Week 9 of the 2015 college football season is already here, and it seems like the season began just yesterday. With every weekend that flies by, we’re that much closer to bowl season and the four-game playoff to determine the national champion,
Five of the top seven teams atop the rankings are taking the weekend off on byes, but there are still plenty of intriguing games on the schedule that will impact the national landscape.
Here are the top storylines for the action, starting with TCU returning to action on Thursday night after the Horned Frogs got their week of rest in Week 8.
1. TCU back in action after much-needed bye
The Horned Frogs are probably wondering how they dropped a spot in the AP rankings during their bye. Now at No. 5, it’s time to make people remember why they were rated among the top four teams in the nation after dominating Iowa State in Week 7.
Quarterback Trevone Boykin is one of the top Heisman Trophy candidates, and if you haven’t seen him in action then make sure you tune in to FoxSports 1 on Thursday night starting at 7:30 p.m. With up 2,979 total yards and 30 total touchdowns already through just seven games, he’s on pace for 5,107 total yards and 51 touchdowns.
Receiver Josh Doctson is also a player to watch in this one. He is likely going to be a superstar at the next level and already has 1,067 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
Up next on the schedule for the Horned Frogs is a battered and bruised West Virginia team that has lost three straight games to Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Baylor. The Mountaineers are also coming back from a week of rest, so it will be interesting to see if they have enough left in them to pull off an upset.
2. Can Auburn find an offensive groove, upset Ole Miss?
Despite losing to Arkansas in heart-breaking fashion, 54-46 in quadruple overtime last weekend, Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn says his team is starting to get into a groove on offense.
“We’re starting to get into a little bit of a groove,” Malzahn said on his radio show on Monday night, according to Charles Goldberg on the team’s website. “That comes with explosive plays, and the last two games we’ve had more explosive plays. When that happens, we get tempo and can get into our pace. The good thing offensively is we have a lot of room to grow.”
The Tigers will need to find that groove quickly on Saturday when they host No. 19-ranked Ole Miss, which found its groove in a major way dominating Texas A&M in Week 8, 23-3.
The Rebels are still one of the most dangerous teams in the nation, averaging 41 points per game. Auburn’s sometimes-sputtering offense must not experience any hiccups if the team has any chance of winning. You can catch the action on ESPN starting at noon, ET.
3. Any chance Syracuse finds a way to upset FSU?
After getting taken down a few notches in dramatic fashion by Georgia Tech last weekend, Florida State (No. 17) must guard against making it two losses in a row. Syracuse enters the game on a four-game skid but was highly competitive last weekend against Pittsburgh and against LSU.
Head coach Scott Shafer has his young men playing hungry, despite the team’s recent streak of losses, and they would have likely won their last game if not for a fake punt performed perfectly by Pitt.
The biggest key for Syracuse is hemming in FSU running back Dalvin Cook, who had an off game last weekend and who is dealing with some hamstring soreness. Quarterback Everett Golson has been efficient but isn’t the kind of passer who can carry the offense on his back.
Despite the difference in their records, this game could be a lot closer than many realize. That said, if Cook is finally healthy and featured often, then FSU could run away with the victory. The contest begins at noon ET on ABC.
4. How will Florida bounce back from disappointing loss to LSU?
The “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” is always a blast, and these two schools have a long history of putting together memorable performances during their annual meet-up in Jacksonville, Fla.
The Gators (No. 11) had a week off to process the difficult loss to the LSU Tigers, and they must put it behind them because the Bulldogs still have some teeth left, despite the injury to Nick Chubb a few weeks back.
Of course, Florida lost a top player, too, with the suspension of starting quarterback Will Grier, who was popped for PEDs. Backup quarterback Treon Harris managed to throw two touchdowns without an interception against LSU, but he barely completed half his passes.
Georgia has suffered two losses this year but is capable of playing with anyone when the offense is clicking. The Bulldogs also showed last weekend they are capable of winning a nitty-gritty defensive battle by earning a 9-6 victory over Missouri.
Florida won last year but had been bested three times in a row before that by Georgia. Depending on who you ask, Georgia has the overall edge by either eight (Florida has it at 49-41-2) or nine games (Georgia has it at 50-41-2).
This rivalry game can be seen nationally starting at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.
5. Can Iowa continue to bully way into playoff contension?
One of this year’s biggest surprises has been the emergence of No. 10-ranked Iowa as a legitimate playoff contender. Heading into Week 9 the Hawkeyes are 7-0, first place in the Big Ten, and have taken out the likes of Wisconsin and Northwestern.
In particular, the way Iowa handled Northwestern, 40-10 on the road, was impressive. And, thankfully, quarterback C.J. Beathard says he is “feeling good” after the bye, though he wouldn’t say he’s back to 100 percent, per ESPN’s Mitch Sherman.
Featuring a top-10 scoring defense that allows just 15.3 points per game and an offense that can get the job done both through the air and on the ground, this program is chugging its way into the upper echelon, and perhaps a playoff berth.
This weekend the 2-5 Maryland Terrapins are visiting. Without a win in conference play, they aren’t much of a threat to the undefeated Hawkeyes. There is every reason to think the home team come away victorious when the two programs clash, beginning at 3:30 p.m. ET either on ESPN2 or ABC.
