In a college football season where more high-ranked teams are losing at a higher clip than they have in several decades, is there such a thing as an assured win on the schedule anymore?
A Week 9 slate that includes just three meetings between ranked opponents will put that question to the test.
In the Big Ten, No. 2 Ohio State will give Luke Fahey his first start with starter Julian Sayin injured for the foreseeable future. The Buckeyes, who still have Heisman front runner Jeremiah Smith and very real College Football Playoff championship aspirations, will take on Southern California and embattled coach Lincoln Riley. The Trojans, meanwhile,
are coming off a demoralizing 24-7 loss to Wisconsin — the fewest points ever by a Riley-coached team in L.A.
In the SEC, the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" between No. 3 Georgia and No. 20 Florida is heading indoors. The annual rivalry between the Bulldogs and Gators is moving to Mercedes-Benz Stadium with Kirby Smart's team coming off a bye and a shocking loss to Auburn in Week 7.
And, in the Big 12, No. 21 Arizona will travel to take on No. 14 Texas Tech, one week after billionaire booster Cody Campbell chastised the Red Raiders for losing on the road at Cincinnati.
Here's how USA TODAY Sports' college football experts are picking those games and more:
College football Week 9 top-25 predictions, picks
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Oct. 27
No. 1 Miami at North Carolina
- Spread: Miami (-14.5)
- Over/under: 52.5 points
- Moneyline: Miami (-650) | North Carolina (+450)
- Craig Meyer: Miami 31, North Carolina 10
- Austin Curtright: Miami 44, North Carolina 23
- John Leuzzi: Miami 42, UNC 24
- Jordan Mendoza: Miami 44, North Carolina 17
- Adam Bittner: Miami 41, North Carolina 20
What our experts think: "The Hurricanes have effectively been on autopilot in the leadup to their highly anticipated Nov. 7 game at Notre Dame. The Tar Heels have been surprisingly decent in their second season under Bill Belichick, but they shouldn't pose too much of a challenge." — Craig Meyer, USA TODAY
No. 2 Ohio State at No. 25 USC
- Spread: Ohio State (-6.5)
- Over/under: 51.5 points
- Moneyline: Ohio State (-235) | USC (+200)
- Craig Meyer: Ohio State 24, USC 20
- Austin Curtright: Ohio State 27, USC 17
- John Leuzzi: Ohio State 24, USC 21
- Jordan Mendoza: Ohio State 28, USC 16
- Adam Bittner: Ohio State 31, USC 20
What our experts think: "This is it for Lincoln Riley. Win, or he’s about to be shown the door. What’s going for him is that Ohio State will start Luke Fahey at quarterback. But at the same time, the Buckeyes still have Jeremiah Smith. USC isn’t able to stop Ohio State from taking over Los Angeles in a comfortable win to keep the Buckeyes looking strong." — Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY
No. 20 Florida vs No. 3 Georgia
- Spread: Georgia (-11.5)
- Over/under: 55.5 points
- Moneyline: Georgia (-450) | Florida (+350)
- Craig Meyer: Georgia 33, Florida 23
- Austin Curtright: Georgia 35, Florida 20
- John Leuzzi: Georgia 31, Florida 20
- Jordan Mendoza: Georgia 29, Florida 27
- Adam Bittner: Georgia 30, Florida 21
What our experts think: "Florida and Jon Sumrall have a tough task ahead, not only against Georgia, but a Georgia team coming off an upset loss and a bye week. The Bulldogs are going to look like a different team against the Gators, and I'm expecting a big win." — Austin Curtright, USA TODAY
Minnesota at No. 4 Indiana
- Spread: Indiana (-20.5)
- Over/under: 41.5 points
- Moneyline: Indiana (-1400) | Minnesota (+900)
- Craig Meyer: Indiana 31, Minnesota 13
- Austin Curtright: Indiana 20, Minnesota 10
- John Leuzzi: Indiana 24, Minnesota 10
- Jordan Mendoza: Indiana 17, Minnesota 9
- Adam Bittner: Indiana 26, Minnesota 20
What our experts think: "The question surrounding this Big Ten game is the health of Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover. Will Indiana's passing game be back with Hoover a bit healthier than he was last week at Michigan? Or will the Hoosiers have to rely on their run game and defense again to squeak out a win?" — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY
No. 5 Utah at Cincinnati
- Spread: Utah (-6.5)
- Over/under: 56.5 points
- Moneyline: Utah (-250) | Cincinnati (+200)
- Craig Meyer: Utah 27, Cincinnati 17
- Austin Curtright: Utah 38, Cincinnati 24
- John Leuzzi: Utah 27, Cincinnati 17
- Jordan Mendoza: Utah 24, Cincinnati 20
