College football Week 9 preview

The Mountaineers have had almost two weeks to prepare for a rebound from that ugly loss at Iowa State. The concern for West Virginia might come on defense where it's yielded at least 30 points in two of the last three games. Baylor has dropped nine in a row against ranked Big 12 opponents.

Prediction: West Virginia 33, Baylor 21

These are special times at Appalachian State, which is ranked for the first time as a member of the FBS. Coach Scott Satterfield's group has outscored opponents 231-49 during a five-game winning streak. However, Georgia Southern joins the Mountaineers and Troy to make up a trio that's undefeated in the Sun Belt East Division.

Prediction: Appalachian State 24, Georgia Southern 14

The Utes have scored at least 40 points in each of their three consecutive victories — two coming against Stanford and USC. The Salt Lake City campus, however, is mourning following the death of a female student-athlete, so the Utah program must play through the pain. UCLA has won two straight following its 0-5 start, giving Chip Kelly's squad some much-needed momentum.

Prediction: Utah 33, UCLA 24

A few years back, this was a prime-time matchup. Now it has the makings of a potential blowout. Clemson has won three straight over Florida State, which is trying to keep its lengthy bowl streak alive. The Tigers also will be trying for a sixth consecutive road victory dating to last season.

Prediction: Clemson 35, Florida State 10

The race in the Big Ten West is tight, with Northwestern owning a one-half game lead over Wisconsin, Purdue and Iowa. The Wildcats have won three in a row, but Wisconsin has taken the last two in the series, and Jonathan Taylor is averaging 154.9 yards during his streak of eight straight 100-yard rushing games.

Prediction: Wisconsin 27, Northwestern 22

It's the first time since 2008 these SEC rivals meet while both are ranked in the top 10. Georgia snapped a three-game series skid with a 42-7 pummeling of the Gators last season; however, it needs to bounce back from the loss at LSU. Florida, meanwhile, is clicking while trying for a sixth straight win. The atmosphere is always fun — maybe a little too much — but that's what makes this rivalry special.

Prediction: Georgia 31, Florida 30

South Florida has never won its first eight games but begins a daunting final stretch of the season within the American Athletic Conference. The Bulls might gain the advantage if All-American defensive tackle Ed Oliver can't go. Though South Florida has lost three in a row to Houston, it's won 12 of 14 on the road.

Prediction: Houston 34, South Florida 28

The Sooners rebounded from their loss to Texas with a rather decisive victory over TCU last week. Oklahoma's defense still seems to be a work in progress, but at least the team is back on track. It's won three in a row in this series, but Kansas State has already topped one Big 12 team from Oklahoma this season.  

Prediction: Oklahoma 38, Kansas State 27

Don't think the Hawkeyes have some unfinished business to settle in this one. Penn State's late heroics stole a victory from them last season in Iowa City and gave James Franklin's team a fourth straight win in the series. However, Iowa has won three in a row, while the Nittany Lions needed to work hard to avoid a third consecutive loss last week.

Prediction: Iowa 24, Penn State 14

While Alabama, LSU, Georgia and Florida seem to be getting all the pub in the SEC, the Wildcats are tied with the Bulldogs and Gators for the top spot in the East Division at 4-1. Mark Stoops' squad features a defense that has not allowed more than 20 points in league play. Missouri can score but is also 0-3 in the conference.

Prediction: Kentucky 28, Missouri 17

The Huskies bounced back from their hard-luck loss at Oregon. Now they will try for a fifth consecutive victory at California. The Golden Bears have lost two straight and six of their last seven games against ranked opponents in the Pac-12.

Prediction: Washington 42, California 19

The Aggies appear to have found their rhythm under coach Jimbo Fisher, as they try for a fourth straight win. Mississippi State has been in and out of the Top 25, but it has won three of its last four home contests against ranked opponents — beginning with a 35-28 triumph over then-No. 7 Texas A&M in 2016.

