5 Best College Football games to watch in Week 9

Over the last three weeks of the 2026 college football season, we've see big matchups, thrilling upsets, and more twists and turns than some seasons have over the course of an entire year. Now, with five weeks left in the regular season and six weeks until the College Football Playoff, there's still plenty of time for even more madness to begin.

Week after week, it seems like what we learn the prior Saturday gets flipped upside down just seven days later. That's the beauty of college football, and the next opportunity comes in Week 9.

Here at Sooners Wire, we'll be watching closely as the Oklahoma Sooners try to get their first home win over a Power Four opponent this season. OU is back at home in Norman, and the South Carolina Gamecocks are coming to town, riding high after last week. That game will kick off at 3:15 p.m. CT.

Here are the top five games to watch in Week 9.

More: SEC Standings: Where does Oklahoma fit in conference title race

1. Florida vs. Georgia, 2:30 p.m. CT

Florida and Georgia usually meet in Jacksonville, Florida, for their annual neutral-site rivalry matchup, but this year's game will take place in Atlanta, Georgia, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party has a little more intrigue this season than in years past, and it's a very important SEC game. The Gators have been revitalized under new head coach Jon Sumrall, and they've bounced back after two straight losses earlier this year. They're very much in the SEC mix, but they'll need to settle on a quarterback for this big game, as they're choosing between Aaron Philo or Tramell Jones Jr. under center.

The Bulldogs lost to Auburn two weeks ago, but they're still in the driver's seat in the SEC. Head coach Kirby Smart and his squad will have to bounce back after the stunning loss and prove that they are still one of the nation's best teams. Quarterback Gunner Stockton will have to be efficient in this rivalry contest, and these two teams start their stretch runs with what should be another great game.

2. Arizona at Texas Tech, 11:00 a.m. CT

Arizona and Texas Tech face off in a battle of two teams that feel very much the opposite about their season outlooks right now. The Wildcats have been red-hot as of late, winning five straight games to put themselves back in the Big 12 race. Now it's time for a bigger test for head coach Brent Brennan's team. They have one of the conference's best quarterbacks in Noah Fifita, but they'll need to prove they can go get the win in Lubbock.

On the other hand, the Red Raiders saw their undefeated season fall apart against Cincinnati last week, meaning they no longer control their own destiny in the Big 12. Head coach Joey McGuire has by far the most talent in the league, but a wide-open conference race could leave them on the outside looking in. Quarterback Will Hammond will have to take much better care of the ball this week than he did last week.

3. Ohio State at USC, 6:30 p.m. CT

Two blue bloods will meet when Ohio State and USC square off, and this game will be an important one towards deciding the Big Ten pecking order at the end of the season. The Buckeyes are in good shape for the stretch run after beating Indiana, but the win extracted a heavy toll as starting quarterback Julian Sayin was lost for the season due to injury. Head coach Ryan Day must now choose between Luke Fahey and Tavien St. Clair under center, and this team still has championship hopes if the signal-caller situation is resolved.

The Trojans and head coach Lincoln Riley are in hot water after last week's loss to Wisconsin. For a team that was not shy about their self-perceived ability to make the CFP for the first time this year, the season is now teetering on destruction, just as the schedule gets tougher. Quarterback Jayden Maiava will need to play a whale of a game at home, and its no exaggeration to say that so much is hanging in the balance in Coliseum on Saturday.

4. Wisconsin at Iowa, 11:00 a.m. CT

Wisconsin and Iowa are both coming off of surprises in Week 8, and with the current state of the Big Ten, perhaps one of these programs can make a late-season push to the conference title game. The Badgers won in upset fashion at home against USC last week, and now head coach Luke Fickell's team is back on the road in Iowa City. Quarterback Colton Joseph has spearheaded a resurgent season few thought was possible, and another win would greatly increase this team's chances of making a run.

On the other hand, the favored Hawkeyes lost last week against underdog Minnesota on the road, so a return to Kinnick Stadium will certainly be welcomed. Head coach Kirk Ferentz's team is still in the running despite the loss, but another defeat would really hurt their chances. Landing on a starting quarterback is a must. Jeremy Hecklinski has started the past couple of games, but original starter Hank Brown will get the nod this week in this very important game.

5. Utah at Cincinnati, 2:45 p.m. CT

Utah and Cincinnati meet in another important Big 12 battle. Both teams are looking to keep the party going after getting big-time wins last week. The Utes are the last remaining unbeaten team in the Big 12, and they're one of only three unbeaten teams in all of FBS. New head coach Morgan Scalley is doing an excellent job, and the two-quarterback system of Devon Dampier and Bryd Ficklin is helping to run up the scoreboard. After a relatively easy beginning to the season, this team is in the midst of a number of tough games all in a row, and it continues this week on the road.

The Bearcats got a program-defining win over Texas Tech last week, and they'll be back at home in Nippert Stadium again in Week 9. Head coach Scott Satterfield's team is still on the outside looking in at the Big 12 race, but a win over the current frontrunner this week would put them closer to the mix. Quarterback JC French IV has been impressive is his jump to the Power Four level, but his strong play has to continue this week for his team to pull off the upset.

• Week 0 - Featured Game: North Carolina vs. TCU (in Dublin, Ireland)
• Week 1 - Featured Game: Louisville vs. Ole Miss (in Nashville, Tennessee)
• Week 2 - Featured Game: Ohio State at Texas
• Week 3 - Featured Game: LSU at Ole Miss
• Week 4 - Featured Game: Texas at Tennessee
• Week 5 - Featured Game: Ohio State at Iowa
• Week 6 - Featured Game: Georgia at Alabama
• Week 7 - Featured Game: Ohio State at Indiana
• Week 8 - Featured Game: Houston at Utah

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This article originally appeared on Sooners Wire: 5 Best College Football games to watch in Week 9