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Jackson's Week 9 college football predictions for all ranked games and top-25 matchups. His picks for Missouri vs. Vanderbilt, Memphis vs. South Florida, and more.
Week 9 College Football Predictions
Somehow, we’re already in Week 9 of the college football season, and this is a great reminder to soak in every game you can. It’ll be over before we know it, but there are still plenty of must-watch matchups ahead before the conference championships and CFP talks begin.
This week’s slate is headlined by a top 15 matchup in Nashville, a potential College Football Playoff eliminator in Norman, and a must-win game for the home team in Baton Rouge. Let’s get to it!
No. 25 Michigan at Michigan State
Michigan looks like a much better team than Michigan State through eight weeks of action, but rivalry games often bring surprises, and the Spartans being the home team could give them the juice they need to pull the upset.
The Wolvarines are favored by around two touchdowns. I expect it to be closer than that, but Bryce Underwood and the Michigan rushing attack will eventually take over.
Prediction: Michigan 34, Michigan State 24
No. 24 Arizona State vs. Houston
Arizona State contributed to the week full of upsets last Saturday, as the Sun Devils knocked off the undefeated and dominant Texas Tech Red Raiders. This is a different team when quarterback Sam Leavitt is available, but Houston, which has just one loss this season, will not go down without a fight.
In typical Big 12 fashion, this should be an exciting contest that comes down to who has the ball left. This is a fun QB matchup in Tempe.
Prediction: Arizona State 30, Houston 23
No. 23 Illinois at Washington
Illinois had a decent showing against Ohio State last weekend, but no one has been able to stop the Buckeyes. The Illini are 5-2, with their only losses coming against the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the Week 8 AP Poll.
Washington is coming off a disappointing showing against Michigan last week, but the Huskies should rebound at home, where they rarely lose. This is another fantastic QB matchup, but the long trip for Illinois will prove to be too much to handle.
Prediction: Washington 31, Illinois 20
No. 22 Texas at Mississippi State
Mississippi State has come close to winning its first SEC game under Jeff Lebby, but the Bulldogs couldn’t quite get it done at home against Tennessee or on the road at Florida. With Texas coming to Starkville this weekend, it feels like another chance to finally get over the hump.
Outside of the Red River Shootout, Texas just can’t seem to put everything together, and that will cost them a win on Saturday, effectively eliminating Arch Manning and company from CFP contention.
Prediction: Mississippi State 24, Texas 21
No. 21 Cincinnati vs. Baylor
Cincinnati has not lost since Week 1 against Nebraska in Arrowhead Stadium, an impressive feat considering it looked like Scott Satterfield was a sitting duck entering 2025. The emergence of quarterback Brendan Sorsby has given the Bearcats the ability to compete with anyone in the conference.
On the other side of the ball, Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson, who leads the nation in passing, gives Baylor a shot in any game. This should be a shootout, and we’re calling for the upset from Dave Aranda, who needs to start compiling wins in a hurry.
Prediction: Baylor 42, Cincinnati 40
No. 19 Louisville vs. Boston College
The Cardinals kicked off “upset week” last Friday in a shocking win at Miami, and Jeff Brohm once again announced himself as one of the sport’s best coaches. The Cardinals are looking to get back into the ACC title race, and Boston College should not present much of a challenge.
The Eagles are on a six-game losing streak and got blown out by UConn last week.
Prediction: Louisville 37, Boston College 14
No. 18 South Florida at Memphis
This was supposed to be a ranked vs. ranked showdown for a potential College Football Playoff spot, but Memphis was upset last week by a struggling UAB team. Still, the Tigers have the talent and ability to compete with the Bulls if Brendon Lewis is healthy enough to play.
If Lewis were 100% healthy, I’d lean Memphis at home. Since he’s not, I’m going with the Bulls.
Prediction: South Florida 35, Memphis 33
No. 17 Tennessee at Kentucky
Tennessee is fresh off a disappointing road showing at Alabama, but the game was closer than the scoreboard indicated. The 99-yard pick-six on the final play of the first half resulted in the Vols being down 16 at halftime instead of potentially going down by two points heading into the locker room.
Either way, Tennessee has to move on, as there is no more margin for error. Kentucky has given Ole Miss and Texas problems at home, so don’t expect this one to be a blowout. Tennessee will make just enough plays, though.
Prediction: Tennessee 27, Kentucky 20
No. 16 Virginia at North Carolina
Virginia is one of three teams undefeated in ACC play, because somehow, its Week 2 loss to NC State didn’t count as an ACC contest. The Cavs have a manageable schedule and clear path to the College Football Playoff, so this favorable matchup is one they cannot afford to drop.