- Adam Bittner: Utah 38, Cincinnati 30
What our experts think: "This one would have all the hallmarks of a trap game, had the Bearcats not knocked off Texas Tech this past week. The Utes might have been tempted to look ahead to in-state rival BYU. Instead, they know this is a team they’ll need to take seriously on a long road trip east. Cincinnati running back Cole Tabb has 434 yards and five touchdowns in his past four outings." — Adam Bittner, USA TODAY
No. 6 Notre Dame vs Navy
- Spread: Notre Dame (-30)
- Over/under: 56.5 points
- Moneyline: Note Dame (-12500) | Navy (+3500)
- Craig Meyer: Notre Dame 52, Navy 10
- Austin Curtright: Notre Dame 52, Navy 14
- John Leuzzi: Notre Dame 52, Navy 20
- Jordan Mendoza: Notre Dame 44, Navy 13
- Adam Bittner: Notre Dame 56, Navy 10
What our experts think: "Under Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame doesn't mess around against service academies, with an average margin of victory of 37.5 points in such games since 2023. That'll continue Saturday." — Craig Meyer, USA TODAY
Nevada at No. 7 UCLA
- Spread: UCLA (-22.5)
- Over/under: 44.5 points
- Moneyline: UCLA (-2000) | Nevada (+1200)
- Craig Meyer: UCLA 31, Nevada 7
- Austin Curtright: UCLA 45, Nevada 13
- John Leuzzi: UCLA 38, Nevada 28
- Jordan Mendoza: UCLA 40, Nevada 10
- Adam Bittner: UCLA 28, Nevada 6
What our experts think: "This is the perfect opportunity for UCLA to showcase some belief the offense can be elite against a much lower opponent in Nevada. Ty Dieffenbach makes some solid throws but the running game again destroys the defensive line, while the Bruin defense pitches another solid game to comfortably get to 8-0." — Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY
Arizona State at No. 9 BYU
- Spread: BYU (-16)
- Over/under: 48.5 points
- Moneyline: BYU (-700) | ASU (+550)
- Craig Meyer: BYU 37, Arizona State 13
- Austin Curtright: BYU 31, Arizona State 27
- John Leuzzi: BYU 35, Arizona State 10
- Jordan Mendoza: BYU 27, Arizona State 14
- Adam Bittner: BYU 35, Arizona State 17
What our experts think: "Does BYU slip again? The Cougars need to bounce back big time, and luckily, they are going against an Arizona State team that has mostly been ineffective. It will be close out of the gate, and that will worry BYU fans, but the home team will pull away in the second half to get back on track toward a Big 12 title." — Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY
Mississippi State at No. 11 Texas
- Spread: Texas (-20)
- Over/under: 50.5 points
- Moneyline: Texas (-1400) | Mississippi State (+950)
- Craig Meyer: Texas 34, Mississippi State 9
- Austin Curtright: Texas 31, Mississippi State 10
- John Leuzzi: Texas 28, Mississippi State
- Jordan Mendoza: Texas 31, Mississippi State 19
- Adam Bittner: Texas 28, Mississippi State 24
What our experts think: "Mississippi State is a different team without Kamario Taylor at quarterback. The Bulldogs' struggling defense paired with true freshman walk-on quarterback Billy Pickett leading the offense isn't a sign of a potential upset. Texas wins easily." — Austin Curtright, USA TODAY
Auburn at No. 12 Ole Miss
- Spread: Ole Miss (-13)
- Over/under: 57.5 points
- Moneyline: Ole Miss (-525) | Auburn (+400)
- Craig Meyer: Ole Miss 38, Auburn 23
- Austin Curtright: Ole Miss 35, Auburn 20
- John Leuzzi: Ole Miss 35, Auburn 20
- Jordan Mendoza: Ole Miss 37, Auburn 24
- Adam Bittner: Auburn 31, Ole Miss 24
What our experts think: "Ole Miss came out of the gates flat offensively last week against Texas, and it cost the Rebels as Trinidad Chambliss and Co. didn't find their rhythm until the second half. If that repeats itself on Saturday, against an Auburn team that knocked off Georgia already this season, the Rebels could find their CFP hopes squashed as a three-loss team." — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY
No. 21 Arizona at No. 14 Texas Tech
- Spread: Texas Tech (-3.5)
- Over/under: 54.5 points
- Moneyline: Texas Tec (-175) | Arizona (+140)
- Craig Meyer: Texas Tech 20, Arizona 16
- Austin Curtright: Arizona 31, Texas Tech 23
- John Leuzzi: Arizona 35, Texas Tech 31
- Jordan Mendoza: Arizona 25, Texas Tech 23
- Adam Bittner: Arizona 35, Texas Tech 28
