NCAA Football 2022 Week 9 picks

 A slightly better week last week, but I'm still below normal in my predictions.  Let's see if this week can make up some ground.

Thurs Oct 27

Virginia Tech Hokies at NC State Wolfpack : As Halloween approaches, it's time for the woves to prowl.  NC STATE by 20

#14 Utah Utes at Washington State Cougars : The Cougars can be tough, but the Utes are proving to be a tough team this season.  UTAH by 13

Fri Oct 28

East Carolina Pirates at BYU Cougars : The Cougars fell to the Flames last week, so they want to bounce back.  The Pirates have found their defense again, so it may not be an easy task.  BYU by five

Sat Oct 29

Top 25

#1 Ohio State Buckeyes at #9 Penn State Nittany Lions : Welcome back to the Top Ten, Lions.  Too bad it won't last.  The Buckeyes are the toughest second half team in college football.  Even if the Lions prepare for the Buckeyes, and might keep it close going into the half, Ohio State will take command in the third.  OHIO STATE by 24

Florida Gators at #2 Georgia Bulldogs : The Gators come to Georgia, but Uga likes gator meat.  GEORGIA by 23

Michigan State Spartans at #3 Michigan Wolverines : This in-state rivalry can often be close, but I don't think we'll see that this year.  The Spartans offense is sputtering, and the Wolverine defense won't make it any easier.  MICHIGAN by 26

#24 Kentucky Wildcats at #4 Tennessee Volunteers : This is also an intense rivalry, and the Vols are powerful this year.  I think this will be an offensive showcase, which gives Tennessee the edge.  TENN by 13

#6 USC Trojans at Arizona Wildcats : The Wildcats are teme this seaosn.  USC by 27

#8 TCU Horned Frogs at West Virginia Mountaineers : The best team in the Big XII face the worst.  Er, do I really need to pick this one?  TCU by lots

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at #10 Syracuse Orange : It isn't often that Syracuse is favored against the Irish.  The Orange will rejoice in that, and rejoice in the resulting victory.  SYRACUSE by 16

#11 Illinois Fighting Illini at Nebraska Cornhuskers : Nebraska has a decent offense, but that tight Illini defense will cause turnovers and penalties, problems already plaguing the Huskers.  ILLINOIS by 20

#12 Oklahoma State Cowboys at Kansas State Wildcats : Kansas State is in the midst of some tough competition on their schedule, and that is where they often falter each year.  This year will be another example.  OKLAHOMA STATE by 18

#13 Ole Miss Rebels at Texas A&M Aggies : The Aggies aren't really much of a threat this season.  OLE MISS by 24

Stanford Cardinal at #15 UCLA Bruins : The Bruins need to bounce back from last week's loss.  Here's a good way.  UCLA by 20

#16 Oregon Ducks at Cal Golden Bears : Okay, the Ducks may be the hottest team in the conference right now.  OREGON by 24

#17 Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Louisville Cardinals : Louisville looked hot last week, but Wake Forest has looked hot for most weeks.  WAKE FOREST by 16

#19 Cincinnati Bearcats at UCF Golden Knights : UCF fell last week, and I foresee a two-game slide.  Cincy doens't win pretty, but they do find ways to win.  CINCY by 13

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at #21 Minnesota Golden Gophers : Illini seems to have knocked Minnesota off their game.  They need a good win to recover.  Rutgers doesn't have much of a defense, which will give the Gophers offense a chance to sine.  MINNESOTA by 18

Big Ten

Northwestern Wildcats at Iowa Hawkeyes : The stingy Hawkeyes defense still exists.  We saw it during the first half of their game against Ohio State.  It's just that no team can hold back the Buckeyes offense for long.  On the other hand, the Wildcats offense is already having troubles.  Iowa's defense will shut them down.  IOWA by ten

MAC

Toledo Rockets at Eastern Michigan Eagles : Despite a strong victory last week, the Eagles aren't ready to threaten the Rockets.  TOLEDO by 20

Miami Ohio RedHawks at Akron Zips : The Zips have none.  MIAMI OHIO by 16

Other Games of Interest

Oklahoma Sooners ar Iowa State Cyclones : The Cyclones are looking for their first conference victory, ans the Sooners suffered three straight losses before their bye.  Are the Sooners ripe for a fourth loss, securing the Cyclones first conference win?  Perhaps, but I think the bye week was a chance for Oklahoma to right themselves.  OKLAHOMA by 21

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Florida State Seminoles : The Yellow Jackets have a decent defense, but they don't have much to offer on the other side of the ball.  Florida State has both a working offense and working defense.  FLORIDA STATE by 16