College football Week 9: Seven must-watch games include Georgia-Florida

As October draws to a close, the college football slate this weekend has more of a calm-before-the-storm feel to it as far as the playoff race is concerned.

This is not to say the possibility of chaos doesn’t exist. It does every time teams take the field. But there’s been surprisingly little true mayhem this season, and it doesn’t appear as if there will be much of it this week either.

But while it’s quite likely the big picture won’t be significantly altered, there’s still entertainment potential, and we’re here once again to help you find it. Here are Saturday’s seven most important and – hopefully –  watchable games.

No. 1 Georgia vs. Florida

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS.

Why watch: This annual matchup in Jacksonville is still the game of the day in terms of historical significance and program name recognition, even with one team favored by north of two touchdowns. The ‘cocktail party’ pendulum has swung decisively Georgia’s way of late. This year’s Florida squad has shown sporadic signs of narrowing the gap, but taking down the Bulldogs will require a near perfect performance. Georgia QB Carson Beck, however, will be without standout TE Brock Bowers for at least a few weeks following ankle surgery. But given how Florida was trucked by Kentucky a few weeks ago, the Bulldogs’ game plan will likely revolve around RBs Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton. The Florida offense has been inconsistent, but QB Graham Mertz has had moments and RB Trevor Etienne is back at full speed. LB Smael Mondon is the centerpiece of the Georgia defense that doesn’t allow many explosive plays.

Why it could disappoint: While the atmosphere is always festive, the action on the field might not generate much in the way of excitement. The Gators’ best chance of pulling the upset is to turn the game into a grind, a scenario that would at least produce some fourth-quarter tension. A Florida comeback seems unlikely if the Bulldogs are able to build a significant advantage.

No. 3 Ohio State at Wisconsin

Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC.

Why watch: Now squarely on yet another collision course with Michigan after dispatching Penn State, the Buckeyes must avoid the dreaded hangover effect as they hit the road to take on the Badgers, who suddenly find themselves atop the Big Ten West thanks to Iowa’s misfortune last week. The Ohio State offense still isn’t quite as flashy as in recent seasons with QB Kyle McCord at the controls, but he’s made enough connections with Biletnikoff Award favorite WR Marvin Harrison Jr. and TE Cade Stover to eventually solve most defenses. McCord, however, must beware of Badgers DB Ricardo Hallman, who has snared four interceptions and returned one for a score. Wisconsin, like the rest of its Big Ten West brethren, has struggled to put up points, and the loss of QB Tanner Mordecai to a broken hand hasn’t helped. Freshman Braedyn Locke was able to guide the Badgers past Illinois last week thanks to some last-minute trickery, but conquering LB Tommy Eichenberg and the Buckeyes is an even tougher assignment.

Why it could disappoint: The Buckeyes, not unlike Georgia, have had issues with slow starts. If this is finally the week they mount some long drives in their first few possessions, the Badgers’ crowd might be taken out of the game no matter how much jumping around they do.

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No. 9 Oregon at No. 13 Utah

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, Fox.

Why watch: The marquee contest in the Pac-12 matches these two ranked contenders who both need to avoid a second league loss. The Utes required everything in the tank to pull out last week’s win at Southern California, while the Ducks were pushed early but eventually subdued Washington State a week ago. With QB Cam Rising now officially shut down for the season, the Utah offense will remain in the hands of Bryson Barnes. But the top priority for DB Tysheem Johnson and the Oregon defense will be knowing the whereabouts of Utes’ two-way threat Sione Vaki at all times. Ducks QB Bo Nix is hitting on 78.4% of his pass attempts with just one pick all season, but he’ll need to steer clear of Utah DE Jonah Elliss.

Why it could disappoint: Quite simply, the Ducks have considerably more offensive fire power. The Utes’ defense could keep them in it with some takeaways setting up short fields, but the Utah offense isn’t likely to replicate the success it had at USC if another comeback is needed.

No. 6 Oklahoma at Kansas

Time/TV: Noon ET, Fox.

