: Georgia
The Gators are at quarterback and are widely accepted.

Litman: Georgia
The Bulldogs will be fresh off a bye week after their first loss of the season, and will leave no doubt in this matchup.

Portnoy: Florida
I’m still not quite sure what to make of Florida, but given the offensive upside, the Gators don’t need to be this effective to deserve it here. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton was susceptible to turnovers against Auburn. Florida isn’t good defensively, but strange things happen in this rivalry.

David Braun has Northern Football in the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2020. (Photo by Zoe Davis/Getty Images)

when: Saturday, 3:30 pm ET (Pava)
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
Line: Oregon -3.5

Youth: Northwestern
Animals are healthier than ducks by a fine margin.

Litman: Northwestern
Northwestern gets a big road win against a struggling Oregon offense that desperately lost QB Dantis Moore.

Portnoy: Northwestern
Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly should probably be the front runner for the Broyles Award, honoring the best assistant coach in America. The Ducks lost in the middle of the season and off-field issues killed them in the last few years around the system. Let me keep the ‘Cats in the mix for the CFP ROLE.

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the Utes’ win over Houston in Week 8. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

when: Saturday, 3:45 pm ET (ESPN)
Where: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Line: Utah -6.5

Youth: Utah
The Bears will fall against the grain of how good the running of football is.

Litman: Utah
Cincinnati is coming off a huge win against Texas Tech, but Utah keeps its perfect season intact.

Portnoy: Utah
Utah finally beat their opponent last week and gave us enough evidence to suggest that they and BYU should be considered the frontrunners for the Big 12 title this year. Cincinnati shouldn’t be underestimated after throttling Texas Tech, but that top win feels difficult to shake off with a road trip out west.

Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker throws for 386 yards and four touchdowns in the Cowboys’ win over Colorado in Week 8. (Photo Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

when: Saturday, 7:00 pm ET (FS1)
Where: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa
Line: Oklahoma State -8.5

Young: Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker plays like a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Litman: Oklahoma State
Drew Mestemaker has one of the best seasons of any player in the nation and that continues to work against the Cyclones.

Portnoy: Oklahoma State
I admit to falling victim to being oblivious to Oklahoma State in the long run after the loss to Tulsa. It’s hard to ignore now. Drew Mestemaker plays like any quarterback in America. That is in this distinction.

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day decided to do so, choosing a new starting quarterback after the injury to Julian Sayin. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

when: Saturday, 7:30 pm ET (NBC)
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Line: USC -6.5

Youth: Ohio State
The Buckeyes have the better defense and the best player in the game in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

Litman: Ohio State
Even without starting quarterback Julian Sayin, the Buckeyes are showing their resilience and will make life much more difficult for USC coach Lincoln Lee.

Portnoy: Ohio State
Is Tavien St. Clair or Luke Fahey at QB for the Buckeyes? Maybe both? I’m skeptical of how far this Ohio State team can go without Julian Sayin, but USC feels like it’s on the verge of implosion. The Lincoln Times spent the week answering questions about job security. I don’t care who lines up under center for Ryan Day, that’s not exactly an inspiring sign of stability.

Miami duo Mensah Darian and Malachi Toney combined for three touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ win in Week 8 against Pitt. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

when: Saturday, 7:30 pm ET (ABC)
Where: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Line: Miami -14.5

Young: Miami
The turbine feels like 2025 Indiana.

Litman: Miami
The ‘Dogs keep rolling before next week’s huge showdown in South Bend against Notre Dame.

Portnoy: Miami
Short of Notre Dame next week, I’m not sure Miami won’t win every remaining game on the schedule by at least two touchdowns. I’m buying stock in quarterback Darian Mensah as the eventual Heisman winner, and for all the good things UNC has done this year, it’s not in the realm of a national title contender like the Hurricanes.

Drew Mestemaker found Enai White for a 3-yard TD, giving Oklahoma State a lead over Colorado