AL.com college football staff picks for Week 9 of 2023
It’s the final weekend of October, and things are really beginning to heat up in college football and in AL.com’s staff picks.
After an awful first month of the season, our panel of prognosticators had a second straight strong week last time out. Things have tightened near the top of the standings as well.
Auburn enters a key part of its schedule this week, while South Alabama and Troy both have important conference games. Alabama and UAB are both on a bye, while Jacksonville State played Wednesday night.
Scroll along below to find out how various AL.com sports staffers see this week’s games playing out. We’ve also given predicted scores for this week’s Alabama and Auburn games.
A reminder that these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD. That means that each person’s selection doesn’t necessarily mean he or she thinks that team will win outright, just that it will cover the point spread.
On with this week’s picks (all times Central and all games Saturday unless noted):
Oklahoma defensive lineman Ethan Downs (40), linebacker Danny Stutsman (28) and defensive back Reggie Pearson (21) stop Central Florida running back RJ Harvey in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Norman, Okla. (AP Photo/Nate Billings)AP
Oklahoma (-9.5) at Kansas, 11 a.m., Fox
Michael Casagrande: Kansas
Matt Cohen: Oklahoma
Evan Dudley: Oklahoma
Ben Flanagan: Oklahoma
Patrick Greenfield: Oklahoma
Andrew Hammond: Kansas
Mark Inabinett: Oklahoma
Ainslee Lee: Oklahoma
Creg Stephenson: Oklahoma
Oregon quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws a pass against Washington State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Andy Nelson)AP
Oregon (-6.5) at Utah, 2:30 p.m., Fox
Michael Casagrande: Utah
Matt Cohen: Utah
Evan Dudley: Oregon
Ben Flanagan: Utah
Patrick Greenfield: Oregon
Andrew Hammond: Oregon
Mark Inabinett: Utah
Ainslee Lee: Utah
Creg Stephenson: Utah
Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord drops back to pass against Penn State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)AP
Ohio State (-14.5) at Wisconsin, 6:30 p.m., NBC
Michael Casagrande: Wisconsin
Matt Cohen: Ohio State
Evan Dudley: Ohio State
Ben Flanagan: Ohio State
Patrick Greenfield: Ohio State
Andrew Hammond: Wisconsin
Mark Inabinett: Wisconsin
Ainslee Lee: Ohio State
Creg Stephenson: Wisconsin
UCLA head coach Chip Kelly stands on the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker)AP
Colorado (+17) at UCLA, 6:30 p.m., ABC
Michael Casagrande: Colorado
Matt Cohen: Colorado
Evan Dudley: Colorado
Ben Flanagan: Colorado
Patrick Greenfield: Colorado
Andrew Hammond: UCLA
Mark Inabinett: UCLA
Ainslee Lee: Colorado
Creg Stephenson: UCLA
Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher yells at his players during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Tennessee, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)AP
South Carolina (+14) at Texas A&M, 11 a.m., ESPN
Michael Casagrande: South Carolina
Matt Cohen: Texas A&M
Evan Dudley: Texas A&M
Ben Flanagan: South Carolina
Patrick Greenfield: Texas A&M
Andrew Hammond: South Carolina
Mark Inabinett: Texas A&M
Ainslee Lee: South Carolina
Creg Stephenson: South Carolina
Kirby Smart and No. 1 Georgia will face Florida in Jacksonville on Saturday. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)AP
Florida (+14.5) vs. Georgia (at Jacksonville), 2:30 p.m., CBS
Michael Casagrande: Florida
Matt Cohen: Florida
Evan Dudley: Georgia
Ben Flanagan: Georgia
Patrick Greenfield: Georgia
Andrew Hammond: Georgia
Mark Inabinett: Georgia
Ainslee Lee: Florida
Creg Stephenson: Florida
Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
Tennessee (-3) at Kentucky, 6 p.m., ESPN
Michael Casagrande: Kentucky
Matt Cohen: Kentucky
Evan Dudley: Tennessee
Ben Flanagan: Tennessee
Patrick Greenfield: Kentucky
Andrew Hammond: Kentucky
Mark Inabinett: Tennessee
Ainslee Lee: Kentucky
Creg Stephenson: Tennessee
South Alabama wide receiver Caullin Lacy reacts to his long gain against Southern Miss in the first half of a NCAA football game Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2023, at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala. (Mike Kittrell/AL.com)
Louisiana (+10) at South Alabama, 4 p.m., ESPN+
Michael Casagrande: Louisiana
Matt Cohen: Louisiana
Evan Dudley: Louisiana
Ben Flanagan: South Alabama
Patrick Greenfield: South Alabama
Andrew Hammond: Louisiana
Mark Inabinett: South Alabama
Ainslee Lee: South Alabama
Creg Stephenson: South Alabama
Troy wide receiver Chris Lewis (6) runs for a touchdown past Army defensive back Quindrelin Hammonds (26) during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in West Point, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)AP
Troy (-6) at Texas State, 6 p.m., ESPN+
Michael Casagrande: Texas State
Matt Cohen: Texas State
Evan Dudley: Troy
Ben Flanagan: Troy
Patrick Greenfield: Troy
Andrew Hammond: Troy
Mark Inabinett: Texas State
Ainslee Lee: Texas State
Creg Stephenson: Troy
Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter (27) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA football game against Mississippi Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023 in Auburn, Ala. (AL.com Photo/Stew Milne)Stew Milne
Mississippi State (+7) at Auburn, 2:30 p.m., SEC Network
Michael Casagrande: Auburn 3, Mississippi State 2
Matt Cohen: Auburn 24, Mississippi State 20
Evan Dudley: Auburn 27, Mississippi State 14
Ben Flanagan: Auburn 27, Mississippi State 18
Patrick Greenfield: Auburn 24, Mississippi State 14
Andrew Hammond: Mississippi State 17, Auburn 13
Mark Inabinett: Auburn 24, Mississippi State 18
Ainslee Lee: Auburn 24, Mississippi State 10
Creg Stephenson: Auburn 17, Mississippi State 14
South Carolina mascot, Sir Big Spur, stands on the sideline during the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)AP
Standings after Week 8
| Name | Record |
|---|---|
| Mark Inabinett | 43-37 |
| Ainslee Lee | 41-39 |
| Creg Stephenson | 39-41 |
| Evan Dudley | 38-42 |
| Ben Flanagan | 37-43 |
| Patrick Greenfield | 36-44 |
| Michael Casagrande | 34-46 |
| Matt Cohen | 34-46 |
| Andrew Hammond | 30-50 |