Rivalries To Decide Big Ten, SEC East

This article will break down College Football Week 9 and its top games. As odds are released and the season progresses, the list may expand. Check back for page updates and odds on the best games of the week.

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College Football Week 9 Odds

Date Game Odds (ML)
10/30 Minnesota @ Northwestern MIN -2.5
10/30 Michigan @ Michigan State MICH -6.5
10/30 Purdue @ Nebraska NEB -6.5
10/30 Penn State @ Ohio State OSU -12.5
10/30 Georgia vs. Florida* UGA -7.5
10/30 North Carolina @ Notre Dame ND -1.5
10/30 Indiana @ Maryland IU -8

*Neutral site game

College Football Week 9 Top Games

Penn State at Ohio State (-12.5)

The last few years of matchups haven’t gone the way Nittany Lions fans would have liked, but this rivalry is always exciting. Even in a down season last year, Penn State hung in there with Ohio State’s explosive offense. These are expected to be the top two teams in the heavy Big Ten East, with a spot in Indianapolis likely on the line here.

The Buckeyes have won the last four matchups with the Nittany Lions following the famous upset of #2 Ohio State in 2016. Those games, however, have had razor-thin margins; Ohio State won by just a single point in 2017 and 2018, by nine in 2019, and 13 a season ago. Prepare for this one to be another close installment as Penn State looks to get back on the winning track.

Florida vs. Georgia (-7.5)

Another division will likely be decided this week. The SEC East annually runs through Jacksonville at the World’s Largest Cocktail Party. In recent history, the rivalry has been decided by short runs and swings, but ultimately the series is tied since 2007. Also since 2007, the winner of this game has gone onto the SEC Championship game.

Florida broke a three-year skid last year against Georgia behind 474 passing yards and four touchdowns. Kyle Trask is gone for the NFL and the Dawgs return much of their offense, including quarterback J.T. Daniels. While defense is usually the emphasis in this game, an average of 50 points is typically scored between the two since 2007.

North Carolina at Notre Dame (-1.5)

While Notre Dame is no longer a member of the ACC, North Carolina is in the hunt for the conference this season. This week, the Tarheels face their toughest test of the 2021 season– on the road at Notre Dame. Last year, UNC came up short at home 31-17 and Sam Howell struggled (211 passing yards, one touchdown, six sacks).

Notre Dame was able to run effectively against a porous UNC defense, amassing 216 yards on 5.5 yards per carry. The starting quarterbacking duties for the Irish is presumed to be filled by Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan; Coan should see plenty of work against Carolina’s defense that allowed nearly 250 passing yards per game (246.7, 87th nationally).