College Football Games Worth Watching In Week 9
We have officially entered Week 9 of the college football season. After an exciting 45-44 overtime win for Maryland over Minnesota on Friday, we have a full slate of games set for Saturday that should make for a fun Halloween.
If you are wondering which games you should be paying attention to, we have got you covered. There are several matchups scheduled that will paint a clearer picture of the current college football landscape. Below are five of those matchups.
Boston College at No. 1 Clemson
Time: Noon ET (11:00 a.m. CT)
Channel: ABC
Betting Line: Clemson -25
Over/Under: 57
Breakdown: This game wouldn't normally be on the radar of games worth watching, but Trevor Lawrence testing positive for COVID-19 changes things. Despite Clemson (6-0) still being a four-score favorite, it will be fun to watch five-star true freshman D.J. Uiagalelei get his first career start.
At 6-foot-4, 250 pounds, the California native is incredibly tough to bring down. He's also got a cannon for an arm, so it will be interesting to see if Dabo Swinney and company cuts him loose. Boston College (4-2) only has a 2.9 percent chance to win this one, according to ESPN.
LSU at Auburn
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT)
Channel: CBS
Betting Line: LSU -2
Over/Under: 63.5
Breakdown: This game won't have the same intrigue that it could've. In fact, it is probably living more off name recognition than anything right now. But that doesn't mean it won't be fun to watch. Despite the combined 5-4 record, there an interesting aspects to both teams.
LSU (2-2) will start true freshman T.J. Finley for the second time in place of Myles Brennan, and it will be worth watching to see if Auburn (3-2) can do a better job forcing the first-year quarterback to be the one to beat them. If you're looking for a pick recommendation, take the Tigers.
Texas at No. 6 Oklahoma State
Time: 4:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. CT)
Channel: FOX
Betting Line: Oklahoma State -3.5
Over/Under: 58.5
Breakdown: The Big 12 only has so many options left with a chance at a College Football Playoff spot. With Oklahoma State (4-0) being the last undefeated team in the conference, they are the best bet to make an appearance. But there are also a lot of people picking Texas (3-2) in this game.
Cowboys quarterback Spencer Sanders knocked off the rust after returning from injury last week, and he'll be complemented by a strong run game and stingy defense. The battle for the conference is still wide open, so these sort of games are going to play an important role in how things play out.
No. 3 Ohio State at No. 18 Penn State
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT)
Channel: ABC
Betting Line: Ohio State -10.5
Over/Under: 64
Breakdown: This game would have been a lot more fun to watch had Penn State not been upset by Indiana in its opening game. Still, this is always an interesting matchup, and it is going to be one of the only true tests for Ohio State (1-0) this season.
Penn State (0-1) could've been a better team this year with linebacker Micah Parsons and running back Journey Brown, but they can still be a problem for the Buckeyes on Saturday. If Ohio State trounces the Nittany Lions, we can probably go ahead and write them in for a spot in the College Football Playoff.
Arkansas at No. 8 Texas A&M
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. CT)
Channel: SEC Network
Betting Line: Texas A&M -14
Over/Under: 53
Breakdown: There might be a few people wondering how this game made the list. If you are one of those people, you haven't been paying much attention. Arkansas (2-2) has been one of the biggest surprises this season. They should probably be 3-1 and already in the top 25, but a win over the Aggies on Saturday will certainly land them there.
Arkansas quarterback Feleipe Franks is going to be crucial in this one. Texas A&M (3-1) has one of the best run defenses in the conference, and the Razorbacks have struggled to move the ball on the ground. Treylon Burkes, the 6-3, 232-pound wide receiver, will continue to be a favorite target for the Florida grad transfer.
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.