NCAA football Week 9 Saturday preview

October 28, 2022

While some squads have already said “RIP” to their playoff chances, the ones atop the poll are looking to cast spells on the CFP selection committee, who drops their first rankings on Tuesday.

College Football

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The GIST: While some squads have already said “RIP” to their playoff chances, the ones atop the poll are looking to cast spells on the CFP selection committee, who drops their first rankings on Tuesday. Here’s who’s haunting this spooky Week 9 Saturday.

No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (7-0) vs. No. 13 Penn State Nittany Lions (6-1), 12 p.m. ET (FOX): While the Nittany Lions’ rank and record appear up to competitive snuff, the Buckeyes are fourth in offense and second in defense in the nation, compared to a mere 49th and 63rd for Penn State. Skeletons in the stats closet.

At stake for Ohio State? A chance to be the first non-SEC team to top the AP poll in two years. It won’t be easy though — the Penn State crowd is notoriously tough, and star WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (pronounced en-JIG-buh) has a plays limit as he recovers from injury.

No. 9 Oklahoma State Cowboys (6-1) vs. No. 22 Kansas State Wildcats (5-2), 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX): Not only is Kansas State still in the mix for the Big 12 title game, their formidable rushing offense will face a Cowboy defense that struggled against the run just last week.

But Wildcats running back (RB) Deuce Vaughn isn’t at 100% and injured QB (and smarty-pants!) Adrian Martinez is a game-time decision. The ~~witch~~ doctor may decide this one.

No. 19 Kentucky Wildcats (5-2) vs. No. 3 Tennessee Volunteers (7-0), 7 p.m. ET (ESPN): Tennessee has launched themselves into CFP contention with their No. 1 national scoring average and exceptional rush defense. But the Vols’ Achilles’ heel? Their abysmal pass defense, which Wildcats QB Will Levis will look to exploit.

Fun fact: The last time this pair met as ranked teams was 1951, so be on notice for some historic hexing.

Michigan State Spartans (3-4) vs. No. 4 Michigan Wolverines (7-0), 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC): No, it’s not a trick — this game could be one of the season’s most surprising treats. Besides the sweetness that comes from a bitter intrastate rivalry, the Spartans have bested the Wolverines in 10 of their last 14 meetings. “Little Brother” revenge at its finest.