What our experts think: "The Red Raiders have not yet won a game that makes you want to give them the benefit of the doubt. Quarterback Will Hammond was completely ordinary against Cincinnati, as he has been for much of the season. He completed 24 of 37 passes for 227 yards — 6.1 yards per attempt — with an interception and no touchdowns. Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita, by contrast, has been dynamic, completing 74.2% of his passes for 18 touchdowns and just four interceptions in 2026. We’re going to go with the guy who’s simply playing better football this season." — Adam Bittner, USA TODAY
Virginia at No. 15 Wake Forest
- Spread: Wake Forest (-12)
- Over/under: 49.5 points
- Moneyline: Wake Forest (-525) | Virginia (+400)
- Craig Meyer: Wake Forest 30, Virginia 20
- Austin Curtright: Wake Forest 33, Virginia 17
- John Leuzzi: Wake Forest 21, Virginia 17
- Jordan Mendoza: Wake Forest 38, Virginia 31
- Adam Bittner: Wake Forest 29, Virginia 13
What our experts think: "Gio Lopez and the Demon Deacons have been a revelation offensively this season, carrying one of the ACC's least expensive rosters to the top 15 of the national polls. The Hoos have a pretty stout defense, but it won't be enough." — Craig Meyer, USA TODAY
No. 16 SMU at Syracuse
- Spread: SMU (-10)
- Over/under: 58.5 points
- Moneyline: SMU (-350) | Syracuse (+280)
- Craig Meyer: SMU 34, Syracuse 30
- Austin Curtright: SMU 41, Syracuse 20
- John Leuzzi: SMU 35, Syracuse 14
- Jordan Mendoza: SMU 37, Syracuse 32
- Adam Bittner: SMU 38, Syracuse 24
What our experts think: "The bottom-line stats for Mustangs quarterback Kevin Jennings are impressive because of yardage he racked up in September. He’s been grinding it out a bit more in September: He hasn’t thrown for more than 251 yards in any of SMU’s three ACC victories. He has thrown seven touchdowns and no interceptions in that span, though. Expect another professional, competent effort against the Orange." — Adam Bittner, USA TODAY
No. 18 Northwestern at Oregon
- Spread: Oregon (-3.5)
- Over/under: 47.5 points
- Moneyline: Oregon (-165) | NW (+140)
- Craig Meyer: Northwestern 27, Oregon 20
- Austin Curtright: Oregon 24, Northwestern 21
- John Leuzzi: Northwestern 24, Oregon 21
- Jordan Mendoza: Oregon 20, Northwestern 16
- Adam Bittner: Northwestern 35, Oregon 31
What our experts think: "The ultimate test for Northwestern. The Wildcats have been so good, but can they handle Autzen Stadium? Oregon made some changes offensively, hoping to re-spark the unit, and while it doesn’t drastically do it, the home field advantage help immensely in getting a ranked victory to bring some happiness back to the Ducks." — Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY
Texas State at No. 22 Boise State
- Spread: Boise State (-11)
- Over/under: 64.5 points
- Moneyline: Boise State (-450) | Texas State (+350)
- Craig Meyer: Boise State 38, Texas State 24
- Austin Curtright: Boise State 45, Texas State 34
- John Leuzzi: Boise State 34, Texas State 20
- Jordan Mendoza: Boise State 45, Texas State 3
- Adam Bittner: Boise State 40, Texas State 27
What our experts think: "This one has the potential to be an absolute track meet. Texas State is capable of scoring with anyone in Group of Six, but I trust Boise State's run game and defense to keep the Bobcats offense from getting out of hand. " — Austin Curtright, USA TODAY
No. 23 Missouri at Arkansas
- Spread: Missouri (-10)
- Over/under: 49.5 points
- Moneyline: Missouri (-375) | Arkansas (+300)
- Craig Meyer: Missouri 39, Arkansas 16
- Austin Curtright: Missouri 30, Arkansas 16
- John Leuzzi: Missouri 31, Arkansas 21
- Jordan Mendoza: Missouri 34, Arkansas 22
- Adam Bittner: Missouri 37, Arkansas 24
What our experts think: "Arkansas hangs in it for a while, but Missouri takes over late in the second half. Austin Simmons throws for a pair of touchdowns, and the Tigers get their third win in their last four games. " — John Leuzzi, USA TODAY
Wisconsin at No. 24 Iowa
- Spread: Iowa (-3.5)
- Over/under: 36.5 points
- Moneyline: Iowa (-165) | Wisconsin (+138)
- Craig Meyer: Iowa 16, Wisconsin 13
- Austin Curtright: Wisconsin 17, Iowa 13
- John Leuzzi: Wisconsin 28, Iowa 21
- Jordan Mendoza: Iowa 17, Wisconsin 13
- Adam Bittner: Wisconsin 24, Iowa 10
What our experts think: "This one feels like a bit of a toss-up, especially with a rivalry trophy on the line. By virtue of being at home, the Hawkeyes get the edge in a predictably low-scoring game." — Craig Meyer, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Week 9 college football picks: Experts predict Ohio State-USC, Georgia-Florida
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