SPORTSVIVAL’S WEEK 9 COLLEGE FOOTBALL SIX-PACK
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Halloween weekend brings a college football schedule with plenty of potential scares for teams chasing conference championships and playoff spots. Sportsvival’s No. 2 Ohio State travels to USC with a major question at quarterback. No. 4 Georgia meets No. 21 Florida in Atlanta, while No. 17 Arizona visits No. 11 Texas Tech in one of the weekend’s biggest conference matchups.
The Big 12 also sends No. 3 Utah into Cincinnati and puts No. 8 BYU against Arizona State. No. 1 Miami closes out our six-pack with a road test at North Carolina.
All rankings are from Sportsvival’s Week 9 Top 25. All games are Saturday, October 31, 2026, and all kickoff times are Eastern. Television assignments and kickoff times are subject to change.
1. No. 2 Ohio State at USC
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
TV: NBC
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California.
Ohio State enters this matchup ranked second in Sportsvival’s poll, while USC has dropped out of our Top 25. That does not make the Buckeyes’ assignment an easy one, especially with the offense preparing to operate without Julian Sayin. Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair have been competing for the opportunity, and Ryan Day has indicated that both could see action.
Sportsvival believes the Buckeyes need to make their young quarterback comfortable early. That means manageable throws, a commitment to the running game and opportunities for Jeremiah Smith to create after the catch. Bo Jackson and Brandon Inniss are additional pieces Ohio State can use to keep USC from focusing its entire defensive plan on Smith.
USC counters with Jayden Maiava, whose experience gives the Trojans an important advantage at quarterback. Trent Mosley and tight end Mark Bowman provide receiving options, while Shahn Alston offers another way to get the offense moving. The Trojans need their protection to hold up and their running game to keep Ohio State from attacking the pocket on every passing down.
When Ohio State has the ball, freshman defensive end Luke Wafle could become a major factor. Sportsvival believes USC’s best opportunity is to force the new quarterback into long-yardage situations, where pressure and disguised coverage can create mistakes. Ohio State’s answer must be patience, field position and finding Smith when the opportunity arrives.
Three players to watch
Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State: His ability to turn a routine completion into a major gain can ease the quarterback transition.
Jayden Maiava, QB, USC: USC needs productive possessions without the turnovers that give Ohio State short fields.
Luke Wafle, DE, USC: His pressure could determine how comfortable Ohio State’s young quarterback becomes.
Sportsvival prediction: Ohio State 27, USC 23. The quarterback uncertainty keeps this close, but Sportsvival believes Smith produces a decisive play late.
2. No. 21 Florida vs. No. 4 Georgia
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.
TV: ABC
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia.
Georgia holds the No. 4 position in Sportsvival’s rankings, while Florida enters at No. 21. The rivalry moves to Atlanta this season, with the Gators looking for the kind of victory that can change the direction of their year.
Florida running back Jadan Baugh is central to that possibility. Sportsvival believes the Gators must establish enough production on the ground to avoid repeatedly asking their passing game to rescue difficult possessions. Baugh needs opportunities early, before the scoreboard begins influencing the play selection.
Georgia’s defensive personnel make that a demanding assignment. Jordan Hall, Gabe Harris Jr. and Elijah Griffin provide strength up front, with Raylen Wilson and Chris Cole working behind them. Sportsvival believes Florida’s ability to block that group will determine whether the Gators can maintain an offensive rhythm.
On the other side, Gunner Stockton gives Georgia experience at quarterback, while Lawson Luckie, Jaden Reddell and Elyiss Williams offer options at tight end. Those players can put pressure on Florida’s linebackers, particularly when the Bulldogs make their running and passing formations look similar.
Sportsvival expects Florida to have competitive stretches. The concern is whether the Gators can finish enough drives and avoid a damaging sequence of penalties, sacks or turnovers. Georgia has the personnel to make those mistakes expensive.
Three players to watch
Jadan Baugh, RB, Florida: His production is essential to keeping Florida balanced.
Gunner Stockton, QB, Georgia: Patient decisions can keep the Bulldogs in control of the game.
Chris Cole, LB, Georgia: His responsibilities against Baugh and the underneath passing game make him especially important.
Sportsvival prediction: Georgia 30, Florida 20. Florida stays involved, but Sportsvival believes Georgia wins enough early downs to take control in the second half.
3. No. 17 Arizona at No. 11 Texas Tech
Kickoff: Noon
TV: ESPN
Location: Galaxy Stadium, Lubbock, Texas.
This is one of the strongest matchups on the schedule using Sportsvival’s rankings. No. 17 Arizona and No. 11 Texas Tech enter with matching 6-1 overall records and 3-1 Big 12 marks. Texas Tech is trying to respond to its first loss, while Arizona arrives after defeating Iowa State 39-3.
Noah Fifita gives Arizona an experienced quarterback who can help settle the offense in a difficult road environment. Isaiah Mizell supplies an explosive receiving threat, while Quincy Craig and Kedrick Reescano give the Wildcats options on the ground. Arizona’s balance makes it difficult for a defense to concentrate on only one part of the offense.
Sportsvival believes Texas Tech must limit the easy explosive plays. Mizell can turn a short completion into a long gain, making tackling and pursuit angles just as important as the original coverage call. The Red Raiders need Arizona to work through extended possessions and face meaningful third-down decisions.
