Oct 18, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates the win against the Louisiana State Tigers during the second half at FirstBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
Oct 18, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; South Florida Bulls tight end Jonathan Echols (1) celebrates scoring with running back Alvon Isaac (15) as offensive tackle Connor McLaughlin (71) and offensive lineman Cole Best (72) look on during the second quarter against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Oct 18, 2025; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks interim head coach Bobby Petrino during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia (2) celebrates following the game between Vanderbilt University and Louisiana State University at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.

Week 8 reminded us what college football is all about.

In a week with five matchups between ranked opponents, we saw some major shakeups around the sport. Most notably, four teams in the top 10 went down, including a pair of teams who entered the weekend ranked inside the top five.

On its face, the Week 9 schedule looks a bit weaker. Still, we have what should be three thrilling matchups between ranked opponents — including an unlikely game of the week — and plenty of more games that carry with them major College Football Playoff implications as we enter the final weekend of October.

Here are the Week 9 college football watchability rankings to help you decide which matchups to focus on over the weekend.

All odds via BetMGM

Best game of the week: Missouri at Vanderbilt

Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

I've got to be honest: I never expected I'd be ranking a matchup between Missouri and Vanderbilt as the best game of the week. That's a testament to what Clark Lea has done for the Commodores, who are now ranked in the top 10 for the first time since 1947 after a win over LSU. They'll look to keep it rolling as they welcome another ranked Missouri squad that enters at 6-1 and ranks in the top 15 after a road win over Auburn.

Game with the most CFP implications: Ole Miss at Oklahoma

Saturday, Noon ET, ABC

Amid Lane Kiffin rumors with the Florida job opening, Ole Miss looks to keep its SEC hopes alive on the road against Oklahoma. It's coming off a road loss against Georgia in which its defense struggled tremendously, and it will hope to avoid that same outcome against John Mateer and OU. Facing this elite Sooners defense on the road will likely be the toughest test Trinidad Chambliss has faced so far, as well.

Whoever loses this battle of one-loss teams will have an uphill battle to remain in playoff contention the rest of the way.

Most intriguing weeknight game: Cal at Virginia Tech

Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

We're friends, so I'm going to keep it real with y'all: This game isn't very intriguing at all. But it's a shockingly bare weeknight slate, and unfortunately, this one's the best of the bunch.

Please allow me to try to sell you on it.

Cal is the better team, and true freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagopolutele is a rising star, though he remains a bit raw. This will be a cross-country trip for the Golden Bears, however, as they look to lock up bowl eligibility against a Hokies team that's 1-2 in ACC play since firing coach Brent Pry. Also, Virginia Tech is the favorite here, so Vegas clearly thinks it could be a decent game.

How's that?

Brian Kelly's must-win game: Texas A&M at LSU

Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC

Let's be clear about one thing: There are approximately 53 million reasons Brian Kelly may not be on the hot seat at LSU. Still, it's been a massively disappointing season so far for the Tigers, whose lackluster offense has cost them in losses to Ole Miss and, most recently, Vanderbilt.

Now, LSU returns home to host the No. 3 team in the nation, an unbeaten Texas A&M squad. It will have the advantage that comes with playing a night game in Death Valley, and a loss could prove to be a death knell for the Tigers' playoff hopes. This was a CFP or bust kind of year, and I'm not sure Kelly wants to see what happens if he takes a third loss before we reach November.

Group of Five game of the week: South Florida at Memphis

Saturday, Noon ET, ESPN2

This game looked like a slam dunk to be the G5 game of the year, and while that remains a possibility, it lost quite a bit of luster after Memphis lost to UAB in its first game with an interim coach. Still, with UNLV losing, the playoff stakes in this one are clear, as the American champion has a clear path to an automatic bid.

Whoever wins this one will be in the driver's seat to play for a conference title alongside Tulane, which is unbeaten in league play.

Sickos game of the week: Auburn at Arkansas

Saturday, 12:45 p.m. ET, SECN

These teams come into Saturday's game a combined 0-7 in SEC play, but something is going to give in Fayetteville. After coming up just short in upset bids against Tennessee and Texas A&M, Bobby Petrino is looking for his first win as Arkansas' interim head coach. Hugh Freeze and Auburn have had their fair share of heartbreaking losses to begin SEC play, as well, and Freeze's seat will likely get pretty scorching if the Tigers can't get this one done on the road.

Also watch...

UCLA at Indiana: Saturday, Noon ET, FOX

Alabama at South Carolina: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC

BYU at Iowa State: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Illinois at Washington: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, BTN

This article originally appeared on For The Win: College football Week 9 watchability rankings: Can Vanderbilt notch another ranked win?

Reporting by Tyler Nettuno, For The Win / For The Win

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