Why watch: The Sooners, the lone remaining unbeaten team in the Big 12, take to the road to meet the Jayhawks, who are likely out of the conference title race but need just one more win to go bowling. Getting it this week will be difficult, though Oklahoma nearly let Central Florida hang around too long a week ago and narrowly escaped by stopping a tying two-point conversion attempt – albeit an ill-designed one. LB Danny Stutsman and the Sooners' defense will look to set the tone earlier this time. They’ll be facing Jason Bean at QB for Kansas with Jalon Daniels still sidelined by a back injury, so the Jayhawks’ offense will likely lean heavily on workhorse RB Devin Neal. Oklahoma QB Dillon Gabriel must be cautious against a Jayhawks’ secondary that has swiped seven passes, with a pair each by CBs Cobee Bryant and Kwinton Lassiter. Gabriel’s most frequent target is WR Drake Stoops, with main field stretcher Nic Anderson averaging nearly 25 yards a grab.

Why it could disappoint: The Jayhawks’ encounter with Texas, also sans Daniels, didn’t go well. That was on the road, of course, but the Sooners will enjoy a similar overall talent edge. Oklahoma will also have plenty of incentive to put this one away quickly with Bedlam on deck.

No. 21 Duke at No. 18 Louisville

Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN.

Why watch: Everyone in the ACC is now officially chasing Florida State. The combatants here need this win to stay in the mix for, most likely, the second spot in the league title game, though the winner would still have work ahead to reach that point. The Blue Devils couldn’t do much with the ball last week in Tallahassee once QB Riley Leonard reinjured his ankle and had to leave the game. His availability for this week probably won’t be known until kickoff. Duke will likely rely heavily on RBs Jordan Waters and Jaquez Moore regardless of who takes snaps, so LB T.J. Quinn and the Louisville ground defense must be ready. The Cardinals had a week off to stew over their loss at Pittsburgh, in which ball security was a trouble spot for QB Jack Plummer. Blue Devils DL Aeneas Peebles will be all too happy to induce more miscues.

Why it could disappoint: It’s always a bit of a letdown if standout players aren’t able to perform, so the watchability factor will diminish if Leonard can’t go. The Blue Devils’ defense is more than capable of keeping them in it, but Louisville has been a much better team at home.

No. 12 Oregon State at Arizona

Time/TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

Why watch: It wouldn’t be a huge shock if this #Pac12AfterDark special turns out to be the game of the day. The Beavers are still very much in the Pac-12 title picture but face a dangerous trip to Tucson, where the Wildcats look to sow more chaos and continue their climb toward bowl eligibility. Both teams had last week off, so the energy level should be good. Oregon State QB D.J. Uiagalelei has for the most part enjoyed his fresh start in Corvallis. RB Damien Martinez is his most explosive backfield mate, and TE Jack Velling is a reliable red-zone drive finisher. The Wildcats will likely counter with QB Noah Fifita, who has been spectacular since taking over for an injured Jayden de Laura last month. WR Jacob Cowing is his most frequent target, and RB Jonah Coleman has been a constant producer taking handoffs and as a pass catcher.

Why it could disappoint: It shouldn’t. Arizona was in a couple of nail-biters before its somewhat surprising rout of Washington State, though the Beavers have won their last three by double digits.

No. 23 Tulane at Rice

Time/TV: 4 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Why watch: The Green Wave are in the driver’s seat to repeat as American Athletic Conference champs. A return to the New Year’s Six bowl lineup is also possible, though unbeaten Mountain West leader Air Force has the inside track there. First things first, however, as Tulane continues its trek through its new-look conference against the much-improved Owls. Rice needs two more wins to snap its eight-year bowl drought, but there are no gimmes on the Owls’ remaining schedule. Tulane QB Michael Pratt has been slowed by a bad leg for much of the season but has been at his best over the last couple of outings, including a key win at Memphis on Oct. 7. The Owls’ resurgence has been helped by the arrival of well-traveled QB J.T. Daniels. He has 17 scoring tosses thus far, with many of them going to WR Luke McCaffrey.

Why it could disappoint: It probably won’t, though the Green Wave’s defense is slightly more sound allowing 19.4 points a game while the Owls are giving up 27.4. Even so, Tulane has been shaky with big leads, so the blowout potential is low.