North Carolina showed some life on the road against Cal last week, so perhaps Bill Belichick is building some momentum. Either way, Virginia will do enough to improve to 4-0 in the conference.
Prediction: Virginia 25, North Carolina 14
No. 14 Texas Tech vs. Oklahoma State
It looked like Texas Tech was going to coast through the Big 12 with ease until Arizona State had other plans last week. But the Red Raiders still have everything in front of them and are set to face the worst scoring defense in Power 4 football.
Will Hammond is set for another start, and I expect Texas Tech to come out to play inspired football.
Prediction: Texas Tech 48, Oklahoma State 10
No. 11 BYU at Iowa State
BYU is the last remaining undefeated team in the Big 12 and is listed as a small underdog at Iowa State this week. Kalani Sitake just keeps finding a way to win, and it’s time to start talking about him like one of the better coaches in the country.
Matt Campbell is also one of the industry’s underrated stars, but his banged-up defense is a problem in a matchup with the Cougars.
Prediction: BYU 27, Iowa State 23
No. 10 Vanderbilt vs. No. 15 Missouri
Vanderbilt has faced the No. 10 team in the AP Poll in each of the last two games and now stands at No. 10 as the Missouri Tigers come to town. Who would have predicted this would be a top 15 matchup in the preseason? The Commodores are more than just Diego Pavia, and they are not an easy out for any SEC team.
Missouri hasn’t looked great on offense in matchups with Alabama and Auburn, as Beau Pribula and Ahmad Hardy have come down to earth. The home team with the better quarterback wins here.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 31, Missouri 17
No. 9 Miami vs. Stanford
After beating Florida State last week, Stanford has another upset win on their mind as it travels across the country to Miami. However, if Carson Beck simply does not throw four interceptions like he did last week, the Miami talent should overwhelm Stanford.
Miami can still make the ACC title game, but its road has become trickier after a tough loss.
Prediction: Miami 38, Stanford 7
No. 8 Ole Miss at No. 13 Oklahoma
Ole Miss lost a barn-burner in Athens last week to drop its first game of the season, and it’s fair to question how legitimate the Rebels are heading into Week 9. Going into Norman and getting a win on Saturday would do a lot for their playoff hopes.
John Mateer has not looked the same since he came back from the surgery to repair his broken thumb, and it’s tough to trust the Sooners if this game enters shootout conditions. Yes, the Oklahoma defense has been great, but it has faced laughably bad offenses to this point.
Prediction: Ole Miss 30, Oklahoma 21
No. 7 Georgia Tech vs. Syracuse
Syracuse looked like it could compete with the ACC’s best early in the season, but the Orange offense hasn’t been the same since the loss of quarterback Steve Angeli. Fran Brown’s squad is on a three-game losing streak, and they haven’t been competitive against Duke, SMU, or Pittsburgh.
Georgia Tech keeps finding a way to win, and it should keep the undefeated season going in a favorable matchup at home.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 30, Syracuse 13
No. 6 Oregon vs. Wisconsin
Oregon posted a ridiculous 750 yards of offense against Rutgers last week, a statement rebound win following the home loss to Indiana. It’s tough to think Oregon has any more losses on its schedule this season, and this weekend should be another ugly blowout with the lifeless Badgers coming to Eugene.
Prediction: Oregon 46, Wisconsin 9
No. 4 Alabama at South Carolina
Alabama has ripped off six straight wins, including its last four against AP top-16 teams. Kaleb DeBoer and Ryan Grubb have the offense rolling, and the Tide defense isn’t too shabby, either. South Carolina’s offense is far worse than expected and has failed to score more than 10 points in its last two outings.
It’s tough to find a path to victory for the Gamecocks, even if Alabama shows up and has a “meh” performance.
Prediction: Alabama 31, South Carolina 7
No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 20 LSU
It’s getting hairy for Brian Kelly in Baton Rouge. LSU is arguably the best job in the country and should always be a College Football Playoff contender, yet the Tigers cannot afford another loss if that’s the goal. Unfortunately, its next two games are against Texas A&M and Alabama.
Marcel Reed continues to impress, while the LSU offense remains inept. Everything points toward the Aggies winning this game, but we’re calling for the upset in a must-win matchup. Death Valley at night is not to be slept on.
Prediction: LSU 23, Texas A&M 17
No. 2 Indiana vs. UCLA
After an embarrassing 0-4 start to the season, UCLA has rattled off three straight wins against Penn State, Michigan State, and Maryland. Indiana coach Curt Cignetti said he views the Bruins as an undefeated team. That’s one way to try to get your team up for this game.
Nico Iamaleava has seemingly turned a corner, but I think the magical run ends in ugly fashion here.
Prediction: Indiana 45, UCLA 14
