College Football Week 9 Picks: Oregon Faces Physical Test vs. Utah

We know it may be hard to believe, but there are non-Michigan college football things of note happening. The Wolverines don’t even play this week, but plenty of other teams do. Let’s pick five, shall we?

All lines courtesy of SI Sportsbook. Last week: Forde 2–4, Johnson 4–2. Season: Forde 21-21-2, Johnson 20-22-2.

Oklahoma (-9) vs. Kansas

Johnson: Kansas. Jayhawks off a bye week with a sold out crowd jazzed up for the team. It’s a trickier environment than you might think. The Sooners should tread lightly.

Forde: Kansas. The Sooners were shaky last week in barely getting past Central Florida at home. This will be a harder test. How do they handle their first true road game in more than a month? If you’re giving me more than a touchdown, I’m taking the Jayhawks.

Oklahoma faces a tricky test on the road at Kansas as it seeks to maintain its undefeated record.

AP Photo/Nate Billings

Florida vs. Georgia (-14.5)

Johnson: Florida. The Gators may not be able to beat the Dawgs but I expect them to keep this game close enough. The hook beckons, and I’ll take it.

Forde: Florida. The hook helps, but more than anything this feels like a one-score game that the Bulldogs win but don’t dominate. Without Brock Bowers, Carson Beck could struggle. The Gators have won their last two games, it’s a rivalry, etc. Give me Florida.

Oregon (-6.5) vs. Utah

Johnson: Oregon. Utah’s been figuring it out so far this season as they often do. I don’t think they’ll be able to do so against an Oregon team that can play with their bar-room-brawl brand of football. The Ducks have tried to build a physical identity. There will be no greater test in the Pac-12 than this.

Forde: Utah. Eye test says to take the Ducks. But the Utes at home have been extremely tough—18 straight wins in The Muss—and they always improve as the season progresses. Taking nearly a touchdown feels generous.

The Ducks will see how their physical style matches up with one of the Pac-12’s fiercest programs.

Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee (-3.5) vs. Kentucky

Johnson: Tennessee. The Vols don’t get enough credit for their physicality. No, it wasn’t enough against the Tide last week, but it will be against the Cats.

Forde: Tennessee. Outside of Ray Davis, the Kentucky offense has been disappointing. Quarterback Devin Leary has completed just 33-of-72 passes the last three games for a mere 317 yards. Kentucky does have an open-date advantage here while the Volunteers just played Alabama, but Tennessee is simply better.

Ohio State (-14.5) vs. Wisconsin