Top five Week 9 college football games: TV info, predictions, start times

College football is the gift that keeps on giving. Over the past month, each week has looked like the best week of the season, only to be topped by the next week of games. 

After a pair of SEC showdowns highlighted Week 8, Week 9 is no slouch. Five ranked matchups should mean more shakeups are coming to the Top 25.

Here are the top five games of the week, ranked in inverse order.

5. No. 5 Texas (6-1) at No. 25 Vanderbilt (5-2) | Saturday | 4:15 p.m. ET | SEC Network

The Longhorns suffered their first loss of the season Saturday at home against No. 5 Georgia. Next up: a Cinderella Vanderbilt squad with its eyes set on another massive upset. The Commodores’ past five games have been decided by a total of 29 points. They’ve shown they can win close games, but can they keep Saturday’s game in Nashville with Texas close? Ball protection is key. Vanderbilt has only committed two turnovers this season.

Prediction: Texas is too good to lose two games in a row. Longhorns win, 37-17.

4. No. 12 Notre Dame (6-1) at No. 24 Navy (6-0) | Saturday | noon ET | ABC

This longtime rivalry is laughably one-sided. Notre Dame leads the all-time series 80-13-1 and, at one point, won 43 in a row over the Midshipmen. The last time a ranked Navy team beat Notre Dame was in 1963. Is this the year for the Midshipmen? Again, ball protection could be crucial. Navy has committed only two turnovers this season. Navy averages 274.8 yards per game rushing, which is the fourth-best figure in the nation. Notre Dame ranks 30th  in rushing defense, allowing only 113.1 yards per game. That matchup will decide the game on Saturday.

Prediction: Navy won’t have an answer for Notre Dame’s dual-threat quarterback Riley Leonard. Irish win, 28-17.

3. No. 20 Illinois (6-1) at No. 1 Oregon (7-0) | Saturday | 3:30 p.m. ET | CBS

Oregon is ranked No. 1 for the first time since 2012. Illinois earned a statement win over No. 24 Michigan last week, but it is now tasked with stopping Heisman hopeful Dillon Gabriel, a much better QB than what the Wolverines rolled out. The Oregon QB has 2,080 yards passing and 15 TD passes. However, Illinois quarterback Luke Altmyer is a worthy adversary. He also has 15 TD passes, so it appears this game will be won (or lost) in the air. Which defense can get to the quarterback? Both teams rank in the top 25 nationally in sacks. This one won’t come easily for Oregon.

Prediction: It may not be easy for the Ducks, but they will win 35-17.

2. No. 21 Missouri (6-1) at No. 15 Alabama (5-2) | Saturday | 3:30 p.m. ET | ABC

The Tigers have underwhelmed much of the season. The offense, which was supposed to be high-octane, has sputtered, and Missouri is lucky to have only one loss. A College Football Playoff spot could be on the line in this one. Alabama can’t afford a third loss, and the Tide are Mizzou’s last ranked opponent currently on the schedule. If you relish wide receiver play, Mizzou’s Luther Burden and Alabama’s Ryan Williams will float your boat.

Prediction: Alabama keeps its CFP hopes alive with a 31-14 win.

1. No. 8 LSU (6-1) at No. 14 Texas A&M (6-1) Saturday | 7:30 p.m. | ABC

A rivalry game between teams undefeated in SEC play under the lights? Yes, please.  A&M is a 2.5-point favorite, according to ESPN Bet as of Tuesday, and has a 52.6 percent chance to win, according to ESPN Analytics. Expect this game to be close. The teams have traded wins in the past seven matchups, with the home team winning each time. That’s good news for the Aggies. LSU hasn’t won at Kyle Field since 2016. A win on Saturday night will propel A&M into the top 10 and firmly put them in the CFP conversation.

Prediction: The trend continues as A&M wins at home, defeating LSU 27-23.