For the Wildcats, composure will matter when Texas Tech produces a scoring run or the crowd becomes a factor. Fifita cannot let one unsuccessful possession become two or three rushed series. Sportsvival expects Arizona to remain dangerous into the fourth quarter because its quarterback has the experience to answer adversity.
Three players to watch
Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona: His decisions under pressure will shape Arizona’s offensive consistency.
Isaiah Mizell, WR, Arizona: His ability to create long gains makes him a priority for Texas Tech’s defense.
Quincy Craig, RB, Arizona: Productive carries can help Arizona control its down-and-distance.
Sportsvival prediction: Texas Tech 31, Arizona 28. Sportsvival expects one of the closest games in the six-pack, with Texas Tech finishing a late scoring opportunity at home.
4. No. 3 Utah at Cincinnati
Kickoff: 3:45 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Location: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Utah sits third in Sportsvival’s Top 25, and Cincinnati is among the teams receiving votes. The Bearcats have an opportunity to make a much stronger statement after beating Texas Tech, but they will face an unbeaten Utah team with multiple ways to win.
Devon Dampier makes Utah’s offense difficult to contain because his running ability changes the defensive numbers. A defender who loses discipline can give him a lane to extend a possession. Wayshawn Parker adds another threat as both a runner and receiver, preventing Cincinnati from placing all its attention on the quarterback.
Cincinnati’s Cole Tabb gives the home team a dangerous answer. He rushed for 173 yards against Texas Tech and enters this matchup averaging 9.6 yards per carry. Sportsvival believes the Bearcats must stay committed to him even if Utah limits the early explosive runs.
Utah’s defensive strength makes patience essential. Cincinnati needs to accept productive shorter gains and avoid falling behind the chains. Sportsvival believes the Bearcats can make this a fourth-quarter game, but Dampier’s mobility gives Utah an additional answer when a possession appears ready to stall.
Three players to watch
Devon Dampier, QB, Utah: His legs can turn a well-defended play into a first down.
Wayshawn Parker, RB, Utah: His versatility challenges Cincinnati’s tackling and coverage assignments.
Cole Tabb, RB, Cincinnati: Another strong performance would put the Bearcats in position for an upset.
Sportsvival prediction: Utah 30, Cincinnati 24. Cincinnati makes Utah earn it, but Sportsvival believes Dampier extends the possession that decides the game.
5. Arizona State at No. 8 BYU
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m
TV: FOX
Location: LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, Utah.
Sportsvival’s eighth-ranked Cougars return home looking to respond after their first loss. Arizona State enters with uncertainty at quarterback, with Mikey Keene questionable and freshman Jake Fette positioned to start if Keene cannot play.
Bear Bachmeier gives BYU a quarterback capable of creating in several ways. His performance against Notre Dame included passing, rushing and receiving touchdowns. Sportsvival believes Arizona State must account for his movement without allowing that concern to pull defenders away from their coverage responsibilities.
BYU also needs dependable defensive execution. Safety Raider Damuni and the rest of the defense must tackle securely and communicate against an Arizona State offense that could simplify its approach around a young quarterback. Running back Sione Moa is another player to follow as the Cougars work to keep their own offense balanced.
Sportsvival believes the opening quarter will be particularly important for Arizona State. Manageable third downs and early completions could help Fette settle in if he starts. Falling behind and asking him to repeatedly solve long-yardage situations would give BYU a significant advantage.
Three players to watch
Bear Bachmeier, QB, BYU: His ability to attack with his arm and legs drives the matchup.
Raider Damuni, S, BYU: His positioning and tackling will matter against Arizona State’s attempts to create easy gains.
Jake Fette, QB, Arizona State: If Keene cannot play, his composure becomes one of the game’s biggest questions.
Sportsvival prediction: BYU 34, Arizona State 17. Sportsvival believes Bachmeier and the home environment help BYU regain its footing.
6. No. 1 Miami at North Carolina
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.
TV: ABC
Location: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Miami remains No. 1 in Sportsvival’s Top 25, but protecting that position requires handling another conference road assignment. North Carolina has an opportunity to change its season by taking down the Hurricanes in front of its home crowd.
Darian Mensah enters with 22 touchdown passes against one interception, while Malachi Toney has produced 66 receptions for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns. Sportsvival believes that combination puts enormous pressure on North Carolina to defend consistently throughout a possession. One missed assignment can erase several otherwise productive defensive snaps.
Linebackers Derek McDonald and Peyton Seelmann are important pieces for the Tar Heels. McDonald leads the ACC in tackles per game, while both have earned recent conference recognition. Their work against underneath routes and their ability to finish tackles will be essential against Miami’s offense.
North Carolina also needs to turn its best offensive possessions into touchdowns. Sportsvival believes settling for field goals will make it difficult to keep pace if Miami finds its usual rhythm. The Tar Heels need a competitive scoreboard late, when one defensive stop or turnover could change the game.
Sportsvival gives Miami the advantage because of its consistency at quarterback and its ability to generate scoring opportunities without requiring a perfect play on every snap.
Three players to watch
Darian Mensah, QB, Miami: His accuracy and decision-making make Miami difficult to get off the field.
Malachi Toney, WR, Miami: North Carolina must limit his opportunities to create after the catch.
Derek McDonald, LB, North Carolina: His tackling and coverage responsibilities put him at the center of the challenge.
Sportsvival prediction: Miami 38, North Carolina 23. North Carolina produces competitive stretches, but Sportsvival believes Miami finishes more possessions with touchdowns.
Sportsvival’s Week 9 College Football Six-Pack is brought to you by First Due Plumbing.
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