No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 10 Penn State in tight contests early

Welcome to Week 9, the group of games that precedes the first edition of the College Football Playoff selection committee’s rankings for the 2023 season.

Get ready for the excitement as top teams brace themselves for potential upsets that can dramatically alter the course of the season with just one game. Surprises can emerge from unexpected places, so keep an eye out for major upsets in addition to the highly anticipated matchups below.

Here’s what’s in store for early Saturday (scroll for live updates):

Time: 3:30 p.m. ET | TV: CBS | Line: UGA -14.5 | Total: 47

Kicking off with a rivalry game in Jacksonville, Georgia (7-0) is determined to secure their third consecutive national title. They’ll face a formidable Florida team (5-2, 3-1 SEC) that has won five of their last six games and is ready for a showdown with ranked opponents. The absence of star tight end Brock Bowers due to an ankle injury raises questions about Georgia’s offensive strategy. On the other side, can Graham Mertz and the Florida offense handle the strong Georgia defense?

Time: 3:30 p.m. | TV: Fox | Line: Oregon -6.5 | Total: 47.5

The battle between Oregon and Utah takes center stage as two of the four teams with one loss in Pac-12 play vie for a favorable position behind the undefeated Washington. Oregon aims for a comeback after their recent defeat against UW while Utah, despite numerous injuries, looks to secure a third consecutive Pac-12 championship. However, Utah will have to make do without starting QB Cam Rising for the remainder of the season. Can his replacement, Bryson Barnes, lead the Utes to victory?

Time: 3:30 p.m. | TV: ESPN | Line: UL -4 | Total: 46

Jeff Brohm has propelled Louisville (6-0) to unexpected heights in his first season, positioning them as contenders for the ACC title. Following a significant victory over Notre Dame, the Cardinals faced a setback against Pitt in their last game. Meanwhile, Duke is recovering from a tough loss to FSU and relies on QB Riley Leonard, who has been hampered by an ankle injury. This ACC showdown holds great importance for both teams, and Duke desperately needs Leonard in top form.