CFB 2011 Week 9 Preview: 10 Games to Watch

Oct 29, 2011

On the heels of last week’s lackluster slate 0f games, this week brings a full plate of intriguing matchups, including the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, a meaningful game in the Big East, and a couple of trap games for Top 5 teams.

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the ten games to watch in Week 9:

11Michigan State (6-1, 3-0) at 14Nebraska (6-1, 2-1) Noon, ESPN
This is a big game for the Big Ten’s Legends division. MSU currently enjoys a one game lead over the Huskers and Wolverines, and a victory in this one would give the Spartans a stranglehold on the top spot. Nebraska has played well since getting demolished by Wisconsin, and it needs another strong showing in this game to establish its position as a true player its the new conference. A loss will really get the Bo Pellini bashers coming out of the woodwork again.

Missouri (3-4, 1-3) at 16Texas A&M (5-2, 3-1) Noon, FX
The Tigers have been disappointing this season, but if you look closely at their record, all four losses have come against ranked teams. The Aggies, meanwhile, have put consecutive losses to Oklahoma St. and Arkansas behind them to climb into the mix for the Big 12 title. Mizzou could pull of the upset if it plays up to par, and with both teams likely headed to the SEC, this could be a warmup for future clashes between the two once they defect to their new conference.

Syracuse (5-2, 1-1) at Louisville (3-2, 1-1) Noon, Regional
Everyone but USF has a chance to win the mediocre Big East, which currently has more defectors than the Iraqi army. The Cuse is coming off a 26-point smackdown of West Virginia, but the Ville is playing solid ball under Charlie Strong; their four losses have been by a total of 27 points.

Washington State (3-4, 1-3) at 7Oregon (6-1, 4-0) 3:00, Regional
It’s unliky the mighty Ducks will slip up and lose this one, but with so much turmoil going on in Eugene (injuries, suspensions, NCAA inquiries), it wouldn’t shock me if they did.

Baylor (4-2, 1-2) at 3Oklahoma St (7-0, 4-0) 3:30, ABC/ESPN2
On paper this looks like another easy win for the high-powered Cowboys. But don’t discard the Bears. Baylor is still smarting from the 55-28 beatdown the Aggies applied to them two weeks ago, and the Bears have been involved in a slew of shootouts this year. Remember when the Sooners got involved in a high scoring affair with an unranked but dangerous team at home a week ago? I’m just saying.

Illinois (6-2, 2-2) at 19Penn State (7-1, 4-0) 3:30, ABC/ESPN2
Two weeks ago the Illini were the talk of the Big Ten; now they are just another team trying to right itself after a precipitous slide. Two consecutive losses have the Zookers reeling, and suddenly JoePa’s team is leading the Leaders (?) division after Wisconsin’s loss last week. Crazy times in the topsy turvy B10.

22Georgia (5-2, 4-1) vs. Florida (4-3, 2-3) at Jacksonville 3:30, CBS
The World’s Largest Cocktail Party returns for another installment, and lo and behold the Bulldogs are actually the better team at this point in the season. Gator QB John Brantley returns for this game, and they’ll need him if Florida hopes to win this game for the 19th time in the last 22 editions of the rivalry. Georgia has shrugged off its 0-2 start, but if Mark Richt can’t defeat the toothless Gators for the third time in 11 tries, his seat in Athens will get mighty hot again.

5Clemson (8-0, 5-0) at Georgia Tech (6-2, 3-2) 8:00 ABC Regional
Basically the same thing I said about Baylor and OK St. applies here, except this game is more dangerous for Clemson because it’s on the road. Will the wheels fall off the Tigers BCS bandwagon in Atlanta? They will if they can’t stop the triple option Tech attack.

6Stanford (7-0, 5-0) at USC (6-1, 3-1) 8:00 ABC Regional
Ditto.

15Wisconsin (6-1, 2-1) at Ohio State (4-3, 1-2) 8:00 ESPN
The Buckeyes are playing inspired ball amid all the turmoil under coach Luke Fickell, and you can bet the Bucks would like nothing more than to add to the misery the Badgers are suffering after their heartbreaking loss to Michigan State last week. Wisky’s got its work cut out for it when they visit the hostile Horseshoe at night; a second loss would demolish their already slim championship hopes.