College Football Predictions: ESPN picks winners of every Top 25 game in Week 9
The latest college football predictions are in from ESPN’s FPI metrics for all of the top 25 games in Week 9 of the regular season.
After some upsets last week, can ESPN pick every single game? Who has the best chance for an upset win this weekend? There are some huge favorites, but nothing’s a given.
Let’s dive into ESPN’s predictions of the top 25 games via the FPI in Week 9.
No. 1 Georgia vs. Florida
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Georgia (-14.5)
FPI Prediction: Georgia – 85.2%
The world’s biggest outdoor cocktail party is here and the Bulldogs are a big favorite. No surprise here. But the Gators could shake up the entire set of rankings with an upset.
No. 3 Ohio State vs. Wisconsin
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Spread: Ohio State (-14.5)
FPI Prediction: Ohio State – 88%
The Buckeyes earned a tough win over Penn State and now hit the road to Madison to take on the Badgers. Perhaps this is the time for a Luke Fickell signature win, but it’s unlikely according to the metrics.
No. 6 Oklahoma vs. Kansas
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET (FOX)
Spread: Oklahoma (-10)
FPI Prediction: Oklahoma – 87.4%
Oklahoma is the big favorite even going on the road to Lawrence. The Jayhawks have some firepower on offense though, so the Sooners’ defense better be ready.
BYU vs. No. 7 Texas
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Spread: Texas (-17.5)
FPI Prediction: Texas 94.9%
Despite not having Quinn Ewers, boy, Texas is a huge favorite over its Big 12 counterpart. Maalik Murphy and Arch Manning? Either way, BYU has a huge hill to climb.
No. 8 Oregon vs. 13 Utah
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Spread: Oregon (-6.5)
FPI Prediction: Oregon – 68.6%
Utah is simply just tough every week and every season. Another win over USC put the Utes in position to keep pace in the Pac-12 and maybe win a third straight crown. BUt now comes the biggest challenge of the season.
No. 20 Duke vs. No. 18 Louisville
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Spread: Louisville (-4)
FPI Prediction: Louisville – 53.5%
This game is pretty close on paper. As always with Duke, it’s all about the health of Riley Leonard. Louisville came back down to Earth a little bit, but this is still a dangerous Cardinals team.
No. 21 Tennessee vs. Kentucky
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Spread: Tennessee (-3.5)
FPI Prediction: Tennessee – 70.9%
The Volunteers lost a tough one at Alabama and Kentucky is in small freefall mode after an undefeated start. Who will end their skid first?
Rest of Top 25:
No. 4 Florida State vs. Wake Forest
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET (ABC)
Spread: Florida State (-20.5)
FPI Prediction: Florida State – 92.2%
No. 5 Washington vs. Stanford
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET (Fox Sports 1)
Spread: Washington (-26.5)
FPI Prediction: Washington – 95.9%
Indiana vs. No. 10 Penn State
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. ET (CBS)
Spread: Penn State (-32)
FPI Prediction: Penn State – 98.2%
No. 11 Oregon State vs. Arizona
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Spread: Oregon State (-3)
FPI Prediction: Oregon State – 61.7%
Vanderbilt vs. No. 12 Ole Miss
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Spread: Ole Miss (-24.5)
FPI Prediction: Ole Miss – 95.9%
Pitt vs. No. 14 Notre Dame
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Spread: Notre Dame (-20.5)
FPI Prediction: Notre Dame – 90.9%
No. 17 North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET (ACC Network)
Spread: North Carolina (-11.5)
FPI Prediction: North Carolina – 79.6%
No. 19 Air Force vs. Colorado State
Kickoff: 7:00 p.m. ET (CBS Sports Network)
Spread: Air Force (-12)
FPI Prediction: Air Force – 83.8%
No. 22 Tulane vs. Rice
Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. ET (ESPN2)
Spread: Tulane (-10.5)
FPI Prediction: Tulane – 66.6%
Colorado vs. No. 23 UCLA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Spread: UCLA (-17)
FPI Prediction: UCLA – 83.7%
No. 24 USC vs. California
Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network)
Spread: USC (-11)
FPI Prediction: USC – 73.4%
Old Dominion vs. No. 25 James Madison
Kickoff: 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
Spread: James Madison (-20)
FPI Prediction: James Madison – 88.1%
With the predictions in, it’s time to place your bets and hopefully win some money. Do you follow ESPN or hedge those picks?