We got through Week 8 without any major upsets or surprises, but that could have been the calm before a stormy Week 9. This week offers lots of fascinating matchups, so be sure to check out our full slate of NCAAF game lines and odds for this week’s games.

The unquestioned number one team in the nation has been Alabama through eight weeks and they get a well-deserved bye this weekend before a faceoff with their conference foe LSU in Week 10. The Tide keeps on rolling, outscoring opponents by an average of 33.2 points per game, which leads the country. Let’s preview some of the more intriguing matchups of the weekend and discuss teams that might be able to challenge the Tide later in the season.  

 

(2) Penn State Nittany Lions @ (6) Ohio State Buckeyes
Favourite: Ohio State -6

Undoubtedly the biggest game of the weekend will be Ohio State (6-1) hosting Penn State (7-0). This game has enormous national title contention implications as the winner will be in the driver’s seat to make the playoffs out of the Big 10 conference should they win out. 

Often praised for their explosive offense and individual offensive playmakers, the Nittany Lions’ defense has been flying under the radar. Quarterback Trace McSorley and Heisman trophy candidate Saquon Barkley are some of the biggest stars in college football, but it’s their defensive unit that is giving up the fewest points in FBS. The Lions’ opponents are averaging a meager 9.6 points against them. 

Despite the Buckeyes having a loss on their resume, experts aren’t writing them off. In fact, Ohio State is the second favourite to win the national championship at +500 odds. Ohio State fields one of the best defensive line units in all of College Football and is also tied for first in FBS in scoring at 47.3 points per game. Quarterback JT Barrett has been flawless outside of the Oklahoma tilt, but they haven’t faced the strongest competition of late. This will change when they take the field against Penn State. Urban Meyer will need his quarterback to remain poised throughout the game for the Buckeyes to put away an impressive Penn State squad. 

 

(3) Georgia Bulldogs vs Florida Gators
Favourite: Georgia -14.5 

The undefeated Georgia Bulldogs have been much better in most areas this season than Florida, but this is a massive SEC rivalry and crazy things can happen in a rivalry game. Florida has gotten the best of the Dawgs in three consecutive years, but Georgia, ranked third nationally, looks unstoppable at the moment. This game is at the same time as the PSU/OSU showdown, so your PVR may be working overtime on Saturday. 

 

(14) NC State Wolfpack @ (9) Notre Dame Fighting Irish  
Favourite: Notre Dame -7.5

Here’s another intriguing matchup which kicks off at 3:30 PM ET. After putting a 49-14 beat down on USC a week ago, the Fighting Irish look ready to challenge for a spot in the playoffs, with their championship futures odds set at +1800. The Irish have been proving experts wrong all season long (6-1 ATS), but NC State won’t be a pushover by any means. The Wolfpack haven’t lost since their season opener, having beaten two ranked teams since then (Florida State and Louisville). Both teams can score and defend, so expect high quality football in South Bend. 
 

*Odds as of October 27, 2017