Week 9 College Football Preview

Another good week of action behind us and the calendar nears November and each game becomes that much more important for the top teams looking to stay alive in the BCS title game chase.

Recap of last week: UTEP and Florida State were able to win close games in primetime against Tulsa and North Carolina, respectively. While Rutgers didn't have too much trouble with Army on Friday night. Ohio State looked very good rebounding against Minnesota and stay alive in the Big Ten race. While Pittsburgh continued to keep the pressure on Cincinnati in the Big East as they manhandled South Florida, a good team in the Big East. Oklahoma played very well against Kansas after their tough loss to Texas and look to still be a competitive team. Arizona did not play very sharp football, but did enough to beat UCLA. Michigan State looked to be seconds away from upsetting Iowa and ending their perfect season. However, Iowa showed their clutch ability and engineered a perfect last drive to win the game with seconds to go. Florida did not play especially great again this past week, but did enough to get past Mississippi State. USC kept their drive for the Pac-10 and national titles alive with a good win against Oregon State, the team that upset them last year. Lastly, Boise State proved to be a dangerous team as they took advantage of Hawaii's turnovers and blew them out.

In terms of my top 5 matchups picks, I went 5-0 this past week and after eight weeks I'm 30-10 on the year. Alabama and Tennessee went down to the wire and as expected it was a defensive struggle. Alabama had a great field goal stance to stay unbeaten and Tennessee should get a lot of credit for playing them close as they did against Florida earlier this year. Maybe the Kiffins are changing Tennessee after all and it won't be long before they start winning these close games. In the Boston College-Notre Dame rivalry game, Jimmy Clausen and the offense were able to rebound after that tough loss against USC and could run the table with a weak schedule ahead. Penn State was able to finally break through at the Big House as this one was a total blowout. Michigan looked to maybe be back early on, but Penn State showed they were the superior team and it sets up a big battle with Ohio State in next weekend. Similarly, Texas had little trouble with Missouri and looked very impressive in the same week that both Florida and Alabama struggled in getting wins. And speaking of blowouts, in what was supposedly a big game between two mid-majors turned into a statement game for TCU. They were able to stay undefeated and gave BYU their second, both coming in blowout fashion. TCU might be able to jump Boise State for the non-BCS conference bid if they keep playing this well.

Now turning to this week's slate of games that might be worth watching/feature a team or teams with something on the line:

Tuesday night:
East Carolina at Memphis: Most likely another ho-hum Tuesday matchup. Something for a die-hard football fan.

Thursday night:
North Carolina at No. 13 Virginia Tech: This one is a statement game opportunity for North Carolina and one of those trap games for a team like Virginia Tech. This game can tip the scales of the ACC.

Sunday night:
Marshall at UCF: No NFL Sunday Night. Here is the solution. You feel bored during the World Series or prefer football this game is for you. Not much else to say about average at best teams.

Indiana at No. 4 Iowa: Iowa needs to stay focus if they want to play for a national title. Any slip up, all they get a possible Rose Bowl bid and Big Ten title. Not too bad. But they should not have too much trouble with Indiana after their scare last week.

Kansas at Texas Tech: Both aren't playing for too much, but it could turn out to be a big offensive game in the Big 12. They both have talent, yet have struggled in some of their games.

UNLV at No. 6 TCU: The next team in TCU's way of a perfect season is UNLV. They look to be a complete team and should not have too much trouble staying undefeated, but shouldn't take a team like UNLV too lightly.

Kansas State at Oklahoma: Kansas State has improved this year while Oklahoma is in the middle of a down year for them and should be able to take care of business this week from earlier stumbles.

Now for my top 5 matchups of Week 9:

5) No. 22 South Carolina at Tennessee: Tennessee has been playing up to their opponents in the SEC for the most part this year. They pushed both Florida and Alabama to the limit and could won either one especially against Alabama. South Carolina has also played very well and upset a 4th ranked Mississippi earlier this year. This could be a close one and Tennessee has a great opportunity to finally knock off a ranked SEC team. I like both teams' defenses; a staple of SEC football. Pick: Tennessee

4) No. 21 West Virginia at South Florida: This is another important Big East game as both teams are in the hunt and are trailing both Cincinnati and Pittsburgh. A loss for either would be devastating. South Florida has struggled in the second half in the last few years when they have had success. West Virginia doesn't have the same dangerous offense, but Noel Devine can catch and run the ball and return it if necessary. The Mountaineer speed might be the big factor. However, I do like the passing game that has emerged at South Florida. Pick: West Virginia

3) Georgia vs. No. 1 Florida: Another tough SEC game for Florida. They have struggled at times the last few weeks and Georgia is no easy challenge. Georgia has not played especially well at times and lost a couple close games due to turnovers. Tim Tebow and the offense are due for a breakout game and this might be the one. Pick: Florida

2) No. 3 Texas at No. 14 Oklahoma State: Texas' road to the national title turns to "the other Oklahoma team." Oklahoma State has been without WR Dez Bryant and his absence hurts their offense. They are a good team, but QB Colt McCoy and WR Jordan Shipley are in a groove and this offense should put up more than enough points. Hopefully its a good game, but it could turn into a Texas rout. Pick: Texas

1) No. 5 USC at No. 10 Oregon: This game is truly for the Pac-10 title. The winner will be in firm control of their destiny in that regard. Oregon has bounced back after that bad loss to Boise State and is blowing teams out. USC has also been playing strong since their stumble against Washington. USC always comes to play in the big games and this is one of those games. Oregon will play strong and keep this one down to the wire. Pick: USC

Let's see how this weekend's action will unfold and if the top teams will continue to stay on course.