Close followers of this often crazy sport we call college football might be tempted to peek at the events on the horizon rather than the ones right around the corner. Next week’s calendar, for example, might look more appealing than this Saturday’s slate. But if we’ve learned anything from so many years of observing this game, it’s that there’s no such thing as a calm before the storm. The proverbial tempest can happen any time.

All of this is to say there are still plenty of games on the Week 9 docket worthy of attention, even if next week’s menu appears more tempting. That lineup will arrive in due course, but for now, here are the top seven games to watch on this Halloween day, beginning with an annual — celebration.

College football Week 9 picks: Halloween could deliver a monster upset

No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 20 Florida

  • Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
  • Why watch: The World’s Largest Cocktail Party – possibly still outdoor depending on the viability of opening the roof – will be at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta instead of its usual home in Jacksonville. But the change of venue does not diminish its importance for these fierce rivals. Both teams should be well rested following an open date. The Bulldogs are still smarting over their home loss to Auburn, while the Gators were last seen rallying to upend Texas for a much needed road win. Both Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones have been working out with Florida’s first-team offense, and it is likely both will take snaps at QB as events unfold. Georgia LBs Chris Cole and Raylen Wilson will be ready for either signal caller. Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton must shake off a rare clunker of a performance. RBs Dwight Phillips and Nate Frazier can help, but Gators LBs Myles Graham and Aaron Chiles will be ready for them.
  • Why it could disappoint: Florida has been on both sides of lopsided results this year, though a Georgia romp seems more plausible with the more battle-tested lineup. It’s a rivalry game, though, so anything can happen.

No. 2 Ohio State at No. 25 USC

  • Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBC.
  • Why watch: The Big Ten nightcap matches a couple of name-brand programs facing huge questions for very different reasons. With an extremely difficult closing stretch still to come, the Trojans’ season is teetering on the precipice in the wake of an uninspiring loss at Wisconsin. All of the Buckeyes’ lofty goals remain achievable thanks to their narrow escape at Indiana, but they’ll take the field at the Coliseum without injured QB Julian Sayin. The Ohio State staff had an extra week to evaluate its options, and either freshman Luke Fahey, who entered the game at IU when Sayin exited, or sophomore Tavien St. Clair will get the start. Having weapons like WR Jeremiah Smith will help, as will facing USC’s suspect defense, but DB Prophet Brown does present a takeaway threat. Nevertheless, the USC offense was just as responsible for last week’s subpar outing, and QB Jayden Maiava and RB King Miller will want to set a positive tone quickly. Buckeyes DB Jaylen McClain and LB Riley Pettijohn figure to make that difficult.
  • Why it could disappoint: There’s no doubt USC is more of a threat in the Coliseum, but the matchups in the trenches do not favor the Trojans. The short-handed Buckeyes aren’t likely to put up a big score either, so this game could be a tough watch for everyone.

No. 21 Arizona at No. 14 Texas Tech

  • Time/TV: noon ET, ESPN.
  • Why watch: The day’s first matchup of teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll is an important one in the suddenly wide-open Big 12. The Red Raiders have the higher poll position and the home field, but it is the Wildcats who come in with positive momentum. Arizona has rattled off five wins in succession since a Week 2 setback at Brigham Young. QB Noah Fifita has thrown for 18 scores and run for three more. He can expect plenty of attention from Red Raiders LBs Austin Romaine and Ben Roberts. Texas Tech hasn’t been nearly as productive, and the defense couldn’t get enough stops at Cincinnati last week. RB J’Koby Williams will need to break off some big runs to take the heat off embattled QB Will Hammond, but Wildcats LBs Taye Brown and Chase Kennedy must be accounted for.
  • Why it could disappoint: If you’re hoping for a Big 12 track meet like West Virginia and Cincinnati staged a couple weeks ago, this probably won’t deliver. The defenses should keep it close throughout, however, and fourth-quarter drama is a strong possibility.

No. 5 Utah at Cincinnati

  • Time/TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, ESPN.
  • Why watch: For the second consecutive week, the Bearcats look to take advantage of their home field and hand the nation’s fifth-ranked team its first loss. The Utes, however, will not be caught unawares after seeing what befell Texas Tech in Nippert Stadium last Saturday. The Utah backfield tandem of QB Devon Dampier and RB Wayshawn Parker figure to provide a stiffer challenge for the UC defense, which is led by active LBs Jonathan Thompson and Antwan Peek. But the Bearcats have been in their share of shootouts as mentioned above, and QB JC French and RB Cole Tabb can put up big numbers themselves. They’ll be opposed by Utah LBs Trey Reynolds and Johnathan Hall.
  • Why it could disappoint: Utah’s more formidable defensive stats could portend a mismatch. But if the confident Bearcats can avoid an early deficit and keep their fans engaged, it could be an entertaining afternoon.

No. 1 Miami (Fla.) at North Carolina

  • Time/TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC.
  • Why watch: We’re a week away from Miami’s much anticipated visit to Notre Dame. First, however, the Hurricanes must take care of some ACC business on the road. The Tar Heels won’t be able to grab a share of the league lead thanks to last week’s disastrous loss to Syracuse, but they can restore some credibility with a positive showing in the prime-time spotlight. Miami QB Darian Mensah and WR Malachi Toney continue to be the stars of the show, but the Tar Heels must also not forget about RBs Javian Mallory and Mark Fletcher. UNC hasn’t exactly been a big-play offense, but QB Billy Edwards Jr. and WR Jordan Shipp might be the team’s best chance for success against the Miami secondary.
  • Why it could disappoint: It quite probably will to be frank. No ACC opponent other than Florida State has come within two scores of the Hurricanes, and though the Tar Heels’ last three contests were nail biters, that is unlikely to be the case again.

Minnesota at No. 4 Indiana

  • Time/TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS.
  • Why watch: The Hoosiers return home following a hard-fought win in Michigan’s Big House. They’ll greet the Golden Gophers, who survived a defensive slog of their own to prevail against Iowa. Indiana QB Josh Hoover was anything but sharp with his passes but delivered the winning score in overtime by land. He’d like to get WRs Charlie Becker and Nick Marsh involved immediately, but Minnesota DBs Zack Harden and John Nestor will provide coverage support. Gophers QB Drake Lindsey wasn’t able to do much through the air either, but WR Javon Tracy is a constant breakaway threat. DEs Tobi Osunsanmi and Stephen Daley will lead the Indiana pass rush.
  • Why it could disappoint: If strong defense and close-game tension are enough for you, the viewing experience might not be completely unpleasant. If one team gets a significant lead it’s probably over, however, and the home Hoosiers are the more likely candidates to make that happen.

Wisconsin at No. 24 Iowa

  • Time/TV: Noon ET, Fox.
  • Why watch: Another Saturday, another game with a trophy depicting a farm animal for the Hawkeyes. This time, it’s the Heartland Trophy, a brass bull, on the line as the Badgers come to Iowa City. Wisconsin is riding high after taking down Southern California, and a win here should vault the Badgers into the US LBM Coaches Poll. It will take another error-free performance from dual-threat QB Colton Joseph as he goes against LB Cam Buffington and the formidable Iowa front seven. After some promising outings, the Hawkeyes offense took a major step back in last week’s loss at Minnesota. It appears Hank Brown will start over Jeremy Hecklinski at QB, but RB Kamari Moulton will be needed to keep Badgers LB Sebastian Cheeks at bay.
  • Why it could disappoint: See above on close-game, low-scoring drama. The big play could happen at any time, but there aren’t likely to be many of them.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Week 9 looks like college football’s calm before the storm. Don’t believe it

Source: Yahoo Sports