5 matchups to watch in college football, week 9


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SALT LAKE CITY — Going undefeated is a difficult thing to do in football and it gets tougher at each level. In college, only a couple make it through unscathed, if at all.

So far this season there are nine teams still fighting to stay perfect. This week, seven battle to remain unbeaten and several will have a difficult time doing it.

No. 4 Washington Huskies (7-0) at No. 17 Utah Utes (7-1)

The biggest threat from keeping the Huskies from going undefeated currently is Utah. The scary thing about the Huskies is how mistake-free their offense is playing, specifically quarterback Jake Browning. Browning is fourth in total QBR for the season, eighth in completion percentage and has 26 touchdown passes to only two interceptions on the season. Utah has been one of the best defenses in the Pac-12, allowing only 21 points per game. The Utes need this game to be in position over Colorado in the Pac-12 South.

No. 7 Nebraska Cornhuskers (7-0) at No. 11 Wisconsin Badgers (5-2)

Nebraska has started 7-0 and has gotten a lot of love — maybe too much love. The only ranked team the Huskers have played this season is Oregon, which, since then have imploded and are now 2-5. Nebraska hasn’t beaten anyone of note, but they keep winning. Now it’s time to put up or shut up. Wisconsin has been shockingly dominating all season with its only losses coming to national contenders Michigan and Ohio State, and both games were close. If Nebraska needs to prove it's one of the best, it needs to prove it this weekend.

No. 3 Clemson Tigers (7-0) at No. 12 Florida State Seminoles (5-2)

Clemson got off to a slow start, but have since picked it up. The crowning moment for the Tigers was beating Louisville and Heisman favorite Lamar Jackson a few weeks ago. Florida State had a midseason slump, losing to Louisville and UNC, but a win over Miami seems to have the Seminoles back on track. Last season Clemson won this matchup, but it’s the first time they did it since 2011. Clemson hasn’t won in Tallahassee since 2006. The Tigers are arguably the better team, but the Seminoles have a history of beating Clemson.

No. 10 West Virginia Mountaineers (6-0) at Oklahoma State Cowboys (5-2)

West Virginia is another team like Nebraska, without any real tough teams under its belt. Blowing out Texas Tech and TCU is nice, but West Virginia needs to keep putting away solid competition to be considered a top 10 team. Oklahoma State is a solid team with its only losses coming in a weird fluke against Central Michigan, and against undefeated Baylor. Oklahoma State is receiving votes, and a win against West Virginia will surely put them in the AP top 25. West Virginia is out to prove they’re legit despite the soft beginning to their schedule.

No. 13 Boise State Broncos (7-0) at Wyoming Cowboys (5-2)

Boise State barely survived against BYU and now it's going into what can very well be a trap game. Outside of an early season stomping by Nebraska, Wyoming has looked extremely competent this season. Wyoming is undefeated in the Mountain West and undefeated at home this season. Wyoming is the hardest hurdle left for the Broncos to complete an unbeatean regular season.

Other undefeated teams playing:

  • No. 8 Baylor Bears (6-0) at Texas Longhorns (3-4)
  • No. 2 Michigan Wolverines (7-0) at Michigan State Spartans (2-5)

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Adam Cichoski

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