Week 9 of the College Football Season is here and we have some good matchups this week such as a Top-25 matchup between Ohio State and Penn State as well as some intriguing SEC, Big 12, and B1G games. This week the experts here at BCMG will give you a more in-depth look at these games and make our predictions!
Graeme's Predictions
3 Ohio State @ 18 Penn State
Game Time: 7:30pm EST
Venue: Beaver Stadium - University Park, PA
Network: ABC
Line: Ohio State -12
Ohio State was excellent last time out. Justin Fields led the offense to perfection and the defense looked like the dominant Buckeyes of old. It is a shame we won't have a normal PSU-OSU game, due to Penn State's loss to Indiana last week, but this brings even more pressure on the Buckeyes. Penn State has to do everything in their power to stop Fields, which is easier said than done. They couldn't stop Penix Jr. last week, not to mention, the Ohio State recieving core is among the best in the nation. I have a hard time seeing Penn State keeping up with this well-rounded Buckeye squad.
Prediction: 31-10 Ohio State
Boston College @ 1 Clemson
Game Time: 12:00pm EST
Venue: Death Valley - Clemson, SC
Network: ABC
Line: Clemson -31.5
With the news just breaking that Clemson QB, Trevor Lawrence, will miss Saturday's game with a positive Covid-19 test, you would think the Clemson offense would look different. Well, you'd be wrong. DJ Uiagalelei was the nation's best QB recruit last season. He has had limited playing time this year, but has shown glimpses of Deshaun Watson in just the first couple of games. However, with all the talk about Lawrence's absence, we are forgetting about one of the best tailbacks in the nation, Travis Etienne. Without Lawrence, I would expect for Etienne to have a historic night running the ball. For Boston College, they just need to keep it close through three quarters and try to sneak one past Clemson, but that will be no easy task.
Prediction: 52-21 Clemson
Memphis @ 7 Cincinnati
Game Time: 12:00pm EST
Venue: Nippert Stadium - Cincinnati, OH
Network: ESPN
Line: Cincinnati -6.5
Cincinnati has been doing all the little things right this season. With a good pass rush attack and a running game that is the best in their conference, they are bound to come out with some really good wins. Cincinnati has shown they are ready for primetime, already knocking off a top 25 opponent in SMU. Memphis on the other hand, is also no stranger to the bright lights. Memphis is usually ranked and fighting for a conference championship. They had a bump in the road early this season, but the poise remains the same. I would expect a very hard fought game, as this is a must win for the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Prediction: 35-28 Cincinnati
Davis' Predictions
Texas @ 6 Oklahoma State
Game Time: 4:00pm EST
Venue: Boone Pickens Stadium - Stillwater, OK
Network: FOX
Line: Oklahoma State -3.5
This is bound to be one of the most interesting games of the entire weekend! You have the the Longhorns Big 12 leading offense putting up 45 points per game going head to head with Oklahoma State's Big 12 leading defense who are allowing just 12 points per game. Texas QB Sam Ehlinger and the offense did struggle last week against Baylor, scoring a season low 26 points but the defense of the Longhorns stepped up and didn't allow many yards from the Bears. This past weekend Oklahoma State won a top-25 matchup against ranked Iowa State, 24-21. The defense kept the Cyclones out of the game for the most part with a last minute touchdown making this game seem like it was closer than it was. The Cowboy offense got a huge boost with the return of their starting QB, Spencer Sanders, who adds another element to the offensive game as a mobile QB. Texas has struggled against mobile QB's all season and will need to step up if they want to win on Saturday. As I attend the game, and while you watch it on FOX, expect the Cowboys to keep Sam Ehlinger in check and keep the defense on its heels. The Cowboys have way too much firepower on both ends for Texas to keep up with.
Prediction: 38-28 Oklahoma State
17 Indiana @ Rutgers
Game Time: 3:30pm EST
Venue: SHI Stadium - Piscataway, NJ
Network: BTN
Line: Indiana -12
Did QB Michael Penix Jr. get the tip in, or was he out of bounds? I say no. I think the ball hit the out-of-bounds line before he crossed the end zone, but the refs just laid back and let him score. What a way to ruin a chance at CFP for B1G powerhouse, PennState. But, Indiana beat a Top-10 team and are now ranked 17th in the nation despite, potentially, not being of the same calibre as the other Top-25 teams. With only 211 yards of total offense and a 33 percent third-down conversion rate, this team needs a lot of help on offense before they become a threat in the B1G. Rutgers and Head coach Greg Schiano, also known as Greg the Man, surprised everyone with their 38-27 win over Michigan State this past weekend. Schiano, who is now in his second stint with Rutgers, led the Scarlet Knights to an impressive victory only allowing 50 yards on the ground. This game is honestly very close to call because if you go look at the QB stats, HB stats, and the WR stats for both teams, they are almost identical. However, I believe Greg is the Man and will lead his team to another victory on Saturday against a ranked Indiana.
Prediction: 21-17 Rutgers
LSU @ Auburn
Game Time: 3:30pm EST
Venue: Jordan-Hare Stadium - Auburn, AL
Network: CBS
Line: LSU -3
To say LSU and Auburn are disappointing this season is an understatement. Auburn should be 2-3 or even 1-4 without a few timely (or lucky) calls late in games. Auburn's offense with QB Bo Nix has not been very impressive this season, only averaging 24 points and just over 220 passing yards per game. Auburn's defense hasn't been outstanding either with over 400 yards of total offense and over 180 rushing yards allowed per game. On the other side of the ball, for a team coming off a national championship last season, LSU has not been great this year either. But there is, at least, some hope for fans in the form of QB T.J. Finley who started his first game last week and led LSU to a 52-24 win over South Carolina while putting up 265 passing yards and two scores. Finley also adds another element to the offense with his legs, running 8 times for 24 yards and a score last week. In the battle of the Tigers, I expect LSU to edge out Auburn in what should be a shootout in the SEC.
Prediction: 45-41 LSU
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