Prediction: Mississippi State 26, Texas A&M 17

The marquee game in the Pac-12 this week features the overachieving Cougars against a Cardinal team that can be labeled underachievers. If the Stanford defense that held Arizona State to 13 points last week shows up again, it will have a chance against the mighty passing attack of Washington State. That's a big "if" at the moment.

Prediction: Stanford 26, Washington State 24

Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren was  understandably displeased with his team's effort in last week's 41-7 loss at Clemson. However, that's a good indicator that N.C. State might not be ready for prime time. It has won four in a row over Syracuse, but the Orange are looking to improve to 5-0 at home this season.

Prediction: Syracuse 33, N.C. State 31

Barring a slipup in this one, the Irish will hear their named called among the top four when the first College Football Playoff rankings are announced next week. Notre Dame didn't have an easy time with Pitt in its most recent contest two weeks ago, but Navy has lost four in a row and has not been able to find much consistency in 2018.

Prediction: Notre Dame 34, Navy 13

The Longhorns would love to see quarterback Sam Ehlinger well enough to start this game but won't fret if Shane Buechele is needed to open. A seventh straight win is on the line for the Big 12 leaders, who have dropped their last three against the Cowboys. Oklahoma State, however, has lost two in a row at home, where it's 6-5 since the start of last season.

Prediction: Texas 27, Oklahoma State 22

Oregon is probably better than it looked last week at Washington State, and a trip to the desert should prove that. The Ducks won last year's meeting by 20 points, and the Wildcats have dropped two in a row and three of the last four entering this contest.

Prediction: Oregon 32, Arizona 19

Looking to jump-start the offense, the Hurricanes are going back to Malik Rosier as their quarterback for this contest and possibly beyond. Miami has had two weeks to regroup from its 16-13 loss at Virginia, but Boston College is averaging 50 points while going 4-0 at home in 2018.

Prediction: Boston College 30, Miami 28

The Red Raiders are just one game behind first-place Texas in the Big 12 and should have talented freshman quarterback Alan Bowman healthy for this contest. Iowa State is coming off impressive wins at then-ranked Oklahoma State and over West Virginia, a top 10 team at the time. The Cyclones have a solid freshman signal-caller of their own in Brock Purdy.

Prediction: Iowa State 34, Texas Tech 31.

An impressive rout of Ohio State has Purdue in position for a fifth consecutive victory. The Boilermakers have scored at least 42 points in three straight games. Though they've lost seven in a row in this series, Michigan State's offense is too inconsistent at the moment to believe it will have things easy again in this one.

Prediction: Michigan State 23, Purdue 20 

The Trojans could be without freshman quarterback JT Daniels for this contest, so even though Arizona State is 0-3 on the road this season, nothing is guaranteed. While the feeling is that USC is an underachieving group, it's still in the mix for the Pac-12 South title.

Prediction: USC 26, Arizona State 17

The Blue Devils have dropped two of three following their 4-0 start. They've also lost three straight against Pitt but are 3-0 on the road this season. The Panthers have home wins over Georgia Tech and Syracuse and played Notre Dame tough on the road in their most recent game.

Prediction: Pitt 27, Duke 23

A win at Auburn was nice for Tennessee, but being routed by Florida, Georgia and Alabama shows that the Vols still have a ways to go to be taken seriously within the SEC. All three Gamecocks' losses have come against ranked league opponents, and they've won the last two with Tennessee.

Prediction: South Carolina 27, Tennessee 21 

Tied with Fresno State atop the West Division of the Mountain West, the Aztecs will try for a seventh consecutive victory. Though its offense has been inconsistent, SDSU has yielded an average of 14.3 points over the last three games. Also, the Aztecs have won three straight against Nevada.

Prediction: San Diego State 24, Nevada 14

Looking for a sixth straight victory, Fresno State has been downright dominant defensively this month. The Bulldogs have allowed just 13 points during October victories over Nevada, Wyoming and New Mexico. Trying to avoid a third consecutive loss, Hawaii averaged 42 points in its first six games but has totaled 62 in the last three.

Prediction: Fresno State 31, Hawaii 13