College Football Viewing Guide – Week 9

There’s a hurricane coming. Why are you not in front of the TV watching these college football games today?

Early Games

Tennessee vs. #13 South Carolina, 12pm (ESPN, WatchESPN)

After drubbing Georgia 35-7 at home three weeks ago, the Gamecocks have now lost two in a row. They’ll look to right the ship against a Tennessee team that is 0-4 against Top 25 opponents this season.

NC State vs. North Carolina, 12:30pm (ESPN3)

A great in-state rivalry game between two teams are 3rd in their respective ACC divisions. A win here would suit UNC especially well, as they have a shot of running the table and playing in the ACC Championship game.

Utah State vs. UTSA, 2pm (ESPN3)

If you’re in the mood for lesser-known conference action, look no further. Both of these two-loss teams will be bowl bound in December.

Midday Games

#2 Florida vs. #10 Georgia, 3:30pm (CBS)

A win for Florida would not only secure their spot in the SEC championship game, but it would also mean surviving three of their four toughest tests of the season. Florida State in late November would seem to be the only other major season hurdle.

#14 Texas Tech vs. #3 Kansas State, 3:30pm (FOX)

Collin Klein is the trendy choice for Heisman frontrunner at the moment. A great performance against the Red Raiders would further distance himself from the rest of the pack. Aside from their West Virginia win, Texas Tech has been overlooked in the Big 12. A win here would certainly turn more heads.

#9 USC vs. Arizona, 3:30pm (ABC, ESPN2, WatchESPN)

A one-loss USC team is a largely forgotten USC team. But they still have opportunities to move up even further in the rankings. If they can get past this trap game with #5 Oregon coming into town next week, they’ll move right back into the spotlight.

Duke vs. #12 Florida State, 3:30pm (ESPN U, WatchESPN)

Duke is currently sitting atop the ACC Coastal division. Keep in mind that this is football, not basketball. Florida State, meanwhile, are a 2nd half collapse and a late touchdown away from being undefeated. Aside from that NC State game, they have looked like BCS bowl material.

Kent State vs. #15 Rutgers, 3:30pm (ESPN3)

Kent State is 6-1, but they’re a MAC 6-1. Rutgers is undefeated, but they’ve yet to face any tough opponents. Hard to call this a sure bet for the Scarlet Knights.

#24 Ohio vs. Miami (OH), 3:30pm (ESPN3)

Another undefeated team with a soft schedule in the 24th-ranked Bobcats but until they lose, I’ll give them recognition. Especially with a rivalry game coming up.

TCU vs. Oklahoma State, 3:30pm

TCU’s 56-53 overtime loss last week dropped them out of the rankings, which would explain why this game isn’t getting aired nationally. It’s still pretty important, however – both teams have four-game stretches against ranked teams on the horizon. They’d each love to have this one, just in case.

Ohio State vs. Penn State, 5:30pm (ESPN, WatchESPN)

We wrote off Bill O’Brien’s Penn State team after they dropped their first two. But since then, they’ve rattled off five straight. Urban Meyer’s Buckeyes are 8-0 thus far but like Penn State, won’t be seeing the postseason this year. It’s an important game of no importance, but it’s still Ohio State-Penn State. We’ll probably watch, regardless.

Primetime Games

#5 Notre Dame vs. #8 Oklahoma, 8pm (ABC)

Is Notre Dame for real? The question has been asked throughout the season and we’ll get another part of the answer tonight. Oklahoma, who rarely lose in Norman, will be ready for a fight.

#22 Michigan vs. Nebraska, 8pm (ESPN2, WatchESPN)

Say what you want about Denard Robinson, seeing him head-to-head against Taylor Martinez is always a treat. And with both teams 1-2 in the Big Ten Legends division (still a stupid division name), the stakes are even higher.

#11 Mississippi State vs. #1 Alabama, 8:30pm (ESPN, WatchESPN)

Alabama is the consensus #1 team in the nation, but they haven’t had the toughest of schedules up to this point. The unbeaten Bulldogs are looking to upset Nick Saban at home.

#7 Oregon State vs. Washington, 10:15pm (Pac-12 Network)

The Beavers have had a few close calls up to this point, but they’re still perfect on the year and have climbed to #7 in the BCS rankings. Games like these should be simple, but we’ve seen Oregon State blow the easy ones before.