What to watch in college football week 9: A&M-LSU highlights sleeper slate of games

We've got another big time slate of college football games in week 9, highlighted by Texas A&M football vs. LSU.

Nov 26, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Shemar Stewart (4) shows off his gold grill smile after the Aggies defeat the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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College football week 9 afternoon slate: First screen - 21 Missouri @ 15 Alabama (3:30 PM ET/2:30 PM CT, ABC)

Speaking of fraud watch, the Missouri Tigers are sitting at a very shaky 6-1 headed into Tuscaloosa. They lost big against the Aggies, and won a close game against a pretty bad Auburn team.

Of course, it's not as though Alabama has looked like their Nick Saban selves recently. No, they've been all over the place, but have also lost two of their last three—and maybe should have lost that other one, as well.

Tide fans are itching for a win in the worst way. Missouri knows their season rides and dies with this game, and despite a reduction in quality in Tuscaloosa, a win over Bama still brings a lot of cache. I'll pick the upset for the heck of it. Prediction: Missouri 31, Alabama 30

College football week 9 afternoon slate: Second screen - 20 Illinois @ 1 Oregon (3:30 PM ET/2:30 PM CT, CBS)

Another ranked vs. ranked matchup during the afternoon slate, but I really don't think this one will be as close. Loath as I am to pick against Bret Bielema, I think he may be overmatched in this one.

Of course, the Illini defense is no joke, so it's entirely possible they keep things closer and high-variance. I don't think it's likely, but obviously Oregon does not want this to be a slugfest.

I think we see the Ducks get out and running in this one, though. Prediction: Oregon 38, Illinois 21