College Football Week 9 Game Predictions

There will be some big games this weekend that will impact the College Football Playoff picture and the conference championship races across the country. For Notre Dame, a win over Pittsburgh gives them a second straight victory and helps them climb back up the rankings.

For Notre Dame to get into a New Year's Six game, or if it wants to hang onto the very slim playoff hopes it might have, it will need chaos to reign week after week. Here are four games that will have an impact on Notre Dame's resume and its postseason positioning.

#1 Georgia (7-0) at Florida (5-2)

Gametime: 12:00 PM ET
Network: CBS
Line: Georgia -14.0, O/U: 49

Georgia is going to be tough for Notre Dame to pass, so this isn't really about looking for a Bulldog upset. This is more about other non-Georgia SEC teams continuing to lose week after week, which increases Notre Dame's chances at locking up a NY6 berth.

Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Georgia 38, Florida 17

The Gators have been a scrappy teams at times this season, but even without star tight end Brock Bowers the Bulldogs have too much firepower to get upset in a rivalry game.

Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Georgia 34, Florida 21

I would love to see Florida best Georgia just to see the chaos that ensues. It's just not going to happen. Strange things happen in the Swamp but the defending champs aren't going to let that venue spook them.

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Georgia 35, Florida 17

Georgia has been a bit up and down but when they are locked in, they have all the resources to dominate. Quarterback Carson Beck is also starting to really get things rolling. Florida is playing tough but they are just outmatched from a talent perspective.

Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Georgia 31, Florida 20

Georgia’s played a few closer games than expected, but they’ll have enough to beat their rival, even without Brock Bowers.

Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Georgia 30, Florida 20

The Bulldogs lost All-American TE Brock Bowers for at least a month but still have a big talent advantage over the Gators. Florida QB Graham Mertz has been better than expected this season, but he's not faced a pass defense like Georgia, which ranks first in the SEC.

#8 Oregon (6-1) at #13 Utah (6-1)

Gametime: 3:30 PM ET
Network: Fox
Line: Oregon -6.5, O/U: 47.5

There are three Pac 12 teams currently ranked ahead of Notre Dame, and these are two of those squads. One of them is likely going to fall behind Notre Dame should the Irish beat Pitt convincingly. The other will continue its playoff push. Of the two, Oregon has the more favorable schedule, so a Utah win in this game helps Notre Dame the most (in my opinion) due to the fact it is the most likely to lose another game or two.

Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Oregon 31, Utah 20

I would love to be wrong about this one, but Utah's offense is likely to struggle against Oregon. Its results against USC were likely fools gold against a struggling Trojan unit. Oregon isn't a world beater on defense, but it is better in the trenches on both sides and is certainly better on D than USC.

Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Oregon 42, Utah 35

Even though Utah handed USC their second loss of the season they are clearly not at 100%. There are a few things not to like about Oregon but I still think they have the talent to beat Utah. The Utes have the advantage of home field but I still like to Ducks to win.

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Oregon 28, Utah 17

Oregon has all of the tools to be a very good team, and a tough down the stretch in the PAC 12. Utah is still a tough and gritty team but there are just a couple of spots that they don’t match up well against the Ducks. The outside pass catchers are the difference for Oregon.

Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Oregon 34, Utah 24

This is the latest installment of the top teams in the Pac-12 facing-off in recent weeks. Oregon’s a more balanced offense.

Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Oregon 33, Utah 20

I think Oregon is the best team in a deep Pac-12 and the Ducks take the next step toward the CFP on Saturday against a Utah team coming off an emotional win. Utah is physical, but so are the Ducks, who have NFL talent in every position group. Bo Nix vaults back into the Heisman race with a signature performance.

#20 Duke (5-2) at #18 Louisville (6-1)

Gametime: 3:30 PM ET
Network: ESPN
Line: Louisville -5.5, O/U: 46

This is about Notre Dame's resume, and no matter how this game goes it will have an impact on the Irish. If Duke wins it keeps the victory over the Blue Devils as a big road win. A loss by the Blue Devils - who will likely be without quarterback Riley Leonard - could drop them out of the Top 25, which takes away a ranked win for the Irish. Louisville winning simply means Notre Dame has a "good loss," but the committee has shown in the past that it cares more about the good wins.

Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Louisville 24, Duke 13

The Blue Devils would absolutely be able to win this game if Leonard was playing, but with him unlikely I just don't see Duke having enough scoring ability to win this game.

Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Louisville 27, Duke 14

Without a healthy Riley Leonard I just don't see this one being that close. I think Duke's defense has too much for Louisville's offense. Leonard will do enough on his side to score.

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Duke 24, Louisville 21

Duke and Louisville bring a lot of the same qualities to the table from a defensive perspective. Offensively they are very, very different. The Duke offensive line could be the difference in this one.

Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Louisville 27, Duke 20

Riley Leonard played in last week’s loss to Florida State, but his status is uncertain going into this one. It was all downhill for the Blue Devils after he reinjured his ankle and left in the third quarter.

Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Louisville 23, Duke 20

This is an elimination game in the ACC race, as the loser suffers its second conference loss. We've seen what the Cardinals can do at home, and Duke QB Riley Leonard won't be at full strength if he's even able to play.

#21 Tennessee (5-2) at Kentucky (5-2)

Gametime: 7:00 PM ET
Network: ESPN
Line: Tennessee -3.5, O/U: 51

These are two SEC teams that could vault up in the rankings with wins, and if one of these two teams win out they could challenge for a NY6 berth.

Bryan Driskell, Publisher - Kentucky 27, Tennessee 20

I was surprised to see Tennessee as the favorite. I know folks are down on Kentucky, but the Wildcats get back on track, ending their two-game losing streak with a physical win over Tennessee.

Vince DeDario, Football Analyst - Tennessee 31, Kentucky 28

Kentucky is that team that you just don't know what you're going to get week to week. I like what Josh Heupel is doing at Tennessee but he just doesn't have the trigger man to make it look pretty. I still like the Vols in this one though.

Ryan Roberts, Recruiting Director - Tennessee 31, Kentucky 27

Tennessee isn’t the same offense under Joe Milton but it still has he’s stretches where it can create big plays. Kentucky has just been very up and down so far, good great and some underwhelming. Volunteer defensive end James Pearce Jr. is one of the top pass rushers in college football and will show it on Saturday.

Sean Stires, Staff Writer - Tennessee 24, Kentucky 17

These are the two most penalized teams in the SEC. The Vols have won 18 of the last 20 times they’ve visited Lexington.

Andrew McDonough, IB Contributor - Kentucky 20, Tennessee 17

Its strength on strength as Kentucky's 13th ranked rush defense takes on Tennessee's 7th ranked rushing offense. Each of these teams is licking wounds coming off tough losses, but one of them was on a bye last week and the other got chewed up by Alabama.

STAFF RESULTS

Andrew - 26-6
Bryan - 23-9
Sean - 21-11
Ryan - 19-13
Vince - 15-10

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