As the college football season approaches its climax, Week 9 promises to deliver thrilling matchups that could significantly impact playoff aspirations. This week’s highlight features a classic showdown between #12 Notre Dame and #24 Navy, both of whom are entering the contest with impressive winning streaks. With Navy’s unbeaten record and potent rushing attack facing off against Notre Dame’s elite defense, fans can expect a strategic battle that hinges on execution and game management. Meanwhile, the SEC clash between #8 LSU and #14 Texas A&M adds another layer of intensity, showcasing two powerhouse offenses that are eager to make a statement. With so much on the line, this weekend’s slate of games is not to be missed.
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Games of the Week
(All odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook)
#12 Notre Dame (-12.5) @ #24 Navy | Total 51.5 | Saturday, Noon ET on ABC
Who would have predicted we would have a big-time game in late October with playoff implications for Navy on the line? They enter this week undefeated with an average winning margin of 25.2 points per game. They haven’t played any team quite as good as Notre Dame but they’ve played up to the task against every team out in front of them so far. Since being upset by Northern Illinois in week two, Notre Dame has reeled off five straight wins with four being by 18+ points. A rivalry game with so much on the line for each team and both coming into this week playing extremely well, we are in for a good one this Saturday.
This game should be slow-paced due to both offenses favoring the run game and the clock will be moving more often than not. Notre Dame has an elite defense ranking in the top-30 of almost every category while Navy is top-10 in rushing yards and yards per play. Both teams average over 30 points per game but I don’t see this being a high-scoring affair without some help from special teams and the defense forcing turnovers.
Notre Dame offensive and defensive ranks (via Outlier.Bet)
- Offense
- 26th in scoring: 34.6 PPG
- 105th in passing yards: 189 YPG
- 18th in rushing yards: 209.6 YPG
- 40th in yards per play: 6.1
- Defense
- 5th in scoring: 11.9 PPG
- 13th in passing yards allowed: 165.9 YPG
- 30th in rushing yards allowed: 113.1 YPG
- 5th in yards per play allowed: 4
Navy offensive and defensive ranks (via Outlier.Bet)
- Offense
- 4th in scoring: 44.8 PPG
- 125th in passing yards: 161 YPG
- 4th in rushing yards: 274.8 YPG
- 7th in yards per play: 7.3
- Defense
- 30th in scoring: 19.7 PPG allowed
- 82nd in passing yards allowed: 224.7 YPG
- 95th in rushing yards allowed: 165 YPG
- 75th in yards per play allowed: 5.4
My Picks:
- Moneyline: Notre Dame
- Spread: Navy +12.5
- Total: Under 51.5
#8 LSU @ #14 Texas A&M (-3.5) | Total 53.5 | Saturday, 7:30 ET on ABC
Another week, another top-10 SEC matchup on the road to the SEC title game in Atlanta. Both teams lost close games in week one and have since won every game. This matchup features a top-15 rushing offense in Texas A&M and a top-10 passing offense in LSU that will light up the scoreboard. LSU lost their best defensive player Harold Perkins Jr for the season but has found a way to improve each week on that side of the ball. A&M is a top-50 defense across the board statistically. Still, they will have problems keeping up with LSU’s playmakers Kyren, Lacy, Aaron Anderson, Mason Taylor, and the emerging true freshman Caden Durham. Garrett Nussmeier has been one of the best QBs in the nation raising his potential draft stock and is making a little bit of noise for the Heisman Trophy.
A&M does have one of the best rushing attacks in the nation using multiple different players to keep defenses on their toes but the strength of LSU’s defense happens to be defending the run. LSU is at a disadvantage playing on the road at Kyle Field and coming into this one as the underdog even with being the higher-ranked team. Conner Weigman has taken back his QB1 spot and has played well against LSU as a freshman posting 155 pass yards and two touchdowns with zero turnovers.
LSU offensive and defensive ranks (via Outlier.Bet)
- Offense
- 29th in scoring: 34.1 PPG
- 8th in passing yards: 322.4 YPG
- 96th in rushing yards: 128.3 YPG
- 21st in yards per play: 6.5
- Defense
- 35th in scoring: 20.6 PPG allowed
- 104th in passing yards allowed: 243.6 YPG
- 33rd in rushing yards allowed: 114.9 YPG
- 75th in yards per play allowed: 5.4
Texas A&M offensive and defensive ranks (via Outlier.Bet)
- Offense
- 46th in scoring: 31.4 PPG
- 107th in passing yards: 186.1 YPG
- 13th in rushing yards: 218.6 YPG
- 40th in yards per play: 6.4
- Defense
- 19th in scoring: 17.7 PPG allowed
- 50th in passing yards allowed: 209 YPG
- 37th in rushing yards allowed: 116 YPG
- 41st in yards per play allowed: 4.9
My Picks:
- Moneyline: LSU
- Spread: LSU +3.5
- Total: Over 53.5
Devy Spotlight
Nicholas Singleton (RB – Penn State)| 2025
Coming off the bye week after a massive comeback win vs USC, Penn State travels to Camp Randall to take on Wisconsin and a top-60 rush defense. Singleton is the leading rusher by one yard over Kaytron Allen and is currently ranked as my 2025 RB3 behind Ashton Jeanty and Quinshon Judkins. He did miss the game at home against UCLA and struggled against USC with only 65 total yards but did have a touchdown receiving. I’m expecting a big game from Singleton with him being leaned on a little more being another week removed from missing a game and Drew Allar struggling last week with three interceptions.
Singleton has great size at 6’0″ 227 lbs to go along with a versatile skillset having the ability to run between the tackles, on the outside, and produce as a receiver. He also has elite speed and phenomenal strength for a running back.
https://x.com/landon_tengwall/status/1831848530698453334
Heisman Trophy Race
The top-five Heisman favorites after Week 8:
- Cameron Ward (QB – Miami) +200
- Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State) +200
- Dillon Gabriel (QB – Oregon) +350
- Travis Hunter (WR/CB – Colorado) +1500
- Cade Klubnik (QB – Clemson) +2000
Travis Hunter’s odds have continued to diminish over the last couple of weeks after leaving both games early. Jeanty, Gabriel, and Klubnik stay the course by playing well and leading their teams to victory. Quinn Ewers has dropped down to +6000 after briefly being benched for Arch Manning and ultimately losing to Georgia at home. Carson Beck (+2500) and Garrett Nussmeier (+3000) are knocking on the door of entering the top-five after picking up big road wins.
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