6. How will Miami respond to loss of Al Golden in tough game vs. Duke
Al Golden was finally fired after Clemson’s unbelievable 58-0 shutout over Miami last weekend at Sun Life Stadium. The embattled former head coach had been hearing calls for his job since before the season began, and the university finally took action after the embarrassing loss at home.
Now under the guidance of interim head coach Larry Scott, the Hurricanes have a chance to make a statement against No. 22-ranked Duke on Saturday.
The Blue Devils have only one loss on their record and have won four games in a row, and their defense is among the best in the nation. Their offense has been steady at putting up points all year long, averaging 34 points per game.
Making things even more difficult for Miami, quarterback Brad Kaaya has not yet practiced with the team after his concussion last Saturday. Backup Malik Rosier was atrocious in his stead against Clemson, gaining 42 yards on 22 attempts with no touchdowns and two interceptions.
This ACC battle is being televised on ESPNU starting at 7 p.m. ET.
7. Michigan on the road for tough bounce-back game
After getting humbled by the football gods against Michigan State in Week 7, Jim Harbaugh’s Wolverines (No. 15) hits the road to take on the (almost) always tough Minnesota Golden Gophers at TCF Bank Stadium Saturday evening.
The biggest problem Minnesota has is inconsistency. The Golden Gophers gave TCU a run for its money to open the season and have hung tough against all opponents but two. The two bad losses against Northwestern and Nebraska are examples of what happens when things fall apart.
But when they are hot, the Golden Gophers can hang with any program. They’ll need to be ready for an all-out, 12-round slug-fest when Michigan visits on Saturday evening.
Featuring the nation’s top-ranked scoring defense, the Wolverines have three shutouts to their name and have held opponents to seven points or less in five of the seven games played this year. Because of the dominance on defense, Michigan’s offense hasn’t had to do a lot in most games this year, but an underrated Minnesota defense could cause problems of its own at home.
This Big Ten showdown will kick off at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
8. Temple in the spotlight
Undefeated Temple (No. 21) is getting its chance to shine in the national spotlight in Week 9. With prestigious Notre Dame (No. 9) coming to Philadelphia, ESPN’s “College Gameday” will also be tagging along for the ride, making this the biggest, most important game for the Owls in a long time.
The Fighting Irish have been scoring often of late since losing in heart-breaking fashion to Clemson in Death Valley. Only three points separate them from being one of the last top undefeated teams in the nation. With much still at stake for Brian Kelly’s program, you can be sure the Irish will come into the game sharp and prepared.
Temple has yet to face a ranked team this year, so this upcoming prime time contest could be overwhelming for the top team in the American Athletic conference — all the more so when you consider that this “College GameDay” production is No. 300 for the successful show.
However, if the team’s No. 8-ranked scoring defense can keep Notre Dame running back C.J. Prosise on lock-down, then the Owls could pull off a shocker.
The game starts at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and will be played at Lincoln Financial Field.
9. Stanford hits the road for two weeks before finishing season at home
Since taking down USC in a closely contested affair in their third game of the year, The Cardinal have pretty much been dominant, no matter the competition. The offense, led by senior quarterback Kevin Hogan and Heisman hopeful running back Christian McCaffrey, Stanford’s offense has averaged 46 points per game in its last four — all victories.
With a 6-1 record, Stanford is in control of the Pac-12 North. However, two road games against underrated opponents are upcoming before the team comes home to finish the season. First up this weekend is Washington State, which features a potent offense that averages 415 passing yards per game.
Speaking about the challenge of facing this aerial attack, Stanford head coach David Shaw summed it up perfectly: “If you’re two steps out of place, the ball is going to go right past you,” he said, via David Lombardi of ESPN.com.
One way to combat such an explosive offense is by keeping the ball out of the hands of Washington State quarterback Luke Falk. The best strategy to accomplish this is a heavy dose of McCaffrey, who has been putting on a phenomenal show every weekend.
Another big road win would bring the Cardinal that much closer to a Pac-12 championship opportunity, and perhaps even an invitation to the four-team playoff at the end of the season.
This Pac-12 battle is being broadcast nationally on ESPN starting at 10:30 p.m. ET.
10. The Jarrett Stidham era begins for Baylor
Seth Russell had Baylor on a legendary run of offense, but a late injury in Week 8 to his neck turned his life upside down. The quarterback needs neck surgery and will be out the rest of the season. Recovery time is normally about six months for this type of injury.
“Seth has been masterful,” Baylor head coach Art Briles told ESPN’s Joe Schad. “Jarrett is a guy who is as polished as anyone we have had a freshman. He is very, very accurate and has great instincts.”
Stidham, a freshman, has been remarkably efficient, and potent, during his short time on the field this year. He has completed 85.7 percent of his passes for 331 yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions. Due to Baylor’s propensity to go up large before halftime, he has gotten a chance to play in each of the team’s seven games.
It seems Baylor is in good hands with the youngster, but it’ll be a whole new ballgame for him starting and finishing games, rather than just coming in for mop-up duty.
Thankfully he has plenty of time to gear up for his first career start, as the Bears are on a bye in Week 9 and will be back Thursday night to open the next weekend of action on the road against Kansas State.